Exodus 12: The Passover and the Exodus

Exodus 12 Scripture
1

And the Lord spake unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying,

2

This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you.

3

Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house:

4

And if the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbour next unto his house take it according to the number of the souls; every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb.

5

Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats:

6

And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening.

7

And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it.

8

And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it.

9

Eat not of it raw, nor sodden at all with water, but roast with fire; his head with his legs, and with the purtenance thereof.

10

And ye shall let nothing of it remain until the morning; and that which remaineth of it until the morning ye shall burn with fire.

11

And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the Lord’s passover.

12

For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the Lord.

13

And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.

14

And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the Lord throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.

15

Seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread; even the first day ye shall put away leaven out of your houses: for whosoever eateth leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that soul shall be cut off from Israel.

16

And in the first day there shall be an holy convocation, and in the seventh day there shall be an holy convocation to you; no manner of work shall be done in them, save that which every man must eat, that only may be done of you.

17

And ye shall observe the feast of unleavened bread; for in this selfsame day have I brought your armies out of the land of Egypt: therefore shall ye observe this day in your generations by an ordinance for ever.

18

In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at even, ye shall eat unleavened bread, until the one and twentieth day of the month at even.

19

Seven days shall there be no leaven found in your houses: for whosoever eateth that which is leavened, even that soul shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he be a stranger, or born in the land.

20

Ye shall eat nothing leavened; in all your habitations shall ye eat unleavened bread.

21

Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said unto them, Draw out and take you a lamb according to your families, and kill the passover.

22

And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the bason, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the bason; and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning.

23

For the Lord will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the Lord will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you.

24

And ye shall observe this thing for an ordinance to thee and to thy sons for ever.

25

And it shall come to pass, when ye be come to the land which the Lord will give you, according as he hath promised, that ye shall keep this service.

26

And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto you, What mean ye by this service?

27

That ye shall say, It is the sacrifice of the Lord’s passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses. And the people bowed the head and worshipped.

28

And the children of Israel went away, and did as the Lord had commanded Moses and Aaron, so did they.

29

And it came to pass, that at midnight the Lord smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle.

30

And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt; for there was not a house where there was not one dead.

31

And he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, Rise up, and get you forth from among my people, both ye and the children of Israel; and go, serve the Lord, as ye have said.

32

Also take your flocks and your herds, as ye have said, and be gone; and bless me also.

33

And the Egyptians were urgent upon the people, that they might send them out of the land in haste; for they said, We be all dead men.

34

And the people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneadingtroughs being bound up in their clothes upon their shoulders.

35

And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment:

36

And the Lord gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required. And they spoiled the Egyptians.

37

And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children.

38

And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and herds, even very much cattle.

39

And they baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they brought forth out of Egypt, for it was not leavened; because they were thrust out of Egypt, and could not tarry, neither had they prepared for themselves any victual.

40

Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, was four hundred and thirty years.

41

And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years, even the selfsame day it came to pass, that all the hosts of the Lord went out from the land of Egypt.

42

It is a night to be much observed unto the Lord for bringing them out from the land of Egypt: this is that night of the Lord to be observed of all the children of Israel in their generations.

43

And the Lord said unto Moses and Aaron, This is the ordinance of the passover: There shall no stranger eat thereof:

44

But every man’s servant that is bought for money, when thou hast circumcised him, then shall he eat thereof.

45

A foreigner and an hired servant shall not eat thereof.

46

In one house shall it be eaten; thou shalt not carry forth ought of the flesh abroad out of the house; neither shall ye break a bone thereof.

47

All the congregation of Israel shall keep it.

48

And when a stranger shall sojourn with thee, and will keep the passover to the Lord, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as one that is born in the land: for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof.

49

One law shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you.

50

Thus did all the children of Israel; as the Lord commanded Moses and Aaron, so did they.

51

And it came to pass the selfsame day, that the Lord did bring the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt by their armies.

Exodus 12 Commentary
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Exodus 12 is a pivotal chapter, marking the climax of God's redemptive plan for Israel and foreshadowing the ultimate redemption found in Jesus Christ. This chapter details the institution of the Passover, the final plague on Egypt, and the Israelites' dramatic exodus from slavery. It's a story of divine judgment, incredible deliverance, and the establishment of a lasting memorial. By understanding the events and symbolism of Exodus 12, we gain profound insights into God's character and His enduring love for His people.

The Institution of the Passover (Exodus 12:1-20)

Exodus 12:1-2 sets the stage for the most significant of Israel's annual festivals: Passover. God instructs Moses and Aaron regarding the establishment of the Passover, a ritual that would protect the Israelites from the devastating final plague and commemorate their liberation from Egyptian bondage. This month of Passover, including portions of March and April, was to be the first month of the Jewish calendar, a new beginning for a newly freed nation. In Canaan, it was called Abib; in Babylonia, Nisan. This reordering of time signified the dawn of a new era, defined by God's redemptive act.

The specific instructions for the Passover are detailed in Exodus 12:3-13. Each family was to select a flawless, year-old male lamb or goat (Exodus 12:3, 5). This animal was chosen on the tenth day of the month and slaughtered at twilight on the fourteenth (Exodus 12:3, 6). The Israelites were to take the blood of the sacrificed animal and apply it to the doorposts and lintel of their homes (Exodus 12:7). Inside, they were to be dressed for travel, ready to depart, and to eat the roasted meat hurriedly, along with unleavened bread and bitter herbs (Exodus 12:8, 11). This was the LORD's Passover (Exodus 12:11). The name "Passover" originates from God's promise to "pass over" the houses marked with blood, sparing the inhabitants from the plague that would strike every firstborn male in Egypt (Exodus 12:12-13).

The Passover is more than just a historical event; it's a powerful foreshadowing of the coming of Jesus Christ. As Paul declares in 1 Corinthians 5:7, "Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed." Just as the blood of the lamb protected the Israelites from physical death, the blood of Christ offers us redemption from sin and eternal life. Through faith in Christ's atoning death, we are set free from the slavery of sin (see Romans 6:17-18). We are redeemed from sin "with the precious blood of Christ" (1 Peter 1:19). Covered by "the blood of the Lamb," we are empowered to overcome the forces of darkness (see Revelation 12:11). "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace" (Ephesians 1:7). God’s plan for salvation was in motion on that fateful night in Egypt.

Exodus 12:14-20 emphasizes the perpetual nature of the Passover celebration. This day was to be a lasting memorial, a permanent statute for Israel to observe throughout their generations (Exodus 12:14). They were also to observe the Festival of Unleavened Bread for seven days, removing all yeast from their homes (Exodus 12:15-20). Yeast, often referred to as "leaven," frequently symbolizes sin in Scripture (see Luke 12:1; 1 Corinthians 5:6-8). Furthermore, eating unleavened bread would serve as a constant reminder of their hasty departure from Egypt, a deliverance that occurred so swiftly that there was no time for the bread to rise.

Obedience and Judgment (Exodus 12:21-36)

Upon receiving the Lord's instructions, Moses relayed them to the elders of Israel (Exodus 12:21). The Passover was to be a time of solemn remembrance and joyful celebration. But it was also designed as a teaching tool for future generations. When their children inquired about the meaning of the feast, parents were to explain how God had judged Egypt and delivered His people from slavery (Exodus 12:26-27).

The Israelites responded to God's plan with reverence and obedience. Hearing of God's intended actions on their behalf, they knelt low, worshiped, and diligently followed the Lord's commands (Exodus 12:27-28). Worship and obedience are always the appropriate responses to divine deliverance.

The stage was now set for the final plague. At midnight, the LORD struck down every firstborn male in the land of Egypt (Exodus 12:29). A great cry arose throughout Egypt, as there was not a single household that did not experience the loss of a loved one (Exodus 12:30). Pharaoh's relentless oppression of Israel and his defiant rejection of Israel's God had led his nation to this devastating moment, forcing them to drink the cup of God's wrath.

Finally, Pharaoh's resistance crumbled. "Get out of here!" he demanded, "You and the Israelites! Go, worship the LORD as you have requested" (Exodus 12:31). He released all the Israelites and their livestock, fulfilling the Lord's earlier promise (Exodus 12:31-32; cf. Exodus 3:19-20). The Egyptians, eager to hasten the Israelites' departure, showered them with silver, gold, and clothing (Exodus 12:33-36), effectively "plundering the Egyptians" (Exodus 12:36; see commentary on Exodus 11:2-3).

The Exodus and its Significance (Exodus 12:37-51)

Exodus 12:37-39 details the magnitude of the exodus. Approximately six hundred thousand men, not including women and children, departed from Egypt (Exodus 12:37). With women and children included, the total number of Israelites likely exceeded two million. The Lord had indeed blessed the original seventy descendants of Jacob who had entered Egypt (Exodus 1:5). A "mixed multitude" also accompanied them, indicating that non-Israelites joined in the exodus (Exodus 12:38). This could include Egyptians who believed in Yahweh and sought refuge with the Israelites.

The Israelites' 430-year sojourn in Egypt had finally come to an end (Exodus 12:40-41), fulfilling the Lord's promise to Abraham (Genesis 15:13-14). Therefore, the Hebrews were to always remember this night in honor of the LORD (Exodus 12:42).

Exodus 12:43-51 provides further instructions regarding the Passover observance, specifying who could and could not participate. Notably, the Israelites were forbidden from breaking any of the lamb's bones during the sacrifice (Exodus 12:46). This detail finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, the true Passover Lamb. During Jesus' crucifixion, the soldiers did not break his legs—a common practice to hasten death—because he was already deceased when they broke the legs of the criminals crucified alongside him. The apostle John recognized this as a fulfillment of Exodus 12:46 (see John 19:31-36).

Exodus 12 is a chapter rich in historical significance and theological depth. It recounts the dramatic story of Israel's deliverance from slavery and establishes the Passover as a lasting memorial of God's redemptive power. More importantly, it foreshadows the ultimate redemption found in Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. As we reflect on the events of Exodus 12, let us remember God's faithfulness, His unwavering love, and His enduring promise of salvation for all who believe.