Exodus 12:43
And the LORD said unto Moses and Aaron, This is the ordinance of the passover: There shall no stranger eat thereof:
Original Language Analysis
יְהוָה֙
And the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֙
And the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 14
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
הַפָּ֑סַח
of the passover
H6453
הַפָּ֑סַח
of the passover
Strong's:
H6453
Word #:
8 of 14
a pretermission, i.e., exemption; used only techically of the jewish passover (the festival or the victim)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
9 of 14
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
בֶּן
There shall no stranger
H1121
בֶּן
There shall no stranger
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
10 of 14
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
נֵכָ֖ר
H5236
נֵכָ֖ר
Strong's:
H5236
Word #:
11 of 14
foreign, or (concretely) a foreigner, or (abstractly) heathendom
Cross References
Exodus 12:48And when a stranger shall sojourn with thee, and will keep the passover to the LORD, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as one that is born in the land: for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof.Numbers 9:14And if a stranger shall sojourn among you, and will keep the passover unto the LORD; according to the ordinance of the passover, and according to the manner thereof, so shall he do: ye shall have one ordinance, both for the stranger, and for him that was born in the land.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.
Historical Context
This restriction prevented Passover from becoming a generic feast where casual observers participated without covenant commitment. It maintained the meal's sacred character.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the exclusivity of covenant meals protect the sacredness of fellowship with God?
- What does restricting participation to covenant members teach about the church's practice of guarded communion?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The LORD's 'ordinance of the passover' (chukat hapesach, חֻקַּת הַפֶּסַח) begins defining participation boundaries. 'No stranger shall eat thereof'—the Hebrew 'ben nekar' (בֶּן־נֵכָר) means foreign son, one outside the covenant. This exclusivity protects the sacredness of covenant signs. While grace extends to all who believe, covenant privileges require covenant membership. This principle continues in Christian baptism and communion.