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 serves as a foundational command within the newly established rituals of Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread, instructing Israelite parents to actively and intentionally transmit the narrative of God's redemptive deliverance from Egyptian bondage to their children. This verse underscores the divine imperative for intergenerational spiritual education, ensuring that the memory of Yahweh's powerful acts shapes the identity, faith, and practices of every succeeding generation, grounding their present observances in a profound historical and theological truth.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within God's instructions to Moses immediately following the climactic tenth plague and the dramatic Exodus from Egypt, detailed in [Exodus 12:29](/exodus/12-29 "The Death of the Firstborn"). Chapters 12 and 13 meticulously outline the institution of the Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and the consecration of the firstborn to the LORD. Exodus 13:8, specifically, addresses the pedagogical purpose of these enduring observances. It anticipates the very question a child might ask about the rituals, as hinted in [Exodus 12:26](/exodus/12-26 "The Question of Future Generations"), and forms a crucial link in the chain of commands designed to embed the Exodus event into Israel's national and spiritual consciousness. The broader context of [Exodus 13](/exodus/13 "The Consecration of the Firstborn and the Pillar of Cloud and Fire") emphasizes remembrance and the unique relationship between God and His redeemed people.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The command was given to a newly liberated people, transitioning from centuries of chattel slavery to the formation of a distinct nation. In the ancient Near East, oral tradition, ritual, and mnemonic devices were primary means of transmitting history, cultural identity, and core values across generations. The Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread were not merely annual holidays but profound pedagogical tools, designed to be experiential and participatory. 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 publicly declare God's power over Pharaoh and the gods of Egypt, while establishing Israel's unique status as His redeemed people, bound by covenant.
* **Key Themes:** Exodus 13:8 contributes significantly to several major theological and narrative themes within the book of Exodus and the broader Pentateuch. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Deliverance and Redemption**, emphasizing that God is an active, intervening deity who powerfully liberates His people from bondage, as seen in the entire narrative of [the Exodus](/exodus/1-15 "The Exodus from Egypt"). Secondly, it underscores **Covenant Faithfulness and Remembrance**, showing God's commitment to His promises and the human responsibility to remember His mighty deeds, a theme echoed in [Deuteronomy 4:9](/deuteronomy/4-9 "Only take heed to yourself, and diligently keep your soul, lest you forget the things your eyes have seen"). Thirdly, it establishes the crucial theme of **Intergenerational Transmission of Faith**, revealing that faith is not a private matter but a communal heritage to be diligently passed down, connecting the past redemptive acts to the present identity and future hope of the nation, a principle foundational to the covenant relationship as outlined in [Deuteronomy 6:6-7](/deuteronomy/6-6-7 "These words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **"shew" (Hebrew, _nâgad'_ H5046):** This verb, translated as "shew" in the KJV, means "to declare," "to tell," "to make known," or "to report." It implies a bold, active, and explicit communication. It is not a passive suggestion but an intentional, authoritative, and detailed recounting of the narrative, ensuring the full significance of God's actions is conveyed to the next generation. It signifies a clear, public, and often formal declaration.
* **"son" (Hebrew, _bên'_ H1121):** While literally "son," this term, derived from a root meaning "to build," often extends in the widest sense to include descendants, subjects, or even a generation. In this context, it emphasizes the responsibility to instruct the next generation, ensuring the continuity of the covenant community's identity and faith. It points to the foundational unit of intergenerational transmission within the family.
* **"day" (Hebrew, _yôwm'_ H3117):** This word refers to a specific period, often a literal day, but can also denote a defined space of time. Here, "in that day" refers to the annual observance of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. The use of "day" highlights the specific, recurring occasion when the rituals would naturally prompt questions, creating a divinely ordained "teachable moment" for the transmission of the Exodus narrative.
* **"LORD" (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_ H3068):** This is God's covenant name, Yahweh, emphasizing His personal, relational, and self-existent nature. The use of this specific name underscores that the deliverance was not a random event or a mere stroke of luck, but the intentional, powerful, and faithful work of the sovereign God who keeps His promises and actively intervenes in the history of His people.
* **"came forth" (Hebrew, _yâtsâʼ'_ H3318):** This primitive root means "to go out" or "to come out," in a wide variety of applications. Here, it specifically refers to the act of Israel exiting Egypt. It highlights the decisive, active, and miraculous nature of their departure, emphasizing that their liberation was a direct result of God's intervention, not their own strength or cunning.

#### 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 offspring. "In that day" refers to the specific, annual 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 merely to perform the ritual, but to explain its profound meaning and historical significance.
* **"[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 use of the singular "me" (Hebrew: *li*, from H2088 and H6213) 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.
* **"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, covenant faithfulness, and unique relationship with His chosen people.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs **repetition** of the phrase "in that day" (found also in [Exodus 13:6](/exodus/13-6 "Feast of Unleavened Bread") and [Exodus 13:14](/exodus/13-14 "When your son asks")) to emphasize the specific, annual occasion for this vital instruction and to underscore its importance as a recurring, divinely appointed moment. The rituals themselves, such as eating unleavened bread and consecrating the firstborn, function as powerful **mnemonic devices**. These tangible, sensory experiences are designed to prompt questions from future generations, thereby providing a natural and compelling opportunity for parents to recount the historical narrative of God's mighty acts and their profound theological implications. This integration of ritual and narrative ensures that the memory of the Exodus remains a living, transformative truth.

### 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, shaping the worldview and future actions of the people.

This theme of remembering God's mighty deeds and passing them to subsequent generations is a recurring motif throughout the biblical narrative, underscoring its enduring importance in God's plan for His people.
* 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, "when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up."
* 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 and the powerful hand of the LORD.

### 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 share our faith story by actively recounting God's faithfulness in our own lives, in the history of the church, and in the grand narrative of salvation, which involves sharing personal testimonies of God's work and teaching the biblical story of redemption to our children, spiritual mentees, and those around us, ensuring the continuity of faith across generations. It also urges us to understand our practices, recognizing that many Christian practices (e.g., baptism, the Lord's Supper) are memorial acts, and to ensure these observances are not empty rituals but meaningful acts of remembrance that point to God's redemptive work in Christ, allowing us to explain the "why" behind what we do, connecting our present worship to God's past actions. Finally, it prompts us to cultivate gratitude and trust by regularly reflecting on God's past actions in our lives and in history—His deliverance, provision, and faithfulness—which fosters a deep sense of gratitude and strengthens our trust in His continued care and sovereign plan, enabling us to face present challenges with confidence in His unchanging character.

#### 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 personal testimony and in the grand narrative of 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 and articulate their meaning to others?**
* **How might intentionally remembering God's past faithfulness, as modeled in Exodus 13:8, strengthen your faith and trust in Him during present challenges or uncertainties?**

### 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. This linguistic choice fosters a profound sense of personal ownership and gratitude for a shared, foundational experience, ensuring that the past act of God remains perpetually relevant to each successive generation.

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

Answer: While the immediate context addresses fathers and sons in ancient Israelite society, reflecting the patriarchal structure of the time, 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, ensuring the continuity of the gospel message.

**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, etc.) 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, making the transmission of faith organic and impactful. It highlights the importance of seizing natural opportunities for spiritual instruction.

### 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. Jesus Christ is the ultimate deliverer, leading humanity out of the spiritual bondage of sin and death, just as God led Israel out of physical bondage in Egypt. His life, death, and resurrection constitute the "new Exodus," a far more profound and universal redemption, which Jesus Himself refers to as His "departure" (*exodos*) in [Luke 9:31](/luke/9-31 "His departure which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem"). The Passover lamb, whose blood protected Israel from judgment, is explicitly identified as a foreshadowing of Christ, as [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. 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. 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 for all who believe.

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 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

¶ 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.