Exodus 13:4

KJV

This day came ye out in the month Abib.

KJV (with Strong's)

This day {H3117} came ye out {H3318} in the month {H2320} Abib {H24}.

Complete Jewish Bible

You are leaving today, in the month of Aviv.

Berean Standard Bible

Today, in the month of Abib, you are leaving.

American Standard Version

This day ye go forth in the month Abib.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 13:4 precisely anchors Israel's liberation from Egyptian bondage to a specific moment, "this day" in "the month Abib," establishing it as a divinely orchestrated, foundational event that marked the nation's birth. This declaration not only commemorates God's perfect timing and mighty hand in their deliverance but also initiates Israel's new religious calendar, emphasizing a call to perpetual remembrance and shaping their identity as a people redeemed by Yahweh.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Exodus 13:4 is strategically positioned within a pivotal narrative sequence spanning [Exodus 12-13](/exodus/12 "Exodus 12-13 - Passover and Exodus"). It immediately follows the climactic tenth plague, the death of the firstborn, and the institution of the Passover, which served as the catalyst for Israel's release. Having just experienced God's devastating judgment on Egypt and their own miraculous preservation and deliverance, the Israelites are given explicit, forward-looking instructions for commemorating this watershed moment. Verses like [Exodus 13:3](/exodus/13-3 "Remember this day of your coming out") and the subsequent commands regarding the [Feast of Unleavened Bread](/exodus/13-6-10 "Feast of Unleavened Bread") reveal God's intent for this event to be a perpetual memorial, ensuring that future generations would understand their origins, God's mighty hand, and their unique covenant relationship with Him. The verse serves as a precise chronological marker within this foundational narrative.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The declaration in [Exodus 13:4](/exodus/13-4 "Exodus 13:4 - The Month of Abib") established a national "birth date" for Israel, akin to a nation's independence day. In the ancient Near East, significant events were often tied to natural cycles, particularly agricultural ones, which dictated the rhythm of life and worship. The mention of "Abib" (the month of ripening grain) grounds this spiritual liberation in the natural rhythms of the land, signifying a new season of life and identity for the nascent nation. This was not merely a historical record but a theological statement, embedding God's redemptive act within the very fabric of their timekeeping and agricultural year. The shift from a civil calendar to a religious one (beginning with Abib) underscored the sacred nature of their new national existence.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Exodus and the Pentateuch. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Sovereignty and Precision**, demonstrating God's meticulous control over history and His perfect timing in orchestrating Israel's deliverance. Secondly, it underscores the theme of **Redemption and New Identity**, as the "coming out" in Abib marks Israel's transition from enslaved people to a free nation, consecrated to Yahweh. This foundational act of redemption sets the stage for their covenant relationship with God at Sinai. Thirdly, it establishes the crucial theme of **Covenant Memory and Observance**, emphasizing that God's saving acts are not to be forgotten but are to be woven into the fabric of national life through annual observances, ensuring that the Exodus remains central to Israel's self-understanding and worship, as seen in later commands like [Deuteronomy 16:1](/deuteronomy/16-1 "Observe the month of Abib").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Exodus 13:4 declares, "This day came ye out in the month Abib." This concise statement is packed with theological and historical significance, anchoring Israel's liberation to a specific, divinely appointed moment.

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Day (Hebrew, _yôwm'_):** From H3117, meaning "a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated term)." The emphatic use of "this day" (הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה, _hayyôm hazzeh_) underscores the immediacy, precision, and historical certainty of the Exodus. It is not a vague timeframe but a specific, unforgettable moment, establishing a fixed point in Israel's national consciousness and calendar for perpetual remembrance and observance of the associated feasts.
* **Came out (Hebrew, _yâtsâʼ'_):** From H3318, a primitive root meaning "to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively." This verb powerfully conveys the decisive and divinely orchestrated nature of the Exodus. It was not a gradual escape or a negotiated departure, but a sudden, forceful "coming out" at God's command, highlighting His active power in liberating His people from bondage. The plural "ye" emphasizes the collective experience of the entire nation.
* **Abib (Hebrew, _ʼâbîyb'_):** From H24, from an unused root meaning "to be tender"; green, i.e. a young ear of grain; hence, the name of the month Abib or Nisan. This term literally refers to "fresh young ears of barley" or "green ears," designating the specific stage of barley ripeness that occurs in early spring. This agricultural marker identifies the first month of Israel's religious calendar, later known as Nisan. The choice of this month, signifying new growth and the start of the harvest cycle, powerfully symbolizes the new beginning and fresh life for the nation emerging from slavery, serving as a natural metaphor for spiritual rebirth.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"This day came ye out":** This clause emphasizes the precise timing and decisive nature of the Exodus. It was a singular, momentous event, divinely initiated and executed, marking an abrupt and complete break from their past in Egypt. The collective "ye" underscores that this was a national liberation, involving every Israelite, highlighting the unity and shared experience of God's saving act. This immediate action underscores God's power and faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
* **"in the month Abib":** This phrase specifies the exact time of year, linking the spiritual deliverance to the natural world and its cycles. The month of Abib, marking the beginning of spring and the agricultural year, becomes the starting point for Israel's new religious calendar, as commanded in [Exodus 12:2](/exodus/12-2 "This month shall be unto you the beginning of months"). This connection reinforces the profound theme of new beginnings—a new nation, a new calendar, a new life consecrated to God, mirroring the renewal seen in creation during springtime.

#### Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs a **declarative statement**, conveying absolute certainty and divine decree regarding the historical event. The naming of the month, an agricultural term, creates a powerful **metaphorical link** between the natural cycle of spring and new growth, and the spiritual "springtime" of Israel's liberation and national birth. This **concreteness** grounds the miraculous event in a tangible, repeatable annual cycle, making it accessible and memorable for future generations. The concise phrasing also lends itself to **memorability**, reinforcing its significance as a foundational statement.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 13:4 reveals profound theological truths about God's character and His redemptive relationship with humanity. It underscores God's absolute **Divine Sovereignty and Timing**, demonstrating that the Exodus was not a random event but occurred at a precisely appointed moment, demonstrating God's perfect plan for His people's deliverance from oppression. This highlights God's active involvement in human affairs, orchestrating events for His redemptive purposes. Furthermore, the liberation from Egypt in the month of Abib marks Israel's transition from enslaved people to a free nation, consecrated to God, signifying a radical change in **Redemption and New Identity**. From being Pharaoh's subjects, they became God's treasured possession. This foundational act of redemption sets the stage for their covenant relationship with Yahweh. Finally, the emphasis on "this day" and the month Abib establishes a perpetual command for **Covenant Memory and Observance**. God's saving acts are not to be forgotten but woven into the fabric of national life through annual observances like the Feast of Unleavened Bread, ensuring that future generations would understand their heritage and God's faithfulness.

This verse connects profoundly to the broader biblical narrative of God's redemptive work. It is a foundational event that foreshadows greater acts of salvation.
* [Exodus 12:2](/exodus/12-2 "This month shall be unto you the beginning of months") signifies a new era, much like the new covenant inaugurates a new spiritual reality.
* [Deuteronomy 16:1](/deuteronomy/16-1 "Observe the month of Abib") is echoed throughout the Old Testament, emphasizing the importance of recalling God's mighty deeds.
* [Romans 6:18](/romans/6-18 "Being then made free from sin") foreshadows the ultimate spiritual liberation from sin and death, a theme central to the gospel.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 13:4, though ancient, speaks powerfully to contemporary believers, calling us to recognize and remember God's specific, timely, and often miraculous interventions in our lives. Just as the Israelites were commanded to remember their physical deliverance from Egyptian bondage, we are called to remember our spiritual deliverance from the bondage of sin and death through Christ. This verse encourages us to trust in God's perfect timing, even when circumstances seem bleak or freedom feels distant, knowing that He orchestrates our "exoduses" and "new beginnings" with divine precision. It reminds us that every spiritual "springtime"—a fresh start, a renewed faith, a breakthrough from a difficult season, or a new direction in life—is a testament to His faithfulness and power. We are to live with a conscious awareness of His saving acts, allowing them to shape our identity, inform our gratitude, and inspire our obedience, just as the Exodus shaped Israel's identity and worship.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does remembering specific "deliverance moments" in your own life strengthen your faith and trust in God's perfect timing?**
* **In what practical ways can you intentionally commemorate God's faithfulness and "new beginnings" in your daily life or within your community?**
* **What "bondage" or difficult season might God be leading you out of currently, and how does the promise of a "new beginning" in Christ give you hope and direction?**

### FAQ
**Why is the month called "Abib" here and not "Nisan"?**

Answer: Abib (אָבִיב, _'āvîv_) is the original Hebrew term used in the Pentateuch, referring to the stage of barley growth in early spring. It literally means "green ears" or "fresh young ears of grain," highlighting the agricultural and seasonal significance of the month. The name "Nisan" (נִיסָן, _Nîsān_) is a later Babylonian name for the same month, adopted by the Jews after the Babylonian exile (e.g., [Nehemiah 2:1](/nehemiah/2-1 "Nehemiah 2:1"), [Esther 3:7](/est/3-7 "Esther 3:7")). While both refer to the same first month of the religious calendar, "Abib" emphasizes its natural, agricultural character, which was crucial to the ancient Israelite understanding of time, God's provision, and the symbolic connection between natural renewal and national liberation.

**Does "this day" imply the entire Exodus happened in a single 24-hour period?**

Answer: While "this day" (הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה, _hayyôm hazzeh_) emphasizes the immediacy and decisiveness of their departure, it refers to the specific day they began their journey out of Egypt, following the final plague and the Passover. The phrase fixes the historical memory of their liberation to a precise point in time, marking the turning point from bondage to freedom. The broader process of the Exodus, including the crossing of the Red Sea and their subsequent journey, spanned more than a single 24-hour period. However, the initial, critical act of "coming out" from the land of Egypt and the start of their journey was a singular, momentous event that began on that specific day.

**How does an agricultural term like "Abib" relate to a national liberation?**

Answer: The connection is deeply symbolic and practical within an agrarian society. In ancient Israel, the agricultural calendar was intrinsically linked to life, sustenance, and worship. The month of Abib, marking the beginning of spring and the first harvest, naturally symbolized new life, growth, and fresh starts. By linking their national birth and liberation to this season, God embedded the spiritual reality of their new beginning within the natural rhythm of creation. It underscored that their freedom was not just a political event but a divine act that brought forth a new nation, much like spring brings forth new life from the earth. This connection reinforced the idea that their new identity as God's people was as natural and divinely ordained as the changing seasons.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 13:4, with its emphasis on a precise "day" and "month Abib" for Israel's liberation and new beginning, powerfully prefigures the ultimate "new beginning" found in Jesus Christ. Just as the month Abib marked the start of Israel's new religious year and their identity as God's redeemed people, Christ's death and resurrection initiate a new spiritual era for all humanity. The Passover, which immediately precedes and is inextricably linked to the Exodus in Abib, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus. He is the true [Passover Lamb](/1_corinthians/5-7 "1 Corinthians 5:7 - Christ our Passover"), whose sacrificial death on the cross (which occurred during the month of Nisan/Abib) delivers humanity from the bondage of sin and death, a liberation far greater than any physical slavery. His resurrection, also occurring in this "month of new beginnings," inaugurates the "new creation" ([2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature")) and establishes a new covenant relationship with God ([Hebrews 8:6](/hebrews/8-6 "Hebrews 8:6 - A better covenant")). Believers are spiritually "brought out" of darkness into light ([Colossians 1:13](/colossians/1-13 "Colossians 1:13 - Delivered us from the power of darkness")), receiving a new identity in Christ ([Galatians 3:27](/galatians/3-27 "Galatians 3:27 - For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ")), much like Israel received a new identity as a free nation. Thus, the historical Exodus in the month Abib serves as a profound type and shadow of the spiritual exodus and new life offered through the person and work of Jesus Christ.

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 34:18

¶ The feast of unleavened bread shalt thou keep. Seven days thou shalt eat unleavened bread, as I commanded thee, in the time of the month Abib: for in the month Abib thou camest out from Egypt.

Exodus 23:15

Thou shalt keep the feast of unleavened bread: (thou shalt eat unleavened bread seven days, as I commanded thee, in the time appointed of the month Abib; for in it thou camest out from Egypt: and none shall appear before me empty:)

Exodus 12:2

This month [shall be] unto you the beginning of months: it [shall be] the first month of the year to you.

Deuteronomy 16:1

¶ Observe the month of Abib, and keep the passover unto the LORD thy God: for in the month of Abib the LORD thy God brought thee forth out of Egypt by night.

Deuteronomy 16:3

Thou shalt eat no leavened bread with it; seven days shalt thou eat unleavened bread therewith, [even] the bread of affliction; for thou camest forth out of the land of Egypt in haste: that thou mayest remember the day when thou camest forth out of the land of Egypt all the days of thy life.