The death of the first — born had been threatened, Exodus 4:23, but is last executed, and less judgments tried, which, if they had done the work, would have prevented this. See how slow God is to wrath, and how willing to be met in the way of his judgments, and to have his anger turned away! That sitteth upon his throne — That is to set. The maid — servant behind the mill — The poor captive slave, employed in the hardest labour.
Related Commentaries of Exodus 11:5
Exodus 11:5
5 And all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sitteth upon his throne, even unto the firstborn of the maidservant that is behind the mill; and all the firstborn of beasts.