Exodus 12:46

In one house shall it be eaten; thou shalt not carry forth ought of the flesh abroad out of the house; neither shall ye break a bone thereof.

In one {H259} house {H1004} shall it be eaten {H398}; thou shalt not carry forth {H3318} ought of the flesh {H1320} abroad {H2351} out of the house {H1004}; neither shall ye break {H7665} a bone {H6106} thereof.

It is to be eaten in one house. You are not to take any of the meat outside the house, and you are not to break any of its bones.

It must be eaten inside one house. You are not to take any of the meat outside the house, and you may not break any of the bones.

In one house shall it be eaten; thou shalt not carry forth aught of the flesh abroad out of the house; neither shall ye break a bone thereof.

Commentary

Context of Exodus 12:46

The verse Exodus 12:46 is part of God's detailed instructions to Moses and Aaron regarding the celebration of the first Passover in Egypt. These commands were given just before the tenth and final plague—the slaying of the firstborn—which would compel Pharaoh to release the Israelites from bondage. The Passover lamb, its sacrifice, and its consumption were central to this pivotal event, serving as a sign for God's protection and deliverance. The rules outlined here emphasize the sacredness, unity, and integrity required for the ritual, laying foundational principles for Israel's future identity as a redeemed people.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Unity and Community: The instruction "In one house shall it be eaten" underscores the communal nature of the Passover. It was not a private act but a family or household event, fostering solidarity and shared experience in God's deliverance. This unity was essential for the nascent nation of Israel.
  • Integrity of the Sacrifice: The commands "thou shalt not carry forth ought of the flesh abroad out of the house" and "neither shall ye break a bone thereof" stress the completeness and sacredness of the Passover lamb. The sacrifice was to be consumed entirely within the consecrated space, indicating its holy purpose and preventing its desecration or casual distribution. The prohibition against breaking a bone points to the wholeness and perfection required of the offering.
  • Prophetic Foreshadowing: The most profound aspect of "neither shall ye break a bone thereof" is its prophetic significance. The Passover lamb, a symbol of redemption, powerfully foreshadows Jesus Christ, the ultimate Lamb of God. His sacrifice on the cross was perfect and complete, and as recorded in John 19:36, none of His bones were broken, directly fulfilling this ancient prophetic type.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "neither shall ye break a bone thereof" translates the Hebrew `lo' tishberu bo etzem` (לא תשברו בו עצם). This seemingly minor detail in the Passover instructions takes on immense importance when viewed through the lens of New Testament fulfillment. The strict adherence to this command for the sacrificial lamb points to the divine pre-ordination of Jesus' crucifixion, where the soldiers, unlike those of the two thieves, did not break His legs, thereby fulfilling the Scripture.

Practical Application and Reflection

For believers today, Exodus 12:46 offers rich insights into the nature of salvation and communion.

  • The Wholeness of Christ's Sacrifice: Just as the Passover lamb was to be complete, so too was Christ's sacrifice for sin. It was a perfect, once-for-all offering, requiring no further addition or repetition. We are saved by His complete work.
  • Unity in the Body of Christ: The instruction to eat the lamb in one house reminds us of the unity we share as believers in Christ. We are part of one body, sharing in the spiritual feast of His grace and truth. This principle is reflected in the communion of the Lord's Supper, where believers partake together, remembering His sacrifice.
  • Reverence for Sacred Things: The prohibition against carrying the flesh outside the house or treating it casually teaches us reverence for God's holy provisions and ordinances. Our faith and our participation in God's redemptive work should be treated with utmost seriousness and devotion.
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Cross-References

  • Numbers 9:12

    They shall leave none of it unto the morning, nor break any bone of it: according to all the ordinances of the passover they shall keep it.

  • John 19:36

    For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken.

  • John 19:33

    But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs:

  • Ephesians 2:19

    Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

  • Ephesians 2:22

    In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

  • 1 Corinthians 12:12

    ¶ For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also [is] Christ.

  • Psalms 34:20

    He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.