Exodus 12:32 Meaning and Explanation
“Also take your flocks and your herds, as ye have said, and be gone; and bless me also.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Pharaoh allows Israel to take their flocks and herds, and asks them to bless him as they leave.
The Context of Exodus 12:32
Pharaoh permits Israel to take livestock and asks for their blessing.
What Does Exodus 12:32 Mean?
Pharaoh grants Israel's requests completely: they can take their livestock, which represents their wealth and means of sustenance in the wilderness. The phrase 'as ye have said' shows that Pharaoh yields to Israel's terms, not his own conditions. His complete capitulation demonstrates that God's judgment has broken his will entirely. He who once refused every demand now grants all that is asked.
The final request—'bless me also'—reveals Pharaoh's desperation. He seeks the blessing of the very people he has enslaved and the God he has defied. This is an extraordinary reversal: the mighty ruler of Egypt, brought low by God's judgment, appeals to the slaves for blessing. The request underscores that Pharaoh has lost everything except his life, which he appears desperate to preserve.
Frequently Asked Questions About Exodus 12:32
What does Exodus 12:32 mean?
Pharaoh allows Israel to take their flocks and herds, and asks them to bless him as they leave.
What is the context of Exodus 12:32?
Pharaoh permits Israel to take livestock and asks for their blessing.