Exodus 12:11
And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the LORD'S passover.
Original Language Analysis
וְכָכָה֮
And thus
H3602
וְכָכָה֮
And thus
Strong's:
H3602
Word #:
1 of 15
just so, referring to the previous or following context
אֹתוֹ֒
H853
אֹתוֹ֒
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 15
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מָתְנֵיכֶ֣ם
it with your loins
H4975
מָתְנֵיכֶ֣ם
it with your loins
Strong's:
H4975
Word #:
4 of 15
properly, the waist or small of the back; only in plural the loins
נַֽעֲלֵיכֶם֙
your shoes
H5275
נַֽעֲלֵיכֶם֙
your shoes
Strong's:
H5275
Word #:
6 of 15
properly, a sandal tongue; by extension a sandal or slipper (sometimes as a symbol of occupancy, a refusal to marry, or of something valueless)
בְּרַגְלֵיכֶ֔ם
on your feet
H7272
בְּרַגְלֵיכֶ֔ם
on your feet
Strong's:
H7272
Word #:
7 of 15
a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda
וּמַקֶּלְכֶ֖ם
and your staff
H4731
וּמַקֶּלְכֶ֖ם
and your staff
Strong's:
H4731
Word #:
8 of 15
a shoot, i.e., stick (with leaves on, or for walking, striking, guiding, divining)
בְּיֶדְכֶ֑ם
in your hand
H3027
בְּיֶדְכֶ֑ם
in your hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
9 of 15
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
אֹתוֹ֙
H853
אֹתוֹ֙
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
11 of 15
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
פֶּ֥סַח
passover
H6453
פֶּ֥סַח
passover
Strong's:
H6453
Word #:
13 of 15
a pretermission, i.e., exemption; used only techically of the jewish passover (the festival or the victim)
Cross References
Exodus 12:27That ye shall say, It is the sacrifice of the LORD'S passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses. And the people bowed the head and worshipped.Ephesians 6:15And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;1 Corinthians 5:7Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:1 Peter 1:13Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;Luke 12:35Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning;Exodus 12:43And the LORD said unto Moses and Aaron, This is the ordinance of the passover: There shall no stranger eat thereof:Exodus 12:21Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said unto them, Draw out and take you a lamb according to your families, and kill the passover.Leviticus 23:5In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is the LORD'S passover.Numbers 28:16And in the fourteenth day of the first month is the passover of the LORD.Exodus 12:13And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.
Historical Context
Ancient Middle Eastern meals were typically leisurely, reclining affairs. This standing, hurried posture radically departed from normal custom, expressing expectation of immediate exodus.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the Passover's posture of readiness challenge complacency in your Christian walk?
- In what ways does viewing life as a journey rather than a destination affect your daily priorities?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The 'loins girded' posture indicates readiness for immediate travel, staff in hand as pilgrims, sandals protecting feet for the journey, eating 'in haste' (Hebrew 'chipazon,' חִפָּזוֹן—alarmed hurry). This is 'the LORD's passover' (pesach YHWH), not merely a commemorative meal but the decisive moment of redemption. The eating posture embodies both urgency and faith that deliverance is imminent.