Exodus 12 13

Exodus 12:13 kjv

And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.

Exodus 12:13 nkjv

Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.

Exodus 12:13 niv

The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are, and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt.

Exodus 12:13 esv

The blood shall be a sign for you, on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you, when I strike the land of Egypt.

Exodus 12:13 nlt

But the blood on your doorposts will serve as a sign, marking the houses where you are staying. When I see the blood, I will pass over you. This plague of death will not touch you when I strike the land of Egypt.

Exodus 12 verses

Exodus 12 13 Meaning

Exodus 12:13 reveals the divine promise of protection from the coming tenth plague through a specific sign: the blood of the Passover lamb applied to the doorposts and lintel. This act ensures that when God's judgment strikes Egypt, the Israelite homes marked by the blood will be passed over by the destroyer, sparing their firstborn from death. It highlights God's precise instruction, the visual symbol for identification, and the immediate consequence of obedience—preservation from destruction based purely on God's provision and recognition of the blood.

Exodus 12 13 Context

Exodus chapter 12 details the final, devastating plague against Egypt: the death of the firstborn. This verse, Exodus 12:13, is part of God's meticulous instructions to Moses and Aaron for preparing the Israelites to survive this judgment. It explains the purpose of sacrificing a lamb, applying its blood to their doorframes, and remaining indoors. The Passover event stands as a pivotal moment in Israel's history, establishing their identity as a people set apart by God's salvific act. Historically and culturally, it directly challenged the pervasive polytheism of Egypt, including the cult of Pharaoh as a god, by demonstrating Yahweh's supreme power over life, death, and all the "gods" of Egypt (Ex 12:12). The blood acted as a visible symbol, marking out those who were under Yahweh's protective covenant, a direct counterpoint to any magical incantations or idols the Egyptians might trust.

Exodus 12 13 Word analysis

• And the blood: In Hebrew, wəhadām (וְהַדָּם). The definite article "the" points to a specific, previously mentioned blood: that of the perfect lamb sacrificed by each household (Ex 12:5-7). Blood in the ancient Near East and especially the Bible signifies life (Lev 17:11) and is central to atonement and covenant. It’s the very essence of life given for life.
• shall be: Implies a future, certain reality based on divine decree.
• for you: The protection is personally intended for each obedient Israelite household. It is a provision for them, highlighting God’s care.
• as a sign: Hebrew: ʾôt (אוֹת). An 'ot' is more than just an indicator; it is a divinely appointed distinguishing mark, a token of promise, or a memorial. It visually separates the Israelites from the Egyptians and signifies a covenantal relationship and agreement. It is for the Israelites' assurance, not because God needs a physical marker to identify His people.
• upon the houses: Specifies the exact location of the sign, making it publicly visible yet specifically tied to the domestic space. This makes it applicable to individuals and families.
• where you are: Emphasizes the immediate, physical presence and the individual responsibility of residing within the marked boundaries for protection.
• and when I see: Hebrew: wəraʾîtî (וְרָאִיתִי). This underscores God's active, personal observation and omniscient awareness. It is God’s divine action and recognition, not human effort, that triggers the Passover.
• the blood: Repetition emphasizes this specific element as the sole basis for judgment to pass over. God looks for the blood, nothing else.
• I will pass over: Hebrew: ūpāsaḥtî (וּפָסַחְתִּי), from the verb pāsaḥ (פָּסַח). This is the root of "Passover." It means "to leap over," "to step over," "to spare," or "to hover over." It signifies a bypassing action, an act of God's merciful discernment, distinguishing the righteous from the condemned based on His provision. It is a polemic against Egyptian gods who failed to protect their people.
• you: Directly refers to the protected households and individuals within them.
• and no plague: Hebrew: wəlōʾ-yihye vākem neḡep̄ (וְלֹא-יִהְיֶה בָכֶם נֶגֶף). Neḡep̄ (נֶגֶף) means "stroke," "blow," or "plague." It specifically denotes a divine affliction or disaster. This confirms the certainty of deliverance from harm.
• will befall you: Direct, immediate consequence of being protected by the blood. The destructive force will not land on them.
• to destroy you: Hebrew: ləhašḥît (לְהַשְׁחִית), from šāḥaṯ (שָׁחַת), "to corrupt, ruin, destroy completely." This emphasizes the finality and totality of the impending judgment without the blood. The alternative to being passed over is utter destruction.
• when I strike the land of Egypt: Provides the larger context and timing for the Passover, linking it to the decisive act of judgment upon the entire nation of Egypt.

Words-group analysis:

• The blood... as a sign upon the houses where you are: This phrase establishes the visible and functional aspect of the blood. It's not a mere symbolic act, but a tangible mark of identification and divine instruction, indicating protection is contingent upon obedience and participation.
• And when I see the blood, I will pass over you: This is the core theological statement. It directly connects God's active observation of the blood with His decisive action of sparing. It is not their moral uprightness, nationality, or good deeds, but solely the applied blood that guarantees deliverance. This prefigures redemption through Christ's blood.
• And no plague will befall you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt: This guarantees absolute safety within the marked boundaries. It underscores the severity of the judgment striking Egypt ("to destroy") while simultaneously promising absolute immunity to those covered by the blood. God’s protective power is as absolute as His judgment.

Exodus 12 13 Bonus section

The application of the blood was not for God's information, but for the Israelite's assurance and act of obedience. God, being omniscient, already knew which homes belonged to His people. The act of applying the blood required active faith on the part of the Israelites—faith in the efficacy of God’s instructions. This event serves as a foundational type for all subsequent blood covenants and atonement practices in the Old Testament, culminating in Jesus Christ as the antitype, "the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" (Jn 1:29). The precise and explicit command for the blood to be "upon the houses" implies that corporate (family-wide) and individual identification with God's provision was crucial for survival. This passage firmly establishes that salvation from divine judgment comes through a divinely appointed substitutionary sacrifice and an act of faith and obedience, underscoring God's ultimate authority over life and death.

Exodus 12 13 Commentary

Exodus 12:13 reveals the profound simplicity and ultimate efficacy of God's plan for salvation. The blood, applied precisely as commanded, functions as a visual representation of a divine covenant. It signifies substitution—the life of the lamb for the life of the firstborn—and initiates a relationship of protection between God and His obedient people. The key phrase "when I see the blood" emphasizes that salvation is initiated by God's recognition, not by human merit or worthiness. This verse masterfully blends God's sovereign judgment against sin (manifested in striking Egypt) with His sovereign mercy for those covered by the provision (passing over Israel). It foreshadows the ultimate redemptive act in Christ, whose blood becomes the perfect, once-for-all sign of atonement and protection against spiritual death and divine wrath for all who believe (Rom 3:25). Just as the Israelites were saved by faith in God's provision and obedience to His command, believers today are saved by faith in the cleansing and atoning work of Jesus Christ, the spotless Lamb of God. The physical barrier of the doorposts marked with blood anticipates the spiritual boundary Christ's sacrifice establishes between condemnation and salvation.