A mixed multitude also went up with them, and very much livestock, both flocks and herds.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Beyond the Israelites themselves, a "mixed multitude" also left Egypt, including non-Israelites who had lived there and now followed them. This detail highlights that the Exodus wasn't just a national liberation but also a beacon of hope that drew others to God's people, even as they left behind their familiar lives.
A mixed multitude also went up with them, and very much livestock, both flocks and herds.
English Standard Version (ESV)
In the wake of the devastating tenth plague that finally broke Pharaoh's will, the Israelites are finally, urgently sent out of Egypt. Not only the Israelites, but a diverse group of non-Israelites, perhaps Egyptians, servants, or those who had intermarried, also joined the exodus, bringing with them a vast amount of livestock. This departure marks the dramatic climax of God's judgment on Egypt and the miraculous liberation of His people.
The Exodus wasn't just about the people of Israel leaving Egypt. A surprising group joined them on their journey to freedom.
The verse mentions "a mixed multitude" (Hebrew: ‘erev rav) that went out with the Israelites. This wasn't a uniform group. Scholars suggest it likely included:
This diverse group highlights that God's deliverance wasn't limited to one ethnic or national identity.
It wasn't just people making the journey; an immense amount of livestock accompanied them. What does this tell us?
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The verse emphasizes that the "mixed multitude" was accompanied by "very much livestock, both flocks and herds." This detail is significant for a few reasons:
Economic Impact
Practical Challenges
Understand the original words
ereb rab · Hebrew Noun phrase
A diverse group of non-Israelites who joined the Israelites in their exodus, highlighting the inclusive nature of God's covenantal community.
The presence of this 'mixed multitude' highlights that the Exodus wasn't solely an Israelite event; it involved diverse peoples drawn by fear, opportunity, or kinship, reflecting the complex social landscape of ancient Egypt.
c. 1850 BC
Hyksos Rule in Egypt
A period where people of Semitic origin, known as the Hyksos, ruled parts of Egypt. This may have influenced the presence of foreign populations within Egypt.
c. 1550 BC
Expulsion of the Hyksos
Native Egyptian dynasties reasserted control, expelling the Hyksos. This event might have led to increased Egyptian suspicion of foreigners.
c. 1450 BC
Thutmose III's Campaigns
Egyptian empire expanded, potentially bringing more foreign captives or peoples into Egypt's sphere.
Unknown, likely during Israel's bondage
Foreigners Reside in Egypt
Various foreign groups, including Semites and possibly prisoners of war, lived and worked in Egypt, some perhaps intermarrying with Israelites or becoming servants.
c. 1446 BC— this verse
The Exodus Begins
Following the ten plagues, the Israelites, along with a diverse group of non-Israelites, were urgently compelled to leave Egypt.
c. 1446 BC
Israelites Journey to Succoth
The massive company, including Israelites and the 'mixed multitude,' began their journey out of Egypt, departing from Rameses towards Succoth.
Numbers 11:4
Mixed Multitude Laments in Wilderness
Shortly after leaving Egypt, this 'mixed multitude' began to complain and stir up discontent among the Israelites, longing for the food they had in Egypt.
This passage directly references the 'mixed multitude' that left Egypt with Israel, highlighting their discontent and craving for Egyptian food, showing that not all who left were fully committed to God's plan.
Nehemiah 13:3This verse uses the same Hebrew term for 'mixed multitude' when describing their separation from Israel, emphasizing the ongoing concern within the community about maintaining purity and distinctiveness from foreign influences.
Zechariah 8:23This prophetic passage speaks of people from all nations grasping the garment of a Jew, saying 'We will go with you, for we have heard that God is with your people,' reflecting a similar desire for outsiders to join God's people, though with a righteous motivation.
Matthew 13:47-48Jesus' parable of the dragnet illustrates how a net cast into the sea gathers fish of every kind, requiring separation at the end, which parallels the concept of a mixed multitude needing to be sorted out from God's people.
cambridgeExodus 12:38: "And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and herds, even very much cattle."
38 . a great mixed multitude ] cf. Numbers 11:4 (the Heb. word different). Non-Israelites (cf. the same word in Nehemiah 13:3 ) of various kinds are meant: e.g. Egyptians who had intermarried with Israelites (cf. Leviticus 24:10 ), other Semites who had found their way into Egypt, and prisoners taken in war who had been employed in the corvée ( Exodus 1:9 ). flocks and herds ] cf. v. 32,…
calvinExodus 12:29-39: "And it came to pass, that at midnight the LORD smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle."
- And it came to pass, that at midnight the Lord smote all the first-born in the land of Egypt, from the first-born of Pharaoh that sat on his throne, unto the first-born of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the first-born of cat…
Beyond the Israelites themselves, a "mixed multitude" also left Egypt, including non-Israelites who had lived there and now followed them. This detail highlights that the Exodus wasn't just a national liberation but also a beacon of hope that drew others to God's people, even as they left behind their familiar lives.
In the wake of the devastating tenth plague that finally broke Pharaoh's will, the Israelites are finally, urgently sent out of Egypt. Not only the Israelites, but a diverse group of non-Israelites, perhaps Egyptians, servants, or those who had intermarried, also joined the exodus, bringing with them a vast amount of livestock. This departure marks the dramatic climax of God's judgment on Egypt and the miraculous liberation of His people.
In the wake of the devastating tenth plague that finally broke Pharaoh's will, the Israelites are finally, urgently sent out of Egypt. Not only the Israelites, but a diverse group of non-Israelites, perhaps Egyptians, servants, or those who had intermarried, also joined the exodus, bringing with them a vast amount of livestock. This departure marks the dramatic climax of God's judgment on Egypt and the miraculous liberation of His people.
"A mixed multitude also went up with them, and very much livestock, both flocks and herds." — Beyond the Israelites themselves, a "mixed multitude" also left Egypt, including non-Israelites who had lived there and now followed them. This detail highlights that the Exodus wasn't just a nationa…
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Last reviewed October 2026