Exodus 12:14
And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.
Original Language Analysis
וְהָיָה֩
H1961
וְהָיָה֩
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 13
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
הַיּ֨וֹם
And this day
H3117
הַיּ֨וֹם
And this day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
2 of 13
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
הַזֶּ֤ה
H2088
לְזִכָּר֔וֹן
shall be unto you for a memorial
H2146
לְזִכָּר֔וֹן
shall be unto you for a memorial
Strong's:
H2146
Word #:
5 of 13
a memento (or memorable thing, day or writing)
תְּחָגֻּֽהוּ׃
and ye shall keep
H2287
תְּחָגֻּֽהוּ׃
and ye shall keep
Strong's:
H2287
Word #:
6 of 13
properly, to move in a circle, i.e., (specifically) to march in a sacred procession, to observe a festival; by implication, to be giddy
אֹת֖וֹ
H853
אֹת֖וֹ
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
7 of 13
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
לַֽיהוָ֑ה
to the LORD
H3068
לַֽיהוָ֑ה
to the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
9 of 13
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
לְדֹרֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם
throughout your generations
H1755
לְדֹרֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם
throughout your generations
Strong's:
H1755
Word #:
10 of 13
properly, a revolution of time, i.e., an age or generation; also a dwelling
Cross References
2 Kings 23:21And the king commanded all the people, saying, Keep the passover unto the LORD your God, as it is written in the book of this covenant.Exodus 12:17And ye shall observe the feast of unleavened bread; for in this selfsame day have I brought your armies out of the land of Egypt: therefore shall ye observe this day in your generations by an ordinance for ever.Exodus 12:24And ye shall observe this thing for an ordinance to thee and to thy sons for ever.Exodus 12:43And the LORD said unto Moses and Aaron, This is the ordinance of the passover: There shall no stranger eat thereof:Psalms 111:4He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the LORD is gracious and full of compassion.Psalms 135:13Thy name, O LORD, endureth for ever; and thy memorial, O LORD, throughout all generations.Exodus 5:1And afterward Moses and Aaron went in, and told Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Let my people go, that they may hold a feast unto me in the wilderness.Matthew 26:13Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her.Deuteronomy 16:1Observe the month of Abib, and keep the passover unto the LORD thy God: for in the month of Abib the LORD thy God brought thee forth out of Egypt by night.Deuteronomy 16:11And thou shalt rejoice before the LORD thy God, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite that is within thy gates, and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are among you, in the place which the LORD thy God hath chosen to place his name there.
Historical Context
This institution predates Israel's receiving the written law at Sinai, making Passover the foundational feast. It would be celebrated for over 3,400 years, continuing to Christ's time and beyond.
Questions for Reflection
- How does regular observance of the Lord's Supper prevent you from forgetting your redemption in Christ?
- What makes remembering God's saving acts a celebration rather than mere historical recollection?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The command 'this day shall be unto you for a memorial' (zikaron, זִכָּרוֹן) establishes perpetual commemoration. The phrase 'feast to the LORD' indicates joyful celebration, not mournful remembrance. 'Throughout your generations' and 'by an ordinance for ever' (chukkat olam) emphasize permanence. Just as Passover annually recalled the exodus, the Lord's Supper recalls Christ's greater exodus (Luke 9:31).