Exodus 12:47
All the congregation of Israel shall keep it.
Original Language Analysis
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
1 of 5
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
עֲדַ֥ת
All the congregation
H5712
עֲדַ֥ת
All the congregation
Strong's:
H5712
Word #:
2 of 5
a stated assemblage (specifically, a concourse, or generally, a family or crowd)
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
3 of 5
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
Cross References
Exodus 12:6And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening.Numbers 9:13But the man that is clean, and is not in a journey, and forbeareth to keep the passover, even the same soul shall be cut off from among his people: because he brought not the offering of the LORD in his appointed season, that man shall bear his sin.
Historical Context
This universal requirement made Passover central to Israelite identity. Regardless of tribe, status, or location, all Israel shared this common observance annually.
Questions for Reflection
- How does required universal participation prevent faith from becoming a spectator activity?
- What does the congregation's collective observance teach about corporate versus merely individual Christianity?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The phrase 'all the congregation of Israel shall keep it' requires universal participation—not optional for some. The Hebrew 'kol adat yisrael' (כָּל־עֲדַת יִשְׂרָאֵל) emphasizes corporate responsibility. Every member of the covenant community must personally participate in commemoration. This prevents relegating remembrance to clergy or special classes. Passover democratizes worship—all equally remember, all equally saved.