Exodus 12

Exodus 12 records the final and most significant plague, the death of the firstborn in Egypt, and the establishment of the Passover. This chapter marks the beginning of the Israelites' journey out of Egypt as God fulfills His promise to deliver them from bondage. The instructions for the Passover feast not only serve as a historical event but become a lasting memorial of God’s deliverance, pointing to future redemption in Christ.

Exodus 12:1-3 (NKJV)
1 Now the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying,
2 “This month shall be your beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year to you.
3 Speak to all the congregation of Israel, saying: ‘On the tenth of this month every man shall take for himself a lamb, according to the house of his father, a lamb for a household.’

The Lord establishes a new beginning for Israel, both spiritually and practically. By marking this month as the start of their calendar, it signifies the importance of the Passover event in their history. Every family was instructed to select a lamb, emphasizing that this deliverance was for all households of Israel. The selection of the lamb on the tenth day also begins the detailed preparation for the coming event, which would highlight God’s sovereignty and redemption.

Exodus 12:4-6 (NKJV)
4 And if the household is too small for the lamb, let him and his neighbor next to his house take it according to the number of the persons; according to each man’s need you shall make your count for the lamb.
5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year. You may take it from the sheep or from the goats.
6 Now you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of the same month. Then the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it at twilight.

These verses describe the original Passover instructions given to the Israelites before their exodus from Egypt. The lamb had to be perfect and without blemish, symbolizing purity. It was to be kept until the fourteenth day, when it would be sacrificed "at twilight." In Jewish understanding, twilight refers to the time between 3 PM and sunset. This timing points forward to the death of Jesus, the true Passover Lamb, who died around 3 PM on the day of Passover (Matthew 27:46-50). Just as the lamb’s blood saved the Israelites from death in Egypt, Jesus' sacrifice saves humanity from sin, fulfilling the ultimate meaning of the Passover.

Exodus 12:7 (NKJV)
7 And they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and on the lintel of the houses where they eat it.

The blood of the lamb is a sign of divine protection. By applying it to the doorposts and lintel, the Israelites were outwardly showing their faith in God’s promise to spare them from the coming judgment. This act of obedience was essential, and it served as a powerful symbol of salvation through the blood, which would later be fully realized in Christ’s sacrifice on the cross.

Exodus 12:8-10 (NKJV)
8 Then they shall eat the flesh on that night; roasted in fire, with unleavened bread and with bitter herbs they shall eat it.
9 Do not eat it raw, nor boiled at all with water, but roasted in fire—its head with its legs and its entrails.
10 You shall let none of it remain until morning, and what remains of it until morning you shall burn with fire.

The Passover meal is steeped in symbolic significance with each element conveying deep meanings: The lamb, roasted in fire, symbolizes the thorough and complete nature of the sacrifice, emphasizing that no part should be wasted or desecrated, reflecting its holy status. Unleavened bread, made without yeast, represents the haste of the Israelites' departure from Egypt, highlighting the necessity for purity and readiness in obeying God’s call. Bitter herbs recall the harshness of slavery, serving as a reminder of the bitter suffering from which God delivered His people. Finally, any remains of the lamb that are not consumed by morning are to be burned, ensuring the meal retains its sacred nature and is not treated as common food, symbolizing a full dedication to God and preventing misuse of what is consecrated. Each component of this meal invites reflection on deliverance and calls for a renewal of faith and commitment.

Exodus 12:11 (NKJV)
11 And thus you shall eat it: with a belt on your waist, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. So you shall eat it in haste. It is the Lord’s Passover.

This verse emphasizes the readiness and urgency with which the Israelites were to observe the Passover. They were to be dressed and prepared to leave Egypt at any moment, signifying their faith in God's deliverance. The phrase “the Lord’s Passover” underscores that this event belongs to God—it is His act of saving His people from bondage.

Exodus 12:12-13 (NKJV)
12 ‘For I will pass through the land of Egypt on that night, and will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the Lord.
13 Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.’

Here, God declares the final and most devastating plague—the death of the firstborn. It is a direct judgment not only on the Egyptians but also on their gods, revealing God’s supreme authority over all. The blood of the lamb serves as a clear sign of protection. It is God’s mercy and justice intertwined; while He brings judgment, He also provides a means of salvation for those who obey Him.

Exodus 12:14-16 (NKJV)
14 “So this day shall be to you a memorial; and you shall keep it as a feast to the Lord throughout your generations. You shall keep it as a feast by an everlasting ordinance.
15 Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread. On the first day you shall remove leaven from your houses. For whoever eats leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that person shall be cut off from Israel.
16 On the first day there shall be a holy convocation, and on the seventh day there shall be a holy convocation for you. No manner of work shall be done on them; but that which everyone must eat—that only may be prepared by you.

God institutes the Passover as a perpetual memorial for Israel. The people are commanded to remember this event every year through the Feast of Unleavened Bread, symbolizing purity and haste in their departure. The removal of leaven from their homes signifies removing sin and corruption from their lives. The holy convocations on the first and seventh days highlight the sacred nature of the feast, emphasizing that this is not merely a historical commemoration but an act of worship and obedience to God.

Exodus 12:17-18 (NKJV)
17 So you shall observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread, for on this same day I will have brought your armies out of the land of Egypt. Therefore you shall observe this day throughout your generations as an everlasting ordinance.
18 In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at evening, you shall eat unleavened bread, until the twenty-first day of the month at evening.

God underscores the importance of the Feast of Unleavened Bread as a time to commemorate His mighty deliverance of the Israelites from slavery. By specifying the exact time period, from the fourteenth to the twenty-first day of the month, the Israelites are to be mindful of the exact moment of their deliverance, which serves to keep the memory of God’s faithfulness alive for generations.

Exodus 12:19-20 (NKJV)
19 For seven days no leaven shall be found in your houses, since whoever eats what is leavened, that same person shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he is a stranger or a native of the land.
20 You shall eat nothing leavened; in all your dwellings you shall eat unleavened bread.”

The removal of leaven is not just a ceremonial act but carries serious consequences. Anyone, whether an Israelite or a stranger, who disobeys this command will be cut off, signifying exclusion from God’s covenant people. The command to eat unleavened bread in all their dwellings emphasizes that this act of remembrance is to be kept by every household, reinforcing the communal and individual aspects of obedience.

Exodus 12:21-23 (NKJV)
21 Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel and said to them, “Pick out and take lambs for yourselves according to your families, and kill the Passover lamb.
22 And you shall take a bunch of hyssop, dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and strike the lintel and the two doorposts with the blood that is in the basin. And none of you shall go out of the door of his house until morning.
23 For the Lord will pass through to strike the Egyptians; and when He sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the Lord will pass over the door and not allow the destroyer to come into your houses to strike you.

Moses delivers God’s instructions to the elders of Israel. The use of hyssop to apply the lamb’s blood signifies cleansing and purification, symbolizing the act of faith required for protection. The blood on the doorposts marks the household as under God’s covenant of protection. By staying inside their homes until morning, the Israelites demonstrate their trust in God’s plan to pass over and spare them from judgment, while those outside the covenant face destruction.

Exodus 12:24-27 (NKJV)
24 And you shall observe this thing as an ordinance for you and your sons forever.
25 It will come to pass when you come to the land which the Lord will give you, just as He promised, that you shall keep this service.
26 And it shall be, when your children say to you, ‘What do you mean by this service?’
27 that you shall say, ‘It is the Passover sacrifice of the Lord, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt when He struck the Egyptians and delivered our households.’” So the people bowed their heads and worshiped.

The Passover is established as an eternal ordinance for the Israelites. Its importance transcends the immediate deliverance from Egypt, as it serves to remind future generations of God’s mighty act of salvation. When children ask about the Passover, it provides an opportunity to pass on the story of God’s deliverance and faithfulness. The people’s response of bowing in worship shows their reverence for God’s plan and recognition of His greatness.

Exodus 12:28-30 (NKJV)
28 Then the children of Israel went away and did so; just as the Lord had commanded Moses and Aaron, so they did.
29 And it came to pass at midnight that the Lord struck all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the captive who was in the dungeon, and all the firstborn of livestock.
30 So Pharaoh rose in the night, he, 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.

The Israelites obeyed God’s command, demonstrating their faith in His instructions. At midnight, the final plague took place, and the firstborn of Egypt, from the highest in society to the lowest, were struck down. Pharaoh and all of Egypt were overwhelmed with grief as the plague affected every household. This moment fulfilled God’s warning and displayed His power over Egypt, leading to the climax of Israel’s deliverance.

Exodus 12:31-32 (NKJV)
31 Then he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, “Rise, go out from among my people, both you and the children of Israel. And go, serve the Lord as you have said.
32 Also take your flocks and your herds, as you have said, and be gone; and bless me also.”

Pharaoh, in the midst of his sorrow, finally submits to God’s will. He commands Moses and Aaron to take the Israelites and leave Egypt, recognizing that he has been defeated. Interestingly, Pharaoh also requests a blessing, showing a momentary acknowledgment of God’s power. The Israelites’ departure is now imminent, signaling the end of their slavery.

Exodus 12:33-36 (NKJV)
33 And the Egyptians urged the people, that they might send them out of the land in haste. For they said, “We shall all be dead.”
34 So the people took their dough before it was leavened, having their kneading bowls bound up in their clothes on their shoulders.
35 Now the children of Israel had done according to the word of Moses, and they had asked from the Egyptians articles of silver, articles of gold, and clothing.
36 And the Lord had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they granted them what they requested. Thus they plundered the Egyptians.

The Egyptians, fearing further destruction, urgently pushed the Israelites to leave quickly. This haste is reflected in the Israelites taking their unleavened dough, which would later become symbolic in the Feast of Unleavened Bread. In a fulfillment of God’s promise, the Israelites received valuable items from the Egyptians, effectively plundering them without battle. This act signifies God’s provision and justice for the years of oppression His people had endured.

Exodus 12:37-39 (NKJV)
37 Then the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides children.
38 A mixed multitude went up with them also, and flocks and herds—a great deal of livestock.
39 And they baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they had brought out of Egypt; for it was not leavened, because they were driven out of Egypt and could not wait, nor had they prepared provisions for themselves.

The exodus begins with a vast number of Israelites, around six hundred thousand men, along with their families and a mixed multitude of other people. The mixed multitude likely included non-Israelites who had come to believe in the God of Israel. The unleavened bread they baked further symbolizes the haste of their departure, as they had no time to prepare food properly. This was a journey of faith, leaving behind their life in Egypt.

Exodus 12:40-42 (NKJV)
40 Now the sojourn of the children of Israel who lived in Egypt was four hundred and thirty years.
41 And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years—on that very same day—it came to pass that all the armies of the Lord went out from the land of Egypt.
42 It is a night of solemn observance to the Lord for bringing them out of the land of Egypt. This is that night of the Lord, a solemn observance for all the children of Israel throughout their generations.

The four hundred and thirty years of Israel’s sojourning in Egypt is brought to a dramatic end on the exact day God had planned. The deliverance of the Israelites is framed as a military-like movement, with God leading His people out as His "armies." The night is declared a night of solemn observance to be remembered by all future generations of Israel, commemorating God’s powerful act of deliverance.

Exodus 12:43-45 (NKJV)
43 And the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “This is the ordinance of the Passover: No foreigner shall eat it.
44 But every man’s servant who is bought for money, when you have circumcised him, then he may eat it.
45 A sojourner and a hired servant shall not eat it.

God provides specific regulations regarding who can partake in the Passover. Only those who are part of the covenant community of Israel, signified by circumcision, may participate in this sacred meal. Foreigners and hired servants are excluded, reflecting the exclusivity of the covenant relationship. However, a servant who undergoes circumcision, aligning himself with Israel’s God, may join in the feast, showing that inclusion is possible through obedience.

Exodus 12:46-47 (NKJV)
46 In one house it shall be eaten; you shall not carry any of the flesh outside the house, nor shall you break one of its bones.
47 All the congregation of Israel shall keep it.

The Passover lamb is to be eaten entirely within one house, symbolizing the unity of the household and the sacred nature of the meal. Not breaking any of its bones foreshadows the fulfillment of this law in Jesus, the ultimate Passover Lamb, whose bones were not broken during His crucifixion (John 19:36). The whole congregation is required to observe this ordinance, emphasizing the collective identity and responsibility of the nation before God.

Exodus 12:48-49 (NKJV)
48 And when a stranger dwells with you and wants to 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 a native of the land. For no uncircumcised person shall eat it.
49 One law shall be for the native-born and for the stranger who dwells among you.”

Even those who were not native Israelites could join in the Passover celebration if they were willing to enter into the covenant through circumcision. This demonstrates that God’s covenant was open to those who desired to follow Him, not just to the ethnic descendants of Israel. The equality of the law for both native-born Israelites and strangers reinforces the universality of God’s offer of salvation through faith and obedience.

Exodus 12:50-51 (NKJV)
50 Thus all the children of Israel did; as the Lord commanded Moses and Aaron, so they did.
51 And it came to pass, on that very same day, that the Lord brought the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt according to their armies.

The chapter concludes with a powerful affirmation of Israel’s obedience to God’s commands. The deliverance of the Israelites happened exactly as God had foretold, and the people were led out of Egypt in an organized and deliberate manner, like an army. This marks the culmination of God’s plan to free His people, fulfilling His promises and demonstrating His sovereign power.