Exodus 12:2

KJV

This month [shall be] unto you the beginning of months: it [shall be] the first month of the year to you.

KJV (with Strong's)

This month {H2320} shall be unto you the beginning {H7218} of months {H2320}: it shall be the first {H7223} month {H2320} of the year {H8141} to you.

Complete Jewish Bible

"You are to begin your calendar with this month; it will be the first month of the year for you.

Berean Standard Bible

“This month is the beginning of months for you; it shall be the first month of your year.

American Standard Version

This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 12:2 marks a foundational divine decree given to Moses and Aaron on the eve of Israel's liberation from Egypt. God establishes a new calendar for His people, declaring the month of their redemption as the "beginning of months" and the "first month of the year." This command signifies a radical reorientation of Israel's temporal existence, centering their identity and future around God's redemptive act and establishing a new chronological framework for the nascent nation. It asserts God's ultimate sovereignty over time and history, setting the stage for their life as His covenant people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This pivotal verse is strategically placed at the very outset of God's detailed instructions for the institution of the Passover. Immediately preceding it, [Exodus 11:1-10](/exodus/11 "The Tenth Plague Announced") recounts God's final warning to Pharaoh regarding the tenth and most devastating plague—the death of the firstborn. Following this declaration of a new calendar in [Exodus 12:2](/exodus/12-2 "The New Calendar for Israel"), the narrative proceeds directly into the intricate commands for the Passover sacrifice, the application of the blood, and the consumption of the meal in [Exodus 12:3-13](/exodus/12-3-13 "Passover Instructions"). Thus, the reordering of the calendar serves as the foundational temporal marker, anchoring Israel's most significant redemptive festival and all subsequent annual feasts within a divinely ordained chronological framework. It underscores that the Exodus is not merely an event but the defining moment around which their entire national and religious life will revolve.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, calendars were far more than mere administrative tools; they were deeply interwoven with national identity, religious observances, and agricultural cycles. Prior to this divine decree, the Israelite slaves likely adhered to the prevailing Egyptian calendar, which was tied to the Nile's inundation and the agricultural seasons, or perhaps a traditional agricultural calendar that began in the autumn. God's command to establish a new "first month" (later known as Abib or Nisan, corresponding to spring) was not a trivial adjustment. It was a profound act of divine sovereignty, symbolically and practically severing Israel's temporal and cultural ties to Egypt. By making the month of their liberation the head of their year, God was asserting His absolute authority over time itself, declaring a new era for His covenant people and establishing a distinct, God-ordained identity rooted in their unique redemption. This act transformed their understanding of time from a cyclical agricultural rhythm to a linear progression marked by God's saving acts.
* **Key Themes:** Exodus 12:2 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book of Exodus and the broader Pentateuch. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates **God's absolute sovereignty**, particularly over time and human history. He is not bound by existing conventions but can unilaterally establish a new order. Secondly, it highlights **redemption as a new beginning**. Just as God initiated creation, He initiates a "new creation" for Israel as a nation, commencing with their liberation from bondage. This act of reordering time underscores that their very existence and chronological framework are now defined by His saving work. Thirdly, it is foundational to the theme of **covenant identity**. By establishing a unique calendar, God sets Israel apart as His chosen people, whose annual rhythms and communal memory are perpetually linked to their deliverance. This theme is reinforced throughout the Torah, as seen in the repeated commands to observe the Passover in [Deuteronomy 16:1](/deuteronomy/16-1 "Observe the month of Abib"). This reorientation of time also foreshadows the radical newness that God continually brings into the lives of His people, a concept echoed in prophetic declarations of future restoration, such as [Isaiah 43:18-19](/isaiah/43-18-19 "God's New Work").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Exodus 12:2, though concise, carries immense theological and practical weight through its precise wording and divine declaration.

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Month (Hebrew, _chôdesh'_):** This Hebrew word (H2320) literally means "new moon" and, by implication, the month that begins with the appearance of the new moon. Its root suggests "newness" or "renewal." In this context, it emphasizes that God is initiating a fresh cycle of time, not merely adjusting an existing one. It speaks to a divine act of renewal, a definitive break from the past, and the establishment of a new temporal order for Israel.
* **Beginning (Hebrew, _rôʼsh'_):** This term (H7218) means "head," "top," "chief," or "principal." When applied to time, it signifies the "first" or "primary" point. God is not just designating _a_ month, but _the_ foundational, principal month. This choice underscores the supreme importance and foundational nature of the Exodus event for all future reckoning of time and identity for Israel, positioning it as the "head" of their national existence.
* **First (Hebrew, _riʼshôwn'_):** This word (H7223) means "first" in place, time, or rank. It reinforces the concept conveyed by _rôʼsh_, emphasizing the inaugural and preeminent status of this month. The repetition of the idea of "firstness" highlights the radical and authoritative nature of God's command, ensuring that this month would forever hold a position of unparalleled significance in Israel's calendar and collective memory.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"This month [shall be] unto you the beginning of months:"** God directly addresses Moses and Aaron, indicating a divine decree for the entire nation of Israel. The phrase "unto you" (לָכֶם, _lāḵem_) functions as an emphatic dative, highlighting that this new calendar is specifically for Israel, distinguishing them from all other nations and their temporal conventions. The month in which the Passover and Exodus occur is declared the "head" or "chief" of all months, establishing a completely new chronological starting point for their religious and national life. This signifies a profound reorientation of their timekeeping around God's redemptive act.
* **"it [shall be] the first month of the year to you."** This second clause reinforces and clarifies the first, employing synonymous parallelism to emphasize the divine intent. It reiterates with absolute clarity that this specific month (later known as Abib or Nisan), the month of their liberation, will be the inaugural month of their new year. The repetition underscores the divine authority and the complete reorientation of their annual cycle. This new year would govern all their religious festivals, agricultural cycles, and national commemorations, ensuring that their redemption remained at the very heart of their temporal existence and identity.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 12:2 employs several effective literary techniques to convey its profound message. The primary device is a **Divine Decree** or **Declarative Statement**, typical of God's direct commands, which lends absolute authority and finality to the pronouncement. **Repetition** is prominently used through synonymous parallelism, as the phrases "the beginning of months" and "the first month of the year" convey essentially the same radical idea of a new chronological starting point. This repetition serves to emphasize the foundational importance of this calendar change and its definitive nature. Furthermore, the **Emphatic Dative** is present in the repeated phrase "unto you" or "to you," which underscores that this new ordering of time is specifically for and pertains exclusively to the covenant people of Israel, distinguishing their temporal framework from that of the Egyptians and other nations.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 12:2 teaches profound theological truths about God's absolute sovereignty and the nature of redemption. Firstly, it asserts God's ultimate **sovereignty over time** itself. He is not bound by human conventions, existing calendars, or natural cycles, but can unilaterally establish a new temporal order for His people. This demonstrates His power to initiate and define history. Secondly, it highlights **redemption as a radical new beginning**. Just as God's word initiated creation, so too does the new creation of Israel as a nation begin with God's reordering of time, centered on their deliverance from slavery. This act establishes their **covenant identity**, marking them as a people whose very existence and temporal framework are defined by God's saving work. Their past in Egypt is severed, and their future is now oriented around the divine act of liberation. This theme resonates throughout the biblical narrative, portraying God as the one who constantly initiates new eras and new covenants, culminating in the ultimate new creation in Christ.

This theme of a new beginning centered on God's redemptive act is echoed throughout Scripture:
* The concept of God doing a "new thing" is powerfully articulated in [Isaiah 43:18-19](/isaiah/43-18-19 "God's New Work"), where He declares, "Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing."
* The Exodus, marked by this new calendar, becomes the foundational redemptive event for Israel, forever linked to their identity, as seen in the reiteration of observing the month of Abib in [Deuteronomy 16:1](/deuteronomy/16-1 "Observe the month of Abib").
* Ultimately, this divine reordering of time points to the radical transformation offered in Christ, where believers are made "new creations," as articulated in [2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "New Creation in Christ"), signifying a complete reorientation of life around His saving work.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 12:2 offers a profound spiritual principle for believers today: God is the sovereign Lord of our time and our lives. Just as He gave Israel a new beginning rooted in their redemption from slavery, He offers us a new life in Christ that radically reorients our priorities, our perspective, and our very understanding of time. This verse challenges us to consider whether our "calendar"—our daily schedule, our annual rhythms, our life goals, our deepest aspirations—is truly ordered around God's redemptive work in Christ. It encourages us to embrace the fresh starts God offers, whether it's a new season of life, a renewed commitment to faith, a turning away from past patterns of sin, or a re-dedication to His purposes. Our identity is no longer defined by our past bondage (to sin, to worldly systems, to old habits) but by our glorious liberation and new life in Christ. This reorientation calls us to live intentionally, recognizing that every moment is a gift from the God who redeems and renews.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of my life do I need God to declare a "new beginning," reordering my priorities around His redemptive work in Christ?**
* **How does my current use of time reflect (or fail to reflect) God's sovereignty and my identity as a new creation in Christ? Am I living by a "worldly calendar" or a "redemptive calendar"?**
* **What "old things" (habits, mindsets, relationships, or past failures) might God be calling me to leave behind to fully step into the "new thing" He is doing in my life?**

### FAQ
**Why did God command a new calendar for Israel?**

Answer: God commanded a new calendar to mark the Exodus as the foundational event of Israel's national and religious identity. It was a symbolic and practical act of divine sovereignty, asserting God's authority over their time and lives and signifying a complete break from their past in Egyptian bondage. This new calendar would govern their religious festivals, annual commemorations, and communal rhythms, ensuring that their redemption remained central to their collective memory, worship, and future existence as God's covenant people. It established a unique temporal framework that set them apart from all other nations.

**Did Israel use other calendars besides this one?**

Answer: Yes, while this "religious" or "sacred" calendar (beginning in the spring with the month of Abib/Nisan) was established for their sacred festivals and commemorations of the Exodus, Israel also maintained a "civil" or "agricultural" calendar that typically began in the fall (with the month of Tishrei). This civil calendar was more aligned with agricultural cycles (like the harvest) and was used for general civic, economic, and administrative purposes. Both calendars coexisted, but the religious calendar, beginning with the month of the Exodus, held primary theological and spiritual significance, defining their covenant relationship with God.

**What is the significance of this specific month, Abib/Nisan?**

Answer: The month, later called Abib (meaning "ear of barley," indicating the spring harvest season) or Nisan, was chosen because it was the precise month of the Passover and the Exodus—God's mighty act of deliverance. Its significance lies in its direct and permanent connection to this foundational redemptive event. By making this month the "first" of their year, God ensured that the memory of their liberation would be the starting point and defining feature of their annual cycle, a constant, yearly reminder of His faithfulness, their unique identity as His liberated people, and the covenant He established with them. It forever linked their time to their redemption.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 12:2, with its radical declaration of a new beginning centered on God's redemptive act, finds its ultimate fulfillment and profound amplification in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Passover, instituted in this very "first month," is the preeminent Old Testament type of Christ's atoning sacrifice. Jesus is identified by John the Baptist as "the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")) and by Paul as "our Passover lamb" ([1 Corinthians 5:7](/1_corinthians/5-7 "Christ Our Passover Lamb")), whose shed blood brings true and eternal liberation from the bondage of sin and death.

Just as God reordered Israel's time around the Exodus, so too does Christ's death and resurrection initiate a new era, a "new covenant" ([Luke 22:20](/luke/22-20 "The New Covenant in My Blood")), for all humanity. For those "in Christ," there is a radical new beginning, a profound "new creation" ([2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "New Creation in Christ")), where "the old has passed away; behold, the new has come." Our spiritual calendar, our very understanding of time, purpose, and identity, is now centered on the cross and the empty tomb. The "first month" for the believer is the moment of spiritual rebirth, marking the beginning of a life lived under the Lordship of Christ, the true Liberator and the essence of all newness, who makes "all things new" ([Revelation 21:5](/revelation/21-5 "Revelation 21:5 - All Things New")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Exodus 13:4

This day came ye out in the month Abib.

Deuteronomy 16:1

¶ Observe the month of Abib, and keep the passover unto the LORD thy God: for in the month of Abib the LORD thy God brought thee forth out of Egypt by night.

Exodus 34:18

¶ The feast of unleavened bread shalt thou keep. Seven days thou shalt eat unleavened bread, as I commanded thee, in the time of the month Abib: for in the month Abib thou camest out from Egypt.

Exodus 23:15

Thou shalt keep the feast of unleavened bread: (thou shalt eat unleavened bread seven days, as I commanded thee, in the time appointed of the month Abib; for in it thou camest out from Egypt: and none shall appear before me empty:)

Numbers 28:16

¶ And in the fourteenth day of the first month [is] the passover of the LORD.

Leviticus 23:5

In the fourteenth [day] of the first month at even [is] the LORD'S passover.

Esther 3:7

¶ In the first month, that [is], the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of king Ahasuerus, they cast Pur, that [is], the lot, before Haman from day to day, and from month to month, [to] the twelfth [month], that [is], the month Adar.