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Exodus 12:14

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And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.

And this day {H3117} shall be unto you for a memorial {H2146}; and ye shall keep {H2287} it a feast {H2282} to the LORD {H3068} throughout your generations {H1755}; ye shall keep it a feast {H2287} by an ordinance {H2708} for ever {H5769}.

"'This will be a day for you to remember and celebrate as a festival to ADONAI; from generation to generation you are to celebrate it by a perpetual regulation.

And this day will be a memorial for you, and you are to celebrate it as a feast to the LORD, as a permanent statute for the generations to come.

And this day shall be unto you for a memorial, and ye shall keep it a feast to Jehovah: throughout your generations ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.

Commentary

Context

Exodus 12:14 is found within the detailed instructions given to Moses and Aaron by the LORD regarding the first Passover. This pivotal event marks the culmination of the plagues against Egypt and the imminent deliverance of the Israelites from centuries of bondage. The preceding verses outline the specific ritual for the Passover lamb, the application of its blood to the doorposts, and the manner in which the meal was to be eaten in haste. The verse itself serves as a divine decree, establishing the Passover as a perpetual observance, a "memorial" for future generations of Israel, commemorating God's mighty act of salvation.

Key Themes

  • Perpetual Memorial: The central theme is the establishment of the Passover as an everlasting reminder. The Hebrew word for "memorial," zikkaron (זִכָּרוֹן), emphasizes not just passive remembrance but an active re-telling and celebration of God's redemptive work. It was designed to ensure that the astounding events of the Exodus would never be forgotten by the Jewish people.
  • Divine Ordinance: The phrase "ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever" underscores the divine origin and mandatory nature of this observance. It was not a suggestion but a commandment, a covenantal obligation that would bind the community throughout their history, symbolizing their unique relationship with God.
  • Deliverance and Redemption: The feast itself is a celebration of God's power to save His people from slavery and death. The blood on the doorposts, detailed earlier in Exodus 12:7, protected the firstborn of Israel from the destroyer, foreshadowing a greater salvation.
  • Covenant Relationship: By observing this feast, Israel continually affirmed their identity as God's chosen people, set apart by His grace and sustained by His faithfulness, a relationship solidified at Mount Sinai.

Linguistic Insights

The term "memorial" comes from the Hebrew word zikkaron (זִכָּרוֹן), which implies more than just recalling past events. It suggests an active remembering that shapes present and future identity, often involving ritual or symbolic acts. The phrase "ordinance for ever" is from the Hebrew chuqqath 'olam (חֻקַּת עוֹלָם), signifying a perpetual statute or a fixed, unchanging law meant to endure through all generations.

Strategic Cross-References & Significance

This verse is foundational, not only for the history of Israel but also for Christian theology. The Passover feast, with its unleavened bread and sacrificial lamb, profoundly foreshadows the work of Jesus Christ. Paul explicitly declares, "Christ our passover is sacrificed for us" in 1 Corinthians 5:7. Just as the Passover lamb's blood brought deliverance from physical death for Israel, so Christ's shed blood brings spiritual deliverance and eternal life for believers.

Furthermore, the institution of the Lord's Supper, as recorded in Luke 22:19, echoes the memorial aspect of the Passover. Jesus instructs His disciples to "do this in remembrance of me," establishing a new covenant memorial that superseded the old, pointing to His ultimate sacrifice.

Practical Application

Exodus 12:14 reminds us of the importance of remembering God's mighty acts of redemption in our own lives and in history. For believers today, it calls us to:

  1. Remember God's Faithfulness: Just as Israel was to recall God's deliverance from Egypt, we are to remember how God has saved us from sin and death through Christ. This remembrance strengthens our faith and trust in His ongoing care.
  2. Celebrate Redemption: The Passover was a feast, a joyous celebration. Our spiritual redemption is also cause for profound joy and celebration, particularly through communion or the Lord's Supper.
  3. Pass on the Story: The "throughout your generations" aspect implies teaching our children and future generations about God's salvific work, ensuring that the foundational truths of our faith are not lost.
  4. Live in Light of Deliverance: Understanding that we have been set free from spiritual bondage should motivate us to live lives that honor God and serve His purposes, reflecting the freedom and new life we have in Christ.
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 (May 20, 2025) 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

  • 2 Kings 23:21 (11 votes)

    And the king commanded all the people, saying, Keep the passover unto the LORD your God, as [it is] written in the book of this covenant.

  • Exodus 12:24 (9 votes)

    And ye shall observe this thing for an ordinance to thee and to thy sons for ever.

  • Exodus 12:17 (9 votes)

    And ye shall observe [the feast of] unleavened bread; for in this selfsame day have I brought your armies out of the land of Egypt: therefore shall ye observe this day in your generations by an ordinance for ever.

  • Exodus 13:9 (9 votes)

    And it shall be for a sign unto thee upon thine hand, and for a memorial between thine eyes, that the LORD'S law may be in thy mouth: for with a strong hand hath the LORD brought thee out of Egypt.

  • Exodus 13:10 (9 votes)

    Thou shalt therefore keep this ordinance in his season from year to year.

  • 1 Corinthians 5:7 (6 votes)

    ¶ Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:

  • 1 Corinthians 5:8 (6 votes)

    Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened [bread] of sincerity and truth.