Exodus 12:17
And 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.
Original Language Analysis
וּשְׁמַרְתֶּ֞ם
And ye shall observe
H8104
וּשְׁמַרְתֶּ֞ם
And ye shall observe
Strong's:
H8104
Word #:
1 of 19
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 19
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַמַּצּוֹת֒
the feast of unleavened bread
H4682
הַמַּצּוֹת֒
the feast of unleavened bread
Strong's:
H4682
Word #:
3 of 19
properly, sweetness; concretely, sweet (i.e., not soured or bittered with yeast); specifically, an unfermented cake or loaf, or (elliptically) the fes
כִּ֗י
H3588
כִּ֗י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
4 of 19
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
בְּעֶ֙צֶם֙
for in this selfsame
H6106
בְּעֶ֙צֶם֙
for in this selfsame
Strong's:
H6106
Word #:
5 of 19
a bone (as strong); by extension, the body; figuratively, the substance, i.e., (as pron.) selfsame
הַיּ֥וֹם
day
H3117
הַיּ֥וֹם
day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
6 of 19
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
הַזֶּ֔ה
H2088
הוֹצֵ֥אתִי
have I brought
H3318
הוֹצֵ֥אתִי
have I brought
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
8 of 19
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
9 of 19
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
צִבְאֽוֹתֵיכֶ֖ם
your armies
H6635
צִבְאֽוֹתֵיכֶ֖ם
your armies
Strong's:
H6635
Word #:
10 of 19
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
מֵאֶ֣רֶץ
out of the land
H776
מֵאֶ֣רֶץ
out of the land
Strong's:
H776
Word #:
11 of 19
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
וּשְׁמַרְתֶּ֞ם
And ye shall observe
H8104
וּשְׁמַרְתֶּ֞ם
And ye shall observe
Strong's:
H8104
Word #:
13 of 19
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
14 of 19
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַיּ֥וֹם
day
H3117
הַיּ֥וֹם
day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
15 of 19
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
הַזֶּ֛ה
H2088
Historical Context
The exodus occurred exactly on the promised date. The term 'armies' anticipates Israel's organization in Numbers 1-2 and their conquest of Canaan as YHWH's military force.
Questions for Reflection
- How does viewing yourself as part of God's 'army' affect your understanding of Christian purpose and spiritual warfare?
- What does God's precise timing in fulfilling promises teach about trusting His timetable for your life?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The emphasis 'this selfsame day have I brought your armies out' stresses divine timing and the fulfillment of God's word. 'Armies' (tziv'otaykem, צִבְאֹתֵיכֶם) presents Israel as organized regiments, not a disorganized mob. The perpetual observance 'by an ordinance for ever' ensures each generation personally identifies with the exodus through annual participation.