9. Eat not of it raw—that is, with any blood remaining; a caveat against conformity to idolatrous practices. It was to be roasted whole, not a bone to be broken, and this pointed to Christ ( :-). read more
Directions for the Passover 12:1-14The Jews called their first month Abib (Exodus 12:2). After the Babylonian captivity they renamed it Nisan (Nehemiah 2:1; Esther 3:7). It corresponds to our March-April. Abib means "ear-month" referring to the month when the grain was in the ear."The reference to the Passover month as the ’lead month,’ ’the first of the year’s months’ is best understood as a double entendre. On the one hand, the statement may be connected with an annual calendar, but on the... read more
C. God’s redemption of His people 12:1-13:16Scholars differ in their opinions as to when Israel actually became a nation. Many have made a strong case for commencing national existence with the institution of the Passover, which this section records. The proper translation of the Hebrew word pasah is really "hover over" rather than "pass over." [Note: Meredith G. Kline, "The Feast of Cover-over," Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 37:4 (December 1994):497-510.] ". . . properly... read more
1. The consecration of Israel as the covenant nation 12:1-28"The account of the final proof of Yahweh’s Presence in Egypt has been expanded by a series of instructions related to cultic [ritual worship] requirements designed to commemorate that proof and the freedom it purchased." [Note: Durham, p. 152.] read more
The Institution of the Passover. The Tenth Plague, and the Departure of Israel1. In the land of Egypt] These words suggest that what follows was written independently of the foregoing narrative, and an examination of this chapter shows that it contains two separate accounts of the institution of the Passover, one extending from Exodus 12:1-20, the other from Exodus 12:21-28. The latter is the proper continuation of Exodus 11.2. The beginning of months] The exodus is regarded as an... read more
(6) Ye shall keep it up.—Heb., ye shall have it in custody: separate it, i.e., from the flock, and keep it in or near your house for four days. During this time it could be carefully and thoroughly inspected. (Comp. Exodus 12:3.)The whole assembly of the congregation . . . shall kill it.—Every head of a family belonging to the “congregation” was to make the necessary arrangements, to have the victim ready, and to kill it on the fourteenth day, the day of the full moon, at a time described as... read more
(7) Strike it.—With a bunch of hyssop. (See Exodus 12:22.)The two side posts and on the upper door post.—The idea seems to have been that the destroying influence, whatever it was, would enter the house by the door. The sight of the bloody stains above the door and on either side would prevent its entering. The word translated “upper door post” appears to be derived from shâcaph, “to look out,” and to signify properly the latticed window above the door, through which persons reconnoitred those... read more
(8) Roast with fire.—Roasting is the simplest, the easiest, and the most primitive mode of cooking meat. It was also the only mode open to all the Hebrews, since the generality would not possess cauldrons large enough to receive an entire lamb. Further, the requirement put a difference between this and other victims, which were generally cut up and boiled (1 Samuel 2:14-15).Unleavened bread . . . bitter herbs.—As partaking of the lamb typified feeding on Christ, so the putting away of leaven... read more
(9) His head with his legs . . . —The lamb was to be roasted whole: “not a bone of it was to be broken” (Exodus 12:46). Justin Martyr says that it was prepared for roasting by means of two wooden spits, one perpendicular and the other transverse, which extended it on a sort of cross, and made it aptly typify the Crucified One.The purtenance thereof.—Heb., its inside. The entrails were taken out, carefully cleansed, and then replaced. read more
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Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Exodus 12:8
8. roast with fire—for the sake of expedition; and this difference was always observed between the cooking of the paschal lamb and the other offerings ( :-). unleavened bread—also for the sake of despatch (Deuteronomy 16:3), but as a kind of corruption (Deuteronomy 16:3- :) there seems to have been a typical meaning under it (Deuteronomy 16:3- :). bitter herbs—literally, "bitters"—to remind the Israelites of their affliction in Egypt, and morally of the trials to which God's people are subject... read more