Exodus 12:27
That 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.
Original Language Analysis
זֶֽבַח
It is the sacrifice
H2077
זֶֽבַח
It is the sacrifice
Strong's:
H2077
Word #:
2 of 21
properly, a slaughter, i.e., the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the victim or the act)
פֶּ֨סַח
passover
H6453
פֶּ֨סַח
passover
Strong's:
H6453
Word #:
3 of 21
a pretermission, i.e., exemption; used only techically of the jewish passover (the festival or the victim)
ה֜וּא
H1931
ה֜וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
4 of 21
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
לַֽיהוָ֗ה
of the LORD'S
H3068
לַֽיהוָ֗ה
of the LORD'S
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
5 of 21
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
6 of 21
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
פָּ֠סַח
who passed
H6452
פָּ֠סַח
who passed
Strong's:
H6452
Word #:
7 of 21
to hop, i.e., (figuratively) skip over (or spare); by implication, to hesitate; also (literally) to limp, to dance
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
8 of 21
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
בָּתֵּ֣ינוּ
our houses
H1004
בָּתֵּ֣ינוּ
our houses
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
9 of 21
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
בְנֵֽי
of the children
H1121
בְנֵֽי
of the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
10 of 21
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
11 of 21
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
בְּנָגְפּ֥וֹ
when he smote
H5062
בְּנָגְפּ֥וֹ
when he smote
Strong's:
H5062
Word #:
13 of 21
to push, gore, defeat, stub (the toe), inflict (a disease)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
14 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
16 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בָּתֵּ֣ינוּ
our houses
H1004
בָּתֵּ֣ינוּ
our houses
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
17 of 21
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
הִצִּ֑יל
and delivered
H5337
הִצִּ֑יל
and delivered
Strong's:
H5337
Word #:
18 of 21
to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense
וַיִּקֹּ֥ד
bowed the head
H6915
וַיִּקֹּ֥ד
bowed the head
Strong's:
H6915
Word #:
19 of 21
to shrivel up, i.e., contract or bend the body (or neck) in deference
Cross References
Exodus 4:31And the people believed: and when they heard that the LORD had visited the children of Israel, and that he had looked upon their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshipped.Exodus 12:11And 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.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 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:
Historical Context
This explanation became the liturgical foundation for the Passover seder. The worshipful response models how proper instruction should lead to heartfelt devotion.
Questions for Reflection
- How does rehearsing God's redemption in Christ move you from intellectual knowledge to worshipful adoration?
- What does 'delivered our houses' teach about God's salvation extending to families, not merely individuals?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The prescribed answer, 'It is the sacrifice of the LORD's passover,' identifies the core meaning. The rehearsal of history—'passed over...when he smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses'—makes past events present reality. The people's response, 'bowed the head and worshipped,' demonstrates that understanding God's redemption leads to humble adoration. Faith recognizes God's distinguishing grace that spared them while judging Egypt.