Exodus 12 46

Exodus 12:46 kjv

In one house shall it be eaten; thou shalt not carry forth ought of the flesh abroad out of the house; neither shall ye break a bone thereof.

Exodus 12:46 nkjv

In one house it shall be eaten; you shall not carry any of the flesh outside the house, nor shall you break one of its bones.

Exodus 12:46 niv

"It must be eaten inside the house; take none of the meat outside the house. Do not break any of the bones.

Exodus 12:46 esv

It shall be eaten in one house; you shall not take any of the flesh outside the house, and you shall not break any of its bones.

Exodus 12:46 nlt

Each Passover lamb must be eaten in one house. Do not carry any of its meat outside, and do not break any of its bones.

Exodus 12 verses

Exodus 12 46 Meaning

Exodus 12:46 prescribes specific regulations for the eating of the Passover lamb. It mandates that the lamb must be consumed entirely within one designated household, emphasizing the unity and exclusivity of the partaking community. Furthermore, it explicitly prohibits carrying any of the roasted meat outside of that house. Most significantly, it forbids breaking any of the lamb's bones, which symbolically highlights the completeness, integrity, and intrinsic worth of the sacrifice. This verse lays foundational principles of community, containment, and wholeness in the act of worship and redemption, pointing forward to the future Messiah.

Exodus 12 46 Context

Exodus chapter 12 details the establishment of the Passover feast, commanded by the Lord to Moses and Aaron as the climactic event preceding the tenth and final plague on Egypt – the death of the firstborn. The regulations provided in this chapter are not merely ritualistic but are foundational for Israel's identity and worship as a liberated nation under Yahweh's covenant.

Verse 46 falls within the specific instructions for consuming the Passover lamb, immediately following the strict injunctions regarding who is permitted or forbidden to eat it (Ex 12:43-45). The chapter meticulously describes selecting a lamb (Ex 12:3-6), sacrificing it (Ex 12:6), applying its blood (Ex 12:7), and consuming its roasted flesh along with unleavened bread and bitter herbs (Ex 12:8-11). Every detail of the Passover meal—from preparation to consumption—is imbued with theological significance, preparing Israel for the night of their exodus and instilling a perpetual memorial of divine redemption.

Historically and culturally, the injunctions ensured the purity and distinctiveness of Israel's worship, contrasting sharply with polytheistic or idolatrous pagan rituals prevalent in Egypt and Canaan. The contained consumption, particularly within "one house," countered the open, often chaotic nature of some pagan feast, emphasizing family unity and the sanctity of the domestic sphere as a place of divine protection. The prohibition against breaking bones was unique and sacred, separating this sacrifice from common butchery and endowing the animal with an integrity reflective of its special, salvific purpose. This set Israel apart, establishing rituals unique to the worship of Yahweh, which served as a direct polemic against the numerous Egyptian gods, many of whom were animal-headed or represented by animal totems. The specificity of the instructions ensured a precise re-enactment of the divine deliverance for generations.

Exodus 12 46 Word analysis

• It must be eaten (תֵּאָכֵל, te'achel): This is a Niphal imperfect verb, passive in voice, emphasizing an obligation or divine command that "it shall be eaten." The divine decree gives this act its authority and necessity.
• in one house (בַּ֤יִת אֶחָד֙, bayit echad):
  • בַּיִת (bayit): "house," but extends to family unit, household, even a clan. This signifies that the Passover was a communal and domestic celebration, not an individualistic act. It emphasized family solidarity in the face of judgment and redemption.
  • אֶחָד (echad): "one." Connotes unity, singularity, exclusivity. The eating of the lamb was not to be fragmented or distributed across multiple dwellings but kept as a unified, cohesive event. This suggests spiritual unity among participants, hinting at the concept of one body in later Scripture.
• you must not take out (לֹא־תוֹצִ֣יא מִן־הַבַּ֗יִת, lo’-totsi min-ha-bayit): This is an emphatic negative command ("not... shall you take out"). It reinforces the boundary and containment implied by "in one house." The sacredness of the lamb and its consumption must remain confined within the designated consecrated space of the household.
• any of the flesh (מִן־הַבָּשָׂר֙, min-ha-basar): בָּשָׂר (basar), "flesh" or "meat." This refers specifically to the edible parts of the lamb. The prohibition extends to any part of the meat, underlining the sanctity of the entire offering.
• outside (חוּצָה֙, chutzah): "outside, outwards." Further clarifies the physical boundary, preventing fragmentation or improper distribution of the sacred meal. This act of consumption was exclusively for those under the covenant, symbolizing their distinction and separation from the "outside."
• nor may you break (לֹא־תִשְׁבְּרוּ־ב֔וֹ, lo’-tishberu-vo): An explicit negative command, meaning "you shall not break." The force of this prohibition underscores its importance.
• any of its bones (עֶ֣צֶם לֹֽא־, 'etsem lo'-): עֶצֶם ('etsem): "bone," but can also mean "substance," "essence," "self." The integrity of the lamb's skeletal structure was to be maintained. This is a highly significant prohibition, unique to the Passover lamb among biblical sacrifices, where sometimes bones were broken to extract marrow. It signified the lamb's wholeness and sacred identity. The unbroken bones pointed forward prophetically to the Messiah's body, which, though pierced, remained structurally intact upon the cross (Jn 19:33-36, Ps 34:20). It ensured the lamb was seen as complete, reflecting its perfect nature as a spotless sacrifice. This also prevented any 'gnawing' or desecration of the sacred bones.

Words-group analysis:

• "It must be eaten in one house; you must not take any of the flesh outside the house": This dual injunction emphasizes the concept of containment and unity. The Passover celebration was designed to be a unified household event, separate and distinct from the pagan practices outside and maintaining the sanctity of the covenant community within a designated physical space. This also underscores the idea of exclusivity for covenant participants.
• "nor may you break any of its bones": This phrase carries immense theological and prophetic weight. It denotes the perfect integrity and wholeness of the sacrificial lamb. In Jewish tradition, breaking bones often rendered an animal carcass impure or was done to expedite meat consumption. For the Passover lamb, it was forbidden. This foreshadows Christ's body on the cross, demonstrating His perfect and complete sacrifice, unblemished even in death (Jn 19:36). The wholeness of the Lamb's bones represents the complete work of salvation.

Exodus 12 46 Bonus Section

• Pagan Polemics: The specific rules for consuming the Passover lamb served as a silent polemic against contemporary pagan practices. While some cultures would smash or scatter sacrificial elements, the highly ordered, contained, and intact consumption of the Passover lamb communicated a stark difference in the reverence for God and His offerings. Breaking bones could be seen as desecration or an act of power over the animal; Yahweh's command affirmed the sacred nature and divinely appointed role of the lamb even in its death.
• Theology of Wholeness: The command "nor may you break any of its bones" hints at a deeper theology of divine completeness and human wholeness. Just as the lamb remains physically intact as a perfect sacrifice, so too is Christ's redemption a perfect, unbroken work, fully sufficient. It offers not fragmented or partial salvation, but a complete restoration of individuals and creation, eventually culminating in a glorified, resurrected body.
• Continuity and Discontinuity of Ritual: While the physical act of eating a literal lamb ended with Christ's sacrifice, the spiritual reality of partaking in Christ's body and blood through the Lord's Supper (Communion) continues this theme of unified, exclusive, and spiritually nourishing communal engagement. The prohibitions emphasize how God carefully distinguishes between His holy worship and all other forms.

Exodus 12 46 Commentary

Exodus 12:46, though seemingly a minor dietary regulation, provides profound theological insights into the nature of redemption and worship. The command for the Passover lamb to be eaten "in one house" establishes the framework of communal worship and unity. This was not a disjointed, individualistic event, but a cohesive family affair, binding households together under the protective blood of the lamb. This principle of unity finds its ultimate echo in the New Covenant church, which is described as "one body" (1 Cor 10:17; Eph 4:4), sharing in the "one bread" that signifies Christ's body. The command prohibits bringing "any of the flesh outside the house," emphasizing sacred boundaries and exclusivity. The blessings and protection of the Passover were reserved for those within the covenant household, set apart from the outside world. This prefigures the distinct nature of the redeemed community—those "in Christ"—who are called to be separate from the world, partaking of spiritual realities inaccessible to outsiders.

The most poignant injunction, "nor may you break any of its bones," carries remarkable prophetic significance. Unlike typical animal butchery where bones might be broken for consumption, this lamb was to remain physically whole even after being consumed. This detail specifically points to the complete, unblemished nature of the sacrifice required by God. Most critically, it is fulfilled perfectly in Jesus Christ, the ultimate Passover Lamb (1 Pt 1:19; Jn 1:29). The Gospel of John explicitly notes that the Roman soldiers did not break Jesus' legs, specifically linking this event to the fulfillment of "Not one of his bones will be broken" (Jn 19:33, 36; Ps 34:20). This meticulous detail underscores the divine preordination of Christ's perfect sacrifice—undeniably intact, yet poured out, for our salvation. The integrity of the Lamb's bones assures believers of the integrity and completeness of Christ's work on the cross, leaving nothing incomplete or flawed in the path to redemption.