Exodus 13:8

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.

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}.

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

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

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

Exodus 13:8 is a foundational verse that emphasizes the importance of remembering and transmitting spiritual heritage across generations. It comes as part of God's instructions to Moses concerning the consecration of the firstborn and the observance of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, immediately following the monumental event of the Passover and the Exodus from Egypt.

Historical and Cultural Context

This command was given to the Israelites at the very moment of their liberation from centuries of slavery in Egypt. The rituals of the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread were not merely annual observances but were designed to be deeply educational. The question from the son (implied in verses like Exodus 12:26) was anticipated, providing a natural opportunity for parents to recount the miraculous deliverance. This tradition ensured that the identity of Israel as God's redeemed people would be understood and cherished by every subsequent generation, cementing the national memory of God's powerful intervention.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Remembrance of God's Works: The verse highlights the imperative to never forget the mighty acts of God. The phrase "because of that which the LORD did unto me" underscores that the deliverance was a direct, personal act of God for His people.
  • Intergenerational Teaching: It places a clear responsibility on parents to actively educate their children about their spiritual history and the reasons behind their religious practices. This isn't passive knowledge but an active "showing" and "saying." This concept is echoed later in the Law, such as in Deuteronomy 6:7.
  • The Power of God's Deliverance: The entire context of Exodus 13 revolves around God's powerful hand leading Israel out of bondage. The rituals serve as tangible reminders of God's sovereignty and His faithfulness to His covenant promises.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "shew" (ื”ึดื’ึทึผื“ึฐืชึธึผ, higadta) comes from the root nagad, meaning "to declare," "to tell," or "to make known." It implies a clear, explicit, and intentional recounting of events. It's not just a casual mention but a deliberate act of instruction, ensuring the full narrative and its significance are conveyed.

Practical Application

For believers today, Exodus 13:8 serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of spiritual legacy. Just as ancient Israel was to remember their physical redemption, Christians are called to remember their spiritual redemption through Christ. This verse encourages us to:

  • Share Our Faith Story: Actively recount God's faithfulness in our own lives and in the history of salvation to our children and others.
  • Understand Our Practices: Ensure our religious observances (like the Lord's Supper) are understood not as mere rituals, but as meaningful acts of remembrance of God's redemptive work.
  • Cultivate Gratitude: Regularly reflect on God's past actions in our lives and in history, fostering a heart of gratitude and trust in His continued faithfulness.
Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.

Cross-References

  • 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:

  • 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 44:1

    ยถ To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, Maschil. We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, [what] work thou didst in their days, in the times of old.

  • Psalms 78:3

    Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us.

  • Psalms 78:8

    And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation [that] set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God.

  • Isaiah 38:19

    The living, the living, he shall praise thee, as I [do] this day: the father to the children shall make known thy truth.
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