The Lord passes through the land, striking down all the firstborn in Egypt, both human and animal. The firstborn of Pharaoh would have been considered divine; traditionally the god Amun visited the mother of the pharaoh-to-be. Utterly humiliated, Pharaoh summons Moses and Aaron in the night, orders them out, and seeks their blessing. Pharaoh first calls the people Israelites at this point (12:31), giving recognition to them as a national entity.

The Israelites ask for silver, gold, and clothing from Egyptians, and in doing so they receive token “payment” for the years of slave labor. That Israel goes out with provisions fits with the torah regulations that freed slaves be provisioned (Deut. 15:13–15). Further, these materials constitute the voluntary offerings for the construction of the…