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Commentary on Exodus 12 verses 43–51
43 ¶ And the LORD said unto Moses and Aaron, This is the ordinance of the passover: There shall no stranger eat thereof:
44 But every man's servant that is bought for money, when thou hast circumcised him, then shall he eat thereof.
45 A foreigner and an hired servant shall not eat thereof.
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.
47 All the congregation of Israel shall keep it.
48 And when a stranger shall sojourn with thee, and will keep the passover to the LORD, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as one that is born in the land: for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof.
49 One law shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you.
50 Thus did all the children of Israel; as the LORD commanded Moses and Aaron, so did they.
51 And it came to pass the selfsame day, that the LORD did bring the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt by their armies.
Some further precepts are here given concerning the passover, as it should be observed in times to come.
I. All the congregation of Israel must keep it, Exo 12:47. All that share in God's mercies should join in thankful praises for them. Though it was observed in families apart, yet it is looked upon as the act of the whole congregation; for the smaller communities constituted the greater. The New Testament passover, the Lord's supper, ought not to be neglected by any who are capable of celebrating it. He is unworthy the name of an Israelite that can contentedly neglect the commemoration of so great a deliverance. 1. No stranger that was uncircumcised might be admitted to eat of it, Exo 12:43, Exo 12:45, Exo 12:48. None might sit at the table but those that came in by the door; nor may any now approach to the improving ordinance of the Lord's supper who have not first submitted to the initiating ordinance of baptism. We must be born again by the word ere we can be nourished by it. Nor shall any partake of the benefit of Christ's sacrifice, or feast upon it, who are not first circumcised in heart, Col 2:11. 2. Any stranger that was circumcised might be welcome to eat of the passover, even servants, Exo 12:44. If, by circumcision, they would make themselves debtors to the law in its burdens, they were welcome to share in the joy of its solemn feasts, and not otherwise. Only it is intimated (Exo 12:48) that those who were masters of families must not only be circumcised themselves, but have all their males circumcised too. If in sincerity, and with that zeal which the thing required and deserves, we give up ourselves to God, we shall, with ourselves, give up all we have to him, and do our utmost that all ours may be his too. Here is an early indication of favour to the poor Gentiles, that the stranger, if circumcised, stands upon the same level with the home-born Israelite. One law for both, Exo 12:49. This was a mortification to the Jews, and taught them that it was their dedication to God, not their descent from Abraham, that entitled them to their privileges. A sincere proselyte was as welcome to the passover as a native Israelite, Isa 56:6, Isa 56:7.
II. In one house shall it be eaten (Exo 12:46), for good-fellowship sake, that they might rejoice together, and edify one another in the eating of it. None of it must be carried to another place, nor left to another time; for God would not have them so taken up with care about their departure as to be indisposed to take the comfort of it, but to leave Egypt, and enter upon a wilderness, with cheerfulness, and, in token of that, to eat a good hearty meal. The papists' carrying their consecrated host from house to house is not only superstitious in itself, but contrary to this typical law of the passover, which directed that no part of the lamb should be carried abroad.
The chapter concludes with a repetition of the whole matter, that the children of Israel did as they were bidden, and God did for them as he promised (Exo 12:50, Exo 12:51); for he will certainly be the author of salvation to those that obey him.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 43–51. Public domain.
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Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Exodus 12:47 delivers a concise yet profoundly significant divine mandate, establishing the universal and corporate obligation for every member of the Israelite community to observe the Passover. This foundational ordinance was not an individual option but a unifying act of communal obedience, binding the entire "congregation of Israel" in perpetual remembrance of God's mighty act of deliverance from Egyptian bondage and solidifying their identity as His chosen people.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Exodus 12:47 states, "All the congregation of Israel shall keep it." This concise verse carries immense theological and practical weight through its specific word choices and direct command, reinforcing the corporate nature of Israel's covenant obligations.
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Exodus 12:47, though brief, employs several effective literary devices. The most prominent is Emphasis, achieved through the use of the quantifying adjective "All" (implied by the Hebrew kol preceding "congregation") and the direct, declarative force of "shall keep it." This combination underscores the non-negotiable and universal nature of the command, leaving no room for individual discretion. The verse also functions as a Summary Statement, bringing to a concise close a lengthy section of detailed instructions regarding the Passover, thereby encapsulating the core obligation for the entire nation. Furthermore, there is a subtle use of Synecdoche, where "the congregation of Israel" (the assembled body) stands for the entire nation of Israel, emphasizing the corporate identity and collective responsibility of the people. The Conciseness of the verse itself is a literary choice, lending it an authoritative and memorable quality, characteristic of divine decrees that are meant to be foundational and easily recalled.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse highlights several profound theological truths. First, it underscores God's expectation of corporate obedience and worship from His covenant people. The Passover was not a private ritual but a communal act that bound the entire nation together in shared remembrance and responsibility. This emphasizes that faith often has a collective dimension, shaping a people, not just individuals. Second, it speaks to the formation of Israel's identity as a distinct, unified people set apart by God's salvific act. Their shared participation in the Passover forged a common history and destiny, establishing them as "the congregation of Israel." Finally, it points to the perpetual remembrance of God's mighty acts of salvation. The command to "keep it" ensured that the story of deliverance would be passed down, continually reminding Israel of God's faithfulness and their obligation to Him.
This theme of corporate identity and communal responsibility in response to God's salvation resonates throughout the biblical narrative.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 12:47 provides a powerful reminder of the enduring importance of corporate worship and communal responsibility in our faith today. Just as the Passover united ancient Israel in a shared act of remembrance and obedience, believers in Christ are called to unity within the body of Christ. Our faith is not solely individualistic; it is deeply communal, finding its fullest expression in fellowship with other believers. Participating in corporate worship, especially the Lord's Supper, echoes this ancient principle, reminding us that we are part of a larger family of faith, all recipients of God's grace and called to live in obedience to Him. This verse challenges us to consider how our individual faith contributes to the health, vitality, and witness of the entire "congregation" of believers, fostering a profound sense of shared identity and purpose in Christ as we collectively bear witness to His saving acts.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why is the emphasis on "all" so strong here?
Answer: The strong emphasis on "all" (Hebrew: kol) underscores the universal and non-negotiable nature of the Passover observance for every Israelite. It counters any potential idea of individual exemption or selective participation, reinforcing that this was a foundational act for the entire covenant community, binding them together in a shared identity and obedience to God. It highlights that the Passover was a national, not merely a private, observance, essential for the cohesion and spiritual well-being of the newly formed nation.
Does "all the congregation of Israel" mean no foreigners could participate in the Passover?
Answer: No, not entirely. While the primary command in Exodus 12:47 is directed to the native-born "congregation of Israel," the preceding verses (Exodus 12:43-46) clarify that foreigners who desired to join Israel and were circumcised were permitted to partake. This demonstrates that while the core responsibility rested with Israel as a nation, God's covenant provisions could extend to include others who identified with His people and His commands, illustrating an early glimpse of God's broader redemptive plan for all peoples.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 12:47, with its emphatic command for the corporate observance of the Passover, finds profound fulfillment and reinterpretation in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Jesus is revealed as the ultimate Passover Lamb (John 1:29), whose once-for-all sacrifice provides a greater, eternal deliverance—not from physical slavery, but from the bondage of sin and death. His blood, shed on the cross, is the ultimate sign of salvation, applied to all who believe. The communal aspect of Exodus 12:47 is gloriously transformed and expanded in the New Covenant. The "congregation of Israel" is now expanded to include believers from every tribe, tongue, people, and nation, forming the Church, the new spiritual Israel, unified in Christ (Galatians 3:28-29). The Lord's Supper, instituted by Jesus Himself on the night He was betrayed, becomes the New Covenant's communal meal, echoing the Passover. It is a corporate act of remembrance of Christ's sacrifice and a powerful declaration of our unity in Him (1 Corinthians 10:16-17). Just as all Israel was commanded to keep the Passover, all believers in Christ are called to participate in this new covenant meal, signifying their shared identity in Him and their corporate obedience to His command to "do this in remembrance of me" (Luke 22:19). Through Christ, the "congregation" is no longer defined by physical lineage but by spiritual rebirth and shared faith in the Lamb of God, uniting all who are "in Christ" into one body for His glory.