Exodus 12:27

KJV

That ye shall say, It [is] the sacrifice of the LORD'S passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses. And the people bowed the head and worshipped.

KJV (with Strong's)

That ye shall say {H559}, It is the sacrifice {H2077} of the LORD'S {H3068} passover {H6453}, who passed {H6452} over the houses {H1004} of the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478} in Egypt {H4714}, when he smote {H5062} the Egyptians {H4714}, and delivered {H5337} our houses {H1004}. And the people {H5971} bowed the head {H6915} and worshipped {H7812}.

Complete Jewish Bible

say, 'It is the sacrifice of ADONAI's Pesach [Passover], because [ADONAI] passed over the houses of the people of Isra'el in Egypt, when he killed the Egyptians but spared our houses.'"The people of Isra'el bowed their heads and worshipped.

Berean Standard Bible

you are to reply, ‘It is the Passover sacrifice to the LORD, who passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt when He struck down the Egyptians and spared our homes.’” Then the people bowed down and worshiped.

American Standard Version

that ye shall say, It is the sacrifice of Jehovah’s passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses. And the people bowed the head and worshipped.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 12:27 records God's explicit command to the Israelites to explain the significance of the Passover ritual to future generations. This explanation defines the annual observance as "the sacrifice of the LORD's Passover," commemorating His divine act of "passing over" the homes of the children of Israel in Egypt while simultaneously striking the firstborn of the Egyptians, thereby delivering His chosen people. Upon receiving this profound revelation, the people immediately responded with humble reverence, bowing their heads and worshipping God in awe of His redemptive power and faithfulness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is intricately woven into the climax of God's instructions for the institution of the Passover, given to Moses and Aaron just before the tenth and final plague on Egypt. The preceding verses, [Exodus 12:21-23](/exodus/12-21-23 "Instructions for the Passover Lamb and Blood Application"), detail the specific actions required: the sacrifice of an unblemished lamb, the application of its blood to the doorposts, and the command for the Israelites to remain indoors until morning. [Exodus 12:26](/exodus/12-26 "Children Inquire About the Service") anticipates a future scenario where children would inquire about the meaning of this peculiar service, making verse 27 the divinely prescribed answer. The narrative immediately following in [Exodus 12:28](/exodus/12-28 "Israelites Obey God's Commands") confirms Israel's immediate and faithful obedience, setting the stage for the devastating execution of the tenth plague described in [Exodus 12:29-30](/exodus/12-29-30 "The Death of the Firstborn in Egypt"). Thus, Exodus 12:27 serves as a pivotal theological explanation within the broader narrative of deliverance.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The institution of the Passover occurred in ancient Egypt, marking a foundational moment in Israel's history—the culmination of God's judgment on Pharaoh and the miraculous liberation of His people from centuries of oppressive slavery. In the ancient Near East, rituals, festivals, and commemorative feasts were essential cultural mechanisms for preserving collective memory and transmitting significant historical events and their underlying theological meanings across generations. The command to explain the Passover to children (as seen in [Exodus 12:26](/exodus/12-26 "Children Inquire About the Service") and answered in [Exodus 12:27](/exodus/12-27 "Explanation of the Passover Sacrifice")) reflects a deeply ingrained cultural value of intergenerational teaching and the preservation of communal identity, especially concerning foundational acts of a nation's deity. The unique concept of "passing over" (Hebrew: *Pesach*) signified divine protection amidst widespread destruction, a direct and powerful intervention of YHWH against the gods of Egypt. The immediate response of bowing and worship was a common and profound expression of reverence and acknowledgment of divine sovereignty and power after witnessing or hearing of such a mighty act.
* **Key Themes:** Exodus 12:27 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Exodus and the broader Pentateuch. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Deliverance and Redemption**, highlighting God's mighty arm in rescuing His people from bondage, not through human strength, but through His direct intervention. This verse also underscores the theme of **Substitutionary Atonement**, as the blood of the lamb serves as the means by which judgment is averted for Israel, foreshadowing a greater sacrifice. The command to explain the ritual emphasizes the theme of **Remembrance and Intergenerational Teaching**, ensuring that God's mighty acts of salvation are not forgotten but continually passed down as foundational truths for future generations. Finally, the people's immediate response of worship establishes **Worship as the Proper Response to Divine Revelation and Deliverance**, demonstrating humility, reverence, and gratitude in the face of God's awesome power and grace, a pattern seen throughout Israel's history (e.g., [Exodus 15:1-18](/exodus/15-1-18 "The Song of Moses and Miriam")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **sacrifice (Hebrew, _zebach'_ H2077):** From the root meaning "to slaughter," this term properly refers to the flesh of an animal offered, and by implication, the act of offering or the victim itself. In this context, it specifically denotes the Passover lamb, whose life was taken and blood shed as an offering to God. This sacrifice was not merely a meal but an act of propitiation, a necessary means to avert divine judgment, highlighting its sacred and salvific purpose.
* **passover (Hebrew, _peçach'_ H6453):** Derived from the verb *pâçach* (H6452), meaning "to hop" or "to skip over," this noun technically refers to a "pretermission" or "exemption." It is used exclusively for the Jewish Passover, encompassing both the festival and its victim. The verse explicitly defines its meaning by linking it to God's action: He "passed over" the houses of Israel, signifying His protective act of sparing them from the plague of death, while simultaneously executing judgment upon the Egyptians. This term encapsulates God's selective judgment and salvific grace.
* **smote (Hebrew, _nâgaph'_ H5062):** A primitive root meaning "to push," "gore," "defeat," or "inflict (a disease)." Here, it signifies a decisive, often violent, strike or blow. In Exodus 12:27, it emphasizes the severity, finality, and destructive power of God's judgment against Egypt, particularly in the context of the death of the firstborn. This word underscores God's absolute power and justice in executing His divine will.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"That ye shall say, It [is] the sacrifice of the LORD'S passover..."**: This opening clause establishes the didactic purpose of the explanation—to clearly articulate the meaning of the ritual. It identifies the Passover as a specific "sacrifice" belonging to the LORD (YHWH), emphasizing its divine origin and sacred nature. The focus is on the Passover lamb as a sacrificial offering, whose blood was the means of protection and whose death commemorated God's redemptive act.
* **"...who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses."**: This is the theological core of the explanation, detailing the *reason* for the Passover. It describes God's two-fold, contrasting action: He "passed over" or protected the Israelite homes, which were marked by the blood of the lamb, thereby sparing them from the plague of death. Simultaneously, He "smote the Egyptians," bringing devastating judgment upon them. The stark contrast between divine protection for Israel and divine judgment for Egypt highlights God's discernment, justice, and faithfulness to His covenant people. The phrase "delivered our houses" powerfully conveys the personal and communal salvation experienced by Israel.
* **"And the people bowed the head and worshipped."**: This final clause describes the immediate, profound, and appropriate response of the Israelites upon hearing these instructions and the accompanying explanation. Their physical posture of "bowing the head" signifies deep humility, reverence, and submission to God's authority. The act of "worshipped" (from *shâchâh*, H7812) indicates their adoration, acknowledgment of God's sovereignty, and trust in His power and faithfulness, even before the plague had occurred. It is an act of adoration and trust in the face of impending, awesome divine action.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 12:27 masterfully employs several literary techniques. It primarily utilizes a **didactic structure**, providing a direct and authoritative answer to an anticipated future question, thereby emphasizing the vital importance of teaching and remembering foundational truths. The verse employs powerful **contrast** by juxtaposing God's action of "passing over" Israelite homes with His simultaneous act of "smiting" the Egyptians. This highlights God's discerning justice and covenantal mercy. Furthermore, a clear **cause-and-effect** relationship is established: God's specific actions (passing over, smiting, delivering) are the divine cause, and the Passover sacrifice, with Israel's subsequent worship, are the human effect and appropriate response. The repetition of "houses" (H1004, _bayith_) for both Israelite and Egyptian dwellings creates a poignant **parallelism**, underscoring the universal scope of the plague and the particularity of God's protection.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse reveals several profound theological truths that resonate throughout biblical history. First, it underscores **God's sovereign power** over life and death, demonstrating His absolute ability to execute judgment and extend mercy simultaneously. Second, it highlights the **necessity of substitutionary sacrifice**; the blood of the lamb was the divinely appointed means by which judgment was averted for Israel, pointing to the principle that "without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness" ([Hebrews 9:22](/hebrews/9-22 "Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness")). Third, it establishes the **importance of divine remembrance and intergenerational teaching**, ensuring that God's mighty acts of salvation are never forgotten but continually passed down as foundational truths. Finally, it exemplifies **true worship as an immediate and humble response to God's redemptive work**, characterized by adoration, submission, and trust.

This theme of divine deliverance through a blood sacrifice reverberates throughout the biblical narrative, foreshadowing the ultimate act of salvation.
* [Leviticus 17:11](/leviticus/17-11 "The Life is in the Blood")
* [2 Samuel 24:16](/2_samuel/24-16 "The Lord Relents from Judgment")
* [Psalm 107:1-2](/psalm/107-1-2 "Give Thanks to the Lord for His Steadfast Love")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 12:27 carries profound significance for believers today, inviting us to remember and respond to God's deliverance with deep gratitude and worship. Just as the Israelites were commanded to remember their physical deliverance from the bondage of Egypt, we are called to remember God's spiritual deliverance from the slavery of sin and the dominion of death through the finished work of Jesus Christ. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that our salvation is not earned by our own merit or effort but is a gracious, sovereign act of God, prompting an immediate and humble response of profound gratitude and worship. Furthermore, it places a vital emphasis on the spiritual heritage we are entrusted to pass to the next generation, urging us to faithfully teach our children and those within our sphere of influence about God's grand redemptive history and His unwavering faithfulness. Our worship, like that of the ancient Israelites, should be a heartfelt, immediate, and reverent response to His incredible grace and saving power.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding the specific actions of God in the Passover (passing over vs. smiting) deepen your appreciation for His discernment and justice in your own life?**
* **In what practical ways can you more intentionally teach the foundational truths of God's redemptive work, particularly through Christ, to the next generation in your family or community?**
* **What does the Israelites' immediate response of bowing and worshipping teach you about how we should respond to God's acts of grace and salvation today, especially in moments of fear or uncertainty?**

### FAQ
**Why is the Passover called a "sacrifice" when it seems more like a protective ritual?**

Answer: The Passover lamb was indeed a **sacrifice** (Hebrew: *zebach*, H2077) because its death was a necessary prerequisite for the averting of divine judgment. Its blood, applied to the doorposts, served as a substitute for the firstborn of the household. While the ritual certainly provided protection, it did so through the shedding of innocent blood, which is the very essence of a substitutionary sacrifice. It was not merely a symbolic act, but a life given in place of another, making it a profound act of atonement.

**Does "passed over" mean God simply ignored the Israelite houses?**

Answer: No, the Hebrew word for "passed over" (Hebrew: *pâçach*, H6452, from which *peçach*, H6453, "Passover," is derived) does not imply ignoring or overlooking. Instead, it carries the nuance of "hovering over," "sparing," or "protecting." God was actively present during the plague, discerning the blood mark on the doorposts, and intentionally *sparing* those houses while simultaneously *striking* the Egyptian homes. It signifies a deliberate act of divine protection and discrimination based on the covenant and the blood mark, not mere oversight or indifference.

**Why did the people immediately bow and worship *before* the plague happened?**

Answer: The people's immediate response of worship (Hebrew: *shâchâh*, H7812) demonstrates their profound faith and trust in God's word. They had just heard the detailed instructions and the awe-inspiring explanation of what the Passover meant—God's promise to deliver them while judging Egypt. Their worship was an act of humble submission and adoration, acknowledging God's absolute authority and believing that He would indeed fulfill His promise, even before they saw the physical manifestation of the plague. It was a testament to their immediate obedience, reverence, and profound trust in the Lord's power and faithfulness.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 12:27, with its profound emphasis on the Passover lamb, its shed blood, and divine deliverance from impending judgment, finds its ultimate and most glorious fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The unblemished Passover lamb, sacrificed to avert death, is a powerful and precise foreshadowing of Jesus, who John the Baptist proclaimed as "the [Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")!" Just as the blood of the Passover lamb marked homes for salvation from physical death, the shed blood of Jesus on the cross provides complete atonement for sin and delivers believers from eternal spiritual death and God's righteous wrath ([Romans 5:8-9](/romans/5-8-9 "Justified by His Blood")). The concept of God "passing over" those marked by the blood of the lamb is perfectly reinterpreted in the New Covenant as God's grace extended to all who are "in Christ." Through faith in Jesus, His perfect and once-for-all sacrifice becomes our substitute, and His righteousness is imputed to us, causing God's judgment to "pass over" us. As the Apostle Paul declares, "[For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us](/1_corinthians/5-7 "1 Corinthians 5:7 - Christ Our Passover")!" Thus, the Passover ritual, so meticulously explained in [Exodus 12:27](/exodus/12-27 "Exodus 12:27 - The Meaning of the Passover"), is not merely an ancient historical event but a profound theological type pointing directly to the saving work of Jesus, our ultimate and eternal deliverance.

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 4:31

And the people believed: and when they heard that the LORD had visited the children of Israel, and that he had looked upon their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshipped.

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.

1 Corinthians 5:7

¶ Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:

Exodus 12:23

For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the LORD will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite [you].

Deuteronomy 16:5

Thou mayest not sacrifice the passover within any of thy gates, which the LORD thy God giveth thee:

2 Chronicles 20:18

And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with [his] face to the ground: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell before the LORD, worshipping the LORD.

Exodus 34:25

Thou shalt not offer the blood of my sacrifice with leaven; neither shall the sacrifice of the feast of the passover be left unto the morning.