Exodus 12 8

Exodus 12:8 kjv

And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it.

Exodus 12:8 nkjv

Then they shall eat the flesh on that night; roasted in fire, with unleavened bread and with bitter herbs they shall eat it.

Exodus 12:8 niv

That same night they are to eat the meat roasted over the fire, along with bitter herbs, and bread made without yeast.

Exodus 12:8 esv

They shall eat the flesh that night, roasted on the fire; with unleavened bread and bitter herbs they shall eat it.

Exodus 12:8 nlt

That same night they must roast the meat over a fire and eat it along with bitter salad greens and bread made without yeast.

Exodus 12 verses

Exodus 12 8 Meaning

Exodus 12:8 prescribes specific elements for the consumption of the Passover lamb on the night of the Exodus. It mandates that the meat of the sacrificed lamb must be eaten "roasted over the fire," not raw or boiled. This meal is to be accompanied by "bitter herbs," symbolizing the harshness of Egyptian bondage, and "bread made without yeast" (unleavened bread), signifying the haste of their departure and purity from corrupting influences. These instructions establish a foundational ritual, embedding the divine act of redemption within a communal meal, rich with symbolic meaning for the Israelites then and a future deeper meaning in Christ.

Exodus 12 8 Context

Exodus chapter 12 details the institution of the Passover in preparation for the tenth and final plague against Egypt: the death of the firstborn. God commands Moses and Aaron to instruct the Israelites to select a lamb, sacrifice it, and mark their doorposts with its blood. This verse, Exodus 12:8, focuses specifically on how the lamb is to be prepared and eaten by each household, along with the required accompaniments. The context emphasizes urgency, obedience, and the communal nature of the sacred meal, all occurring on the eve of their miraculous liberation from centuries of slavery. Historically, this meal was unlike common sacrifices where only portions were eaten; here, the entire household consumed the lamb, signifying a deeply personal participation in the atonement and deliverance. It was a direct act of faith and remembrance, setting the stage for Israel's identity as a redeemed people.

Exodus 12 8 Word analysis

• That same night:
  • Highlights the immediate, urgent, and precise divine timing.
  • Signifies the readiness for swift departure.
  • Underscores God's sovereignty over the exact moment of liberation.
• they are to eat:
  • A command, not an option. Emphasizes obedience and participation.
  • "Eat" (אָכַל, ʼakhal): Implies full consumption and assimilation of the sacrifice. Not just observing but partaking.
• the meat:
  • Refers to the flesh of the Passover lamb (Ex 12:3), specifically chosen and without blemish.
  • This flesh represented the sacrificed life, central to the atoning work.
• roasted over the fire:
  • Prescribes the cooking method, specifically צְלִי־אֵשׁ (tzli-esh), roasted by fire.
  • Prohibits boiling or eating raw (explicitly stated in Ex 12:9). This ensured rapid preparation, critical for haste.
  • Fire symbolizes purification, divine judgment, and the intense heat needed for quick and complete cooking. It signifies a thorough transformation and dedication.
  • Polemically, this act of sacrificing and consuming an animal (a lamb or kid), particularly roasted, would have been highly offensive to the Egyptians who revered certain animals like rams (Amun-Ra).
• along with:
  • Indicates essential components to be eaten simultaneously. The accompaniments are not optional additions but integral to the ritual.
• bitter herbs:
  • Hebrew: מְרֹרִים (merorim). Literal meaning "bitternesses."
  • Symbolizes the bitter taste of the hard bondage, slavery, and suffering endured in Egypt (Ex 1:14).
  • Serves as a mnemonic device, ensuring that each bite recalls their past affliction, heightening the sense of redemption.
  • Connects to the "bitter cry" of Israel under oppression (Ex 2:23-24).
• and bread made without yeast:
  • Hebrew: מַצּוֹת (matzot), unleavened bread.
  • Symbolizes the haste of their departure; there was no time for the dough to rise (Ex 12:34).
  • Symbolizes purity; leaven (fermentation) in the Bible often represents corruption, sin, or pride (1 Cor 5:6-8; Gal 5:9). Thus, "unleavened" suggests spiritual cleansing and walking in sincerity and truth.
  • Part of the "Feast of Unleavened Bread" (Ex 12:15-20), a distinct but related observance following Passover.

Words-group analysis

• "roasted over the fire, along with bitter herbs and bread made without yeast":
  • This phrase encapsulates the complete prescribed meal. Each component is essential and contributes to the theological meaning of the Passover. The consumption method (roasted) speaks to expediency and completeness. The accompaniments (bitter herbs and unleavened bread) are pedagogical, acting as physical reminders of past suffering and the call to purity and swift obedience in their liberation. The unity of these elements creates a profound symbol of redemption achieved through suffering and faith, to be lived out in righteousness.

Exodus 12 8 Bonus section

The strict instruction to roast the lamb entirely (Ex 12:9-10) with nothing left till morning, signifies the completeness and sufficiency of God's provision and the sacrifice. No part of the sacrifice was to be preserved or re-offered, indicating that its work was accomplished and immediate. This contrasts with common practice where portions might be reserved. It also implies a communal dependence on God for daily provision, as they could not store leftover manna (Ex 16:19-20). The command to eat it hastily (Ex 12:11) reinforces the readiness and urgency, highlighting the suddenness of God's act and requiring Israel's immediate obedience and trust, without linger. This meal therefore was not just a meal, but a prophetic drama enacted.

Exodus 12 8 Commentary

Exodus 12:8 meticulously outlines the mandatory dietary elements for the first Passover meal, thereby deeply imbuing a seemingly simple dinner with profound theological significance. The command to eat the lamb "roasted over the fire" signifies a holistic and rapid preparation, embodying the urgency of God's deliverance and prohibiting any partiality or delay in consuming the sacrifice. This roasting process may also imply a complete offering to God, echoing burnt offerings, where the entire animal ascended in smoke.

The inclusion of "bitter herbs" (merorim) ensures that the memory of severe affliction and brutal slavery in Egypt remains central to the Passover experience. It serves as a visceral reminder of the human condition under bondage—both physically in Egypt and spiritually under the weight of sin. This remembrance magnifies the joy and gratitude for God's miraculous intervention and liberation.

"Bread made without yeast" (matzot), or unleavened bread, is mandated due to the suddenness of the Exodus—there was no time for dough to rise. However, it also carries a deeper, lasting symbolism of purity and readiness. In the New Testament, leaven often metaphorically represents sin or corruption, making the unleavened bread a call for a life lived free from moral defilement, sincerity, and truth (1 Cor 5:7-8).

Collectively, this prescribed meal served as a covenant ceremony, marking Israel's redemption and transition from slavery to nationhood. It vividly prefigures Christ, our true Passover Lamb, whose atoning sacrifice was complete and efficacious. Believers in Christ partake in a New Covenant meal (the Lord's Supper), echoing the Passover, remembering His ultimate sacrifice and experiencing spiritual freedom from the "bitterness" of sin, called to live in purity and readiness for His return. The entire ritual is a call to obedient participation, remembrance, and the pursuit of holiness in light of divine grace and liberation.