Exodus 13:16 - Printer Friendly

ESV: It shall be as a mark on your hand or frontlets between your eyes, for by a strong hand the Lord brought us out of Egypt."

NIV: And it will be like a sign on your hand and a symbol on your forehead that the Lord brought us out of Egypt with his mighty hand."

NASB: So it shall serve as a sign on your hand and as phylacteries on your forehead, for with a powerful hand the Lord brought us out of Egypt.'

CSB: So let it be a sign on your hand and a symbol on your forehead, for the Lord brought us out of Egypt by the strength of his hand."

NLT: This ceremony will be like a mark branded on your hand or your forehead. It is a reminder that the power of the Lord’s mighty hand brought us out of Egypt.'

KJV: And it shall be for a token upon thine hand, and for frontlets between thine eyes: for by strength of hand the Lord brought us forth out of Egypt.

NKJV: It shall be as a sign on your hand and as frontlets between your eyes, for by strength of hand the Lord brought us out of Egypt.”

Over time, ancient Israel developed the practice of wearing teffilin: small containers of scripture strapped to the forearm and forehead. This tradition was inspired by verses such as this, as well as others using the same figure of speech (Exodus 13:9; Deuteronomy 6:8–9; 11:13–21). God's chosen people (Deuteronomy 14:2) were to maintain a constant awareness of His truth and all that He had done for them. That relationship was to be part of everything they saw, thought, or did. God did not necessarily mean that His people were to physically attach these words to their bodies. During Jesus' earthly life, this practice had become a prideful display instead of a remembrance (Matthew 23:5).

God's "strong hand" was responsible for Israel's freedom from slavery (Exodus 1:11–14; 12:40–41). Egypt was never going to release their captives without tremendous pressure (Exodus 3:19–20). So, God sent supernatural disasters (Exodus 7:21; 8:6, 17, 24; 9:6, 10, 24; 10:14, 23). None were enough until the last plague. The Lord killed all of Egypt's firstborn (Exodus 11:4–6). Only then did Pharaoh give the Hebrews an unconditional release (Exodus 12:29–32).

Exodus 13:11–16 expands on the command to consecrate all firstborn of Israel to the Lord. Every male which is the first birthed by any person or animal is considered God's. Animals may be sacrificed, but persons and animals that are to be kept must be "redeemed" by sacrificing a lamb. This reminds Israel of God's work on their behalf (Exodus 12:29–32). It also emphasizes the need for sacrifice in order to be reconciled to God.

God reiterates the requirements of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Israel is to celebrate this every year as a way of remembering their liberation from Egyptian slavery. In addition, the people are to consecrate all of the first-born of any mother—both people and animals. Animals that cannot be sacrificed are to be redeemed. Sons are to be redeemed by an animal sacrifice. The Lord creates a column of clouds for the people to follow during the day, which is lit by fire so they can also follow it at night. This keeps them moving quickly. Soon, Egyptian soldiers will catch up to them and God will once again provide miraculous rescue (Exodus 14).

The Lord has just freed Israel from centuries of Egyptian slavery (Exodus 12). The final blow to Egypt was the death of all firstborn (Exodus 12:29–32) on the night of the first Passover (Exodus 12:12–13). God's guidelines for that night are partly repeated here along with directions for the Feast of Unleavened Bread. He instructs the nation about consecrating their own firstborn as He guides them. A column of fiery clouds helps the people travel day and night. This haste is important because Egypt's king is about to change his mind. He will soon send the Egyptian military to chase down the Israelites (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.