Exodus 13 14

Exodus 13:14 kjv

And it shall be when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying, What is this? that thou shalt say unto him, By strength of hand the LORD brought us out from Egypt, from the house of bondage:

Exodus 13:14 nkjv

So it shall be, when your son asks you in time to come, saying, 'What is this?' that you shall say to him, 'By strength of hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

Exodus 13:14 niv

"In days to come, when your son asks you, 'What does this mean?' say to him, 'With a mighty hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.

Exodus 13:14 esv

And when in time to come your son asks you, 'What does this mean?' you shall say to him, 'By a strong hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt, from the house of slavery.

Exodus 13:14 nlt

"And in the future, your children will ask you, 'What does all this mean?' Then you will tell them, 'With the power of his mighty hand, the LORD brought us out of Egypt, the place of our slavery.

Exodus 13 verses

Exodus 13 14 Meaning

Exodus 13:14 anticipates a future inquiry from a son about the significance of specific religious observances, particularly the redemption of the firstborn or the Passover rituals. The prescribed answer is a foundational truth: Israel's deliverance from slavery in Egypt was solely by the irresistible and mighty power of the Lord. This verse emphasizes the importance of intergenerational teaching of God's redemptive acts, ensuring that the reason for Israel's unique identity and the origin of its covenant relationship with God are never forgotten. It affirms divine agency as the basis for their liberation and subsequent commandments.

Exodus 13 14 Context

Exodus chapter 13 immediately follows the devastating tenth plague and the Passover, which led to Israel's hasty departure from Egypt. The chapter focuses on two main commands: the consecration of the firstborn (Exod 13:1-16) and the perpetual observance of the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Exod 13:3-10). These laws were established to ensure that future generations would remember God's mighty deliverance. Verse 14 is specifically a command given within the context of parental teaching, anticipating that children will question the meaning of these rituals. It underscores that these ceremonies are not empty traditions, but rather constant reminders of God's redemptive act of bringing Israel "out of Egypt, from the house of slavery," foundational to their covenant relationship with Him.

Exodus 13 14 Word analysis

• And when in time to come: Hebrew: וְהָיָה כִּי-יִשְׁאָלְךָ (wəhāyāh kî-yishʾālḵā). "And it shall be when your son asks you." This phrasing anticipates and makes provision for a definite future event. It indicates that the teaching of future generations is not an option, but a divine expectation for continuity of faith.
• your son: Hebrew: בִּנְךָ (binḵā). Refers to one's male descendant but encompasses future generations. It places the responsibility of spiritual education firmly on the family head, signifying the importance of passing on the covenant narrative.
• asks you, 'What does this mean?': Hebrew: מַה-זֹּאת (mah-zōʾt). Literally, "What is this?" This is an inquisitive question seeking the meaning, purpose, and origin of the traditions or rituals (such as the redemption of the firstborn or the unleavened bread). It reflects a natural human curiosity and is presented as a divinely intended prompt for teaching.
• you shall say to him: A direct divine injunction, highlighting the mandatory nature of this parental instruction. It emphasizes that the response must be explicit and truth-filled.
• 'By a strong hand': Hebrew: בְּחֹזֶק יָד (bəḥōzeq yāḏ). This idiom denotes an overwhelming, irresistible power and authority. It underscores that Israel's liberation was accomplished by God's sheer, invincible might, not by human effort or strategy. This phrase serves to magnify God's sovereignty and distinguish His actions from those of human rulers or pagan deities. It is a recurring motif emphasizing divine agency.
• the Lord brought us out: Hebrew: יְהוָה הֹוצִיאָנוּ (YHWH hôṣiʾānu). YHWH, the personal covenant name of God, signifies His direct, faithful, and saving involvement. "Brought us out" (from the root יצא, yatsa) is the core verb of the Exodus, meaning liberation or deliverance from a state of bondage to freedom. It points to God's redemptive work.
• from Egypt: The land of Israel's long and brutal servitude, also the world superpower of its time. Mentioning this specific location highlights the magnitude of God's victory over the strongest empire known to them.
• from the house of slavery.': Hebrew: מִבֵּית עֲבָדִים (miBêt ʿăḇāḏîm). A common descriptive epithet for Egypt in the Old Testament. It graphically portrays the depth of Israel's degradation and bondage, reinforcing the complete nature of God's deliverance. It emphasizes that their prior existence was one of total subjugation and exploitation.

• "And when in time to come your son asks you, 'What does this mean?'": This phrase introduces the divine pedagogical plan. It shows God's foresight in designing a system where significant historical events are enshrined in rituals, serving as perpetual educational triggers for future generations. It sanctifies intergenerational dialogue as a crucial means of transmitting faith and understanding covenant.
• "'By a strong hand the Lord brought us out from Egypt, from the house of slavery.': This is the authoritative answer, compacting the theological essence of the Exodus. It focuses entirely on God's overwhelming power ("strong hand"), His personal action (YHWH "brought us out"), and the extreme conditions from which Israel was saved ("Egypt, from the house of slavery"). This formulation served to prevent any human boast or reliance on other gods, cementing God's unique redemptive character at the heart of Israelite faith and identity. It is a theological statement asserting divine omnipotence over all earthly powers.

Exodus 13 14 Bonus section

This verse is one of four "catechetical passages" in the Torah (along with Exod 12:26-27, Deut 6:20-25, and Deut 11:29-30 [implied]). These passages outline a structured approach to intergenerational spiritual instruction, where the questioning of a child about religious practices (Passover, firstborn dedication, the giving of the Law, crossing the Jordan) prompts a re-telling of God's foundational acts of salvation. The recurring phrase "strong hand" serves as an enduring anti-polytheistic polemic, subtly affirming YHWH's absolute sovereignty and singular power above all perceived deities and rulers in the ancient Near East. The act of "bringing out" from slavery is repeatedly invoked as the definitive sign of God's covenant faithfulness and power, the cornerstone upon which all subsequent laws and relationship with Israel are built.

Exodus 13 14 Commentary

Exodus 13:14 lays the groundwork for Israel's enduring theological education, emphasizing the paramount importance of remembering and articulating God's decisive act of deliverance. The verse commands a father to anticipate his son's natural inquiry regarding their religious practices, thereby establishing an interactive and instructional faith environment. The prescribed answer is succinct but profound: all that Israel is, and all the rituals they observe, derive directly from "the strong hand of the Lord" who liberated them from the abject slavery of Egypt. This theological foundation counters any notion that Israel achieved freedom by its own strength or cleverness. It serves as a continuous declaration of God's unparalleled power over all earthly powers, including Pharaoh and his pantheon of gods. This core truth ensures that their identity as a people remains perpetually tied to God's miraculous redemption, fostering humility, gratitude, and a continued reliance on Him. The principle resonates through Christian faith, where parents are called to explain Christ's "strong hand" in delivering humanity from sin and death, connecting outward ordinances to the internal reality of spiritual redemption.