Exodus 13:4
This day came ye out in the month Abib.
Original Language Analysis
הַיּ֖וֹם
This day
H3117
הַיּ֖וֹם
This day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
1 of 5
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
יֹֽצְאִ֑ים
came ye out
H3318
יֹֽצְאִ֑ים
came ye out
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
3 of 5
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
Cross References
Exodus 34:18The feast of unleavened bread shalt thou keep. Seven days thou shalt eat unleavened bread, as I commanded thee, in the time of the month Abib: for in the month Abib thou camest out from Egypt.Exodus 23:15Thou shalt keep the feast of unleavened bread: (thou shalt eat unleavened bread seven days, as I commanded thee, in the time appointed of the month Abib; for in it thou camest out from Egypt: and none shall appear before me empty:)Exodus 12:2This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you.
Historical Context
Abib (later called Nisan) falls in March-April. The month name connects redemption to agricultural renewal—spring harvest coinciding with spiritual harvest/redemption.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the historical specificity of biblical redemption events differ from timeless myths or principles?
- What does anchoring faith to calendar dates teach about God working within human history?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The temporal marker 'This day came ye out in the month Abib' fixes the exodus to a specific historical date. 'Abib' (Aviv, אָבִיב) means 'spring' or 'green ears,' referring to ripening barley. Anchoring faith to historical events rather than myths distinguishes biblical religion. Christianity similarly roots in datable events—Christ's crucifixion 'under Pontius Pilate' (1 Timothy 6:13).