Exodus 13:8

KJV

And thou shalt shew thy son in that day, saying, [This is done] because of that [which] the LORD did unto me when I came forth out of Egypt.

KJV (with Strong's)

And thou shalt shew {H5046} thy son {H1121} in that day {H3117}, saying {H559}, This is done because of {H5668} that {H2088} which the LORD {H3068} did {H6213} unto me when I came forth {H3318} out of Egypt {H4714}.

Complete Jewish Bible

On that day you are to tell your son, 'It is because of what ADONAI did for me when I left Egypt.'

Berean Standard Bible

And on that day you are to explain to your son, ‘This is because of what the LORD did for me when I came out of Egypt.’

American Standard Version

And thou shalt tell thy son in that day, saying, It is because of that which Jehovah did for me when I came forth out of Egypt.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 13:8 commands Israelite parents to actively teach their children, during the annual Feast of Unleavened Bread, that the rituals they observe are direct commemorations of the LORD's powerful act of delivering them from slavery in Egypt. This verse underscores the divine imperative for intergenerational transmission of spiritual heritage, ensuring that the memory of God's redemptive work shapes the identity and faith of every succeeding generation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within God's instructions to Moses immediately following the climactic tenth plague and the Exodus from Egypt [Exodus 12:29](/exodus/12-29 "The Death of the Firstborn"). Chapters 12 and 13 detail the institution of the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread, along with the consecration of the firstborn. Exodus 13:8 specifically addresses the educational purpose of these observances, anticipating the very question a child might ask about the rituals, as hinted in [Exodus 12:26](/exodus/12-26 "The Question of Future Generations"). It forms a crucial link in the chain of commands designed to embed the Exodus event into the national consciousness.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The command was given to a newly liberated people, transitioning from centuries of slavery to nationhood. In the ancient Near East, oral tradition and ritual were primary means of transmitting history, identity, and values. The Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread were not mere annual holidays but profound pedagogical tools. By requiring parents to recount God's mighty acts, this tradition ensured that Israel's identity was not merely ethnic but fundamentally rooted in God's redemptive intervention. This act of "telling" also served to vindicate God's honor by publicly declaring His power over Pharaoh and the gods of Egypt, while establishing Israel's unique status as His redeemed people.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **"shew" (הִגַּדְתָּ, _higadta_):** Derived from the root *nagad*, meaning "to declare," "to tell," "to make known," or "to report." This is not a passive suggestion but an active, intentional, and explicit command to recount the narrative. It implies a detailed, deliberate, and authoritative instruction, ensuring the full significance of the events is conveyed to the next generation.
* **"LORD" (יְהוָה, _YHWH_):** This is God's covenant name, emphasizing His personal, relational, and active involvement in the history of His people. The use of YHWH underscores that the deliverance was not a random event or a mere stroke of luck, but the intentional work of the sovereign God who keeps His promises.
* **"did unto me" (עָשָׂה לִי, _asah li_):** While the Exodus was a corporate event, the phrase uses the singular "me." This highlights the corporate solidarity of Israel, where each individual was to identify personally with the historical experience of the nation. It emphasizes that God's redemptive act was not just for the generation that left Egypt, but for every subsequent generation, who were to internalize it as if they themselves had been delivered.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And thou shalt shew thy son in that day, saying,"**: This clause places a direct, personal responsibility on the parent (specifically the father, as the head of the household in ancient Israel) to educate his son. "In that day" refers to the specific occasion of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, when the rituals would naturally prompt questions from the child, creating a teachable moment. The command is not just to perform the ritual, but to explain its meaning.
* **"[This is done] because of that [which] the LORD did unto me"**: This explains the *reason* for the rituals. The observances are not arbitrary acts but tangible reminders and reenactments of God's specific, historical intervention. The "me" is a collective "Israel," inviting each generation to personally identify with the Exodus. It grounds their present identity and practices in God's past faithfulness.
* **"when I came forth out of Egypt."**: This specifies the foundational redemptive event: the miraculous liberation from Egyptian bondage. This event defines Israel's identity and relationship with God, serving as the paradigm for all future divine interventions and a constant reminder of God's power and covenant faithfulness.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs **repetition** of the phrase "in that day" ([Exodus 13:6](/exodus/13-6 "Feast of Unleavened Bread"), [Exodus 13:8](/exodus/13-8 "Show your son"), [Exodus 13:14](/exodus/13-14 "When your son asks")) to emphasize the specific, annual occasion for this vital instruction. The rituals themselves (eating unleavened bread, consecrating the firstborn) serve as powerful **mnemonic devices**, prompting questions and providing concrete anchors for the historical narrative.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 13:8 is rich with theological significance, revealing core truths about God, humanity, and the nature of faith. It teaches that God is a God of historical action, actively intervening to redeem His people. His redemptive acts are not to be forgotten but are foundational to the identity and worship of His covenant community. The verse highlights the divine mandate for intergenerational discipleship, emphasizing that faith is not merely individual but communal, passed down through intentional teaching and shared remembrance. This command establishes a pattern where ritual and narrative combine to form a living memory of God's faithfulness.

This theme of remembering God's mighty deeds and passing them to subsequent generations is a recurring motif throughout the biblical narrative.
* It is explicitly commanded in [Deuteronomy 6:7](/deuteronomy/6-7 "Teach your children diligently"), where parents are instructed to teach their children "diligently" about God's commands and works.
* The Psalmist echoes this responsibility in [Psalm 78:4](/psalm/78-4 "We will not hide them from their children"), declaring, "We will not hide them from their children, showing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and His strength and His wonderful works that He has done."
* The setting up of memorial stones, like those at Gilgal after crossing the Jordan in [Joshua 4:6-7](/joshua/4-6 "Stones of remembrance at Gilgal"), serves a similar purpose: to prompt future generations to ask about God's mighty acts, providing an opportunity for parents to recount His faithfulness.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 13:8 transcends its ancient context, offering timeless principles for believers today. It calls us to be intentional stewards of our spiritual heritage, both personal and corporate. Just as Israel was to remember their physical redemption, Christians are called to remember their spiritual redemption through Christ. This verse encourages us to:

1. Share Our Faith Story: We are called to actively recount God's faithfulness in our own lives, in the history of the church, and in the grand narrative of salvation. This involves sharing personal testimonies of God's work, but also teaching the biblical story of redemption to our children, spiritual mentees, and those around us.
2. Understand Our Practices: Many Christian practices (e.g., baptism, the Lord's Supper) are memorial acts. This verse challenges us to ensure that these observances are not empty rituals but are understood as meaningful acts of remembrance that point to God's redemptive work in Christ. We must be able to explain the "why" behind what we do.
3. Cultivate Gratitude and Trust: Regularly reflecting on God's past actions in our lives and in history—His deliverance, provision, and faithfulness—fosters a deep sense of gratitude and strengthens our trust in His continued care and sovereign plan.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what tangible ways are you actively "showing your son" (or daughter, or spiritual mentee) the story of God's redemption, both in your life and in the Bible?**
* **Are there any Christian practices or traditions in your life that you participate in without fully understanding their redemptive significance? How can you deepen your understanding?**
* **How might remembering God's past faithfulness, as modeled in Exodus 13:8, strengthen your faith and trust in Him during present challenges?**

### FAQ
**Why does the verse say "did unto me" when it refers to a collective event for all Israel?**

Answer: The use of the singular "me" (Hebrew: *li*) highlights the corporate identity of Israel. While the Exodus was a national event, each individual Israelite was expected to personally identify with that deliverance. It emphasizes that God's redemptive act was not just a historical fact, but a personal reality for every member of the covenant community, regardless of when they were born. It fosters a sense of personal ownership and gratitude for a shared, foundational experience.

**Is this command only for fathers teaching their biological sons?**

Answer: While the immediate context addresses fathers and sons in ancient Israelite society, the underlying principle extends much broader. The command emphasizes the primary responsibility of parents (both mothers and fathers, as seen in [Proverbs 1:8](/proverbs/1-8 "Hear, my son, your father's instruction, and forsake not your mother's teaching")) to transmit faith to their children. However, the spirit of the command applies to all believers in the broader community of faith. Elders, teachers, and mature believers have a responsibility to mentor and disciple younger generations, passing on the truths of God's redemptive work to "spiritual children" and new believers.

**What is the significance of "in that day" for this command?**

Answer: "In that day" refers specifically to the annual observance of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. This timing is crucial because the rituals of the feast (eating unleavened bread, removing leaven from the house) would naturally prompt questions from children. God designed these practices to be tangible, sensory reminders that would serve as "teachable moments." It emphasizes that spiritual education is not an abstract lecture but an integrated part of life, often prompted by shared experiences and practices.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 13:8, with its emphasis on remembering God's redemptive act of the Exodus and transmitting it to the next generation, finds its ultimate fulfillment and reinterpretation in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Exodus itself is a profound type of the greater spiritual deliverance accomplished by Christ.

1. **The Greater Exodus:** Jesus Christ is the ultimate deliverer. Just as God led Israel out of physical bondage in Egypt, Christ leads humanity out of the spiritual bondage of sin and death. His life, death, and resurrection constitute the "new Exodus," a far more profound and universal redemption. This is hinted at when Jesus speaks of His "departure" (*exodos*) in [Luke 9:31](/luke/9-31 "His departure which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem").
2. **The True Passover Lamb:** The Passover lamb, whose blood protected Israel from judgment, is explicitly identified as a foreshadowing of Christ. [1 Corinthians 5:7](/1_corinthians/5-7 "Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed") declares, "For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed." His sacrifice on the cross is the ultimate act of redemption, providing deliverance from sin and eternal death.
3. **New Covenant Remembrance:** Just as the Feast of Unleavened Bread commanded remembrance of the Exodus, Jesus instituted new covenant rituals to remember His redemptive work. The Lord's Supper (Communion) is the primary example, where believers are commanded to "do this in remembrance of me" ([1 Corinthians 11:24](/1_corinthians/11-24 "Do this in remembrance of me")). This new "feast" commemorates Christ's body broken and blood shed for the forgiveness of sins, establishing a new covenant relationship with God. Similarly, baptism signifies our identification with Christ's death, burial, and resurrection, marking our spiritual exodus from sin.
4. **Proclaiming the Gospel:** The command to "shew thy son" the LORD's deeds in Exodus 13:8 is fulfilled in the New Testament's call to proclaim the gospel. Believers are commissioned to declare the mighty acts of God in Christ to all nations and generations ([Matthew 28:19-20](/matthew/28-19 "The Great Commission")). We are to "proclaim the Lord's death till He comes" ([1 Corinthians 11:26](/1_corinthians/11-26 "Proclaim the Lord's death")). Thus, the intergenerational transmission of the Exodus story finds its ultimate expression in the ongoing mission of the church to share the good news of Jesus Christ, the one who accomplished the definitive act of deliverance.

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.