Exodus 12:17 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And you shall observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread, for on this very day I brought your hosts out of the land of Egypt. Therefore you shall observe this day, throughout your generations, as a statute forever.

NIV: "Celebrate the Festival of Unleavened Bread, because it was on this very day that I brought your divisions out of Egypt. Celebrate this day as a lasting ordinance for the generations to come.

NASB: You shall also keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread, for on this very day I brought your multitudes out of the land of Egypt; therefore you shall keep this day throughout your generations as a permanent ordinance.

CSB: "You are to observe the Festival of Unleavened Bread because on this very day I brought your military divisions out of the land of Egypt. You must observe this day throughout your generations as a permanent statute.

NLT: Celebrate this Festival of Unleavened Bread, for it will remind you that I brought your forces out of the land of Egypt on this very day. This festival will be a permanent law for you; celebrate this day from generation to generation.

KJV: And 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.

NKJV: 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.

Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread are important holidays in the Jewish calendar. Passover occurs on the night of the 14th of Nisan, starting the Feast of Unleavened Bread which continues until the 22nd. Many Old Testament passages note this celebration (Exodus 23:15; 34:18; Leviticus 23:6; Deuteronomy 16:16; 2 Chronicles 30:13; Ezra 6:22). This holiday commemorates Israel's liberation from Egyptian slavery. As with Passover (Exodus 12:14), the Feast of Unleavened Bread was to be celebrated by all generations and forever. This rule also applied to any non-Jew living among the Israelites (Exodus 12:19).

The term "Passover" refers to the way the Lord's wrath would bypass those homes who trusted in the sacrificial blood of a flawless lamb (Exodus 12:13; 1 Corinthians 5:7). Unleavened bread was part of the required meal on that night (Exodus 12:8), and it provided the people with food when they were suddenly rushed to leave Egypt (Exodus 12:39).

Exodus 12:1–28 records the Lord's instructions for the first observation of Passover. The Israelites are to sacrifice lambs and prepare a specific set of foods. These must be eaten while dressed for travel. The lamb's blood is to be collected at the threshold of the door and then applied to the top and side posts. On that first Passover, God will kill the firstborn of Egypt (Exodus 11:4–6). Houses marked with the lamb's blood will be spared: God's judgment will "pass over" them without harm (Exodus 11:7). This event will establish a new start for Israel's yearly calendar. It is to be commemorated every year by using various symbolic elements. Future generations are to be carefully taught the meaning of these things.

Israel is to realign their calendar to begin with the current month. They receive instructions to prepare a special meal. This includes sacrificing lambs and applying their blood to the doorway of each home. Following these instructions will cause God's wrath to "pass over" that house. Egypt's firstborn are killed and they demand Israel leave immediately. The people quickly gather their belongings and march out in a single massive group. These events are to be remembered with festivals to be celebrated for all time.

Moses was sent to lead Israel into freedom (Exodus 3:10). This meant announcing the Lord's supernatural judgments on Egypt (Exodus 3:19–21). After nine such disasters (Exodus 7:21; 8:6, 17, 24; 9:6, 10, 24; 10:14, 23), a tenth was promised (Exodus 4:21–23; 11:4–6). In this chapter, God provides instructions for Israel to both survive and commemorate this first Passover night. Egypt reels from the death of its firstborn and demands Israel leave that very night. More directions about the future are to come (Exodus 13). Then Pharaoh will once again change his mind and confront the Hebrews on the shores of the Red Sea (Exodus 14).

The book of Exodus establishes God's covenant relationship with the full-fledged nation of Israel. The descendants of Abraham prosper after settling in Egypt, only to be enslaved by a fearful, hateful Egyptian Pharaoh. God appoints Moses to lead the people out of this bondage. Moses serves as God's spokesman, as the Lord brings plagues and judgments on Egypt, leading to the release of Israel.