Exodus 12 27

Exodus 12:27 kjv

That ye shall say, It is the sacrifice of the LORD's passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses. And the people bowed the head and worshipped.

Exodus 12:27 nkjv

that you shall say, 'It is the Passover sacrifice of the LORD, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt when He struck the Egyptians and delivered our households.' " So the people bowed their heads and worshiped.

Exodus 12:27 niv

then tell them, 'It is the Passover sacrifice to the LORD, who passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt and spared our homes when he struck down the Egyptians.'?" Then the people bowed down and worshiped.

Exodus 12:27 esv

you shall say, 'It is the sacrifice of the LORD's Passover, for he passed over the houses of the people of Israel in Egypt, when he struck the Egyptians but spared our houses.'" And the people bowed their heads and worshiped.

Exodus 12:27 nlt

And you will reply, 'It is the Passover sacrifice to the LORD, for he passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt. And though he struck the Egyptians, he spared our families.'" When Moses had finished speaking, all the people bowed down to the ground and worshiped.

Exodus 12 verses

Exodus 12 27 Meaning

Exodus 12:27 explains to the Israelites the purpose of the Passover sacrifice: it is a memorial to the Lord, commemorating how He "passed over" the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt. During the tenth plague, the firstborn of the Egyptians were struck down, but those who applied the blood of the Passover lamb were spared. This verse instructs that when future generations inquire about the ritual, they are to be taught its meaning as an act of divine redemption and protection, demonstrating God's covenant faithfulness and judgment.

Exodus 12 27 Context

Exodus 12:27 is part of God's direct instructions to Moses and Aaron for the celebration of the first Passover in Egypt, immediately before the tenth and final plague. This plague targets the firstborn of Egypt, from man to beast, and represents the decisive act that compels Pharaoh to release the Israelites. The Passover ritual, with the sacrifice of an unblemished lamb, the application of its blood to the doorposts, and the consumption of its roasted flesh with unleavened bread and bitter herbs, is divinely mandated as the means by which Israel will be spared from the angel of death. Verse 27 specifically outlines the purpose of this unique sacrifice as a future memorial for succeeding generations, ensuring the ongoing remembrance of God's redemptive power and judicial separation of His people. This established a new annual feast crucial to Israel's identity and worship. The historical context shows God's triumph over all Egyptian deities associated with life, harvest, and royal power.

Exodus 12 27 Word analysis

• You shall say (וַאֲמַרְתֶּם – va'amartem): An instruction to respond and declare. This emphasizes the vital role of oral tradition in transmitting core theological truths and historical facts within the Israelite community, linking present observance to past deliverance.
• It is the Passover sacrifice (זֶבַח־פֶּסַח הוּא – zevakh-Pesach hu):
  • sacrifice (זֶבַח – zevakh): Refers specifically to an animal offering, where a part might be burned or eaten. This is not a sin offering but a communal, thanksgiving, and memorial offering, yet it involved the shedding of blood for protection. It foreshadows the sacrificial nature of ultimate redemption.
  • Passover (פֶּסַח – Pesach): From the root verb pasakh (פָּסַח), meaning "to pass over" or "to skip over." This term uniquely defines the event by the action of God Himself – His deliberate and direct bypassing of the homes marked by blood. It signifies divine protection and deliverance in judgment.
• of the Lord (לַיהוָה – la-YHWH): Emphasizes that this act and the ensuing deliverance originated from, belonged to, and glorified the one true God, YHWH. It is His exclusive initiative and power. This subtly yet powerfully counters the multi-deity worship of Egypt by asserting monotheistic divine sovereignty.
• who passed over (אֲשֶׁר פָּסַח – asher pasach): Direct attribution of the "passing over" action to God. This specific phrasing highlights God's agency and particularity in saving His people.
• the houses (עַל־בָּתֵּי – al-battei): Points to the individual households, the family unit, as the beneficiary of God's protective grace, provided they obeyed His instruction regarding the blood.
• of the children of Israel (בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל – b'nei Yisrael): Specifies the recipients of this unique protection – God's covenant people. This emphasizes the distinct relationship between God and Israel, separating them from the Egyptians.
• in Egypt (בְּמִצְרַיִם – b'Mitzrayim): Pinpoints the historical location, rooting the theological event in a specific, verifiable historical context. This provides tangible proof of God's intervention.
• when He struck (בְּהַגְּפוֹ – b'hagpo): Describes the decisive and violent action of God's judgment against Egypt. It shows divine power in action against opposition.
• the Egyptians (מִצְרַיִם – Mitzrayim): The objects of God's judgment, representative of those in rebellion against His will and those who oppressed His people.
• and delivered our households (וְאֶת־בָּתֵּינוּ הִצִּיל – v'et-batteinu hitzil):
  • delivered (הִצִּיל – hitzil): Meaning "to rescue" or "to snatch away." This signifies active, powerful intervention resulting in salvation. It contrasts sharply with God's destructive judgment on Egypt, highlighting His redemptive purpose for Israel.
  • our households: Reinforces the family-centric nature of the deliverance and the intergenerational aspect of its remembrance.
• And the people bowed their heads and worshiped: This response signifies immediate recognition of God's sovereign power, righteous judgment, and redemptive grace. It is a spontaneous act of reverent submission and gratitude, confirming the people's belief in the reality of the divine intervention.

Exodus 12 27 Bonus section

The specific type of sacrifice, zevakh, for Passover, sets it apart from other Israelite offerings. It was a shared meal after the blood application, emphasizing communal participation in the salvation. This sacrifice also acted as a strong polemic against Egyptian polytheism, particularly their gods associated with fertility and the protection of the firstborn (e.g., Min, Heket, or even Ra), as the ultimate Egyptian firstborn (Pharaoh himself) could not save his people or even his own firstborn son from YHWH's judgment. The spontaneous worship by the people recorded in this verse shows an immediate, heartfelt response to the powerful demonstration of God's covenant faithfulness and mighty acts on their behalf. This act of bowing down and worshipping before they even fully understood the future implications solidified their awe and submission to YHWH, their deliverer.

Exodus 12 27 Commentary

Exodus 12:27 encapsulates the heart of the Passover event as both a historical narrative and a perpetual theological truth. It shifts the focus from the immediate execution of the command to its future educational purpose. The "Passover sacrifice" is distinct; it is not merely for atonement for sin, but primarily a commemoration of God's divine discrimination and deliverance. God, in His ultimate justice, passed over the obedient homes of Israel while striking down the disobedient in Egypt. This established a pattern of divine protection based on the application of blood, highlighting that redemption comes at a cost and through God's specific instructions. The mandate for parental teaching ("You shall say...") ensures that this foundational truth—God's mighty act of salvation and judgment—would never be forgotten, embedding it deeply within the nation's identity and spiritual heritage. This continual telling reinforces faith, fosters gratitude, and teaches future generations about God's power and covenant faithfulness, providing a powerful precursor to the ultimate Lamb whose blood delivers from eternal death. For example, parents explaining acts of grace and protection in their own lives connect children to God's continued faithfulness.