And ye shall observe this thing for an ordinance to thee and to thy sons for ever.
Read it in contextThe Institution of the Passover and the Exodus
Start reading at Exodus 12:1 (Exodus 12:1 to Exodus 12:51).
The entire chapter of Exodus 12 details the instructions for the Passover, its observance, the tenth plague, and the immediate departure of Israel from Egypt, making it a cohesive literary unit.
12:1And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying,
12:2This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you.
12:3Speak 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:
12:4And 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.
12:5Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats:
12:6And 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.
12:7And 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.
12:8And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it.
12:9Eat not of it raw, nor sodden at all with water, but roast with fire; his head with his legs, and with the purtenance thereof.
12:10And ye shall let nothing of it remain until the morning; and that which remaineth of it until the morning ye shall burn with fire.
12:11And 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.
12:12For 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.
12:13And 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.
12:14And 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.
12:15Seven 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.
12:16And 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.
12:17And 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.
12:18In 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.
12:19Seven 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.
12:20Ye shall eat nothing leavened; in all your habitations shall ye eat unleavened bread.
12:21Then 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.
12:22And 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.
12:23For 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.
12:24And ye shall observe this thing for an ordinance to thee and to thy sons for ever.
12:25And 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.
12:26And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto you, What mean ye by this service?
12:27That 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.
12:28And the children of Israel went away, and did as the LORD had commanded Moses and Aaron, so did they.
12:29And 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.
12:30And 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.
12:31And 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.
12:32Also take your flocks and your herds, as ye have said, and be gone; and bless me also.
12:33And 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.
12:34And the people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneadingtroughs being bound up in their clothes upon their shoulders.
12:35And 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:
12:36And 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.
12:37And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children.
12:38And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and herds, even very much cattle.
12:39And 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.
12:40Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, was four hundred and thirty years.
12:41And 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.
12:42It 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.
12:43And the LORD said unto Moses and Aaron, This is the ordinance of the passover: There shall no stranger eat thereof:
12:44But every man's servant that is bought for money, when thou hast circumcised him, then shall he eat thereof.
12:45A foreigner and an hired servant shall not eat thereof.
12:46In 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.
12:47All the congregation of Israel shall keep it.
12:48And 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.
12:49One law shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you.
12:50Thus did all the children of Israel; as the LORD commanded Moses and Aaron, so did they.
12:51And 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.
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Who
Who wrote the book? Moses is the traditional author. Exodus explicitly records him writing covenant words and other material; that supports his central role without identifying every stage in the book's final compilation. Biblical references: Exodus 17:14; Exodus 24:4; Exodus 34:27. Historical source: Babylonian Talmud, Bava Batra 14b–15a (record of Jewish attribution, not contemporary proof). traditionally held
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Exodus 12:1–13:22): Moses instructs Israel's elders and households concerning Passover and the exodus memorials. Pharaoh and the Egyptians appear in the departure narrative; later Israelite children are named as future hearers of its explanation. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? The Israelites delivered from Egypt, and succeeding generations of Israel who were to remember the deliverance and keep the covenant. Biblical references: Exodus 12:24; Exodus 12:26; Exodus 24:7. stated in the text
What
What is the main event or theme described in the passage? The institution of the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread as a perpetual ordinance for Israel, commemorating God's deliverance from Egypt and the sparing of their firstborn. stated in the text
What is God revealing in this passage? God is revealing His power to deliver His people from bondage, His judgment against the gods and firstborn of Egypt, and His establishment of a covenant memorial (Passover) that requires obedience and remembrance from Israel and their descendants. stated in the text
What is the literary style of the book of Exodus? Narrative history and law. book background
When
When was the book of Exodus written? Approximately 1440 to 1400 B.C. book background
When do the events described in the passage take place? The events of the Passover and the Exodus occurred around 1446 B.C., specifically on the fourteenth day of the first month at even, followed by the departure from Egypt. stated in the text
Where
Where did the events described in the passage happen? In the land of Egypt, specifically within the houses of the children of Israel. stated in the text
Where was the author located when he wrote the book of Exodus? In the Wilderness of Sinai. book background
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in The Institution of the Passover and the Exodus (Exodus 12:1 to Exodus 12:51).
Start reading at Exodus 12:1. The entire chapter of Exodus 12 details the instructions for the Passover, its observance, the tenth plague, and the immediate departure of Israel from Egypt, making it a cohesive literary unit.
How
How does this passage fit into the broader context of the Bible? This passage establishes the central redemptive event of the Old Testament—the Exodus—and institutes the primary memorial (Passover) that would define Israel's identity and relationship with God. It sets the stage for the giving of the Law at Sinai and the subsequent journey to the Promised Land. interpretation
How does this passage point to Christ? The Passover lamb, whose blood protected Israel from God's judgment, is a powerful type of Jesus Christ, who is called 'the Lamb of God' (John 1:29). His shed blood on the cross provides salvation and deliverance from spiritual death for all who believe, just as the blood on the doorposts saved the firstborn of Israel. The command to observe this ordinance 'for ever' foreshadows the eternal significance of Christ's sacrifice. interpretation
How can I apply the principles of this passage to my life today? Believers today are called to remember and celebrate God's deliverance from sin through Christ's sacrifice. Just as Israel was to observe the Passover as a perpetual ordinance, Christians are to remember Christ's death and resurrection, particularly through communion, as a perpetual memorial of our salvation and freedom from spiritual bondage. We are also called to obey God's commands as a demonstration of our faith and gratitude for His saving work. interpretation
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Exodus 12
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Exodus follows the children of Israel from oppression in Egypt to covenant and tabernacle worship. The text records commands to Moses and Israel; instructions for that covenant must not be silently turned into identical commands to every later reader. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The plagues, Passover, departure, and crossing of the sea display the deliverance celebrated in the song that closes this movement.
Connection to the wholeThe plagues, Passover, departure, and crossing of the sea display the deliverance celebrated in the song that closes this movement.
Connection to the wholeThe plagues, Passover, departure, and crossing of the sea display the deliverance celebrated in the song that closes this movement.
Connection to the wholeThe plagues, Passover, departure, and crossing of the sea display the deliverance celebrated in the song that closes this movement.
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The plagues, Passover, departure, and crossing of the sea display the deliverance celebrated in the song that closes this movement.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Exodus
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Exodus follows the children of Israel from oppression in Egypt to covenant and tabernacle worship. The text records commands to Moses and Israel; instructions for that covenant must not be silently turned into identical commands to every later reader.
Connection to the wholeThe plagues, Passover, departure, and crossing of the sea display the deliverance celebrated in the song that closes this movement.
Connection to the wholeGod addresses the delivered people, gives covenant commands, and the covenant is confirmed before instructions for the sanctuary begin.
Connection to the wholeIsrael's idolatry interrupts the sanctuary instructions. Moses intercedes, and renewed covenant words prepare the people to carry out the work.
Connection to the wholeThe people supply and construct the sanctuary according to the commands, and the book ends with the glory of the LORD filling it.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.