Exodus 12 1

Exodus 12:1 kjv

And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt saying,

Exodus 12:1 nkjv

Now the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying,

Exodus 12:1 niv

The LORD said to Moses and Aaron in Egypt,

Exodus 12:1 esv

The LORD said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt,

Exodus 12:1 nlt

While the Israelites were still in the land of Egypt, the LORD gave the following instructions to Moses and Aaron:

Exodus 12 verses

Exodus 12 1 Meaning

Exodus 12:1 establishes the divine initiative for Israel's deliverance from Egyptian bondage. It records a direct communication from Yahweh (The Lord), the covenant God of Israel, to Moses and Aaron while they are still enslaved in Egypt. This command marks a pivotal moment, shifting from the narrative of the preceding plagues to specific divine instructions for the first Passover and the foundational ordinances that would establish Israel as God's redeemed people and initiate their new national calendar. It signifies God's authoritative word preceding His decisive act of redemption, providing a framework for salvation through obedience.

Exodus 12 1 Context

Exodus 12:1 immediately follows the account of the ninth plague (darkness) and precedes the declaration of the tenth plague (death of the firstborn). The previous chapters meticulously detailed Pharaoh's escalating defiance and God's demonstration of power through the plagues. At this juncture, with Egypt on the brink of ultimate judgment and Israel's deliverance imminent, this verse marks a crucial shift. Instead of God speaking judgment to Pharaoh through Moses, He now gives precise instructions to Moses and Aaron for Israel concerning the Passover sacrifice and subsequent events. This directive initiates Israel's most significant ritual observance, fundamentally shaping their national and religious identity from this moment forward. Historically, Israel was still enslaved in the oppressive land of Egypt, but God was actively intervening to set them free and form them into His own nation.

Exodus 12 1 Word analysis

• The Lord (יְהוָה - YHVH): This is the Tetragrammaton, God's personal covenant name, often rendered as "Yahweh." Its use here signifies God's faithful, self-existent nature as the One who acts on behalf of His covenant people. It stands in direct contrast to the impotent gods of Egypt and Pharaoh's self-proclaimed deity, emphasizing the singular authority and power of the true God. This is the God who keeps His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
• said (וַיֹּאמֶר - vayyomer): This Hebrew verb indicates a declarative, authoritative, and direct communication. It is not a suggestion or a thought, but a binding command from the sovereign ruler of all creation. This "saying" initiates a new divine order, moving beyond the plagues of judgment into specific acts of redemption and a new covenant calendar.
• to Moses and Aaron (אֶל-מֹשֶׁה וְאֶל-אַהֲרֹן - el Mosheh ve'el Aharon): God specifically addresses both Moses, the appointed prophet and deliverer, and Aaron, the future high priest. This dual address signifies the blend of prophetic utterance (Moses) and priestly administration (Aaron) necessary for the establishment of Israel's covenant life. It underscores their distinct but complementary leadership roles in mediating God's will to the people and instituting sacred ordinances.
• in the land of Egypt (בְּאֶרֶץ מִצְרַיִם - be'eretz Mitzrayim): This specific geographical detail is profoundly significant. God is giving these momentous instructions while His people are still in bondage, not after they have escaped. This emphasizes His direct intervention within the sphere of their oppression, demonstrating His power to command and bring about salvation even in the enemy's territory. It highlights the divine initiative that brings them out, rather than any effort of their own. It also serves as a polemic against the supposed power of Egypt's gods and Pharaoh, asserting Yahweh's dominion even over Egypt.

Exodus 12 1 Bonus section

The giving of these instructions "in the land of Egypt" serves as a foundational example of God's power over human oppressors and spiritual strongholds. It demonstrates that redemption originates from God's decree, not from the people's strategic escape or strength. This passage effectively rewrites Israel's calendar (as seen in the subsequent verse, Ex 12:2), making their deliverance the start of their year and thus their entire existence as a nation under God. It implies that true beginnings are rooted in God's saving acts. The precise and detailed instructions that follow this verse also emphasize the importance of divine order and meticulous obedience in approaching God and experiencing His redemption.

Exodus 12 1 Commentary

Exodus 12:1 is a seminal verse, underscoring God's absolute sovereignty and initiative in human salvation. It marks the precise moment God transitions from inflicting judgments upon Egypt to providing precise redemptive instructions for His people, even while they remain in bondage. The divine utterance ("The Lord said") is the very spark that ignites the Passover, forming the core of Israel's national identity as a people redeemed by God. The specific address to "Moses and Aaron" confirms their joint leadership for the upcoming liberation and the establishment of God's holy nation. Giving these instructions "in the land of Egypt" is a powerful statement of God's omnipresence and power, demonstrating that no hostile environment can hinder His redemptive plan or diminish His authority. This divine command transforms a nation of slaves into a covenanted people, initiated through obedience to God's precise and authoritative word concerning life, death, and redemption. It shows that God provides the way for salvation even when all human hope seems lost.