Exodus 12:46 - Printer Friendly

ESV: It shall be eaten in one house; you shall not take any of the flesh outside the house, and you shall not break any of its bones.

NIV: "It must be eaten inside the house; take none of the meat outside the house. Do not break any of the bones.

NASB: It is to be eaten in a single house; you are not to bring any of the meat outside of the house, nor are you to break any bone of it.

CSB: It is to be eaten in one house. You may not take any of the meat outside the house, and you may not break any of its bones.

NLT: Each Passover lamb must be eaten in one house. Do not carry any of its meat outside, and do not break any of its bones.

KJV: In one house shall it be eaten; thou shalt not carry forth ought of the flesh abroad out of the house; neither shall ye break a bone thereof.

NKJV: 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.

God gave Israel instructions for the first Passover night (Exodus 11:4–6) so they could escape the final plague on Egypt (Exodus 12:12–13). Those instructions included preparing and eating a sacrificial lamb (Exodus 12:3–10). An important rule for that first night was to stay within properly-marked homes (Exodus 12:22–23). To reflect this, those celebrating Passover in the future were not to take any of the food out of the home. Nor were they to break any of the lamb's bones (Exodus 12:9).

This final instruction does more than commemorate the history of Passover. It also becomes a prophetic description of the Messiah, Jesus (John 1:29; 1 Corinthians 5:7). Though Jesus was violently crucified, none of His bones were broken. The two crucified beside Him had their legs broken to accelerate their deaths. Jesus died before then (John 19:31–33). His experiences were part of proving He was the One promised to rescue humanity from sin forever (Isaiah 53).

Exodus 12:43–51 expands on future remembrances of Israel's exodus from Egyptian slavery (Exodus 12:33–42). God connects Passover rituals to the identifying rite of circumcision (Genesis 17:9–11). Only those who identify with the Lord through circumcision can participate. Israel has obeyed these commands and is now leaving Egypt in a single massive group. Instructions about festivals will be provided in the next chapter.

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.

Accessed 6/1/2025 5:58:22 AM