Exodus 12:3 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Tell all the congregation of Israel that on the tenth day of this month every man shall take a lamb according to their fathers ' houses, a lamb for a household.

NIV: Tell the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man is to take a lamb for his family, one for each household.

NASB: Speak to all the congregation of Israel, saying, ‘On the tenth of this month they are, each one, to take a lamb for themselves, according to the fathers’ households, a lamb for each household.

CSB: Tell the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month they must each select an animal of the flock according to their fathers’ families, one animal per family.

NLT: Announce to the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each family must choose a lamb or a young goat for a sacrifice, one animal for each household.

KJV: Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house:

NKJV: 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 phrase "congregation of Israel" is used to mean every person in the entire nation (Leviticus 4:13; Numbers 16:9). This chapter records the first Passover (Exodus 12:13), a defining moment in the history of Israel. It makes sense, then, that four uses of that Hebrew phrase are found in this chapter (Exodus 12:6, 19, 47). Here, the Lord provides instructions about this crucial night and how Israelites can avoid the devastation coming to the Egyptians (Exodus 11:4–6).

"This month" refers to Abib, later called Nisan. Israelites used a calendar aligned to cycles of the moon. Nisan occurs around March or April, and Passover happens after the spring equinox. God has indicated that this month will now be considered the first of each new year (Exodus 12:3).

On the tenth day of Nisan, each home is to select a prized lamb (Exodus 12:5) and separate it from the rest of the flock. On the fourteenth day (Exodus 12:6), the lamb is to be sacrificed at twilight: the transition from one day to the next (Genesis 1:5). God will provide further instructions about how this sacrifice should be treated. The imagery of these rituals foreshadows the ministry of Jesus Christ, who would be the perfect Passover Lamb for all of mankind (John 1:29, 36; Acts 8:32; 1 Corinthians 5:7; 1 Peter 1:19).

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.