Exodus 12 10

Exodus 12:10 kjv

And ye shall let nothing of it remain until the morning; and that which remaineth of it until the morning ye shall burn with fire.

Exodus 12:10 nkjv

You shall let none of it remain until morning, and what remains of it until morning you shall burn with fire.

Exodus 12:10 niv

Do not leave any of it till morning; if some is left till morning, you must burn it.

Exodus 12:10 esv

And you shall let none of it remain until the morning; anything that remains until the morning you shall burn.

Exodus 12:10 nlt

Do not leave any of it until the next morning. Burn whatever is not eaten before morning.

Exodus 12 verses

Exodus 12 10 Meaning

Exodus 12:10 mandates that no portion of the Passover lamb or kid consumed by the Israelites was to be left until the morning. Any remaining parts had to be completely burned with fire. This instruction emphasized the sacredness and immediacy of the Passover observance, preventing the holy meat from becoming defiled, hoarded, or improperly used, and symbolizing a complete break from their former life in Egypt as they prepared for immediate departure.

Exodus 12 10 Context

Exodus chapter 12 details God's instructions to Moses and Aaron for observing the first Passover in Egypt. This ritual, to be performed on the night of the tenth plague (the death of the firstborn), was a pivotal event that marked Israel's deliverance from slavery. The context surrounding verse 10 includes meticulous instructions for selecting the lamb (Exo 12:3-5), slaughtering it at twilight (Exo 12:6), applying its blood to the doorposts (Exo 12:7), and consuming its roasted flesh along with unleavened bread and bitter herbs (Exo 12:8). The entire meal was to be eaten in haste (Exo 12:11), signifying readiness for an immediate departure. The command in verse 10 about no leftovers underscores the gravity, finality, and unique sacredness of this divinely appointed meal. Historically, many ancient sacrificial meals had rules about consumption and disposal to maintain ritual purity and respect for the deity. This specific command prevented the sacred food from spoiling, being profaned, or being seen as common.

Exodus 12 10 Word Analysis

• And ye shall let nothing: The Hebrew וְלֹא תוֹתִירוּ (v'lo totiru) is a strong negative command using the Hiphil stem of the verb yatar (יָתַר), meaning "to leave over" or "to remain." The Hiphil here means "you shall cause nothing to remain." This emphasizes a deliberate and complete consumption, preventing any remnant from being left due to neglect or intentional storage.
• of it: Refers directly to the meat of the Passover lamb or kid. This highlight the focus on the sanctity of the sacrificial animal provided by God.
• remain: תוֹתִירוּ (totiru) - This verb conveys the sense of completeness required. The participants were to fully consume the appointed portion, demonstrating their obedience and participation in the divine act. It discourages treating this unique sacred meal casually.
• until the morning: The Hebrew עַד בֹּקֶר (ad boqer) explicitly sets a strict time limit. This timing reinforces the urgency of the impending exodus from Egypt; there was no time for delaying or saving food. It also likely connected to ancient practices regarding ritual purity, where sacrificial meat not eaten within a certain timeframe could become ceremonially defiled (e.g., Lev 7:17).
• but that which remaineth of it: The Hebrew וְהַנּוֹתָר מִמֶּנּוּ (v'hannotar mimmennu) uses the noun form of yatar, referring to "the remaining portion" or "the leftover." This phrase acknowledges the possibility that despite the command, some small part might not be consumed, necessitating specific action.
• until the morning: Repeats עַד בֹּקֶר (ad boqer), reinforcing the critical deadline and linking the remnant to the strict time constraint.
• ye shall burn with fire: The Hebrew בָּאֵשׁ תִּשְׂרְפוּ (ba'esh tisrefu) uses śārap (שָׂרַף), a verb typically used for destruction by fire, often in a sacred context (e.g., burning portions of offerings, idols). Burning was the prescribed method for destroying holy things that could not be eaten or kept. It ensured ritual purity, prevented misuse, and symbolically represented the complete disposal of anything from the sacred meal that could otherwise become a source of profanation. It underscored that the sacrificial meat, once touched by divine purpose, could not be treated as common leftovers.
• Words-group by words-group analysis:
  • "And ye shall let nothing of it remain until the morning": This establishes a comprehensive prohibition against having any unconsumed parts of the holy meal once the night passed. It conveys the principle of full engagement and completion within the designated timeframe for the Passover, directly linking the act of eating to the urgency of salvation and immediate departure.
  • "but that which remaineth of it until the morning ye shall burn with fire": This secondary instruction provides the exact method for handling any remnants. It ensures ritual purity and demonstrates that the Passover offering, being consecrated, could not simply be discarded as refuse but required sacred destruction to maintain its holiness. This disposal method signified a complete severing from what the holy meal represented and ensured its components could not be appropriated for common or profane use, thereby maintaining the distinction between the sacred and the common.

Exodus 12 10 Bonus Section

The instruction to burn leftovers also served a hygienic purpose in a pre-refrigeration era, preventing spoilage and disease, but its primary significance was ritual purity and divine command. It notably contrasts with other peace offerings, where priests and offerers could consume portions on the following day (Lev 7:16). This distinction elevated the Passover as a uniquely urgent and sacred meal. Furthermore, the completed sacrifice of Christ, our perfect Passover Lamb (Heb 10:1-10), means there are no "leftovers" or incompleteness in His atonement; His work is final, fully sufficient, and eternally effective for all who spiritually "consume" Him by faith. This verse thus prefigures the completeness of salvation found in Him, demanding an equally complete acceptance from the believer.

Exodus 12 10 Commentary

Exodus 12:10 is not merely a dietary rule but a profound instruction laden with spiritual significance for the Israelites' inaugural Passover and for believers today. The command to leave "nothing of it remain until the morning" instilled in the participants a sense of complete participation and urgency. It compelled them to fully consume the lamb within the night, emphasizing that the redemptive work provided by God required immediate and thorough acceptance. This practice prevented the possibility of the holy sacrifice becoming stale, corrupted, or treated with common disregard, symbolizing a complete break from their past slavery and an eager embrace of the freedom God provided.

The mandated burning of any remnants "with fire" reinforced the absolute separation of the sacred Passover meal from anything profane or leftover from the "old life." Fire, often a symbol of divine presence, purification, and judgment in the Bible, served as the ultimate disposer for holy things that were not meant for consumption or prolonged preservation. This practice ensured the sanctity of the offering, preventing its misuse or decomposition. Spiritually, it signifies the need for believers to fully partake in Christ, our Passover Lamb, leaving nothing of His redemptive work incomplete in their lives. Just as no physical portion was to remain, so too no part of the old, sinful life or partial commitment should cling to the new life in Christ. The complete consumption and destruction of leftovers embody the principle of radical conversion—leaving behind the "old leaven" of sin (1 Cor 5:7-8) and wholeheartedly embracing the new creation in Christ (2 Cor 5:17).

Examples of practical usage derived from this principle:

• Complete commitment: It underscores the call for full devotion to God, rather than a partial or "half-hearted" faith that retains aspects of the old life.
• Immediacy in obedience: It promotes prompt and full obedience to God's commands, recognizing that delaying or postponing spiritual action can lead to decay or defilement.
• Leaving the past behind: Symbolically, any "leftovers" from one's past life of sin must be "burned" or discarded entirely, to avoid contamination of the new, holy life in Christ.