Exodus Chapter 12 · Verse 3
Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house:
Original Language Analysis
דַּבְּר֗וּ
Speak
H1696
דַּבְּר֗וּ
Speak
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
1 of 17
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
3 of 17
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
עֲדַ֤ת
ye unto all the congregation
H5712
עֲדַ֤ת
ye unto all the congregation
Strong's:
H5712
Word #:
4 of 17
a stated assemblage (specifically, a concourse, or generally, a family or crowd)
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
5 of 17
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
בֶּֽעָשֹׂ֖ר
In the tenth
H6218
בֶּֽעָשֹׂ֖ר
In the tenth
Strong's:
H6218
Word #:
7 of 17
ten; by abbreviated form ten strings, and so a decachord
הַזֶּ֑ה
H2088
וְיִקְח֣וּ
they shall take
H3947
וְיִקְח֣וּ
they shall take
Strong's:
H3947
Word #:
10 of 17
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
אִ֛ישׁ
to them every man
H376
אִ֛ישׁ
to them every man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
12 of 17
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
לַבָּֽיִת׃
according to the house
H1004
לַבָּֽיִת׃
according to the house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
14 of 17
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
אָבֹ֖ת
of their fathers
H1
אָבֹ֖ת
of their fathers
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
15 of 17
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
Cross References
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:John 1:29The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.Leviticus 5:6And he shall bring his trespass offering unto the LORD for his sin which he hath sinned, a female from the flock, a lamb or a kid of the goats, for a sin offering; and the priest shall make an atonement for him concerning his sin.Leviticus 1:2Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, If any man of you bring an offering unto the LORD, ye shall bring your offering of the cattle, even of the herd, and of the flock.
Historical Context
This command unified all Israel in simultaneous preparation. The 'congregation' concept would become foundational to Israel's corporate identity as God's covenant people.
Questions for Reflection
- How does redemption create community rather than private religion?
- What does the four-day examination period teach about the scrutiny Christ endured before His sacrifice?
Analysis & Commentary
The phrase 'congregation of Israel' (עֲדַת יִשְׂרָאֵל, 'adat yisrael') appears for the first time, indicating that God's redemptive act creates a community, not isolated individuals. The specific timing (tenth day) required advance preparation and examination of the lamb, foreshadowing Christ's public presentation before His crucifixion (John 12:1, 12-13).