Exodus 13:14
And it shall be when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying, What is this? that thou shalt say unto him, By strength of hand the LORD brought us out from Egypt, from the house of bondage:
Original Language Analysis
וְהָיָ֞ה
H1961
וְהָיָ֞ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 17
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 17
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יִשְׁאָלְךָ֥
asketh
H7592
יִשְׁאָלְךָ֥
asketh
Strong's:
H7592
Word #:
3 of 17
to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand
בִנְךָ֛
And it shall be when thy son
H1121
בִנְךָ֛
And it shall be when thy son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
4 of 17
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
מָחָ֖ר
thee in time to come
H4279
מָחָ֖ר
thee in time to come
Strong's:
H4279
Word #:
5 of 17
properly, deferred, i.e., the morrow; usually (adverbially) tomorrow; indefinitely, hereafter
וְאָֽמַרְתָּ֣
What is this that thou shalt say
H559
וְאָֽמַרְתָּ֣
What is this that thou shalt say
Strong's:
H559
Word #:
6 of 17
to say (used with great latitude)
מַה
H4100
מַה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
7 of 17
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
וְאָֽמַרְתָּ֣
What is this that thou shalt say
H559
וְאָֽמַרְתָּ֣
What is this that thou shalt say
Strong's:
H559
Word #:
9 of 17
to say (used with great latitude)
יָ֗ד
of hand
H3027
יָ֗ד
of hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
12 of 17
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
הֽוֹצִיאָ֧נוּ
brought us out
H3318
הֽוֹצִיאָ֧נוּ
brought us out
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
13 of 17
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
יְהוָ֛ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֛ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
14 of 17
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
Cross References
Exodus 13:3And Moses said unto the people, Remember this day, in which ye came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the LORD brought you out from this place: there shall no leavened bread be eaten.Joshua 4:6That this may be a sign among you, that when your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean ye by these stones?Psalms 145:4One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts.
Historical Context
This question-and-answer format structures teaching around observable practices. Children's curiosity about visible distinctions (why redeem the donkey?) opens discussion about invisible spiritual realities (redemption, substitution).
Questions for Reflection
- How do your visible spiritual practices create opportunities to explain the gospel to others?
- What does structuring teaching around questions rather than lectures reveal about effective faith transmission?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The anticipated question 'What is this?' from future sons creates teaching opportunities. The prescribed answer explains firstborn consecration through exodus history: God's 'strength of hand' brought Israel out, slaying Egypt's firstborn but sparing Israel's. The phrase 'therefore I sacrifice' connects present practice to past deliverance. Ritual becomes catechesis, with each observance prompting explanation that transmits faith across generations.