Exodus 12:13
And 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.
Original Language Analysis
וְהָיָה֩
H1961
וְהָיָה֩
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 22
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
הַדָּ֔ם
And the blood
H1818
הַדָּ֔ם
And the blood
Strong's:
H1818
Word #:
2 of 22
blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe
לְאֹ֗ת
shall be to you for a token
H226
לְאֹ֗ת
shall be to you for a token
Strong's:
H226
Word #:
4 of 22
a signal (literally or figuratively), as a flag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, evidence, etc
עַ֤ל
H5921
עַ֤ל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
5 of 22
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הַבָּתִּים֙
upon the houses
H1004
הַבָּתִּים֙
upon the houses
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
6 of 22
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
7 of 22
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
שָׁ֔ם
H8033
וְרָאִ֙יתִי֙
where ye are and when I see
H7200
וְרָאִ֙יתִי֙
where ye are and when I see
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
10 of 22
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
11 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַדָּ֔ם
And the blood
H1818
הַדָּ֔ם
And the blood
Strong's:
H1818
Word #:
12 of 22
blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe
וּפָֽסַחְתִּ֖י
I will pass
H6452
וּפָֽסַחְתִּ֖י
I will pass
Strong's:
H6452
Word #:
13 of 22
to hop, i.e., (figuratively) skip over (or spare); by implication, to hesitate; also (literally) to limp, to dance
עֲלֵכֶ֑ם
H5921
עֲלֵכֶ֑ם
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
14 of 22
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וְלֹֽא
H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
15 of 22
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִֽהְיֶ֨ה
H1961
יִֽהְיֶ֨ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
16 of 22
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
נֶ֙גֶף֙
over you and the plague
H5063
נֶ֙גֶף֙
over you and the plague
Strong's:
H5063
Word #:
18 of 22
a trip (of the foot); figuratively, an infliction (of disease)
לְמַשְׁחִ֔ית
shall not be upon you to destroy
H4889
לְמַשְׁחִ֔ית
shall not be upon you to destroy
Strong's:
H4889
Word #:
19 of 22
destructive, i.e., (as noun) destruction, literally (specifically a snare) or figuratively (corruption)
בְּהַכֹּתִ֖י
you when I smite
H5221
בְּהַכֹּתִ֖י
you when I smite
Strong's:
H5221
Word #:
20 of 22
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
Cross References
Hebrews 11:28Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.Exodus 12:23For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the LORD will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you.1 John 1:7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.Genesis 17:11And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you.1 Thessalonians 1:10And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.Joshua 2:12Now therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by the LORD, since I have shewed you kindness, that ye will also shew kindness unto my father's house, and give me a true token:
Historical Context
This night marked the culmination of ten plagues that demonstrated YHWH's supremacy over Egypt and its gods. The blood sign distinguished believing Israelites from unbelieving Egyptians.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Christ's blood serve as your assurance of protection from divine judgment?
- What does it mean that the blood is a sign 'to you' rather than primarily informing God of something He doesn't know?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The blood serves as an 'oth' (אוֹת)—a sign or token—but critically, it's a sign 'to you,' not primarily to God. While God sees it ('when I see the blood'), its function is to assure believers they are protected. The Hebrew 'pasachti' (פָּסַחְתִּי) means 'I will pass over, skip over, spare.' The 'plague to destroy' (negef l'mashchit) would not touch blood-marked homes. This establishes the substitutionary principle: judgment satisfied by blood.