Exodus 12 49

Exodus 12:49 kjv

One law shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you.

Exodus 12:49 nkjv

One law shall be for the native-born and for the stranger who dwells among you."

Exodus 12:49 niv

The same law applies both to the native-born and to the foreigner residing among you."

Exodus 12:49 esv

There shall be one law for the native and for the stranger who sojourns among you."

Exodus 12:49 nlt

This instruction applies to everyone, whether a native-born Israelite or a foreigner living among you."

Exodus 12 verses

Exodus 12 49 Meaning

Exodus 12:49 establishes a foundational principle of equality within the covenant community of Israel: there shall be one unified law that applies both to the native-born Israelite and to the stranger (resident alien) who sojourns among them. This divine decree ensures legal equity, emphasizing that God's revealed instruction (Torah) transcends ethnic distinctions for those living under His governance within the promised land, especially concerning matters related to communal life and religious observance.

Exodus 12 49 Context

Exodus 12:49 concludes the detailed instructions concerning the first Passover, a pivotal event in Israel's liberation from Egyptian bondage. The preceding verses (Exo 12:43-48) specify conditions under which individuals could participate in the Passover meal, particularly highlighting circumcision as a prerequisite for both native-born Israelites and male sojourners who desired to partake. This verse therefore extends the legal framework established for such a central religious rite, ensuring that the 'one law' principle applied equally to both groups, once the stranger committed to the covenant signs like circumcision. Historically, this declaration was made to a newly freed, heterogeneous nation at the outset of their journey towards the Promised Land. It served as a divine charter establishing internal equity, contrasting sharply with typical ancient Near Eastern societal norms where legal rights were often heavily biased in favor of the native populace and discriminated against foreign residents.

Exodus 12 49 Word analysis

• There shall be: This phrase emphasizes the definitive and authoritative nature of God's command. It is a divine mandate, not a suggestion or custom.
• one law: (Hebrew: Torah echad - תּוֹרָה אֶחָד).
  • Torah: Refers to divine instruction, law, teaching, or guideline. It encompasses ethical, ceremonial, and civil regulations.
  • echad: Means "one" but often carries the sense of "united" or "unified," rather than merely a numeral. It signifies a singular, consistent, and cohesive body of instruction for all within the covenant community.
  • Significance: This declaration promotes impartiality in legal application, ensuring justice for all under God's governance.
• for the native-born: (Hebrew: la'ezrach - לָאֶזְרָח).
  • ezrach: Denotes a citizen, one native to the land or born within the community. It refers to those descended from Jacob/Israel, born into the covenant.
  • Significance: This highlights the primary recipient of God's law – His covenant people by birth.
• and for the stranger: (Hebrew: welagger - וְלַגֵּר).
  • ger: Refers to a resident alien, sojourner, or foreigner who dwells among the Israelite community with permission. They are not merely transient travelers but those who have settled and often, though not always, are willing to abide by the community's laws. The ger is distinguished from a "foreigner" (nokri) who is passing through or lives outside the land.
  • Significance: The inclusion of the ger is remarkable for the ancient world, as many societies afforded significantly fewer rights to non-natives. This principle reveals God's universal care and concern for all humanity, not just Israel.
• who sojourns among you: (Hebrew: asher yagur bachem - אֲשֶׁר יָגוּר בָּכֶם).
  • yagur: From the verb "to sojourn" or "to dwell temporarily," implying residency and integration, even if not fully indigenous.
  • Significance: This clarifies that the "stranger" refers to someone who has chosen to live within Israelite society, indicating a level of commitment to their presence, and thereby coming under the umbrella of Israel's legal system.

Exodus 12 49 Bonus section

The inclusion of the ger (resident alien) under the "one law" illustrates the ethical framework of the Israelite covenant:

• Counter-Cultural Justice: While other ANE laws might have distinct and often harsher penalties for foreigners, Israel was commanded to show equitable justice, embodying God's own righteous character. This served as an implicit polemic against the often discriminatory practices of surrounding nations.
• Boundary vs. Bridge: The Old Testament law established boundaries for the distinct covenant community, but simultaneously provided bridges for outsiders to join and find protection and place within it. Exodus 12:49 is a prime example of such a bridge.
• Responsibility of the Ger: While the verse emphasizes their rights, other laws clearly show the ger also had responsibilities, such as observing the Sabbath (Exo 20:10), participating in religious feasts (Deut 16:11, 14), and abstaining from certain pagan practices (Lev 17:10, 20:2). The equality of law implied shared duties and shared blessings for those who integrated into the covenant community.
• Messianic Fulfillment: The New Testament's radical inclusion of Gentiles into the "household of faith" (Eph 2:19) and their status as "fellow citizens with the saints" (Gal 3:28; Col 3:11) is a profound theological culmination of the "one law" principle hinted at here, moving from legal status within a national entity to spiritual identity within a global body of believers in Christ.

Exodus 12 49 Commentary

Exodus 12:49 is a profound declaration, especially considering its ancient Near Eastern context where distinct laws for natives and foreigners were commonplace. God, in His sovereign wisdom, establishes a singular, unwavering Torah for all who reside within His chosen nation. This "one law" does not obliterate the distinction between Israelite and Gentile entirely – certain rights, like tribal land inheritance, remained primarily for Israelites – but it ensures equality in fundamental areas of justice, civic participation, and even religious observances like Passover, provided the resident alien committed to its prerequisites (e.g., circumcision).

This divine directive rooted in the very beginnings of Israel's national life foreshadows God's ultimate plan of salvation, which extends beyond a single nation. It teaches compassion and fair treatment for the vulnerable and alien, a concept reinforced throughout the Law, particularly by recalling Israel's own experience as "sojourners" in Egypt. Ultimately, this verse lays groundwork for understanding God's impartial justice and His desire for a people, encompassing various backgrounds, united under His divine instruction, a principle that finds its fullest expression in the New Covenant through Christ, where all are one regardless of ethnic origin.