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 details Moses' urgent instructions to the elders of Israel concerning the first Passover, commanding each family to select and sacrifice a lamb as God's provision for their protection from the impending tenth plague—the death of the firstborn—thereby instituting a foundational ritual of redemption and remembrance for the nation.

### CONTEXT
**Literary Context:** This verse is a crucial turning point within the narrative of the tenth and final plague, the death of the firstborn. Immediately preceding [Exodus 12:21](/exodus/12-21 "Moses instructs the elders for Passover"), God has given Moses and Aaron detailed instructions for the Passover ritual, including the selection of the lamb, its slaughter, the application of its blood, and the consumption of its roasted flesh ([Exodus 12:1-20](/exodus/12 "Instructions for the Passover")). Moses now acts as the intermediary, conveying these life-saving commands directly to the leaders of the people. The verses that follow describe the Israelites' immediate and faithful obedience to these instructions, culminating in God's "passing over" their homes as the death angel strikes Egypt ([Exodus 12:28-29](/exodus/12-28 "Israelites obey; tenth plague strikes")).

**Historical & Cultural Context:** The Israelites were enslaved in Egypt, enduring harsh bondage under Pharaoh. The preceding nine plagues had demonstrated Yahweh's power over the Egyptian gods and Pharaoh, yet Pharaoh remained defiant. The Passover was God's ultimate act of judgment against Egypt and a dramatic demonstration of His redemptive power for Israel. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the "elders" (*zēqēnîm*) were respected leaders and representatives of their respective tribes or families, responsible for communicating and enforcing community decisions. Their role here underscores the gravity and communal nature of the command. The concept of a substitutionary sacrifice, where an animal's life is given to atone for or protect human life, was understood in the ancient world, but here it is uniquely tied to God's specific covenantal deliverance.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Exodus 12:21 records Moses' direct and urgent communication of God's Passover instructions to the elders of Israel, emphasizing the specific actions required for salvation from the final plague.

* **"Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said unto them"**: This highlights Moses' role as God's chosen mediator and the elders' role as the immediate recipients and communicators of divine commands to their families. It underscores the organized and communal nature of Israel's response.
* **"Draw out and take you a lamb according to your families"**: The instruction to "draw out" (*māšaḵ*) implies selecting the lamb from the flock, carefully choosing it as specified in earlier verses ([Exodus 12:5](/exodus/12-5 "Requirements for the Passover lamb")). The phrase "according to your families" emphasizes that the Passover was a household event, with each family unit responsible for its own lamb, signifying both individual and communal participation in God's covenant.
* **"and kill the passover"**: This is a concise and potent command. The phrase uses the Hebrew verb *shaḥaṭ* (שָׁחַט), meaning "to slaughter" or "to kill," specifically in the context of ritual sacrifice. It is paired directly with the noun "Passover" (*Pesach*), indicating that the act of killing the lamb *is* the central act of the Passover itself, not just a preliminary step. The lamb *is* the Passover sacrifice.

**Key Word Analysis:**
* **_Pesach_** (פֶּסַח): Translated "Passover." This Hebrew word means "to pass over," "to skip over," or "to spare." It is the central concept of the event, signifying God's act of judgment passing over the homes marked by the blood of the lamb, sparing the firstborn within. It encapsulates both God's judgment and His mercy.
* **_Shaḥaṭ_** (שָׁחַט): Translated "kill." This verb specifically refers to the ritual slaughter of an animal for sacrifice or consumption. It emphasizes the sacred, intentional nature of the act, distinguishing it from mere killing. The life of the lamb is deliberately taken as a substitute.

**Literary Devices:** The language is direct and imperative, reflecting the urgency and the life-or-death stakes of the moment. The concise command "kill the passover" functions as a metonymy, where the act of killing the lamb stands for the entire Passover ritual, highlighting the sacrificial nature of the event.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse powerfully conveys several core theological truths:

1. **God's Sovereign Judgment and Redemptive Provision:** It demonstrates God's absolute authority over life and death, His righteous judgment against sin and defiance (Pharaoh and Egypt), and His gracious provision for His people's salvation.
2. **The Necessity of Obedience:** Salvation was contingent upon precise and immediate obedience to God's specific instructions. The Israelites' faith was demonstrated through their actions.
3. **Substitutionary Atonement:** The lamb's life was taken as a substitute for the firstborn of the household, a foundational principle of atonement where an innocent party suffers on behalf of the guilty. This concept is central to the biblical narrative of salvation.

This event is foundational to Israel's identity, establishing the Passover as an annual memorial of God's mighty deliverance and covenant faithfulness. It prefigures the broader biblical theme of salvation through sacrifice.

* The significance of the blood for atonement is further elaborated in [Leviticus 17:11](/leviticus/17-11 "Life is in the blood"), stating, "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 application of the blood on the doorposts, as commanded in [Exodus 12:7](/exodus/12-7 "Blood on the doorposts"), was the visible sign of faith and obedience, ensuring God's "passing over."
* 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 an act of faith.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 12:21 calls us to recognize God's active involvement in human history, both in judgment and in salvation. Just as the Israelites were saved by trusting and obeying God's specific provision through the lamb, we are called to trust in God's ultimate provision for our salvation. This verse reminds us that true deliverance often requires a specific, obedient response to God's revealed will. It teaches us that God's grace is extended through sacrifice, and our part is to receive it by faith. The Passover, initiated here, serves as a powerful reminder that God is faithful to deliver His people from bondage, whether physical or spiritual.

**Thought-Provoking Questions:**
1. In what areas of my life might God be calling for specific, obedient action as a demonstration of my faith?
2. How does the concept of a substitutionary sacrifice in the Passover deepen my understanding of God's justice and mercy?
3. What "bondage" or "judgment" in my life or in the world today am I trusting God to "pass over" or deliver from?

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

Answer: In ancient Israelite society, elders served as the recognized leaders and representatives of their families and tribes. Calling the elders was the most efficient and authoritative way to disseminate critical information and ensure compliance throughout the entire community. They were responsible for communicating God's commands to their respective households and overseeing their implementation.

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

Answer: No, "kill the passover" is a concise way of saying "kill the lamb for the Passover." The lamb *is* the Passover sacrifice. This phrasing emphasizes that the act of sacrificing the lamb is the central and defining action of the entire Passover ritual, making the lamb synonymous with the feast itself. It highlights the sacrificial nature of the event.

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

Answer: The lamb was a common, valuable, and ritually clean animal in ancient Israelite culture, often used for sacrifice. Its innocence and vulnerability made it a powerful symbol of the substitutionary sacrifice required. Furthermore, the specific requirements for the lamb—male, one year old, without blemish ([Exodus 12:5](/exodus/12-5 "Requirements for the Passover lamb"))—underscored its purity and suitability as a perfect offering to God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 12:21, in instituting the Passover, serves as a profound Old Testament type that finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Passover lamb, whose shed blood protected Israel from God's judgment and delivered them from bondage, is a direct foreshadowing of Jesus. Just as the lamb was "**without blemish**" ([Exodus 12:5](/exodus/12-5 "Requirements for the Passover lamb")), Jesus is the sinless Son of God, the perfect sacrifice. His sacrificial death on the cross is the ultimate "Passover" event, where His shed blood provides atonement and deliverance from the judgment of sin and eternal death for all who believe.

The New Testament explicitly identifies Jesus as "**our Passover lamb**" ([1 Corinthians 5:7](/1_corinthians/5-7 "Christ our Passover")). John the Baptist proclaimed Him as "**the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!**" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "Lamb of God")). Through His death and resurrection, Jesus fulfills the Passover not merely as a historical event of 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 once-for-all sacrifice and our participation in His new covenant. The slain Lamb is now exalted in heaven ([Revelation 5:6-10](/revelation/5-6 "Lamb who was slain")), forever worthy of 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.