Exodus 12:21

KJV

¶ Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said unto them, Draw out and take you a lamb according to your families, and kill the passover.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then Moses {H4872} called {H7121} for all the elders {H2205} of Israel {H3478}, and said {H559} unto them, Draw out {H4900} and take {H3947} you a lamb {H6629} according to your families {H4940}, and kill {H7819} the passover {H6453}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then Moshe called for all the leaders of Isra'el and said, "Select and take lambs for your families, and slaughter the Pesach lamb.

Berean Standard Bible

Then Moses summoned all the elders of Israel and told them, “Go at once and select for yourselves a lamb for each family, and slaughter the Passover lamb.

American Standard Version

Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said unto them, Draw out, and take you lambs according to your families, and kill the passover.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 12:21 records Moses' urgent convocation of the elders of Israel, through whom he relays God's precise instructions for the first Passover. This command mandates each family to select and sacrifice a lamb, applying its blood as a sign of protection from the impending tenth plague—the death of the firstborn—thereby instituting a pivotal ritual of redemption, remembrance, and covenant for the nascent nation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as a critical pivot point within the unfolding narrative of the tenth and final plague against Egypt. Immediately prior, God has meticulously detailed the Passover ritual to Moses and Aaron, covering everything from the selection of the lamb on the tenth day of the month, its slaughter on the fourteenth, the application of its blood to the doorposts, and the consumption of its roasted flesh, all to be observed "throughout your generations" ([Exodus 12:1-20](/exodus/12 "Instructions for the Passover")). Moses, acting as God's faithful intermediary, now takes these divine, life-saving commands directly to the recognized leaders of the Israelite community. The verses that follow swiftly depict the Israelites' immediate and unwavering obedience to these instructions, culminating in God's awe-inspiring act of "passing over" their blood-marked homes as the death angel strikes down the firstborn of Egypt ([Exodus 12:28-29](/exodus/12-28-29 "Israelites obey; tenth plague strikes")). This sequence underscores the direct link between divine command, human obedience, and miraculous deliverance.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Israelites were deeply entrenched in a brutal system of slavery under Pharaoh in Egypt, a bondage that had persisted for centuries. The preceding nine plagues had systematically dismantled the power of Egypt's gods and Pharaoh's authority, yet Pharaoh's heart remained hardened. The Passover, therefore, was not merely another plague but God's climactic act of judgment against Egypt's idolatry and defiance, and simultaneously, a dramatic, redemptive act for Israel. In the ancient Near East, "elders" (Hebrew: *zēqēnîm*) were highly respected figures, serving as the judicial, administrative, and spiritual leaders of their tribes and families. Their role here as the immediate recipients of Moses' commands highlights the communal nature of the Passover and the hierarchical structure through which divine directives were disseminated and enforced within Israelite society. The concept of a substitutionary sacrifice—where an animal's life is offered to avert a greater judgment or to atone for human sin—was a known practice in the ancient world, but here it is uniquely imbued with Yahweh's specific covenantal deliverance and His absolute sovereignty over life and death.
* **Key Themes:** Exodus 12:21 significantly contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Exodus and the broader Pentateuch. Foremost among these is the theme of **Divine Deliverance and Redemption**, showcasing God's power to liberate His people from oppression through a decisive act of judgment against their oppressors. It also powerfully introduces the theme of **Covenant and Obedience**, demonstrating that God's salvation is offered on the basis of His covenant promises, but requires a specific, obedient response from His people. The precise instructions for the lamb and its sacrifice underscore the theme of **Substitutionary Atonement**, where an innocent life is given to spare the guilty, laying foundational theological groundwork for future sacrificial systems and ultimately, for Christ. Furthermore, this verse initiates the theme of **Remembrance and Liturgy**, establishing the Passover as an annual, perpetual ordinance designed to ensure that future generations would remember God's mighty acts of salvation ([Exodus 12:26-27](/exodus/12-26-27 "Passover as a memorial")). The role of the elders highlights the importance of **Leadership and Community Responsibility** in faithfully transmitting and enacting God's commands.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Elders (Hebrew, _zâqên'_):** From H2205, meaning "old; aged, ancient (man), elder(-est), old (man, men and...women), senator." In this context, "elders" refers to the respected, experienced, and authoritative leaders of the Israelite families and tribes. Moses' calling for them signifies the importance of proper leadership and communication channels in disseminating God's critical commands throughout the entire community, ensuring widespread understanding and compliance.
* **Lamb (Hebrew, _tsôʼn'_):** From H6629, a collective name for "a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men); (small) cattle, flock ([phrase] -s), lamb ([phrase] -s), sheep(-cote, -fold, -shearer, -herds)." While often translated as "lamb," this term broadly refers to a small animal from the flock, typically a sheep or goat, specifically chosen for the Passover sacrifice. The choice of a young, unblemished animal (specified in earlier verses) highlights its purity and suitability as a substitutionary offering.
* **Passover (Hebrew, _peçach'_):** From H6453, meaning "a pretermission, i.e. exemption; used only technically of the Jewish Passover (the festival or the victim)." This word encapsulates the central act of God's judgment "passing over" or "skipping over" the homes of the Israelites marked by the blood of the sacrificed lamb. It refers both to the event itself and, by metonymy, to the sacrificial victim that enables the "passing over."

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said unto them,"**: This opening clause establishes Moses' pivotal role as God's mediator and the elders' function as the immediate recipients and disseminators of divine commands. It underscores the structured and communal nature of Israel's response to God's directives, emphasizing that the message was delivered through established leadership for collective action.
* **"Draw out and take you a lamb according to your families,"**: This is a double imperative, emphasizing both the selection ("draw out," *mâshak*) and acquisition ("take," *lâqach*) of the lamb. The instruction to "draw out" implies a careful, deliberate choice from the flock, consistent with the requirements for an unblemished lamb. The phrase "according to your families" highlights that the Passover was a household-centric event, with each family unit responsible for its own lamb, signifying both individual and communal participation in God's covenant and deliverance.
* **"and kill the passover."**: This concise and potent command uses the Hebrew verb *shâchaṭ* (H7819), which specifically denotes the ritual slaughter of an animal for sacrifice or consumption. The direct pairing of "kill" with "the passover" (the noun *peçach*) signifies that the act of sacrificing the lamb *is* the central and defining action of the Passover itself, not merely a preliminary step. The lamb *is* the Passover sacrifice, making the act of its slaughter synonymous with the execution of the Passover ritual.

#### Literary Devices
The language in Exodus 12:21 is characterized by its directness and **Imperative Mood**, reflecting the urgency and the life-or-death stakes of the moment. Moses' commands are unequivocal, demanding immediate and precise action. The phrase "kill the passover" functions as a powerful **Metonymy**, where the act of killing the lamb stands in for the entire Passover ritual, highlighting the central, sacrificial nature of the event. This linguistic shorthand emphasizes that the lamb's sacrifice is the indispensable core of the deliverance. Furthermore, the selection of the lamb and its blood on the doorposts serve as potent **Symbolism**, representing God's provision for atonement and protection, a visible sign of faith that secures exemption from divine judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 12:21 profoundly articulates several core theological truths that resonate throughout biblical history. It vividly demonstrates God's **Sovereign Judgment and Redemptive Provision**, showcasing His absolute authority over life and death, His righteous judgment against the hardened defiance of Pharaoh and Egypt, and His gracious, specific provision for His people's salvation. The command for the Israelites to act underscores the **Necessity of Obedience**; their deliverance was not automatic but contingent upon precise and immediate adherence to God's instructions. Their faith was not merely intellectual assent but was tangibly demonstrated through their obedient actions. Most significantly, this verse introduces and establishes the foundational principle of **Substitutionary Atonement**, where the life of an innocent lamb is taken as a substitute for the firstborn of the household. This act of sacrifice, where an innocent party suffers on behalf of the guilty, is central to the biblical narrative of salvation and forms the bedrock for understanding future sacrificial systems and ultimately, the work of Christ. This event is foundational to Israel's identity, establishing the Passover as an annual memorial of God's mighty deliverance and His unwavering covenant faithfulness, prefiguring the broader biblical theme of salvation through sacrificial blood.

* The critical role of blood for atonement is further elucidated in [Leviticus 17:11](/leviticus/17-11 "Life is in the blood"), which states, "For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul."
* The specific instruction to apply the blood on the doorposts, as commanded in [Exodus 12:7](/exodus/12-7 "Blood on the doorposts"), served as the visible sign of faith and obedience, ensuring God's "passing over" their homes.
* The faith of Moses and the Israelites in observing the Passover is commended in [Hebrews 11:28](/hebrews/11-28 "Moses' faith in the Passover"), highlighting that their deliverance was not a magical act but a direct result of their obedient faith in God's specific provision.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 12:21 powerfully calls us to recognize God's active, personal, and decisive involvement in human history, both in His righteous judgment and in His boundless salvation. Just as the Israelites were saved by trusting and obeying God's specific provision through the lamb, we are similarly called to trust in God's ultimate provision for our salvation. This verse serves as a profound reminder that true deliverance, whether from external oppression or internal spiritual bondage, often requires a specific, obedient response to God's revealed will. It teaches us that God's grace is not a passive concept but is actively extended through sacrifice, and our part is to receive it by faith, demonstrated through our obedience. The Passover, initiated here, stands as an enduring testament to God's faithfulness to deliver His people from bondage, whether physical, spiritual, or existential. It challenges us to consider what specific commands God might be giving us today that require our immediate and faithful obedience, trusting in His provision for our deliverance.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might God be calling for specific, obedient action as a demonstration of my faith, even when the outcome is uncertain?**
* **How does the concept of a substitutionary sacrifice, so vividly portrayed in the Passover, deepen my understanding of God's justice, mercy, and the cost of my own salvation?**
* **What "bondage" or "judgment" in my life or in the world today am I trusting God to "pass over" or deliver from, and what is my role in that deliverance?**

### FAQ
**Why did Moses call the elders, not all the people directly?**

Answer: In ancient Israelite society, elders (Hebrew: *zēqēnîm*) functioned as the recognized, authoritative leaders and representatives of their respective families and tribes. Calling the elders was the most efficient, effective, and authoritative way to disseminate critical information and ensure widespread understanding and compliance throughout the entire community. They were entrusted with the responsibility of communicating God's commands to their specific households and overseeing their faithful implementation, thereby ensuring the unified and timely action required for the Passover.

**Does "kill the passover" mean they literally killed the feast?**

Answer: No, "kill the passover" is a concise and powerful figure of speech. It means "kill the lamb *for* the Passover." The lamb *is* the Passover sacrifice, the central element of the ritual. This phrasing emphasizes that the act of sacrificing the lamb is the defining and indispensable action of the entire Passover ritual, making the lamb synonymous with the feast itself. It highlights the sacrificial nature of the event, where the death of the lamb enables the "passing over" and deliverance.

**Why was a lamb specifically chosen for this sacrifice?**

Answer: The lamb (or goat) was a common, valuable, and ritually clean animal in ancient Israelite culture, frequently used for sacrificial purposes. Its inherent innocence and vulnerability made it a powerful symbol of the substitutionary sacrifice required. Furthermore, the specific requirements for the Passover lamb—male, one year old, without blemish ([Exodus 12:5](/exodus/12-5 "Requirements for the Passover lamb"))—underscored its purity, perfection, and suitability as an unblemished offering to a holy God. This choice also set it apart as a unique and divinely appointed means of salvation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 12:21, in its institution of the Passover, stands as one of the most profound Old Testament types that finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Passover lamb, whose innocent shed blood protected Israel from God's righteous judgment and delivered them from the bondage of slavery, is a direct and powerful foreshadowing of Jesus. Just as the lamb was required to be "**without blemish**" ([Exodus 12:5](/exodus/12-5 "Requirements for the Passover lamb")), Jesus is the sinless Son of God, the perfect and unblemished sacrifice, uniquely qualified to bear the sin of humanity. His sacrificial death on the cross is the ultimate "Passover" event, where His shed blood provides complete atonement and eternal deliverance from the judgment of sin and spiritual death for all who place their faith in Him. The New Testament explicitly identifies Jesus as "**our Passover lamb**" ([1 Corinthians 5:7](/1_corinthians/5-7 "Christ our Passover")), emphasizing His once-for-all sacrifice. John the Baptist prophetically declared Him to be "**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")). Through His death and resurrection, Jesus fulfills the Passover not merely as a historical act of physical deliverance, but as the cosmic act of redemption, inaugurating a new covenant where all who trust in His shed blood are "passed over" from spiritual death to eternal life. The Passover feast, therefore, points forward to the Lord's Supper, which commemorates Christ's singular sacrifice and our participation in the new covenant established by His blood ([Luke 22:19-20](/luke/22-19-20 "Institution of the Lord's Supper")). The slain Lamb is now exalted in heaven ([Revelation 5:6-10](/revelation/5-6-10 "The Lamb who was slain is worthy")), forever worthy of all worship for His redemptive work.

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 12:3

Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth [day] of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of [their] fathers, a lamb for an house:

Exodus 3:16

¶ Go, and gather the elders of Israel together, and say unto them, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, appeared unto me, saying, I have surely visited you, and [seen] that which is done to you in Egypt:

Numbers 11:16

¶ And the LORD said unto Moses, Gather unto me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom thou knowest to be the elders of the people, and officers over them; and bring them unto the tabernacle of the congregation, that they may stand there with thee.

Exodus 12:11

And thus shall ye eat it; [with] your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it [is] the LORD'S passover.

2 Chronicles 30:15

Then they killed the passover on the fourteenth [day] of the second month: and the priests and the Levites were ashamed, and sanctified themselves, and brought in the burnt offerings into the house of the LORD.

2 Chronicles 30:17

For [there were] many in the congregation that were not sanctified: therefore the Levites had the charge of the killing of the passovers for every one [that was] not clean, to sanctify [them] unto the LORD.

Joshua 5:10

¶ And the children of Israel encamped in Gilgal, and kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the month at even in the plains of Jericho.