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Exodus 12:26
ESV And when your children say to you, ‘What do you mean by this service?’
NIV And when your children ask you, ‘What does this ceremony mean to you?’
NASB And when your children say to you, ‘ What does this rite mean to you?’
CSB When your children ask you, ‘What does this ceremony mean to you?’
NLT Then your children will ask, ‘What does this ceremony mean?’
KJV And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto you, What mean ye by this service?
NKJV And it shall be, when your children say to you, ‘What do you mean by this service?’

What does Exodus 12:26 mean?

Moses is telling Israel that they will be freed from Egypt (Exodus 12:13, 41) and will eventually come to the land which was promised to Abraham (Genesis 15:13–14, 18–21), Isaac (Genesis 21:3; 26:1–5), and Jacob (Genesis 25:26; 28:10–17; 50:25). The Lord has given instructions about certain festivals which the nation must observe to remember these events (Exodus 12:14, 17–20).

When these traditions are followed, the children of future generations will ask about them. The specific nature of the rituals would invite questions. Why did it have to be a flawless, one-year-old lamb (Exodus 12:5–6, 13)? Why must they eat unleavened bread (Exodus 12:8, 39)? The people must be ready to explain all that the Lord has done for His people. They should also be prepared to give a precise answer (Exodus 12:27).

These words offer hope of a future to the people of Israel. In contrast, the Egyptians are about to be devastated by the loss of their firstborn (Exodus 11:4–6). God's laws and commands in the Old Testament invested children with enormous value (Leviticus 18:21; 20:2–5). Knowing the truth of what God had done was part of teaching the next generation the value of honoring the Lord (Deuteronomy 4:10; 11:18–21; 12:25; 29:29).
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