Exodus 12:47

KJV

All the congregation of Israel shall keep it.

KJV (with Strong's)

All the congregation {H5712} of Israel {H3478} shall keep {H6213} it.

Complete Jewish Bible

The whole community of Isra'el is to keep it.

Berean Standard Bible

The whole congregation of Israel must celebrate it.

American Standard Version

All the congregation of Israel shall keep it.

Commentary

### 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
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as a climactic summary statement within the detailed divine instructions concerning the first Passover observance in Egypt, spanning [Exodus 12:1-51](/exodus/12 "The Passover Ordinance"). Immediately preceding [Exodus 12:47](/exodus/12-47 "All the congregation of Israel shall keep it") are specific stipulations regarding who may or may not partake of the Passover meal, particularly addressing the status of foreigners and servants ([Exodus 12:43-46](/exodus/12-43-46 "Rules for participation in the Passover")). By stating "All the congregation of Israel shall keep it," the text brings the focus back to the native-born Israelites, reinforcing that despite the specific exceptions or inclusions for non-Israelites, the core responsibility for this foundational act of worship lay with the entire covenant community. It underscores the mandatory and collective nature of the observance for the nascent nation, ensuring no one within the covenant body could opt out.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The institution of the Passover occurred on the eve of Israel's miraculous liberation from slavery in Egypt, marking the definitive birth of Israel as a distinct nation. In the ancient Near East, corporate identity and communal responsibility were paramount; covenants, whether between kings and vassals or gods and peoples, inherently involved collective obligations and blessings. The Passover was the central act establishing Israel's unique covenant relationship with Yahweh, their deliverer. Its observance was designed to be a perpetual memorial, ensuring that future generations would remember God's salvific act and their identity as His redeemed people. The concept of an "assembly" or "congregation" was crucial for a nomadic people being formed into a unified nation under God's law, emphasizing their shared destiny and purpose under divine authority.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several major theological and narrative themes within Exodus and the broader Pentateuch. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Deliverance and Redemption**, as the Passover itself is the central act commemorating God's mighty hand in freeing His people from bondage, a theme reiterated throughout Israel's history (e.g., [Deuteronomy 6:20-25](/deuteronomy/6-20-25 "Remembering the Exodus and God's commands")). Closely linked is the theme of **Covenant and Obedience**, as the Passover is a foundational ordinance of the Mosaic Covenant, demanding faithful adherence from the entire community ([Exodus 19:5-6](/exodus/19-5-6 "Israel as God's treasured possession and holy nation")). Furthermore, it highlights the theme of **Corporate Identity and Unity**, emphasizing that Israel is not merely a collection of individuals but a unified "congregation" bound together by a shared experience of salvation and a common calling to worship God collectively ([Numbers 1:2](/numbers/1-2 "Counting the congregation of Israel")). The perpetual nature of the command also speaks to the theme of **Remembrance and Transmission of Faith**, ensuring that future generations would continually recall God's faithfulness and their unique relationship with Him ([Exodus 13:8](/exodus/13-8 "Explaining the Passover to your son")).

### 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
* **congregation (Hebrew, _‘êdâh'_ - H5712):** This term refers to a stated assemblage, a formal gathering, or the entire body of Israel as a collective. It emphasizes the organized, unified, and corporate nature of God's people, distinguishing them from a mere collection of individuals. The use of `‘êdâh` here underscores that the Passover was a national, divinely constituted observance, highlighting their shared identity and common purpose under God's covenant. It signifies the foundational communal structure through which God interacts with His people.
* **keep (Hebrew, _‘âsâh'_ - H6213):** While often translated as "do" or "make," in this context, `‘âsâh` conveys the sense of performing, observing, or diligently carrying out a command. It implies careful adherence to instructions, not a casual or optional participation. When applied to a divine ordinance like the Passover, `‘âsâh` signifies faithful stewardship and unwavering commitment to the prescribed ritual and its underlying meaning. Here, it means to diligently execute the entire Passover ordinance in all its details, ensuring its proper and perpetual practice according to God's precise instructions.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"All the congregation of Israel":** This opening phrase leaves no room for individual exemption or selective participation. The term "all" (Hebrew: *kol*) combined with "congregation" (עֵדָה, `‘êdâh`) stresses the universal participation required from every member of the covenant community. It signifies that the Passover was a unifying act for the entire nation, binding them together in a shared experience of deliverance and obedience, establishing their collective identity as God's chosen people.
* **"shall keep it":** This clause conveys an absolute and mandatory divine command. The "it" refers comprehensively to the entire Passover ordinance, encompassing every detail from the selection of the lamb and the application of the blood to the consumption of the meal and its perpetual remembrance. The verb "keep" (עָשָׂה, `‘âsâh`) implies a diligent, careful, and ongoing observance, ensuring that this foundational act of worship would be faithfully transmitted through generations as a perpetual memorial of God's saving power and Israel's covenant obligation.

#### 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.
* [Exodus 12:14](/exodus/12-14 "The Passover as a lasting ordinance") explicitly states the Passover is to be a "lasting ordinance" for all generations, reinforcing the perpetual nature of this communal command.
* [Deuteronomy 16:1-8](/deuteronomy/16-1-8 "Instructions for observing Passover in the promised land") provides further instructions for celebrating the Passover once Israel enters the Promised Land, reiterating its annual and communal observance as a central act of worship.
* [Numbers 9:1-14](/numbers/9-1-14 "Passover observance in the wilderness") details how the Passover was observed in the wilderness and includes provisions for those who were ritually unclean or on a journey, demonstrating the flexibility within the overarching command for corporate participation.

### 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
* **How does understanding the corporate nature of faith in ancient Israel challenge or affirm our individualistic tendencies in modern Christianity?**
* **In what ways do our communal spiritual practices (e.g., corporate worship, sacraments, shared service, collective prayer) strengthen our identity as God's people today and demonstrate our unity in Christ?**
* **What "deliverances" has God accomplished in your life or community that call for shared remembrance and obedience, fostering unity and mutual encouragement among believers?**

### 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](/exodus/12-47 "All the congregation of Israel shall keep it") is directed to the native-born "congregation of Israel," the preceding verses ([Exodus 12:43-46](/exodus/12-43-46 "Rules for participation in the Passover")) 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](/john/1-29 "John the Baptist's testimony about Jesus as the Lamb of God")), 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](/exodus/12-47 "All the congregation of Israel shall keep it") 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](/galatians/3-28-29 "No Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus")). 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](/1_corinthians/10-16-17 "The cup of blessing and the bread as communion in the body of Christ")). 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](/luke/22-19 "Jesus institutes the Lord's Supper")). 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.

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 12:6

And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening.

Numbers 9:13

But the man that [is] clean, and is not in a journey, and forbeareth to keep the passover, even the same soul shall be cut off from among his people: because he brought not the offering of the LORD in his appointed season, that man shall bear his sin.

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: