Exodus 12:38

Exodus 12:38

And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and herds, even very much cattle.

a. NLT: A rabble of non-Israelites went with them, along with great flocks and herds of livestock.

b. NIV: Many other people went up with them, and also large droves of livestock, both flocks and herds.

c. YLT: and a great rabble also hath gone up with them, and flock and herd -- very much cattle.

d. Amplified Bible Classic:  And a mixed multitude went also with them, and very much livestock, both flocks and herds.

e. Septuagint: And a great mixed [company] went up with them, and sheep and oxen and very much cattle. 

f. Stone Edition Torah/Prophets/Writings: Also a mixed multitude went up witgh them, and flock and cattle, very much lifestock.

1. “And a mixed multitude went up also with them…”

a. a mixed [6154 * `ereb; or mereb (1Kings 10:15), (with the article prefix)] [Strong: from 6148; the web (or transverse threads of cloth); also a mixture, (or mongrel race):--Arabia, mingled people, mixed (multitude), woof.]

b. multitude [7227 * rab] [Strong: by contracted from 7231; abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality):--(in) abound(-undance, -ant, -antly), captain, elder, enough, exceedingly, full, great(-ly, man, one), increase, long (enough, (time)), (do, have) many(-ifold, things, a time), ((ship-))master, mighty, more, (too, very) much, multiply(-tude), officer, often(-times), plenteous, populous, prince, process (of time), suffice(-lent).]

1). Stone Edition Torah/Prophets/Writings: Note under this verse, A multitude of people of various nationalities converted to Judaism and accompanied the Jews out of Egypt.

2). Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsh Commentary: In typical fulfilment of the promise in Genesis 12:3, and no doubt induced by the signs and wonders of the Lord in Egypt to seek their good among the Israelites, a great crowd of mixed people (רב ערב) attached themselves to them, whom Israel could not shake off, although they afterwards became a snare to them (Numbers 11:4). ערב: lit., a mixture, ἐπίμικτος sc., λαός (lxx), a swarm of foreigners; called אספסף in Numbers 11:4, a medley, or crowd of people of different nations.]

3). Pulpit Commentary: Kalisch supposes that these strangers were native Egyptians, anxious to escape the tyranny of the kings. Canon Cook suggests that they were "remains of the old Semitic population" of the Eastern provinces. Perhaps it is more probable that they consisted of fugitives from other subject races (as the Shartana) oppressed by the Pharaohs. We have again mention of this "mixed multitude" in Numbers 11:4, where we find that they were the first to regret the "flesh and the fish, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlick" which they had eaten in Egypt freely (ib. 5). They thus set a bad example, which the Israelites followed.

4). John Gill’s Commentary: Some of these were Egyptians, and some of other nations that had resided in Egypt, and who, on various accounts, might choose to go along with the children of Israel; some through intermarriages with them, being loath to part with their relations…others on account of religion, being proselytes of righteousness, and others through worldly interest, the land of Egypt being by the plagues a most desolate place; and such wonders being wrought for the children of Israel, they saw they were a people that were the favourites of heaven, and judged it safest and best and most for their interest to keep with them; the Targum of Jonathan computes the number of those to be two hundred and forty myriads:

5). Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary: Literally, "a great rabble" (see also Nu 11:4; De 29:11); slaves, persons in the lowest grades of society, partly natives and partly foreigners, bound close to them as companions in misery, and gladly availing themselves of the opportunity to escape in the crowd.

c. went up [5927 * `alah] [Strong:  a primitive root; to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative (as follow):--arise (up), (cause to) ascend up, at once, break (the day) (up), bring (up), (cause to) burn, carry up, cast up, + shew, climb (up), (cause to, make to) come (up), cut off, dawn, depart, exalt, excel, fall, fetch up, get up, (make to) go (away, up); grow (over) increase, lay, leap, levy, lift (self) up, light, (make) up, X mention, mount up, offer, make to pay, + perfect, prefer, put (on), raise, recover, restore, (make to) rise (up), scale, set (up), shoot forth (up), (begin to) spring (up), stir up, take away (up), work.]

2. “…and flocks, and herds, even very much cattle.”

a. and flocks [6629 * tso'n; or tsaown (Psalm 144:13)] [Strong: from an unused root meaning to migrate; a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men):--(small) cattle, flock (+ -s), lamb (+ -s), sheep((-cote, -fold, -shearer, -herds)).]

b. and herds [1241 * baqar] [Strong: from 1239; beef cattle or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing); collectively, a herd:-- beeve, bull (+ -ock), + calf, + cow, great (cattle), + heifer, herd, kine, ox.]

c. very [3966 * m`od] [Strong: from the same as 181; properly, vehemence, i.e. (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or superlative; especially when repeated):--diligently, especially, exceeding(-ly), far, fast, good, great(-ly), X louder and louder, might(-ily, -y), (so) much, quickly, (so) sore, utterly, very (+ much, sore), well.]

d. much [3515 * kabed] [Strong: from 3513; heavy; figuratively in a good sense (numerous) or in a bad sense (severe, difficult, stupid):--(so) great, grievous, hard(-ened), (too) heavy(-ier), laden, much, slow, sore, thick.]

e. cattle [4735 * miqneh] [Strong: from 7069; something bought, i.e. property, but only livestock; abstractly, acquisition:--cattle, flock, herd, possession, purchase, substance.]