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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 12:1-20

Moses and Aaron here receive of the Lord what they were afterwards to deliver to the people concerning the ordinance of the passover, to which is prefixed an order for a new style to be observed in their months (Exod. 12:1, 2): This shall be to you the beginning of months. They had hitherto begun their year from the middle of September, but henceforward they were to begin it from the middle of March, at least in all their ecclesiastical computations. Note, It is good to begin the day, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 12:12

For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night ,..... Which must be understood consistent with his omnipresence, and of the manifestation of his powerful presence, or of the exertion of his mighty power in the following event: and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast ; as had been declared to Pharaoh, Exodus 11:5 . and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment ; meaning either figuratively, the nobles, princes, judges and civil... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 12:12

Against all the gods of Egypt, etc. - As different animals were sacred among the Egyptians, the slaying of the first-born of all the beasts might be called executing judgment upon the gods of Egypt. As this however does not appear very clear and satisfactory, some have imagined that the word אלהי elohey should be translated princes, which is the rendering in our margin; for as these princes, who were rulers of the kingdom under Pharaoh, were equally hostile to the Hebrews with Pharaoh... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 12:12

Verse 12 12.For I will pass through the land. This refers to the first passover, the night in which they were to be delivered from Egypt; and God expressly declares that He will be the judge against the false gods, because it then especially appeared how utterly unable they were to help, and how vain and fallacious was their service. The absurd commentary of some of the Rabbins (317) is tame and far-fetched, that the idols should be cast down, because by the single miracle of their redemption,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 12:1-20

1 . The festival was to last seven days. 2 . No leavened bread was to be eaten during that space, and leaven was even to be put away altogether out of all houses. 3 . On the first day of the seven and on the last, there was to be "a holy convocation" or gathering for worship. 4 . No work not strictly necessary was to Be done on these days. Other directions were given at a later date. 1 . Besides the Paschal lamb, with which the festival commenced, and which was to be a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 12:1-20

1. It Was then only that the history of the nation as the people of God began. Before they had been told of God's favour towards them; they now knew it. "Now we believe, not because of thy saying, for we have heard him ourselves" ( John 4:42 ). 2 . God's final deliverance begins a new era for his people. "Behold! make all things new." 3 . This has its correlative type in Christian experience now. The true life of the servant of God dates from the hour of his deliverance from... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 12:1-28

The institution of the Passover. Moses has now done with requesting and threatening Pharaoh. He leaves Pharaoh to the terrible smiting hand of Jehovah, and turns, when it is quite time to turn, to his own people. He who would not listen had to be left for those who would listen. It is now manifest that Moses is to be profitably occupied with matters which cannot any longer be delayed. It was needful to give warning concerning the death of the first-born to the Israelites quite as much as... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 12:1-28

The Passover. "It is the Lord's Passover" ( Exodus 12:11 ). After Pharaoh's refusal to see Moses again, Jehovah comes more manifestly into the history, in the last judgment and deliverance of his people. Three great events crowd now into a single night, the Passover, the slaying of the first-born, the march out. Consider now the Passover. I. ITS NECESSITY . 1 . Israel must be separated from Egypt. This idea of separation runs through all Hebrew history from the time of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 12:1-29

The Passover. God's last and overwhelming blow was about to be struck at Egypt. In anticipation of that blow, and in immediate connection with the exodus, God gave directions for the observance of a Passover. I. THE PASSOVER IN ITS CONNECTION WITH THE HISTORY . For details of the ritual, see the verses of the chapter. 1 . The design of the Passover was to make plain to Israel the ground on which its salvation was bestowed—the ground, viz; of Atonement. "The more... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 12:3-20

The Passover Proper. The Passover may be viewed:— I. AS A COMMEMORATIVE RITE . Instituted with reference to the tenth plague, and as a means by which the first-born of the Israelites might be saved from destruction, but accompanied by ceremonies which were connected with the prospective departure of the whole nation out of Egypt, the Passover feast, as established " by an ordinance for ever," commemorated two distinct and different things. II. AS A FEAST OF ... read more

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