Deuteronomy 16:6
But at the place which the LORD thy God shall choose to place his name in, there thou shalt sacrifice the passover at even, at the going down of the sun, at the season that thou camest forth out of Egypt.
Original Language Analysis
כִּ֠י
H3588
כִּ֠י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 20
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אִֽם
H518
אִֽם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
2 of 20
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
הַמָּק֞וֹם
But at the place
H4725
הַמָּק֞וֹם
But at the place
Strong's:
H4725
Word #:
4 of 20
properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
5 of 20
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יִבְחַ֨ר
shall choose
H977
יִבְחַ֨ר
shall choose
Strong's:
H977
Word #:
6 of 20
properly, to try, i.e., (by implication) select
יְהוָ֤ה
which the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֤ה
which the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
7 of 20
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֶ֙יךָ֙
thy God
H430
אֱלֹהֶ֙יךָ֙
thy God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
8 of 20
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
לְשַׁכֵּ֣ן
to place
H7931
לְשַׁכֵּ֣ן
to place
Strong's:
H7931
Word #:
9 of 20
to reside or permanently stay (literally or figuratively)
שְׁמ֔וֹ
his name
H8034
שְׁמ֔וֹ
his name
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
10 of 20
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
שָׁ֛ם
H8033
תִּזְבַּ֥ח
in there thou shalt sacrifice
H2076
תִּזְבַּ֥ח
in there thou shalt sacrifice
Strong's:
H2076
Word #:
12 of 20
to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
13 of 20
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַפֶּ֖סַח
the passover
H6453
הַפֶּ֖סַח
the passover
Strong's:
H6453
Word #:
14 of 20
a pretermission, i.e., exemption; used only techically of the jewish passover (the festival or the victim)
כְּב֣וֹא
at the going down
H935
כְּב֣וֹא
at the going down
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
16 of 20
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
הַשֶּׁ֔מֶשׁ
of the sun
H8121
הַשֶּׁ֔מֶשׁ
of the sun
Strong's:
H8121
Word #:
17 of 20
the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e., (architectural) a notched battlement
מוֹעֵ֖ד
at the season
H4150
מוֹעֵ֖ד
at the season
Strong's:
H4150
Word #:
18 of 20
properly, an appointment, i.e., a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival; conventionally a year; by implication, an assembly (as convened for
Historical Context
Exodus 12:10 similarly commanded burning any remaining lamb portions by morning. This prevented profaning the sacred sacrifice through decomposition or inappropriate use of consecrated meat.
The requirement that the lamb be consumed in single night by households or groups prevented individual families from being too small to fully utilize the sacrifice, promoting community participation in redemption.
Questions for Reflection
- What does complete consumption of the sacrifice teach about appropriating redemption?
- How does preventing leftovers demonstrate proper reverence for sacred things?
- Why must redemption be fully received rather than partially accepted?
- How does this principle apply to complete trust in Christ's atoning sacrifice?
- What dangers exist in treating sacred things casually or commonly?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Neither shall there any thing of the flesh, which thou sacrificedst the first day at even, remain all night until the morning. The Passover lamb must be completely consumed or burned before morning - no portion could remain. This ensured the sacrifice served its full purpose on the night of deliverance without corruption.
Prohibiting leftovers prevented the sacred sacrifice from becoming common. What was set apart for redemptive purpose must not be treated casually or allowed to spoil. This taught reverence for God's provision of atonement.
The complete consumption symbolized complete appropriation of redemption. Israel must fully receive and apply God's deliverance, not partially participate while retaining elements of the old life.
Christ as our Passover provides complete atonement that must be fully appropriated by faith. Partial acceptance of His work is insufficient - believers must completely trust His sacrifice and fully identify with His death and resurrection.