Exodus 12:21 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Then Moses called all the elders of Israel and said to them, "Go and select lambs for yourselves according to your clans, and kill the Passover lamb.

NIV: Then Moses summoned all the elders of Israel and said to them, "Go at once and select the animals for your families and slaughter the Passover lamb.

NASB: Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel and said to them, 'Go and take for yourselves lambs according to your families, and slaughter the Passover lamb.

CSB: Then Moses summoned all the elders of Israel and said to them, "Go, select an animal from the flock according to your families, and slaughter the Passover animal.

NLT: Then Moses called all the elders of Israel together and said to them, 'Go, pick out a lamb or young goat for each of your families, and slaughter the Passover animal.

KJV: Then 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.

NKJV: 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.

So far, this chapter has contained the Lord's instructions as relayed to Moses and Aaron (Exodus 12:1). Some of those directions involved days of preparation (Exodus 12:3, 6). Moses appears to speak these words on the day assigned for sacrifice. Rather than trying to address the entire nation at once, he passes the instructions through the nation's elders (Exodus 4:29–31). The people were to follow God's commands to sacrifice lambs and apply the blood to the doorways of their homes (Exodus 12:7). This would be the sign by which God would "pass over" that home (Exodus 12:13) when bringing His judgment on Egypt (Exodus 11:4–6).

Upcoming verses will further explain how this blood is to be applied. Using hyssop—a plant well suited to smearing or dripping liquids—the lamb's blood was to be applied to the top beam and side posts of the door (Exodus 12:22). Depending on how this is done, such application could create a bloody cross on the door itself (1 Corinthians 5:6–8). The people were to remain behind that symbol of protection overnight while the Lord judged Egypt (Exodus 11:4–6).

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.