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Commentary on Exodus 12 verses 1–20
Moses and Aaron here receive of the Lord what they were afterwards to deliver to the people concerning the ordinance of the passover, to which is prefixed an order for a new style to be observed in their months (Exo 12:1, Exo 12:2): This shall be to you the beginning of months. They had hitherto begun their year from the middle of September, but henceforward they were to begin it from the middle of March, at least in all their ecclesiastical computations. Note, It is good to begin the day, and begin the year, and especially to begin our lives, with God. This new calculation began the year with the spring, which reneweth the face of the earth, and was used as a figure of the coming of Christ, Sol 2:11, Sol 2:12. We may suppose that, while Moses was bringing the ten plagues upon the Egyptians, he was directing the Israelites to prepare for their departure at an hour's warning. Probably he had be degrees brought them near together from their dispersions, for their are here called the congregation of Israel (Exo 12:3), and to them as a congregation orders are here sent. Their amazement and hurry, it is easy to suppose, were great; yet now they must apply themselves to the observance of a sacred rite, to the honour of God. Note, When our heads are fullest of care, and our hands of business, yet we must not forget our religion, nor suffer ourselves to be indisposed for acts of devotion.
I. God appointed that on the night wherein they were to go out of Egypt they should, in each of their families, kill a lamb, or that two or three families, if they were small, should join for a lamb. The lamb was to be got ready four days before and that afternoon they were to kill it (Exo 12:6) as a sacrifice; not strictly, for it was not offered upon the altar, but as a religious ceremony, acknowledging God's goodness to them, not only in preserving them from, but in delivering them by, the plagues inflicted on the Egyptians. See the antiquity of family-religion; and see the convenience of the joining of small families together for religious worship, that it may be made the more solemn.
II. The lamb so slain they were to eat, roasted (we may suppose, in its several quarters), with unleavened bread and bitter herbs, because they were to eat it in haste (Exo 12:11), and to leave none of it until the morning; for God would have them to depend upon him for their daily bread, and not to take thought for the morrow. He that led them would feed them.
III. Before they ate the flesh of the lamb, they were to sprinkle the blood upon the doorposts, Exo 12:7. By this their houses were to be distinguished from the houses of the Egyptians, and so their first-born secured from the sword of the destroying angel, Exo 12:12, Exo 12:13. Dreadful work was to be made this night in Egypt; all the first-born both of man and beast were to be slain, and judgment executed upon the gods of Egypt. Moses does not mention the fulfillment, in this chapter, yet he speaks of it Num 33:4. It is very probable that the idols which the Egyptians worshipped were destroyed, those of metal melted, those of wood consumed, and those of stone broken to pieces, whence Jethro infers (Exo 18:11), The Lord is greater than all gods. The same angel that destroyed their first-born demolished their idols, which were no less dear to them. For the protection of Israel from this plague they were ordered to sprinkle the blood of the lamb upon the door-posts, their doing which would be accepted as an instance of their faith in the divine warnings and their obedience to the divine precepts. Note, 1. If in times of common calamity God will secure his own people, and set a mark upon them; they shall be hidden either in heaven or under heaven, preserved either from the stroke of judgments or at least from the sting of them. 2. The blood of sprinkling is the saint's security in times of common calamity; it is this that marks them for God, pacifies conscience, and gives them boldness of access to the throne of grace, and so becomes a wall of protection round them and a wall of partition between them and the children of this world.
IV. This was to be annually observed as a feast of the Lord in their generations, to which the feast of unleavened bread was annexed, during which, for seven days, they were to eat no bread but what was unleavened, in remembrance of their being confined to such bread, of necessity, for many days after they came out of Egypt, Exo 12:14-20. The appointment is inculcated for their better direction, and that they might not mistake concerning it, and to awaken those who perhaps in Egypt had grown generally very stupid and careless in the matters of religion to a diligent observance of the institution. Now, without doubt, there was much of the gospel in this ordinance; it is often referred to in the New Testament, and, in it, to us is the gospel preached, and not to them only, who could not stedfastly look to the end of these things, Heb 4:2; Co2 3:13.
1.The paschal lamb was typical. Christ is our Passover, Co1 5:7. (1.) It was to be a lamb; and Christ is the Lamb of God (Joh 1:29), often in the Revelation called the Lamb, meek and innocent as a lamb, dumb before the shearers, before the butchers. (2.) It was to be a male of the first year (Exo 12:5), in its prime; Christ offered up himself in the midst of his days, not in infancy with the babes of Bethlehem. It denotes the strength and sufficiency of the Lord Jesus, on whom our help was laid. (3.) It was to be without blemish (Exo 12:5), denoting the purity of the Lord Jesus, a Lamb without spot, Pe1 1:19. The judge that condemned him (as if his trial were only like the scrutiny that was made concerning the sacrifices, whether they were without blemish or no) pronounced him innocent. (4.) It was to be set apart four days before (Exo 12:3, Exo 12:6), denoting the designation of the Lord Jesus to be a Saviour, both in the purpose and in the promise. It is very observable that as Christ was crucified at the passover, so he solemnly entered into Jerusalem four days before, the very day that the paschal lamb was set apart. (5.) It was to be slain, and roasted with fire (Exo 12:6-9), denoting the exquisite sufferings of the Lord Jesus, even unto death, the death of the cross. The wrath of God is as fire, and Christ was made a curse for us. (6.) It was to be killed by the whole congregation between the two evenings, that is, between three o'clock and six. Christ suffered in the end of the world (Heb 9:26), by the hand of the Jews, the whole multitude of them (Luk 23:18), and for the good of all his spiritual Israel. (7.) Not a bone of it must be broken (Exo 12:46), which is expressly said to be fulfilled in Christ (Joh 19:33, Joh 19:36), denoting the unbroken strength of the Lord Jesus.
2.The sprinkling of the blood was typical. (1.) It was not enough that the blood of the lamb was shed, but it must be sprinkled, denoting the application of the merits of Christ's death to our souls; we must receive the atonement, Rom 5:11. (2.) It was to be sprinkled with a bunch of hyssop (Exo 12:22) dipped in the basin. The everlasting covenant, like the basin, in the conservatory of this blood, the benefits and privileges purchased by it are laid up for us there; faith is the bunch of hyssop by which we apply the promises to ourselves and the benefits of the blood of Christ laid up in them. (3.) It was to be sprinkled upon the door-posts, denoting the open profession we are to make of faith in Christ, and obedience to him, as those that are not ashamed to own our dependence upon him. The mark of the beast may be received on the forehead or in the right hand, but the seal of the Lamb is always in the forehead, Rev 7:3. There is a back-way to hell, but no back-way to heaven; no, the only way to this is a high-way, Isa 35:8. (4.) It was to be sprinkled upon the lintel and the sideposts, but not upon the threshold (Exo 12:7), which cautions us to take heed of trampling under foot the blood of the covenant, Heb 10:29. It is precious blood, and must be precious to us. (5.) The blood, thus sprinkled, was a means of the preservation of the Israelites from the destroying angel, who had nothing to do where the blood was. If the blood of Christ be sprinkled upon our consciences, it will be our protection from the wrath of God, the curse of the law, and the damnation of hell, Rom 8:1.
3.The solemnly eating of the lamb was typical of our gospel-duty to Christ. (1.) The paschal lamb was killed, not to be looked upon only, but to be fed upon; so we must by faith make Christ ours, as we do that which we eat, and we must receive spiritual strength and nourishment from him, as from our food, and have delight and satisfaction in him, as we have in eating and drinking when we are hungry or thirsty: see Joh 6:53-55. (2.) It was to be all eaten; those that by faith feed upon Christ must feed upon a whole Christ; they must take Christ and his yoke, Christ and his cross, as well as Christ and his crown. Is Christ divided? Those hat gather much of Christ will have nothing over. (3.) It was to be eaten immediately, not deferred till morning, Exo 12:10. Today Christ is offered, and is to be accepted while it is called today, before we sleep the sleep of death. (4.) It was to be eaten with bitter herbs (Exo 12:8), in remembrance of the bitterness of their bondage in Egypt. We must feed upon Christ with sorrow and brokenness of heart, in remembrance of sin; this will give an admirable relish to the paschal lamb. Christ will be sweet to us if sin be bitter. (5.) It was to be eaten in a departing posture (Exo 12:11); when we feed upon Christ by faith we must absolutely forsake the rule and dominion of sin, shake off Pharaoh's yoke; and we must sit loose to the world, and every thing in it, forsake all for Christ, and reckon it no bad bargain, Heb 13:13, Heb 13:14.
4.The feast of unleavened bread was typical of the Christian life, Co1 5:7, Co1 5:8. Having received Christ Jesus the Lord, (1.) We must keep a feast in holy joy, continually delighting ourselves in Christ Jesus; no manner of work must be done (Exo 12:16), no care admitted or indulged, inconsistent with, or prejudicial to, this holy joy: if true believers have not a continual feast, it is their own fault. (2.) It must be a feast of unleavened bread, kept in charity, without the leaven of malice, and in sincerity, without the leaven of hypocrisy. The law was very strict as to the passover, and the Jews were so in their usages, that no leaven should be found in their houses, Exo 12:19. All the old leaven of sin must be put far from us, with the utmost caution and abhorrence, if we would keep the feast of a holy life to the honour of Christ. (3.) It was by an ordinance for ever (Exo 12:17); as long as we live, we must continue feeding upon Christ and rejoicing in him, always making thankful mention of the great things he has done for us.
A kid: The phase might be performed, either with a lamb or with a kid: and all the same rites and ceremonies were to be used with the one as with the other.
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SUMMARY
Exodus 12:5 lays out the foundational and meticulous requirements for the Passover lamb: it must be a flawless, year-old male, selected from either the sheep or the goats. These precise divine instructions underscore the profound significance of the sacrifice, establishing principles of purity, value, and substitutionary atonement that were absolutely essential for Israel's deliverance from Egyptian bondage and which profoundly foreshadow the ultimate, perfect sacrifice to come.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Exodus 12:5 meticulously details the qualifications for the Passover lamb, with each specific requirement carrying profound theological and practical significance.
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Exodus 12:5 is rich in Prescriptive Language, functioning as a direct divine command that dictates the precise nature of the Passover sacrifice. This legalistic precision highlights the seriousness and sanctity of the covenant act, leaving no room for human improvisation. The lamb itself serves as a powerful Symbol of innocence, purity, and substitution. Its unblemished nature symbolizes the perfection required for atonement, while its death symbolizes the innocent life given in place of the guilty. Furthermore, the Passover lamb functions as a profound Type (or typology), prefiguring a greater reality to come. It is not merely a historical event but a divinely ordained pattern that points forward to the ultimate, perfect sacrifice that would redeem humanity from sin and death, establishing a new covenant.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 12:5 teaches profound theological truths about God's absolute holiness, the pervasive nature of sin, and the foundational principle of substitutionary atonement. The stringent requirement for a "blemish-free" lamb reveals God's unyielding purity and His demand for perfection in the face of human sin. No flawed or imperfect offering could ever suffice to bridge the chasm between a holy God and sinful humanity. The selection of a valuable, vital animal underscores the immense costliness of sin and, conversely, the immeasurable value of the innocent life offered as a substitute. This verse lays the groundwork for understanding that true redemption is not cheap or easily attained; it demands a perfect, precious sacrifice.
This verse connects seamlessly to the broader biblical narrative of redemption through sacrifice, a theme evident from God's provision of animal coverings for Adam and Eve after the Fall (Genesis 3:21) and continuing through the intricate Levitical sacrificial system. The Passover lamb stands out as a unique, one-time national deliverance that powerfully prefigures the ultimate, perfect sacrifice. Its central theme of substitutionary atonement—an innocent life given for the guilty—is the very heart of the entire biblical story of salvation, culminating in Christ.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 12:5, though an ancient command, speaks powerfully to our lives today, particularly in its profound foreshadowing of Christ. The meticulous requirement for a perfect lamb serves as a stark reminder that human efforts and flawed attempts at righteousness are utterly insufficient to atone for sin. Our redemption is not based on our own merit, our imperfect works, or any sacrifice we could offer, but solely on the perfect, unblemished offering of Jesus Christ. This truth should cultivate profound gratitude and humility within us, recognizing that His complete and flawless work on the cross is the sole basis of our salvation. It compels us to acknowledge the immense value God placed on our salvation, providing His very best—His beloved Son—as the ultimate sacrifice. For believers, this verse deepens our appreciation for the finished work of the cross and the unwavering assurance of salvation that comes from trusting in Christ's perfection, not our own. It should inspire us to live lives that reflect the holiness and purity that His sacrifice enables within us, striving to walk in a manner worthy of such a costly redemption.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why was a lamb specifically chosen for the Passover?
Answer: The lamb was a common sacrificial animal in the ancient world, but for Passover, it held unique symbolic significance. It represented innocence and purity, and its blood, applied to the doorposts, served as a visible sign of faith and obedience. This act distinguished the Israelite homes from those of the Egyptians and provided a miraculous means of deliverance from divine judgment. This specific choice also powerfully foreshadows Jesus, who is later called the "Lamb of God" by John the Baptist.
Does "without blemish" only refer to physical perfection?
Answer: While physical perfection was certainly required (meaning no deformities, diseases, or injuries), the Hebrew word tamim (תָּמִים) carries a broader and deeper meaning. It encompasses completeness, integrity, and ritual purity. It implies an animal that is wholly sound and acceptable for sacred use, free from any defect that would render it unsuitable for an offering to a holy God. This comprehensive perfection powerfully foreshadows Christ's moral and spiritual sinlessness, making Him the only truly unblemished sacrifice.
What if a family was too poor to afford a lamb or goat?
Answer: While Exodus 12:5 specifies a lamb or goat, the broader context of the Mosaic Law demonstrates God's compassionate provision for the poor. For other types of sacrifices, if a person could not afford a lamb, they could offer two turtledoves or two young pigeons, or even a measure of fine flour (Leviticus 5:7-11). For the initial Passover, the instruction for sharing a lamb among smaller or poorer households (Exodus 12:4) ensured that every family could participate in this crucial act of deliverance, making the sacrifice accessible regardless of their economic status. This highlights God's desire for all His people to be included in His redemptive plan.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 12:5, with its precise and demanding requirements for the Passover lamb, finds its ultimate, perfect, and eternally significant fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Just as the Passover lamb had to be "without blemish," signifying its absolute purity and suitability for sacrifice, so too was Jesus "a lamb without blemish and without spot" (1 Peter 1:19). His sinless life, impeccable obedience, and divine nature made Him the only truly perfect offering capable of atoning for the sins of all humanity. The "male of the first year" requirement, emphasizing vitality, youth, and immense value, points directly to Christ as the most precious and perfect Son, willingly offering His life at the prime of His ministry and existence. He is the ultimate Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, whose precious blood, unlike that of the temporary Passover lamb, provides not merely temporary deliverance from physical death but eternal redemption from the penalty and power of sin. The Apostle Paul explicitly declares, "For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed" (1 Corinthians 5:7). The annual celebration of the Passover in Israel's history pointed forward to this singular, once-for-all sacrifice, establishing a new covenant in His blood that offers complete, lasting, and accessible salvation to all who believe.