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Exodus 12

51 verses

TL;DR

The Israelites are instructed to observe the Passover, a sacrificial lamb marked with blood, to escape the plague of the firstborn and be delivered from Egypt, and the covenant is established for future generations.

Summary

God speaks to Moses and Aaron, commanding the Israelites to take a lamb each household, keep it until the 14th day, slaughter it, and mark their homes with its blood, ensuring their protection during the first plague. They are to eat the lamb with unleavened bread and bitter herbs, in haste and without rest. The passage records the first plague—death of all Egyptian firstborns—and Pharaoh’s call to release the Israelites. The narrative includes logistical details of the exodus, the 430‑year sojourn, and rules governing Passover observance, including prohibitions on foreigners unless circumcised. The covenant is sealed as a perpetual ordinance for Israel’s descendants.

Outline
  1. God’s command for the Passover lamb and its observance (v.1‑12)
  2. The first plague, Pharaoh’s reaction, and the Israelites’ departure (v.13‑34)
  3. Rules for Passover participation, foreigner inclusion, and the covenant’s historic context (v.35‑51)
Themes
Deliverance and divine protectionCovenantal obedience and memoryJudgment and divine sovereignty
Keywords
Passoverlambbloodunleavened breadfirstbornplaguecovenantdeliverancecircumcisionforeigners
People
MosesAaronPharaohEgyptian servantsIsraelite eldersIsraelite families
Places
EgyptRamesesSuccoththe Land of Israelthe land the LORD will give
Things
lambbloodunleavened breadbitter herbshyssopplaguesfirstborn
Key Verses
  • Exodus 12:3‑10: Details the Passover lamb and its marking, foundational to the observance.
  • Exodus 12:12‑13: Explains the significance of the blood as a protective token.
  • Exodus 12:29‑30: Narrates the death of the Egyptian firstborn, the climax of the plague.
  • Exodus 12:35‑37: Describes the Israelites’ hurried departure and preparations.
  • Exodus 12:43‑49: Sets the legal parameters for foreigners and the covenant’s perpetuity.
Questions
  • Why was the blood on the doorposts crucial for the Israelites’ safety?
  • How does the instruction to eat in haste reflect the urgency of the Passover?
  • What does the prohibition against leaven symbolize in the context of Israel’s slavery?
  • In what ways does the narrative establish the Passover as a perpetual covenant?
  • How do the details of the first plague convey God's power over Egyptian gods?
Sentiment

mixed
The chapter contains both judgment upon Egypt and the hopeful deliverance of Israel.