Exodus 12:13. I will pass over you— Here the reason of the name passover is given: and, to the believing Israelites, it must have been a source of continual comfort. An ordinance for ever, at the end of the 14th verse, means an ordinance which shall be observed so long as the Jewish church subsists; or till Christ, who is the Fulfiller of the law, shall come. read more
12. smite . . . gods of Egypt—perhaps used here for princes and grandees. But, according to Jewish tradition, the idols of Egypt were all on that night broken in pieces (see Numbers 33:4; Isaiah 19:1). read more
14. for a memorial, &c.—The close analogy traceable in all points between the Jewish and Christian passovers is seen also in the circumstance that both festivals were instituted before the events they were to commemorate had transpired. :-. UNLEAVENED BREAD. 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
(12) For I will pass through.—Rather, go through, since the word used is entirely unconnected with pesahh.Against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment.—The translation “gods” is far preferable to that of “princes,” given in the margin. The death of all the firstborn beasts would have been felt by the Egyptians as a heavy judgment upon their gods. Some of their sacred animals were regarded as actual incarnations of deity; and if any of these perished, as is likely, the threat would have... read more
(13) The blood shall be to you for a token.—Rather, the blood shall be for a token for you: i.e., it shall be a token to Me on your behalf. (See the comment on Exodus 12:7, and compare Exodus 12:23.) read more
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Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Exodus 12:12
Exodus 12:12. Against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment— The original word here rendered gods, is אלהי alei; which, in the margin of our Bibles, is rendered princes; as the word aleim sometimes signifies: and Wall is strongly of opinion that this is its true meaning. But the generality of interpreters understand the idol-gods of Egypt to be here meant. And to this they think, Isa 19:1 and Jer 43:13 refer; as, indeed, seems very probable. read more