Exodus 13:14

And it shall be when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying, What [is] this? that thou shalt say unto him, By strength of hand the LORD brought us out from Egypt, from the house of bondage:

And it shall be when thy son {H1121} asketh {H7592} thee in time to come {H4279}, saying {H559}, What is this? that thou shalt say {H559} unto him, By strength {H2392} of hand {H3027} the LORD {H3068} brought us out {H3318} from Egypt {H4714}, from the house {H1004} of bondage {H5650}:

When, at some future time, your son asks you, 'What is this?' then say to him, 'With a strong hand ADONAI brought us out of Egypt, out of the abode of slavery.

In the future, when your son asks you, ‘What does this mean?’ you are to tell him, ‘With a mighty hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.

And it shall be, when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying, What is this? that thou shalt say unto him, By strength of hand Jehovah brought us out from Egypt, from the house of bondage:

Commentary

Exodus 13:14 serves as a pivotal instruction for the newly freed Israelites, emphasizing the importance of intergenerational teaching about God's powerful deliverance from Egyptian slavery.

Context

This verse immediately follows the commands regarding the Feast of Unleavened Bread and the dedication of the firstborn to the LORD. These rituals were not merely ceremonial but were designed to serve as tangible reminders and prompts for future generations. Moses, under divine inspiration, anticipates a time when a child, observing these unique practices, would naturally inquire about their meaning, setting the stage for a crucial lesson in their national history and faith. It underscores that the elaborate preparations for the Exodus were not just for the present generation but for all those who would follow, ensuring the story of God's mighty acts would endure.

Key Themes

  • Generational Instruction and Discipleship: The verse highlights the sacred duty of parents to pass on their spiritual heritage. It's a command for active, intentional teaching, ensuring the next generation understands the foundational truths of their faith. This principle of teaching children about God's works is echoed throughout Scripture, notably in Deuteronomy 6:7.
  • Remembrance and Memorial: The question, "What is this?", signifies that the rituals and practices themselves were designed as memorials to trigger inquiry and facilitate the retelling of God's saving acts. These visible signs serve as a constant reminder of divine intervention.
  • Divine Power and Deliverance: The core message to be conveyed is that "By strength of hand the LORD brought us out." This emphasizes God's irresistible power, underscoring that their freedom was not achieved through human might or strategy, but solely by God's sovereign and mighty intervention. The phrase "house of bondage" powerfully describes their former state of severe oppression in Egypt.
  • Redemption: The Exodus event is presented as the ultimate act of national redemption, setting a precedent for God's character as a deliverer who frees His people from oppression.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "strength of hand" translates the Hebrew b'chozeq yad (בְּחֹזֶק יָד), which conveys the idea of a forceful, mighty, and decisive act. It's not a gentle persuasion but an overwhelming display of power, leaving no doubt about the divine origin of their liberation. This term reinforces the idea that God's power was undeniable and irresistible in bringing Israel out of Egypt, a theme often celebrated in the Psalms, such as Psalm 136:12.

Practical Application

Exodus 13:14 offers timeless principles for believers today. It underscores the vital role of parents and the community in actively teaching the next generation about God's mighty acts of salvation, particularly the ultimate deliverance found through Jesus Christ's sacrifice. Just as the Passover rituals prompted questions, our Christian practices—like communion, baptism, and regular worship—should serve as opportunities to explain the gospel story and God's ongoing work in our lives. It reminds us to continually remember and testify to God's powerful hand in delivering us from spiritual bondage and sin, fostering a living faith that transcends generations.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Joshua 4:6

    That this may be a sign among you, [that] when your children ask [their fathers] in time to come, saying, What [mean] ye by these stones?

  • Exodus 13:3

    And Moses said unto the people, Remember this day, in which ye came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the LORD brought you out from this [place]: there shall no leavened bread be eaten.

  • Deuteronomy 6:20

    [And] when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying, What [mean] the testimonies, and the statutes, and the judgments, which the LORD our God hath commanded you?

  • Deuteronomy 6:24

    And the LORD commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the LORD our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as [it is] at this day.

  • Exodus 12:26

    And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto you, What mean ye by this service?

  • Exodus 12:27

    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.

  • Psalms 145:4

    One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts.
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