Exodus 12 Study Notes
General
How was Israel to treat the day of the Passover in the future (12:14)?
Answer: As a memorial festival for the LORD, kept by every generation as a lasting rule
God declares this day a day of remembrance, celebrated as a festival in His honor, and kept as a permanent rule throughout Israel's generations (12:14). Every year God's people would look back on how He rescued them. Centuries later Jesus ate the Passover with His disciples right before His death (Luke 22:15). At that meal He gave them the bread and cup, telling them to repeat it to remember Him, and called the cup a new covenant sealed by His blood (Luke 22:19-20). The Lord's Supper now remembers the greater rescue that the Passover pointed to, proclaiming Christ's death until His return (1 Corinthians 11:26).
- Exodus 12:14 (BSB)“And this day will be a memorial for you, and you are to celebrate it as a feast to the LORD, as a permanent statute for the generations to come.”The Passover day is to be a memorial and a feast kept by every generation as a permanent statute.
- Luke 22:15 (BSB)“And He said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before My suffering.”Jesus eagerly desires to eat the Passover with His disciples before His suffering.
- Luke 22:19-20 (BSB)“And He took the bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body, given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is poured out for you.”At that Passover meal Jesus gives the bread and cup as a remembrance of His body and the new covenant in His blood.
- 1 Corinthians 11:26 (BSB)“For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.”Eating the Lord's Supper proclaims the Lord's death until He comes.
Theological
What status does 12:14 give to the Passover day?
Answer: A memorial festival for the LORD, a perpetual ordinance for all generations
The Passover day is instituted as a memorial, a festival for the LORD kept as a perpetual ordinance throughout Israel's generations (12:14). The memorial reaches its fulfillment when Christ, at the Passover He longed to share before His suffering (Luke 22:15), institutes the Supper as His remembrance and the cup as a new covenant sealed by His blood (Luke 22:19-20). The church's observance of the Supper proclaims the death of the true Passover lamb until His return (1 Corinthians 11:26).
- Exodus 12:14 (BSB)“And this day will be a memorial for you, and you are to celebrate it as a feast to the LORD, as a permanent statute for the generations to come.”The Passover day is to be a memorial and a feast kept by every generation as a permanent statute.
- Luke 22:15 (BSB)“And He said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before My suffering.”Jesus eagerly desires to eat the Passover with His disciples before His suffering.
- Luke 22:19-20 (BSB)“And He took the bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body, given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is poured out for you.”At that Passover meal Jesus gives the bread and cup as a remembrance of His body and the new covenant in His blood.
- 1 Corinthians 11:26 (BSB)“For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.”Eating the Lord's Supper proclaims the Lord's death until He comes.
General
True or False: The text says that since the LORD watched through the night of the exodus to lead Israel out, Israel was to keep that night as a watch to the LORD in every generation.
Answer: True
This is true. The LORD stayed awake and watched over Israel that night in order to lead them out of Egypt, so every generation of Israelites was to keep that same night as a night of watching in honor of the LORD (12:42). Israel's watchfulness answers God's own. The psalmist says the One who guards Israel never dozes or sleeps (Psalm 121:4), and Israel's yearly Passover recalled that God brought them out by night (Deuteronomy 16:1).
- Exodus 12:42 (BSB)“Because the LORD kept a vigil that night to bring them out of the land of Egypt, this same night is to be a vigil to the LORD, to be observed by all the Israelites for the generations to come.”Because the LORD kept watch that night to bring Israel out, Israel is to keep the same night as a vigil to the LORD in every generation.
- Psalm 121:4 (BSB)“Behold, the Protector of Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.”The Protector of Israel never slumbers or sleeps.
- Deuteronomy 16:1 (BSB)“Observe the month of Abib and celebrate the Passover to the LORD your God, because in the month of Abib the LORD your God brought you out of Egypt by night.”Israel is to keep the Passover remembering that God brought them out of Egypt by night.
Theological
True or False: According to 12:42, Israel's annual night of vigil corresponds to the LORD's own vigil on the night of the exodus.
Answer: True
This is true. The LORD kept watch through that night to lead Israel out of Egypt; therefore every generation of Israel is to observe the same night as a watch kept for the LORD (12:42). Israel's commemorative watch answers the watchful care of the LORD, the Keeper of Israel who neither slumbers nor sleeps (Psalm 121:4), and the Passover is kept in memory of His bringing them out by night (Deuteronomy 16:1).
- Exodus 12:42 (BSB)“Because the LORD kept a vigil that night to bring them out of the land of Egypt, this same night is to be a vigil to the LORD, to be observed by all the Israelites for the generations to come.”Because the LORD kept watch that night to bring Israel out, Israel is to keep the same night as a vigil to the LORD in every generation.
- Psalm 121:4 (BSB)“Behold, the Protector of Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.”The Protector of Israel never slumbers or sleeps.
- Deuteronomy 16:1 (BSB)“Observe the month of Abib and celebrate the Passover to the LORD your God, because in the month of Abib the LORD your God brought you out of Egypt by night.”Israel is to keep the Passover remembering that God brought them out of Egypt by night.
General
When children later ask what the Passover ceremony means, what are parents to say (12:26-27)?
Answer: That the sacrifice commemorates how the LORD passed over Israel's homes in Egypt while striking the Egyptians
When Israel enters the land God promised, they must go on observing this ceremony (12:25). When their children ask what it means, the parents are to explain that this sacrifice is the Passover offered in honor of the LORD, since He spared the Israelites' homes in Egypt while striking the Egyptians (12:26-27). Then the people bow low and worship. God wanted the Passover to teach each new generation what He had done. The same pattern appears in other passages where parents answer their children by telling of God's mighty rescue (Exodus 13:14-15; Deuteronomy 6:20-23).
- Exodus 12:25-27 (BSB)“When you enter the land that the LORD will give you as He promised, you are to keep this service. When your children ask you, ‘What does this service mean to you?’ you are to reply, ‘It is the Passover sacrifice to the LORD, who passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt when He struck down the Egyptians and spared our homes.’” Then the people bowed down and worshiped.”Israel is to keep the ceremony in the promised land and explain it to their children, and the people respond with worship.
- Exodus 13:14-15 (BSB)“In the future, when your son asks you, ‘What does this mean?’ you are to tell him, ‘With a mighty hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. And when Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, the LORD killed every firstborn in the land of Egypt, both of man and beast. This is why I sacrifice to the LORD the firstborn male of every womb, but I redeem all the firstborn of my sons.’”Another instruction to answer a child's question by recounting how the LORD killed Egypt's firstborn when Pharaoh refused.
- Deuteronomy 6:20-23 (BSB)“In the future, when your son asks, “What is the meaning of the decrees and statutes and ordinances that the LORD our God has commanded you?” then you are to tell him, “We were slaves of Pharaoh in Egypt, but the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand. Before our eyes the LORD inflicted great and devastating signs and wonders on Egypt, on Pharaoh, and on all his household. But He brought us out from there to lead us in and give us the land that He had sworn to our fathers.”Parents are to answer their children's questions by telling of the LORD's mighty deliverance.
- Exodus 4:31 (BSB)“and they believed. And when they heard that the LORD had attended to the Israelites and had seen their affliction, they bowed down and worshiped.”When Israel first heard of God's concern, they likewise bowed and worshiped.
Theological
What answer does 12:26-27 prescribe when children ask about the Passover rite?
Answer: That the sacrifice commemorates how the LORD passed over Israel's homes in Egypt while striking the Egyptians
The rite is to continue once Israel possesses the promised land (12:25), and it carries its own catechesis: when children ask its meaning, parents confess that this sacrifice is the Passover offered in honor of the LORD, since He spared Israel's homes while striking Egypt and delivered their households (12:26-27). The people's response is worship. The same catechetical pattern recurs in Exodus 13:14-15 and Deuteronomy 6:20-23, where the covenant community transmits the memory of redemption to the next generation, and echoes Israel's earlier worship on hearing of God's concern for them (4:31).
- Exodus 12:25-27 (BSB)“When you enter the land that the LORD will give you as He promised, you are to keep this service. When your children ask you, ‘What does this service mean to you?’ you are to reply, ‘It is the Passover sacrifice to the LORD, who passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt when He struck down the Egyptians and spared our homes.’” Then the people bowed down and worshiped.”Israel is to keep the ceremony in the promised land and explain it to their children, and the people respond with worship.
- Exodus 13:14-15 (BSB)“In the future, when your son asks you, ‘What does this mean?’ you are to tell him, ‘With a mighty hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. And when Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, the LORD killed every firstborn in the land of Egypt, both of man and beast. This is why I sacrifice to the LORD the firstborn male of every womb, but I redeem all the firstborn of my sons.’”Another instruction to answer a child's question by recounting how the LORD killed Egypt's firstborn when Pharaoh refused.
- Deuteronomy 6:20-23 (BSB)“In the future, when your son asks, “What is the meaning of the decrees and statutes and ordinances that the LORD our God has commanded you?” then you are to tell him, “We were slaves of Pharaoh in Egypt, but the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand. Before our eyes the LORD inflicted great and devastating signs and wonders on Egypt, on Pharaoh, and on all his household. But He brought us out from there to lead us in and give us the land that He had sworn to our fathers.”Parents are to answer their children's questions by telling of the LORD's mighty deliverance.
- Exodus 4:31 (BSB)“and they believed. And when they heard that the LORD had attended to the Israelites and had seen their affliction, they bowed down and worshiped.”When Israel first heard of God's concern, they likewise bowed and worshiped.
General
How were the Israelites to be dressed while eating the Passover (12:11)?
Answer: Ready to travel, with sandals on their feet and staff in hand, eating quickly
God told Israel to eat the meal already dressed for the road, belts fastened, sandals on, walking staff in hand, and to eat it quickly, because it was the LORD's Passover (12:11). They were to eat as people who expected God to act that very night and were ready to leave the moment He did. Later, Israel remembered this haste each year through the unleavened bread (Deuteronomy 16:3), recalling that God led them out of Egypt during the night (Deuteronomy 16:1).
- Exodus 12:11 (BSB)“This is how you are to eat it: You must be fully dressed for travel, with your sandals on your feet and your staff in your hand. You are to eat in haste; it is the LORD’s Passover.”Israel is to eat the Passover dressed for travel, sandals on and staff in hand, in haste.
- Deuteronomy 16:3 (BSB)“You must not eat leavened bread with it; for seven days you are to eat with it unleavened bread, the bread of affliction, because you left the land of Egypt in haste—so that you may remember for the rest of your life the day you left the land of Egypt.”The later law ties the unleavened bread to the haste with which Israel left Egypt.
- Deuteronomy 16:1 (BSB)“Observe the month of Abib and celebrate the Passover to the LORD your God, because in the month of Abib the LORD your God brought you out of Egypt by night.”Israel is reminded that God brought them out of Egypt by night.
Theological
In what manner was the first Passover to be eaten, according to 12:11?
Answer: Dressed for departure, with sandals on and staff in hand, in haste
The first Passover was eaten in readiness for departure, loins girded, sandals on, staff in hand, and in haste, for it was the LORD's Passover (12:11). The posture expresses faith in God's promised deliverance that very night. The annual commemoration preserved this note of haste in the unleavened bread (Deuteronomy 16:3) and in the remembrance that God brought Israel out by night (Deuteronomy 16:1).
- Exodus 12:11 (BSB)“This is how you are to eat it: You must be fully dressed for travel, with your sandals on your feet and your staff in your hand. You are to eat in haste; it is the LORD’s Passover.”Israel is to eat the Passover dressed for travel, sandals on and staff in hand, in haste.
- Deuteronomy 16:3 (BSB)“You must not eat leavened bread with it; for seven days you are to eat with it unleavened bread, the bread of affliction, because you left the land of Egypt in haste—so that you may remember for the rest of your life the day you left the land of Egypt.”The later law ties the unleavened bread to the haste with which Israel left Egypt.
- Deuteronomy 16:1 (BSB)“Observe the month of Abib and celebrate the Passover to the LORD your God, because in the month of Abib the LORD your God brought you out of Egypt by night.”Israel is reminded that God brought them out of Egypt by night.
General
What does 12:40-41 say about the length of Israel's stay in Egypt?
Answer: It lasted 430 years, and the LORD's companies left Egypt on the exact day it ended
The text says the Israelites lived in Egypt for 430 years, and when those 430 years were complete, on that exact day, every company of the LORD left Egypt (12:40-41). The chapter ends by repeating that on that same day the LORD led Israel out, company by company (12:51). God had told Abram long before that his descendants would be oppressed in a foreign land for four hundred years and then come out (Genesis 15:13-14), and Paul later speaks of 430 years between God's covenant promise and the giving of the law (Galatians 3:17). Bible scholars explain how these figures fit together in different ways, but the text's own emphasis is clear: God rescued His people exactly on His appointed day.
- Exodus 12:40-41 (BSB)“Now the duration of the Israelites’ stay in Egypt was 430 years. At the end of the 430 years, to the very day, all the LORD’s divisions went out of the land of Egypt.”The text gives the length of Israel's stay in Egypt as 430 years and says the LORD's divisions left on the very day it ended.
- Exodus 12:51 (BSB)“And on that very day the LORD brought the Israelites out of the land of Egypt by their divisions.”The chapter closes by repeating that on that very day the LORD brought Israel out by their divisions.
- Genesis 15:13-14 (BSB)“Then the LORD said to Abram, “Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not their own, and they will be enslaved and mistreated four hundred years. But I will judge the nation they serve as slaves, and afterward they will depart with many possessions.”God had foretold to Abram that his descendants would be enslaved and mistreated four hundred years and then come out.
- Galatians 3:17 (BSB)“What I mean is this: The law that came 430 years later does not revoke the covenant previously established by God, so as to nullify the promise.”Paul speaks of the law coming 430 years after the covenant God established.
Theological
What chronological statement does 12:40-41 make?
Answer: That the sojourn lasted 430 years, and the LORD's hosts went out on the exact day it ended
The narrator records the duration of Israel's sojourn as 430 years and stresses that at its end, on that exact day, all the hosts of the LORD went out of Egypt (12:40-41), a point repeated in the chapter's closing verse (12:51). Genesis 15:13-14 gives four hundred years for the oppression foretold to Abram, and Galatians 3:17 speaks of the law coming 430 years after the covenant; interpreters reconcile these figures in more than one way. The text's own emphasis is on the precision of God's timing: the deliverance came on the day He had appointed.
- Exodus 12:40-41 (BSB)“Now the duration of the Israelites’ stay in Egypt was 430 years. At the end of the 430 years, to the very day, all the LORD’s divisions went out of the land of Egypt.”The text gives the length of Israel's stay in Egypt as 430 years and says the LORD's divisions left on the very day it ended.
- Exodus 12:51 (BSB)“And on that very day the LORD brought the Israelites out of the land of Egypt by their divisions.”The chapter closes by repeating that on that very day the LORD brought Israel out by their divisions.
- Genesis 15:13-14 (BSB)“Then the LORD said to Abram, “Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not their own, and they will be enslaved and mistreated four hundred years. But I will judge the nation they serve as slaves, and afterward they will depart with many possessions.”God had foretold to Abram that his descendants would be enslaved and mistreated four hundred years and then come out.
- Galatians 3:17 (BSB)“What I mean is this: The law that came 430 years later does not revoke the covenant previously established by God, so as to nullify the promise.”Paul speaks of the law coming 430 years after the covenant God established.
General
Which instruction about the Passover meal is given in 12:8-10?
Answer: The lamb was to be fire-roasted and eaten that night with bitter herbs and bread made without yeast, and anything left by morning burned
The meat was to be eaten that same night, roasted in the fire, together with bread made without yeast and bitter herbs (12:8). It could not be eaten raw or boiled in water; the whole animal, head, legs, and inner organs, was to be roasted (12:9). Nothing was to be kept until the next morning, and any leftovers had to be burned (12:10). Later instructions repeat the pairing of bitter herbs with unleavened bread (Numbers 9:11), and Deuteronomy names it bread of affliction, a reminder of the hard days of slavery and the hurried escape (Deuteronomy 16:3).
- Exodus 12:8-10 (BSB)“They are to eat the meat that night, roasted over the fire, along with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. Do not eat any of the meat raw or cooked in boiling water, but only roasted over the fire—its head and legs and inner parts. Do not leave any of it until morning; before the morning you must burn up any part that is left over.”The lamb is to be roasted whole and eaten that night with unleavened bread and bitter herbs, with any leftovers burned before morning.
- Numbers 9:11 (BSB)“Such people are to observe it at twilight on the fourteenth day of the second month. They are to eat the lamb, together with unleavened bread and bitter herbs;”Later Passover law repeats that the lamb is eaten with unleavened bread and bitter herbs.
- Deuteronomy 16:3 (BSB)“You must not eat leavened bread with it; for seven days you are to eat with it unleavened bread, the bread of affliction, because you left the land of Egypt in haste—so that you may remember for the rest of your life the day you left the land of Egypt.”The unleavened bread is called the bread of affliction, recalling the hurried departure from Egypt.
Theological
Which regulation for the Passover meal does 12:8-10 prescribe?
Answer: The lamb was to be fire-roasted whole and eaten that night with bitter herbs and unleavened bread, and any remainder burned before morning
The lamb was to be eaten that night, fire-roasted, with bitter herbs and unleavened bread (12:8); not raw or boiled, but roasted whole with head, legs, and entrails (12:9); and nothing was to remain until morning, any remainder being burned (12:10). Numbers 9:11 repeats the pairing of the lamb with bitter herbs and unleavened bread, and Deuteronomy 16:3 interprets the unleavened bread as bread of affliction, memorializing both the bondage and the haste of the departure.
- Exodus 12:8-10 (BSB)“They are to eat the meat that night, roasted over the fire, along with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. Do not eat any of the meat raw or cooked in boiling water, but only roasted over the fire—its head and legs and inner parts. Do not leave any of it until morning; before the morning you must burn up any part that is left over.”The lamb is to be roasted whole and eaten that night with unleavened bread and bitter herbs, with any leftovers burned before morning.
- Numbers 9:11 (BSB)“Such people are to observe it at twilight on the fourteenth day of the second month. They are to eat the lamb, together with unleavened bread and bitter herbs;”Later Passover law repeats that the lamb is eaten with unleavened bread and bitter herbs.
- Deuteronomy 16:3 (BSB)“You must not eat leavened bread with it; for seven days you are to eat with it unleavened bread, the bread of affliction, because you left the land of Egypt in haste—so that you may remember for the rest of your life the day you left the land of Egypt.”The unleavened bread is called the bread of affliction, recalling the hurried departure from Egypt.
General
What instructions does Moses give the elders in 12:21-23?
Answer: Dip a bunch of hyssop in the blood, brush it on the lintel and both doorposts, and let no one go outside until morning
Moses calls the elders and tells them to choose lambs and kill the Passover (12:21). They are to dip a bunch of hyssop, a small leafy plant, in the basin of blood and brush it on the beam above the door and on both doorposts; no one is to step outside until morning (12:22). As the LORD goes through the land to strike Egypt, He will notice the blood and pass over that door, keeping the destroyer out (12:23). Safety was only under the blood, inside the marked house. Hebrews says Moses observed the Passover and applied the blood by faith, so the destroyer would leave Israel's firstborn unharmed (Hebrews 11:28). Hyssop later became a symbol of cleansing from sin (Psalm 51:7), and Paul also speaks of the destroying angel carrying out God's judgment (1 Corinthians 10:10).
- Exodus 12:21-23 (BSB)“Then Moses summoned all the elders of Israel and told them, “Go at once and select for yourselves a lamb for each family, and slaughter the Passover lamb. Take a cluster of hyssop, dip it into the blood in the basin, and brush the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe. None of you shall go out the door of his house until morning. When the LORD passes through to strike down the Egyptians, He will see the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe and will pass over that doorway; so He will not allow the destroyer to enter your houses and strike you down.”Moses tells the elders to apply the blood with hyssop, to stay indoors until morning, and that the LORD will not let the destroyer enter.
- Hebrews 11:28 (BSB)“By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch Israel’s own firstborn.”By faith Moses kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood so that the destroyer would not touch Israel's firstborn.
- Psalm 51:7 (BSB)“Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.”David later asks to be cleansed with hyssop, linking the plant with purification.
- 1 Corinthians 10:10 (BSB)“And do not complain, as some of them did, and were killed by the destroying angel.”Paul refers to a destroying angel acting in judgment in Israel's wilderness history.
Theological
What does Moses instruct the elders in 12:21-23?
Answer: To apply the blood with a bunch of hyssop to the lintel and doorposts and let no one leave the house until morning
Moses relays the command to the elders: slaughter the Passover (12:21), apply the blood with hyssop to the lintel and doorposts, and let no one go out until morning (12:22); the LORD, seeing the blood, will pass over the door and not permit the destroyer to come in (12:23). Protection was located exclusively under the blood within the marked house. Hebrews 11:28 interprets Moses' keeping of the Passover and sprinkling of blood as an act of faith that kept the destroyer from Israel's firstborn, and hyssop becomes associated with purification from sin (Psalm 51:7). Paul likewise speaks of the destroying angel as an agent of God's judgment (1 Corinthians 10:10).
- Exodus 12:21-23 (BSB)“Then Moses summoned all the elders of Israel and told them, “Go at once and select for yourselves a lamb for each family, and slaughter the Passover lamb. Take a cluster of hyssop, dip it into the blood in the basin, and brush the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe. None of you shall go out the door of his house until morning. When the LORD passes through to strike down the Egyptians, He will see the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe and will pass over that doorway; so He will not allow the destroyer to enter your houses and strike you down.”Moses tells the elders to apply the blood with hyssop, to stay indoors until morning, and that the LORD will not let the destroyer enter.
- Hebrews 11:28 (BSB)“By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch Israel’s own firstborn.”By faith Moses kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood so that the destroyer would not touch Israel's firstborn.
- Psalm 51:7 (BSB)“Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.”David later asks to be cleansed with hyssop, linking the plant with purification.
- 1 Corinthians 10:10 (BSB)“And do not complain, as some of them did, and were killed by the destroying angel.”Paul refers to a destroying angel acting in judgment in Israel's wilderness history.
General
Besides striking the firstborn, what else does God say He will do on Passover night (12:12)?
Answer: Bring judgment on every one of Egypt's gods
God says that on that night He will go through the land and kill every firstborn, both people and animals, and will bring judgment on every one of Egypt's gods, adding simply that He is the LORD (12:12). The plagues were not just a contest between Moses and Pharaoh; they showed that Egypt's gods were powerless before the one true God. Numbers looks back on that night and says the LORD had judged their gods (Numbers 33:4). When Jethro heard what happened, he concluded that the LORD surpasses every other god (Exodus 18:11). The nations' gods are mere idols, but the LORD made the heavens (Psalm 96:5).
- Exodus 12:12 (BSB)“On that night I will pass through the land of Egypt and strike down every firstborn male, both man and beast, and I will execute judgment against all the gods of Egypt. I am the LORD.”God declares that on Passover night He will strike Egypt's firstborn and execute judgment on all Egypt's gods.
- Numbers 33:4 (BSB)“who were burying all their firstborn, whom the LORD had struck down among them; for the LORD had executed judgment against their gods.”Looking back, Moses records that as Egypt buried its firstborn, the LORD had brought judgment on their gods.
- Exodus 18:11 (BSB)“Now I know that the LORD is greater than all other gods, for He did this when they treated Israel with arrogance.””Hearing of the exodus, Jethro concludes that the LORD is greater than all other gods.
- Psalm 96:5 (BSB)“For all the gods of the nations are idols, but it is the LORD who made the heavens.”The gods of the nations are idols, while the LORD made the heavens.
Theological
What does God declare in 12:12 alongside the striking of the firstborn?
Answer: That He will bring judgment on every god of Egypt
The tenth plague is framed as judgment not only on Egypt's firstborn, man and beast, but on every god of Egypt, sealed with the LORD's own self-identification (12:12). The exodus is thus a vindication of the LORD's sole deity against Egypt's pantheon. Numbers 33:4 records the same verdict retrospectively; Jethro confesses the LORD's supremacy over every other god (Exodus 18:11); and the psalmist states the principle that the nations' gods are idols while the LORD is the Creator (Psalm 96:5).
- Exodus 12:12 (BSB)“On that night I will pass through the land of Egypt and strike down every firstborn male, both man and beast, and I will execute judgment against all the gods of Egypt. I am the LORD.”God declares that on Passover night He will strike Egypt's firstborn and execute judgment on all Egypt's gods.
- Numbers 33:4 (BSB)“who were burying all their firstborn, whom the LORD had struck down among them; for the LORD had executed judgment against their gods.”Looking back, Moses records that as Egypt buried its firstborn, the LORD had brought judgment on their gods.
- Exodus 18:11 (BSB)“Now I know that the LORD is greater than all other gods, for He did this when they treated Israel with arrogance.””Hearing of the exodus, Jethro concludes that the LORD is greater than all other gods.
- Psalm 96:5 (BSB)“For all the gods of the nations are idols, but it is the LORD who made the heavens.”The gods of the nations are idols, while the LORD made the heavens.
General
What happened at midnight, according to 12:29-30?
Answer: The LORD put to death every firstborn in Egypt, from Pharaoh's son to the prisoner's son, along with firstborn livestock, and a great cry of grief rose from every home
Exactly as announced, in the middle of the night the LORD put to death every firstborn in Egypt, from the son of Pharaoh on the throne to the son of the captive in the dungeon, and all the firstborn animals as well (12:29). Pharaoh, his court, and all Egypt got up in the night, and there was bitter wailing, because not one house was without someone dead (12:30). This fulfilled the warning God had given Moses for Pharaoh at the very beginning, that because he refused to release God's firstborn son Israel, his own firstborn would die (4:22-23). Israel's psalms later praised God for this act of judgment and rescue (Psalm 136:10-11; Psalm 78:51).
- Exodus 12:29-30 (BSB)“Now at midnight the LORD struck down every firstborn male in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh, who sat on his throne, to the firstborn of the prisoner in the dungeon, as well as all the firstborn among the livestock. During the night Pharaoh got up—he and all his officials and all the Egyptians—and there was loud wailing in Egypt; for there was no house without someone dead.”At midnight the LORD strikes every firstborn in Egypt, and there is loud wailing because every house has a death.
- Exodus 4:22-23 (BSB)“Then tell Pharaoh that this is what the LORD says: ‘Israel is My firstborn son, and I told you to let My son go so that he may worship Me. But since you have refused to let him go, behold, I will kill your firstborn son!’””God had given Moses this warning for Pharaoh: because he refused to release Israel, God's firstborn, Pharaoh's firstborn would die.
- Psalm 136:10-11 (BSB)“He struck down the firstborn of Egypt His loving devotion endures forever. and brought Israel out from among them His loving devotion endures forever.”The psalm praises the LORD for striking Egypt's firstborn and bringing Israel out, because His loving devotion endures forever.
- Psalm 78:51 (BSB)“He struck all the firstborn of Egypt, the virility in the tents of Ham.”Another psalm remembers God striking all the firstborn of Egypt.
Theological
What does 12:29-30 record occurring at midnight?
Answer: The LORD's striking of every firstborn in Egypt, from Pharaoh's to the captive's, with the firstborn of livestock, and a great cry because every house had its dead
In the middle of the night the LORD executes the announced judgment, striking every firstborn in Egypt from the heir of the throne to the child of the captive, together with the firstborn of livestock (12:29), so that Pharaoh and all Egypt rise in the night to a great cry, for no house was without its dead (12:30). The judgment answers the message God gave Moses for Pharaoh at the outset: Pharaoh's refusal to release Israel, the LORD's firstborn, is repaid in kind (4:22-23). Israel's worship celebrates the event as an act of God's steadfast covenant love toward His people (Psalm 136:10-11; Psalm 78:51).
- Exodus 12:29-30 (BSB)“Now at midnight the LORD struck down every firstborn male in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh, who sat on his throne, to the firstborn of the prisoner in the dungeon, as well as all the firstborn among the livestock. During the night Pharaoh got up—he and all his officials and all the Egyptians—and there was loud wailing in Egypt; for there was no house without someone dead.”At midnight the LORD strikes every firstborn in Egypt, and there is loud wailing because every house has a death.
- Exodus 4:22-23 (BSB)“Then tell Pharaoh that this is what the LORD says: ‘Israel is My firstborn son, and I told you to let My son go so that he may worship Me. But since you have refused to let him go, behold, I will kill your firstborn son!’””God had given Moses this warning for Pharaoh: because he refused to release Israel, God's firstborn, Pharaoh's firstborn would die.
- Psalm 136:10-11 (BSB)“He struck down the firstborn of Egypt His loving devotion endures forever. and brought Israel out from among them His loving devotion endures forever.”The psalm praises the LORD for striking Egypt's firstborn and bringing Israel out, because His loving devotion endures forever.
- Psalm 78:51 (BSB)“He struck all the firstborn of Egypt, the virility in the tents of Ham.”Another psalm remembers God striking all the firstborn of Egypt.
General
What change to Israel's calendar does God make in 12:1-2?
Answer: He makes the Passover month the opening month of their year
God tells Moses and Aaron that this month is to head the list of months for Israel, the opening month of their year (12:1-2). Israel's calendar would now begin with the month of their rescue from Egypt, so that every new year would start by remembering what God had done. Later passages name this month Abib (13:4) and tell Israel to keep the Passover in it because that is when God brought them out of Egypt (Deuteronomy 16:1). God's saving act becomes the starting point of His people's life together.
- Exodus 12:1-2 (BSB)“Now the LORD said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, “This month is the beginning of months for you; it shall be the first month of your year.”Before the Passover instructions, God makes this month the first month of Israel's year.
- Exodus 13:4 (BSB)“Today, in the month of Abib, you are leaving.”The month of the departure is named Abib.
- Deuteronomy 16:1 (BSB)“Observe the month of Abib and celebrate the Passover to the LORD your God, because in the month of Abib the LORD your God brought you out of Egypt by night.”Israel is told to observe the month of Abib and keep the Passover because God brought them out of Egypt in that month.
Theological
What does God establish concerning the calendar in 12:1-2?
Answer: That the Passover month is to open Israel's year
The LORD reorders Israel's calendar around the exodus: this month is to head all the months, opening their year (12:1-2). Redemption becomes the defining starting point of Israel's national and liturgical life. Later texts identify it as the month Abib (13:4) and ground the annual Passover in God's bringing Israel out of Egypt in that month (Deuteronomy 16:1).
- Exodus 12:1-2 (BSB)“Now the LORD said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, “This month is the beginning of months for you; it shall be the first month of your year.”Before the Passover instructions, God makes this month the first month of Israel's year.
- Exodus 13:4 (BSB)“Today, in the month of Abib, you are leaving.”The month of the departure is named Abib.
- Deuteronomy 16:1 (BSB)“Observe the month of Abib and celebrate the Passover to the LORD your God, because in the month of Abib the LORD your God brought you out of Egypt by night.”Israel is told to observe the month of Abib and keep the Passover because God brought them out of Egypt in that month.
General
What rule about the Passover lamb in 12:46 does the Gospel of John see fulfilled at Jesus' death?
Answer: That none of its bones may be broken
The Passover had to be eaten inside a single house; no meat was to be carried outside, and none of the lamb's bones could be broken (12:46). When Jesus was crucified, the soldiers broke the legs of the two men crucified with Him, but they did not break His legs because He had already died. John says this happened to fulfill the Scripture that none of His bones would be broken (John 19:36), pointing back to this Passover rule, which is repeated in Numbers 9:12. Jesus is the true Passover lamb, sacrificed for His people (1 Corinthians 5:7).
- Exodus 12:46 (BSB)“It must be eaten inside one house. You are not to take any of the meat outside the house, and you may not break any of the bones.”The Passover must be eaten in one house, with no meat taken outside and no bone of the lamb broken.
- John 19:36 (BSB)“Now these things happened so that the Scripture would be fulfilled: “Not one of His bones will be broken.””John says Jesus' legs were not broken on the cross in fulfillment of the Scripture that none of His bones would be broken.
- Numbers 9:12 (BSB)“they may not leave any of it until morning or break any of its bones. They must observe the Passover according to all its statutes.”The later Passover law repeats that none of the lamb's bones may be broken.
- 1 Corinthians 5:7 (BSB)“Get rid of the old leaven, that you may be a new unleavened batch, as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.”Paul identifies Christ as our Passover lamb who has been sacrificed.
Theological
Which regulation of 12:46 does John 19:36 present as fulfilled in Christ's death?
Answer: That no bone of the lamb be broken
The Passover was to be eaten within one house, none of the flesh carried outside, and no bone of it broken (12:46; repeated in Numbers 9:12). John records that the soldiers did not break Jesus' legs because He was already dead, and he presents this as fulfillment of the Scripture that not a bone of Him would be broken (John 19:36). The Evangelist thereby identifies the crucified Jesus as the true Passover lamb, as Paul does explicitly (1 Corinthians 5:7): the type of Exodus 12 finds its antitype in Christ's once-for-all sacrifice.
- Exodus 12:46 (BSB)“It must be eaten inside one house. You are not to take any of the meat outside the house, and you may not break any of the bones.”The Passover must be eaten in one house, with no meat taken outside and no bone of the lamb broken.
- John 19:36 (BSB)“Now these things happened so that the Scripture would be fulfilled: “Not one of His bones will be broken.””John says Jesus' legs were not broken on the cross in fulfillment of the Scripture that none of His bones would be broken.
- Numbers 9:12 (BSB)“they may not leave any of it until morning or break any of its bones. They must observe the Passover according to all its statutes.”The later Passover law repeats that none of the lamb's bones may be broken.
- 1 Corinthians 5:7 (BSB)“Get rid of the old leaven, that you may be a new unleavened batch, as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.”Paul identifies Christ as our Passover lamb who has been sacrificed.
General
What does Pharaoh tell Israel's leaders after the death of the firstborn (12:31-32)?
Answer: That they must all leave at once with their flocks and herds, and he asks them to bless him too
Pharaoh summons the two brothers during the night and tells them to get out from among his people, all the Israelites with them, and go serve the LORD as they had asked (12:31). He now gives in on everything he had fought over: they may take their flocks and herds too, just as Moses had demanded (12:32; compare 10:24-26). He even asks them to bless him. The proud king who had refused to humble himself now begs a blessing from the people he enslaved. This is exactly what God had said would happen: after the last plague Pharaoh would drive them out completely (11:1).
- Exodus 12:31-32 (BSB)“Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron by night and said, “Get up, leave my people, both you and the Israelites! Go, worship the LORD as you have requested. Take your flocks and herds as well, just as you have said, and depart! And bless me also.””Pharaoh summons Moses and Aaron by night, tells them to leave with their flocks and herds, and asks for a blessing.
- Exodus 10:24-26 (BSB)“Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and said, “Go, worship the LORD. Even your little ones may go with you; only your flocks and herds must stay behind.” But Moses replied, “You must also provide us with sacrifices and burnt offerings to present to the LORD our God. Even our livestock must go with us; not a hoof will be left behind, for we will need some of them to worship the LORD our God, and we will not know how we are to worship the LORD until we arrive.””Earlier Pharaoh had tried to keep the livestock back, and Moses had insisted every animal must go.
- Exodus 11:1 (BSB)“Then the LORD said to Moses, “I will bring upon Pharaoh and Egypt one more plague. After that, he will allow you to leave this place. And when he lets you go, he will drive you out completely.”God had foretold that after the final plague Pharaoh would drive Israel out completely.
Theological
What does Pharaoh concede and request in 12:31-32?
Answer: Immediate departure of all Israel with flocks and herds, and a request that they bless him also
Pharaoh summons Moses and Aaron while it is still night, orders all Israel out to serve the LORD as requested (12:31) and concedes every point he had contested, including the flocks and herds (12:32; cf. 10:24-26). His request that they bless him as well marks the humbling of the king who would not humble himself. The outcome matches precisely the LORD's prediction in 11:1: after the final plague Pharaoh would not merely release Israel but drive them out.
- Exodus 12:31-32 (BSB)“Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron by night and said, “Get up, leave my people, both you and the Israelites! Go, worship the LORD as you have requested. Take your flocks and herds as well, just as you have said, and depart! And bless me also.””Pharaoh summons Moses and Aaron by night, tells them to leave with their flocks and herds, and asks for a blessing.
- Exodus 10:24-26 (BSB)“Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and said, “Go, worship the LORD. Even your little ones may go with you; only your flocks and herds must stay behind.” But Moses replied, “You must also provide us with sacrifices and burnt offerings to present to the LORD our God. Even our livestock must go with us; not a hoof will be left behind, for we will need some of them to worship the LORD our God, and we will not know how we are to worship the LORD until we arrive.””Earlier Pharaoh had tried to keep the livestock back, and Moses had insisted every animal must go.
- Exodus 11:1 (BSB)“Then the LORD said to Moses, “I will bring upon Pharaoh and Egypt one more plague. After that, he will allow you to leave this place. And when he lets you go, he will drive you out completely.”God had foretold that after the final plague Pharaoh would drive Israel out completely.
General
True or False: During the seven-day Unleavened Bread festival, the Israelites were forbidden to do any work at all on the first and seventh days, including preparing food.
Answer: False
This is false. The first and seventh days of the feast were holy gatherings on which no work was to be done, but the text makes one exception: they could prepare what each person needed to eat (12:16). The feast was to be kept because on that same day God brought Israel's companies out of Egypt (12:17). Leviticus repeats the two holy gatherings with no regular work (Leviticus 23:6-8), and Deuteronomy describes the seventh day as a solemn assembly (Deuteronomy 16:8).
- Exodus 12:16-17 (BSB)“On the first day you are to hold a sacred assembly, and another on the seventh day. You must not do any work on those days, except to prepare the meals—that is all you may do. So you are to keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread, for on this very day I brought your divisions out of the land of Egypt. You must keep this day as a permanent statute for the generations to come.”The first and seventh days of the feast are sacred assemblies with no work except preparing food, and the feast marks the day God brought Israel's divisions out.
- Leviticus 23:6-8 (BSB)“On the fifteenth day of the same month begins the Feast of Unleavened Bread to the LORD. For seven days you must eat unleavened bread. On the first day you are to hold a sacred assembly; you are not to do any regular work. For seven days you are to present a food offering to the LORD. On the seventh day there shall be a sacred assembly; you must not do any regular work.’””The festival calendar repeats the sacred assemblies on the first and seventh days with no regular work.
- Deuteronomy 16:8 (BSB)“For six days you must eat unleavened bread, and on the seventh day you shall hold a solemn assembly to the LORD your God, and you must not do any work.”The seventh day of the feast is again a solemn assembly on which no work is done.
Theological
True or False: According to 12:16, the prohibition of work on the first and seventh days of the feast extended even to preparing food.
Answer: False
This is false. The first and seventh days were holy convocations on which no work was to be done, with the explicit exception of preparing what each person must eat (12:16). The feast commemorates the day on which the LORD brought Israel's hosts out of Egypt (12:17). Leviticus 23:6-8 and Deuteronomy 16:8 repeat the structure of sacred assemblies and cessation from regular work.
- Exodus 12:16-17 (BSB)“On the first day you are to hold a sacred assembly, and another on the seventh day. You must not do any work on those days, except to prepare the meals—that is all you may do. So you are to keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread, for on this very day I brought your divisions out of the land of Egypt. You must keep this day as a permanent statute for the generations to come.”The first and seventh days of the feast are sacred assemblies with no work except preparing food, and the feast marks the day God brought Israel's divisions out.
- Leviticus 23:6-8 (BSB)“On the fifteenth day of the same month begins the Feast of Unleavened Bread to the LORD. For seven days you must eat unleavened bread. On the first day you are to hold a sacred assembly; you are not to do any regular work. For seven days you are to present a food offering to the LORD. On the seventh day there shall be a sacred assembly; you must not do any regular work.’””The festival calendar repeats the sacred assemblies on the first and seventh days with no regular work.
- Deuteronomy 16:8 (BSB)“For six days you must eat unleavened bread, and on the seventh day you shall hold a solemn assembly to the LORD your God, and you must not do any work.”The seventh day of the feast is again a solemn assembly on which no work is done.
General
What does God command about leaven (yeast) during the seven-day Unleavened Bread festival (12:15, 19-20)?
Answer: For seven days no leaven may be in their houses, and anyone who eats leavened bread is to be removed from God's people
Leaven is the small piece of fermented dough that makes bread rise. For seven days Israel was to eat bread made without it, and when the feast began they had to clear it out of their homes; anyone who ate leavened food during those days was to be removed from God's people (12:15). The rule applied to foreigners living among them as well as to native Israelites, and no leaven was to be found in their houses (12:19-20). Paul uses this feast to teach Christians: because Christ, the Passover lamb for His people, has been sacrificed, believers should clear out the old leaven of malice and wickedness and live in sincerity and truth (1 Corinthians 5:7-8). Moses repeats the seven-day feast in the next chapter, telling parents to explain it to their children (13:6-8).
- Exodus 12:15 (BSB)“For seven days you must eat unleavened bread. On the first day you are to remove the leaven from your houses. Whoever eats anything leavened from the first day through the seventh must be cut off from Israel.”For seven days Israel must eat bread without leaven and remove leaven from their houses on the first day.
- Exodus 12:19-20 (BSB)“For seven days there must be no leaven found in your houses. If anyone eats something leavened, that person, whether a foreigner or native of the land, must be cut off from the congregation of Israel. You are not to eat anything leavened; eat unleavened bread in all your homes.””Leaven must not be found in their houses, and anyone, native or foreigner, who eats it is cut off.
- 1 Corinthians 5:7-8 (BSB)“Get rid of the old leaven, that you may be a new unleavened batch, as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Therefore let us keep the feast, not with the old bread, leavened with malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and of truth.”Paul applies the removal of leaven to the church: because Christ our Passover is sacrificed, believers keep the feast with sincerity and truth rather than malice and wickedness.
- Exodus 13:6-8 (BSB)“For seven days you are to eat unleavened bread, and on the seventh day there shall be a feast to the LORD. Unleavened bread shall be eaten during those seven days. Nothing leavened may be found among you, nor shall leaven be found anywhere within your borders. And on that day you are to explain to your son, ‘This is because of what the LORD did for me when I came out of Egypt.’”Moses repeats the seven-day feast and its explanation to children.
Theological
What does 12:15, 19-20 require regarding leaven during the feast?
Answer: Seven days without leaven in their houses, with anyone who eats leavened food cut off from God's people
The seven-day festival requires seven days of unleavened bread, with leaven removed from every house at the outset and any eater of leavened food excluded from Israel (12:15). The prohibition binds sojourner and native alike, and no leaven may be found in their houses (12:19-20). Paul draws out the ethical meaning for the church: since Christ our Passover has been sacrificed, believers are to purge the old leaven of malice and wickedness and keep the feast in sincerity and truth (1 Corinthians 5:7-8). Moses restates the seven-day feast and its explanation to the next generation in 13:6-8. Holiness follows redemption as its fruit rather than preceding it as its ground.
- Exodus 12:15 (BSB)“For seven days you must eat unleavened bread. On the first day you are to remove the leaven from your houses. Whoever eats anything leavened from the first day through the seventh must be cut off from Israel.”For seven days Israel must eat bread without leaven and remove leaven from their houses on the first day.
- Exodus 12:19-20 (BSB)“For seven days there must be no leaven found in your houses. If anyone eats something leavened, that person, whether a foreigner or native of the land, must be cut off from the congregation of Israel. You are not to eat anything leavened; eat unleavened bread in all your homes.””Leaven must not be found in their houses, and anyone, native or foreigner, who eats it is cut off.
- 1 Corinthians 5:7-8 (BSB)“Get rid of the old leaven, that you may be a new unleavened batch, as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Therefore let us keep the feast, not with the old bread, leavened with malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and of truth.”Paul applies the removal of leaven to the church: because Christ our Passover is sacrificed, believers keep the feast with sincerity and truth rather than malice and wickedness.
- Exodus 13:6-8 (BSB)“For seven days you are to eat unleavened bread, and on the seventh day there shall be a feast to the LORD. Unleavened bread shall be eaten during those seven days. Nothing leavened may be found among you, nor shall leaven be found anywhere within your borders. And on that day you are to explain to your son, ‘This is because of what the LORD did for me when I came out of Egypt.’”Moses repeats the seven-day feast and its explanation to children.
General
According to 12:37-38, who set out from Rameses on the way to Succoth?
Answer: Roughly 600,000 men traveling on foot, not counting women and children, plus a mixed multitude and large herds and flocks
The Israelites traveled from Rameses toward Succoth, roughly 600,000 men traveling on foot, not counting women and children (12:37). A mixed crowd of other people went with them, a group that was not all Israelite, along with very large herds and flocks (12:38). The family of Jacob had come into Egypt as just seventy people (Genesis 46:27), but in Egypt they had multiplied until they filled the land (Exodus 1:7). A census taken about a year later counted Israelite men aged twenty and over fit for the army at 603,550 (Numbers 1:45-46), close to the figure given here. God had kept His promise to make Abraham's family a great nation.
- Exodus 12:37-38 (BSB)“The Israelites journeyed from Rameses to Succoth with about 600,000 men on foot, besides women and children. And a mixed multitude also went up with them, along with great droves of livestock, both flocks and herds.”Israel sets out from Rameses to Succoth, about 600,000 men on foot plus women and children, with a mixed multitude and many animals.
- Genesis 46:27 (BSB)“And with the two sons who had been born to Joseph in Egypt, the members of Jacob’s family who went to Egypt were seventy in all.”Jacob's family had come down to Egypt numbering seventy.
- Exodus 1:7 (BSB)“but the Israelites were fruitful and increased rapidly; they multiplied and became exceedingly numerous, so that the land was filled with them.”In Egypt the Israelites multiplied greatly and filled the land.
- Numbers 1:45-46 (BSB)“So all the Israelites twenty years of age or older who could serve in Israel’s army were counted according to their families. And all those counted totaled 603,550.”A later census of Israelite men twenty years and older able to serve in the army totaled 603,550.
Theological
What does 12:37-38 record about those who departed from Rameses?
Answer: Roughly 600,000 men traveling on foot, not counting women and children, with a mixed multitude and huge numbers of livestock
The departure from Rameses toward Succoth numbers roughly 600,000 men traveling on foot, not counting women and children (12:37), accompanied by a mixed multitude of non-Israelites and great herds and flocks (12:38). The figure displays the fulfillment of God's promise of multiplication: seventy persons had entered Egypt (Genesis 46:27), and there the Israelites became exceedingly numerous (Exodus 1:7). The subsequent census of men twenty and older able for war totaled 603,550 (Numbers 1:45-46), consistent with the round figure here.
- Exodus 12:37-38 (BSB)“The Israelites journeyed from Rameses to Succoth with about 600,000 men on foot, besides women and children. And a mixed multitude also went up with them, along with great droves of livestock, both flocks and herds.”Israel sets out from Rameses to Succoth, about 600,000 men on foot plus women and children, with a mixed multitude and many animals.
- Genesis 46:27 (BSB)“And with the two sons who had been born to Joseph in Egypt, the members of Jacob’s family who went to Egypt were seventy in all.”Jacob's family had come down to Egypt numbering seventy.
- Exodus 1:7 (BSB)“but the Israelites were fruitful and increased rapidly; they multiplied and became exceedingly numerous, so that the land was filled with them.”In Egypt the Israelites multiplied greatly and filled the land.
- Numbers 1:45-46 (BSB)“So all the Israelites twenty years of age or older who could serve in Israel’s army were counted according to their families. And all those counted totaled 603,550.”A later census of Israelite men twenty years and older able to serve in the army totaled 603,550.
General
True or False: The Passover lambs were to be killed on day fourteen of the month, at twilight.
Answer: True
This is true. After choosing the lamb ten days into the month, each household was to keep it until day fourteen, and then the whole community of Israel was to slaughter the lambs at twilight, as evening came on (12:6). The later law repeats the same timing: the Passover falls at twilight on day fourteen of the opening month (Leviticus 23:5), with the sacrifice made at sunset (Deuteronomy 16:6).
- Exodus 12:6 (BSB)“You must keep it until the fourteenth day of the month, when the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel will slaughter the animals at twilight.”The lamb is kept until the fourteenth day and then slaughtered by the whole assembly at twilight.
- Leviticus 23:5 (BSB)“The Passover to the LORD begins at twilight on the fourteenth day of the first month.”The later festival calendar fixes the Passover at twilight on the fourteenth day of the first month.
- Deuteronomy 16:6 (BSB)“You must only offer the Passover sacrifice at the place the LORD your God will choose as a dwelling for His Name. Do this in the evening as the sun sets, at the same time you departed from Egypt.”The Passover sacrifice is to be offered in the evening at sunset, the time Israel left Egypt.
Theological
True or False: According to 12:6, the Passover animals were to be slaughtered at twilight on day fourteen of the month.
Answer: True
This is true. The lamb selected ten days into the month was kept until the fourteenth, when the entire assembly of Israel slaughtered the lambs as evening fell (12:6). The festival calendar of Leviticus 23:5 preserves the same appointed time, twilight on day fourteen of the opening month, and Deuteronomy 16:6 sets the sacrifice at sunset.
- Exodus 12:6 (BSB)“You must keep it until the fourteenth day of the month, when the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel will slaughter the animals at twilight.”The lamb is kept until the fourteenth day and then slaughtered by the whole assembly at twilight.
- Leviticus 23:5 (BSB)“The Passover to the LORD begins at twilight on the fourteenth day of the first month.”The later festival calendar fixes the Passover at twilight on the fourteenth day of the first month.
- Deuteronomy 16:6 (BSB)“You must only offer the Passover sacrifice at the place the LORD your God will choose as a dwelling for His Name. Do this in the evening as the sun sets, at the same time you departed from Egypt.”The Passover sacrifice is to be offered in the evening at sunset, the time Israel left Egypt.
General
According to 12:7 and 12:13, what did the blood smeared on the doorframes do?
Answer: It was a sign, and when God saw it He would pass over that house so the plague would not destroy those inside
Israel was to smear some of the lamb's blood on the two side posts and the top beam of the doorframe of every house where the lamb was eaten (12:7). God explains that the blood would serve as a sign; when He saw it, He would pass over that house, and the deadly plague would not strike the people inside (12:13). A lamb died, and the firstborn in that house lived. The lamb died in their place; this is called substitution, one dying in the place of another. The New Testament says Christ is the Passover lamb who has been sacrificed (1 Corinthians 5:7). Those made right with God by His blood are rescued from God's anger against sin (Romans 5:9), for forgiveness never comes apart from blood being shed (Hebrews 9:22).
- Exodus 12:7 (BSB)“They are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the lambs.”Blood from the lamb is to be put on the sides and top of each house's doorframe.
- Exodus 12:13 (BSB)“The blood on the houses where you are staying will be a sign; when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No plague will fall on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.”God says the blood is a sign, and when He sees it He will pass over that house.
- 1 Corinthians 5:7 (BSB)“Get rid of the old leaven, that you may be a new unleavened batch, as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.”Paul calls Christ our Passover lamb who has been sacrificed.
- Romans 5:9 (BSB)“Therefore, since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from wrath through Him!”Believers justified by Christ's blood will be saved from God's wrath through Him.
- Hebrews 9:22 (BSB)“According to the law, in fact, nearly everything must be purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.
Theological
What function does 12:7, 13 assign to the blood smeared on the doorframes?
Answer: A sign upon which the LORD would pass over the house so that the destroying plague would not fall on those within
The blood applied to the doorposts and lintel (12:7) is the sign on which the LORD passes over the house, so that no destroying plague falls on those within (12:13). The lamb dies in the stead of the firstborn: judgment is turned aside not because Israel's houses were morally better than Egypt's but because the blood of a substitute was present. The New Testament identifies the fulfillment of the type in Christ, the Passover lamb who has been sacrificed (1 Corinthians 5:7): those declared righteous through His blood will be rescued from wrath by Him (Romans 5:9), since apart from shed blood no remission is granted (Hebrews 9:22). The blood was applied household by household to particular homes, and every house under it was spared.
- Exodus 12:7 (BSB)“They are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the lambs.”Blood from the lamb is to be put on the sides and top of each house's doorframe.
- Exodus 12:13 (BSB)“The blood on the houses where you are staying will be a sign; when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No plague will fall on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.”God says the blood is a sign, and when He sees it He will pass over that house.
- 1 Corinthians 5:7 (BSB)“Get rid of the old leaven, that you may be a new unleavened batch, as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.”Paul calls Christ our Passover lamb who has been sacrificed.
- Romans 5:9 (BSB)“Therefore, since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from wrath through Him!”Believers justified by Christ's blood will be saved from God's wrath through Him.
- Hebrews 9:22 (BSB)“According to the law, in fact, nearly everything must be purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.
General
How did the Israelites come to leave Egypt with silver, gold, and clothing (12:35-36)?
Answer: They requested these things from the Egyptians as Moses said, and the LORD made the Egyptians willing to give them
Following Moses' instructions, the Israelites requested silver and gold objects and clothing from the Egyptians (12:35). The LORD made the Egyptians look kindly on them, so the Egyptians gave what they asked, and in this way Israel plundered Egypt (12:36). They did not steal; they asked, and God turned the Egyptians' hearts to give. The text calls the result plunder because Israel left Egypt carrying Egypt's wealth like the spoils of a victory God had won. This fulfilled God's promise at the burning bush that they would not leave empty-handed (3:21-22), and His much older promise to Abram that his descendants would come out with great possessions (Genesis 15:13-14; compare Psalm 105:37).
- Exodus 12:35-36 (BSB)“Furthermore, the Israelites acted on Moses’ word and asked the Egyptians for articles of silver and gold, and for clothing. And the LORD gave the people such favor in the sight of the Egyptians that they granted their request. In this way they plundered the Egyptians.”Israel asks the Egyptians for silver, gold, and clothing, and the LORD gives favor so that they receive it and plunder Egypt.
- Genesis 15:13-14 (BSB)“Then the LORD said to Abram, “Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not their own, and they will be enslaved and mistreated four hundred years. But I will judge the nation they serve as slaves, and afterward they will depart with many possessions.”God had promised Abram that his descendants would come out of their oppression with many possessions.
- Exodus 3:21-22 (BSB)“And I will grant this people such favor in the sight of the Egyptians that when you leave, you will not go away empty-handed. Every woman shall ask her neighbor and any woman staying in her house for silver and gold jewelry and clothing, and you will put them on your sons and daughters. So you will plunder the Egyptians.””At the bush God foretold that Israel would not leave empty-handed and would plunder the Egyptians.
- Psalm 105:37 (BSB)“He brought Israel out with silver and gold, and none among His tribes stumbled.”The psalm recalls that God brought Israel out carrying silver and gold.
Theological
How does 12:35-36 describe Israel's acquisition of Egyptian silver, gold, and clothing?
Answer: By asking, as Moses directed, with the LORD granting them favor so that the Egyptians gave, and so they plundered Egypt
At Moses' word the Israelites requested silver and gold articles and clothing (12:35), and the LORD granted them favor so that the Egyptians granted the requests; thus they plundered Egypt (12:36). The text describes a request met by God-given favor, not theft; the language of plunder presents Israel as carrying off the spoils of a victory won by the LORD over Egypt. The event fulfills the word at the bush (3:21-22) and the covenant promise to Abram that his offspring would come out with great possessions (Genesis 15:13-14), remembered in Psalm 105:37.
- Exodus 12:35-36 (BSB)“Furthermore, the Israelites acted on Moses’ word and asked the Egyptians for articles of silver and gold, and for clothing. And the LORD gave the people such favor in the sight of the Egyptians that they granted their request. In this way they plundered the Egyptians.”Israel asks the Egyptians for silver, gold, and clothing, and the LORD gives favor so that they receive it and plunder Egypt.
- Genesis 15:13-14 (BSB)“Then the LORD said to Abram, “Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not their own, and they will be enslaved and mistreated four hundred years. But I will judge the nation they serve as slaves, and afterward they will depart with many possessions.”God had promised Abram that his descendants would come out of their oppression with many possessions.
- Exodus 3:21-22 (BSB)“And I will grant this people such favor in the sight of the Egyptians that when you leave, you will not go away empty-handed. Every woman shall ask her neighbor and any woman staying in her house for silver and gold jewelry and clothing, and you will put them on your sons and daughters. So you will plunder the Egyptians.””At the bush God foretold that Israel would not leave empty-handed and would plunder the Egyptians.
- Psalm 105:37 (BSB)“He brought Israel out with silver and gold, and none among His tribes stumbled.”The psalm recalls that God brought Israel out carrying silver and gold.
General
What kind of animal did each household need to choose for the Passover (12:3-5)?
Answer: A flawless one-year-old male, either a sheep or a goat, one for each household
Ten days into the month each man was to pick out a young animal for his household (12:3). A household too small to eat a whole lamb was to share with its closest neighbor, dividing it by how many people would eat (12:4). The animal had to be a male in its first year with no defect, and it could be a sheep or a goat (12:5). The New Testament sees in this flawless lamb a picture of Jesus. Peter says believers were set free at the cost of Christ's own priceless blood, like that of a spotless, flawless lamb (1 Peter 1:18-19), and John the Baptist pointed to Jesus as God's Lamb, the one who removes the world's sin (John 1:29).
- Exodus 12:3-5 (BSB)“Tell the whole congregation of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man must select a lamb for his family, one per household. If the household is too small for a whole lamb, they are to share with the nearest neighbor based on the number of people, and apportion the lamb accordingly. Your lamb must be an unblemished year-old male, and you may take it from the sheep or the goats.”Each household is to choose a lamb on the tenth day, sharing with neighbors if small, and the animal must be a flawless year-old male.
- 1 Peter 1:18-19 (BSB)“For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life you inherited from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot.”Peter says believers were redeemed by the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot.
- John 1:29 (BSB)“The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”John the Baptist identifies Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
- Hebrews 9:14 (BSB)“how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, purify our consciences from works of death, so that we may serve the living God!”Christ offered Himself unblemished to God, the reality to which the flawless Passover lamb points.
Theological
What does 12:3-5 require of the Passover animal?
Answer: A flawless male in its first year, sheep or goat, one per household
Each household was to take its animal ten days into the month (12:3), smaller households joining the closest neighbor according to headcount (12:4), and the victim had to be a flawless male in its first year, whether sheep or goat (12:5). The New Testament reads this requirement typologically: believers are redeemed not by silver or gold but by Christ's costly blood, as of a spotless and flawless lamb (1 Peter 1:18-19), who presented Himself to God without defect (Hebrews 9:14) as God's Lamb who bears away the world's sin (John 1:29).
- Exodus 12:3-5 (BSB)“Tell the whole congregation of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man must select a lamb for his family, one per household. If the household is too small for a whole lamb, they are to share with the nearest neighbor based on the number of people, and apportion the lamb accordingly. Your lamb must be an unblemished year-old male, and you may take it from the sheep or the goats.”Each household is to choose a lamb on the tenth day, sharing with neighbors if small, and the animal must be a flawless year-old male.
- 1 Peter 1:18-19 (BSB)“For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life you inherited from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot.”Peter says believers were redeemed by the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot.
- John 1:29 (BSB)“The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”John the Baptist identifies Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
- Hebrews 9:14 (BSB)“how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, purify our consciences from works of death, so that we may serve the living God!”Christ offered Himself unblemished to God, the reality to which the flawless Passover lamb points.
General
Why did the Israelites bake unleavened bread on their way out of Egypt (12:33-34, 39)?
Answer: Because the Egyptians rushed them out so fast that the dough had not risen and there was no time to prepare food
The Egyptians pressed Israel to leave the land quickly, afraid that otherwise they would all die (12:33). So the people picked up their bread dough before it had risen, slinging the kneading bowls, bundled in cloaks, over their shoulders (12:34). On the way they baked it into flat, unleavened cakes, because they had been forced out so fast that they could not wait or prepare food for the journey (12:39). The flat bread of the yearly feast recalled this hurried exit (Deuteronomy 16:3). Egypt was actually glad to see them go, because they had become terrified of Israel (Psalm 105:38).
- Exodus 12:33-34 (BSB)“And in order to send them out of the land quickly, the Egyptians urged the people on. “For otherwise,” they said, “we are all going to die!” So the people took their dough before it was leavened, carrying it on their shoulders in kneading bowls wrapped in clothing.”The Egyptians urge Israel to hurry, so the people carry their unleavened dough wrapped in their kneading bowls.
- Exodus 12:39 (BSB)“Since their dough had no leaven, the people baked what they had brought out of Egypt into unleavened loaves. For when they had been driven out of Egypt, they could not delay and had not prepared any provisions for themselves.”The dough is baked into unleavened loaves because Israel was driven out too quickly to prepare food.
- Deuteronomy 16:3 (BSB)“You must not eat leavened bread with it; for seven days you are to eat with it unleavened bread, the bread of affliction, because you left the land of Egypt in haste—so that you may remember for the rest of your life the day you left the land of Egypt.”The unleavened bread is tied to the haste of Israel's departure from Egypt.
- Psalm 105:38 (BSB)“Egypt was glad when they departed, for the dread of Israel had fallen on them.”Egypt was glad when Israel left, because dread of Israel had fallen on them.
Theological
What explanation does 12:33-34, 39 give for the unleavened loaves Israel ate on the way out of Egypt?
Answer: The Egyptians hurried them out so that the dough was unleavened and no provisions could be prepared
Fearing universal death, the Egyptians pressed Israel to depart in haste (12:33), so the people carried their dough still unleavened, bound in their kneading troughs on their shoulders (12:34), and baked it into unleavened cakes because they were thrust out without time to prepare provisions (12:39). The feast's unleavened bread memorializes this haste (Deuteronomy 16:3), while Psalm 105:38 notes that Egypt rejoiced at Israel's departure because terror of Israel had seized them.
- Exodus 12:33-34 (BSB)“And in order to send them out of the land quickly, the Egyptians urged the people on. “For otherwise,” they said, “we are all going to die!” So the people took their dough before it was leavened, carrying it on their shoulders in kneading bowls wrapped in clothing.”The Egyptians urge Israel to hurry, so the people carry their unleavened dough wrapped in their kneading bowls.
- Exodus 12:39 (BSB)“Since their dough had no leaven, the people baked what they had brought out of Egypt into unleavened loaves. For when they had been driven out of Egypt, they could not delay and had not prepared any provisions for themselves.”The dough is baked into unleavened loaves because Israel was driven out too quickly to prepare food.
- Deuteronomy 16:3 (BSB)“You must not eat leavened bread with it; for seven days you are to eat with it unleavened bread, the bread of affliction, because you left the land of Egypt in haste—so that you may remember for the rest of your life the day you left the land of Egypt.”The unleavened bread is tied to the haste of Israel's departure from Egypt.
- Psalm 105:38 (BSB)“Egypt was glad when they departed, for the dread of Israel had fallen on them.”Egypt was glad when Israel left, because dread of Israel had fallen on them.
General
According to 12:43-49, how could a foreigner living in Israel take part in the Passover?
Answer: Every male in his household had to be circumcised, and after that he could keep it like a native Israelite
The rules of the Passover said that no outsider could eat it (12:43). A slave who had been bought could eat after being circumcised, but a temporary visitor or hired worker could not (12:44-45). Still, a foreigner living among Israel who wanted to keep the LORD's Passover could do so if every male in his household was circumcised; then he would be treated like someone born in the land, and one law would apply to both (12:48-49; compare Numbers 9:14). Circumcision was the covenant sign God gave Abraham for every male in his household (Genesis 17:12-13). The Passover was for the covenant people, but the door into that people was open to outsiders. Paul says that Gentiles who were once strangers to God's covenants are now brought near through Christ's blood (Ephesians 2:12-13).
- Exodus 12:43-45 (BSB)“And the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, “This is the statute of the Passover: No foreigner is to eat of it. But any slave who has been purchased may eat of it, after you have circumcised him. A temporary resident or hired hand shall not eat the Passover.”No foreigner may eat the Passover, but a purchased slave may eat after being circumcised; temporary residents and hired workers may not.
- Exodus 12:48-49 (BSB)“If a foreigner resides with you and wants to celebrate the LORD’s Passover, all the males in the household must be circumcised; then he may come near to celebrate it, and he shall be like a native of the land. But no uncircumcised man may eat of it. The same law shall apply to both the native and the foreigner who resides among you.””A foreigner who wishes to keep the Passover may do so once all the males of his household are circumcised, and one law applies to native and foreigner.
- Genesis 17:12-13 (BSB)“Generation after generation, every male must be circumcised when he is eight days old, including those born in your household and those purchased from a foreigner—even those who are not your offspring. Whether they are born in your household or purchased, they must be circumcised. My covenant in your flesh will be an everlasting covenant.”God's covenant sign of circumcision applied to every male in Abraham's household, including those bought from foreigners.
- Numbers 9:14 (BSB)“If a foreigner dwelling among you wants to observe the Passover to the LORD, he is to do so according to the Passover statute and its ordinances. You are to apply the same statute to both the foreigner and the native of the land.’””The same Passover statute applies to the foreigner and the native.
- Ephesians 2:12-13 (BSB)“remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.”Gentiles once strangers to the covenants are brought near through the blood of Christ.
Theological
On what terms does 12:43-49 permit a resident foreigner to keep the Passover?
Answer: By circumcision of every male in his household, after which he counts as a native Israelite
The Passover statute excludes the foreigner (12:43) while admitting the purchased slave once circumcised and excluding the transient resident and hired hand (12:44-45). Yet the resident foreigner may keep the LORD's Passover once all his males are circumcised, becoming as a native, under one law for native and sojourner alike (12:48-49; cf. Numbers 9:14). Participation is bound to the covenant sign given to Abraham's household (Genesis 17:12-13), so the feast belongs to the covenant community while its boundary remains open to incorporation. The pattern anticipates the ingathering of Gentiles, once outsiders to the promised covenants, now brought near through Christ's blood (Ephesians 2:12-13).
- Exodus 12:43-45 (BSB)“And the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, “This is the statute of the Passover: No foreigner is to eat of it. But any slave who has been purchased may eat of it, after you have circumcised him. A temporary resident or hired hand shall not eat the Passover.”No foreigner may eat the Passover, but a purchased slave may eat after being circumcised; temporary residents and hired workers may not.
- Exodus 12:48-49 (BSB)“If a foreigner resides with you and wants to celebrate the LORD’s Passover, all the males in the household must be circumcised; then he may come near to celebrate it, and he shall be like a native of the land. But no uncircumcised man may eat of it. The same law shall apply to both the native and the foreigner who resides among you.””A foreigner who wishes to keep the Passover may do so once all the males of his household are circumcised, and one law applies to native and foreigner.
- Genesis 17:12-13 (BSB)“Generation after generation, every male must be circumcised when he is eight days old, including those born in your household and those purchased from a foreigner—even those who are not your offspring. Whether they are born in your household or purchased, they must be circumcised. My covenant in your flesh will be an everlasting covenant.”God's covenant sign of circumcision applied to every male in Abraham's household, including those bought from foreigners.
- Numbers 9:14 (BSB)“If a foreigner dwelling among you wants to observe the Passover to the LORD, he is to do so according to the Passover statute and its ordinances. You are to apply the same statute to both the foreigner and the native of the land.’””The same Passover statute applies to the foreigner and the native.
- Ephesians 2:12-13 (BSB)“remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.”Gentiles once strangers to the covenants are brought near through the blood of Christ.