Exodus 13:8 - Printer Friendly

ESV: You shall tell your son on that day, ‘It is because of what the Lord did for me when I came out of Egypt.’

NIV: On that day tell your son, ‘I do this because of what the Lord did for me when I came out of Egypt.’

NASB: And you shall tell your son on that day, saying, ‘ It is because of what the Lord did for me when I came out of Egypt.’

CSB: On that day explain to your son, ‘This is because of what the Lord did for me when I came out of Egypt.’

NLT: On the seventh day you must explain to your children, ‘I am celebrating what the Lord did for me when I left Egypt.’

KJV: And thou shalt shew thy son in that day, saying, This is done because of that which the Lord did unto me when I came forth out of Egypt.

NKJV: And you shall tell your son in that day, saying, ‘ This is done because of what the Lord did for me when I came up from Egypt.’

Israelite traditions were meant to recall important aspects of their rescue from Egyptian slavery (Exodus 1:11–14; 12:40–41). Among there were Passover (Exodus 12:11) and the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Exodus 12:17). As Israel travels away from Egypt (Exodus 12:37–38) they have been given more reminders about these celebrations (Exodus 13:3–7).

Naturally, these strange traditions would inspire questions. Children, especially, would wonder why their family was sacrificing lambs (Exodus 12:5–10), removing all yeast from the home (Exodus 12:15, 19), and eating flat, un-risen bread (Exodus 12:8, 18). Observing these rituals was not about the rituals themselves, but the events they celebrated. In this case, Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread are reminders of how the Lord freed Israel from oppression in Egypt.

This command is phrased in a very personal way: "what the Lord did for me…" This first generation of freed Israelites were eyewitnesses to God's miraculous power (Exodus 3:19–20). This made it important for God's chosen people (Deuteronomy 14:2) to pass along their history to each generation which followed (Deuteronomy 6:6–9).

Exodus 13:1–10 starts with a command for consecration of all Israel's firstborn. It then gives further instructions about the Feast of Unleavened Bread. This is a week-long observance which celebrates God's work to free Israel from Egyptian slavery. Eating bread with no leaven—without yeast—symbolizes being free from the pervasive effects of sin. It also recalls how the people prepared un-risen bread on the night they were freed (Exodus 12:8, 39).

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.