Exoduschapter 13

22 verses · ASV

This chapter sends 189 cross-references outward and receives 234 — heaviest partner: Exodus.

Chapter summary

Consecration of the firstborn and the pillar of cloud. Every firstborn, whether of man or beast, is set apart to the LORD in memory of the night of the exodus. The firstborn of the ass is redeemed with a lamb. The Feast of Unleavened Bread is rehearsed for the generations — ‘thou shalt shew thy son … by strength of hand the LORD brought us out’. God does not lead them by way of the Philistines ‘lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt’. Moses takes the bones of Joseph with him. The pillar of cloud by day and pillar of fire by night goes before them.

Drafted from Matthew Henry, Calvin, Gill, Clarke, JFB, and Barnes.

Context

Law · Moses — see the Exodus overview for the book's full setting.

1 And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying,

2 Sanctify unto me all the first-born, whatsoever openeth the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and of beast: it is mine.

3 And Moses said unto the people, Remember this day, in which ye came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand Jehovah brought you out from this place: there shall no leavened bread be eaten.

4 This day ye go forth in the month Abib.

5 And it shall be, when Jehovah shall bring thee into the land of the Canaanite, and the Hittite, and the Amorite, and the Hivite, and the Jebusite, which he sware unto thy fathers to give thee, a land flowing with milk and honey, that thou shalt keep this service in this month.

6 Seven days thou shalt eat unleavened bread, and in the seventh day shall be a feast to Jehovah.

7 Unleavened bread shall be eaten throughout the seven days; and there shall no leavened bread be seen with thee, neither shall there be leaven seen with thee, in all thy borders.

8 And thou shalt tell thy son in that day, saying, It is because of that which Jehovah did for me when I came forth out of Egypt.

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