Hebrew Word Study: יציאת מצרים (Yetziat Mitzrayim) – The Exodus
Hebrew Word Study: יציאת מצרים (Yetziat Mitzrayim) – The Exodus
The phrase יציאת מצרים (Yetziat Mitzrayim) is traditionally translated as “The Exodus from Egypt.” However, through sensus plenior, its Hebrew structure reveals a second telling—one that speaks of Christ’s mission to bring righteousness out of bondage and lead creation into its fulfillment.
Breaking Down יציאת מצרים (Yetziat Mitzrayim)
1. יציאת (Yetziat) – “Going Out” / “Bringing Forth”
🔹 י (Yod) – His
🔹 צ (Tzadi) – Righteousness
🔹 א (Aleph) – Created [by]
🔹 ת (Tav) – Completion of revelation with a new life
📖 Expanded Meaning:
- יציאת (Yetziat) does not just mean “to leave” but “to bring forth, to birth, to produce something new.”
- The Exodus was not just an escape from Egypt—it was God bringing forth righteousness out of bondage.
- This foreshadows Jesus bringing forth righteousness through the cross, as the true fulfillment of Israel’s journey.
🔍 Sensus Plenior Insight:
- יציאת can be read as “God's(י) Righteousness (צ), created [by] (א), completion of revelation with a new life (ת).”
- The Exodus was not just about people leaving Egypt—it was a shadow of Christ, the true Firstborn (א), leading creation (י) into righteousness (צ) through the finished work of the cross (ת).
2. מצרים (Mitzrayim) – “The Place Where Righteousness is Revealed”
As we previously studied, מצרים (Mitzrayim) means:
🔹 מ (Mem) – From
🔹 צ (Tzadi) – Righteousness
🔹 ר (Resh) – Revealed
🔹 י (Yod) – Creation
🔹 ם (Final Mem) – Finished by the Son
📖 Expanded Meaning:
- Egypt is the place where righteousness is revealed in creation, finished by the Son.
- The Exodus was not just about leaving Egypt, but about righteousness being revealed in the process.
- Jesus entered the world’s “Egypt” (bondage to sin) to reveal God’s righteousness and bring His people out.
The Hidden Prophetic Narrative in יציאת מצרים
If we read יציאת מצרים through this lens, it reveals Christ’s work in the Exodus:
יציאת מצרים = “Bringing forth (יציאת) righteousness (צ) from the place where righteousness is revealed (מצרים).”
This transforms our understanding of the Exodus:
- It was not just about physical movement, but a prophetic revelation of how Christ would bring righteousness forth from suffering.
- The Red Sea crossing represents baptism and new creation (1 Corinthians 10:1-2).
- Christ’s death and resurrection are the true Exodus—leading God’s people out of bondage into freedom.
📖 Jesus & the True Exodus:
- Luke 9:31 – On the Mount of Transfiguration, Moses and Elijah speak with Jesus about His “departure” (Greek: exodos), which He was about to accomplish in Jerusalem.
- Colossians 1:13 – “He has rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of His beloved Son.”
Key Takeaways
🔹 The Exodus was not just about Israel—it was about Christ.
🔹 It was not just an escape from Egypt—it was the birthing of righteousness through God’s work.
🔹 It foreshadowed Jesus leading creation out of sin’s bondage into the fulfillment of God’s righteousness.
🔹 The Red Sea crossing mirrors Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection.
Reflection Questions
- How does seeing the Exodus as a second telling of Christ’s work change your understanding of it?
- What areas in your life still feel like Egypt—places where God is working to bring forth righteousness?
- How does baptism reflect the true Exodus in Christ?
Conclusion: The Exodus & the Cross
The literal Exodus was about Israel leaving Egypt.
The hidden Exodus was about Christ leading His people into righteousness.
The final Exodus is our deliverance through His death and resurrection.
🔹 Moses led Israel out of Egypt.
🔹 Jesus leads the true Israel out of sin and death.
🔹 We now follow the same pattern, walking in the righteousness He has brought forth.
