Exodus 12:38

12:38 A mixed multitude also went up with them, and flocks and herds – a very large number of cattle.

Exodus 12:51

12:51 And on this very day the Lord brought the Israelites out of the land of Egypt by their regiments.


tn The “mixed multitude” (עֵרֶב רַב, ’erev rav) refers to a great “swarm” (see a possible cognate in 8:21[17]) of folk who joined the Israelites, people who were impressed by the defeat of Egypt, who came to faith, or who just wanted to escape Egypt (maybe slaves or descendants of the Hyksos). The expression prepares for later references to riffraff who came along.

tn Heb “and very much cattle.”