Exodus 12:25
And it shall come to pass, when ye be come to the land which the LORD will give you, according as he hath promised, that ye shall keep this service.
Original Language Analysis
וְהָיָ֞ה
H1961
וְהָיָ֞ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 15
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
2 of 15
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
תָבֹ֣אוּ
And it shall come to pass when ye be come
H935
תָבֹ֣אוּ
And it shall come to pass when ye be come
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
3 of 15
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
6 of 15
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יִתֵּ֧ן
will give
H5414
יִתֵּ֧ן
will give
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
7 of 15
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
יְהוָ֛ה
which the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֛ה
which the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
8 of 15
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
10 of 15
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
דִּבֵּ֑ר
you according as he hath promised
H1696
דִּבֵּ֑ר
you according as he hath promised
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
11 of 15
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
וּשְׁמַרְתֶּ֖ם
that ye shall keep
H8104
וּשְׁמַרְתֶּ֖ם
that ye shall keep
Strong's:
H8104
Word #:
12 of 15
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
13 of 15
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Cross References
Exodus 3:17And I have said, I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt unto the land of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, unto a land flowing with milk and honey.Exodus 3:8And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites.Deuteronomy 4:5Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the LORD my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it.
Historical Context
This command anticipates both the immediate exodus and the conquest of Canaan forty years later. The feast would transform from preparation for leaving Egypt to commemoration in the promised land.
Questions for Reflection
- How does confident anticipation of God's promised future strengthen your present obedience?
- What spiritual 'land' has God promised you that requires faith before possession?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The forward-looking phrase 'when ye be come to the land' expresses confidence that God's promise will be fulfilled—the exodus has not yet occurred, but entry into Canaan is certain. Continued observance in the land connects present generations to the formative exodus event. The phrase 'this service' (avodah, עֲבֹדָה) can mean both worship and work, indicating that remembering redemption is laborious worship.