Another matter, “it was at midnight” – that is what is written: “She perceives that her merchandise is good; [her lamp] does not extinguish [at night]” (Proverbs 31:18). You find that the verse states: “As there was no house in which there was no one dead” (Exodus 12:30). How so? You calculate each and every drop that an Egyptian would expel to each and every woman,5If it was the woman’s firstborn, even if it was not the man’s firstborn, he would die. or that the first drop is a firstborn6The man’s firstborn even if it is not the woman’s firstborn. and all the sons would die, as it is written: “He smote all the firstborn in Egypt, the first potency in the tents of Ham” (Psalms 78:51).
The females who were firstborn, they, too, died, except for Bitya, daughter of Pharaoh, for whom a good advocate was found; this is Moses, as it is stated: “She saw him, that he was good” (Exodus 2:2). Therefore, Solomon said: “She perceives that her merchandise is good.” “She arises while it is still night” (Proverbs 31:15). On which night? “It was at midnight.”7On the night of the plague of the firstborn.