Exodus 12

Chapter 12: The Passover

Background History and Timeline: Exodus continues the narrative of the Israelites' liberation from slavery in Egypt, likely occurring around the late 15th or early 14th century BCE.

Locations Mentioned: The chapter primarily takes place in Egypt, focusing on the preparation for and observance of the Passover.

Themes and Conflicts: Exodus 12 recounts the institution of the Passover, a central event in Jewish tradition commemorating God's deliverance of the Israelites from slavery. It explores themes of redemption, sacrifice, and the covenant relationship between God and His people.

Main Characters: The main characters in this chapter include Moses, Aaron, the Israelites, and Pharaoh.

Specific Passages:

• Exodus 12:11-13: "In this manner you shall eat it: with your belt fastened, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. And you shall eat it in haste. It is the Lord's Passover. For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the Lord. The blood shall be a sign for you, on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you, when I strike the land of Egypt."

Explanation: In Exodus 12, God instructs Moses and Aaron to prepare the Israelites for the first Passover. Each household is commanded to take a lamb without blemish, slaughter it, and apply its blood to the doorposts of their homes as a sign of protection from the angel of death.

The Passover lamb is to be roasted and eaten with unleavened bread and bitter herbs, symbolizing the haste with which the Israelites will depart from Egypt and the bitterness of their slavery.

The chapter emphasizes the significance of the Passover as a perpetual ordinance for the Israelites, commemorating their deliverance from bondage and the sparing of their firstborn during the final plague upon Egypt.

As the night of the Passover arrives, the angel of death passes through Egypt, striking down the firstborn of every household not marked with the blood of the lamb. Pharaoh and the Egyptians are overcome with grief and fear, leading Pharaoh to finally relent and permit the Israelites to depart.

Exodus 12 marks the climax of God's judgment upon Egypt and the beginning of the Israelites' exodus from slavery to freedom. It underscores the importance of obedience and faithfulness to God's commands and the establishment of the Passover as a central observance in Jewish tradition.

The authorship of Exodus is traditionally attributed to Moses, who recorded the events and interactions with God during the Israelites' journey to liberation. While non-biblical sources may not directly verify the specific accounts, archaeological evidence corroborates aspects of ancient Egyptian history and culture, providing context for the biblical narrative.

Exodus 12 concludes the narrative of the plagues and sets the stage for the Israelites' departure from Egypt and their journey toward the Promised Land.