Exodus 12:6
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Exodus 12:6
6 And 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.
Chapter Context
Exodus 12 is a narrative with legal sections chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of obedience, wisdom, prayer. Written during the Egyptian bondage and wilderness wandering (c. 1446-1406 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Egypt was the dominant superpower with a complex polytheistic religion and a god-king pharaoh.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-51: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it provides essential context for understanding God's covenant relationship with His people. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Exodus and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Exodus 12:6
6 And 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.
Analysis
The Hebrew 'ben ha'arbayim' (בֵּין הָעַרְבָּיִם) literally means 'between the evenings,' referring to the time between the sun's decline and sunset (approximately 3-6 PM). The requirement that 'the whole assembly' participate emphasizes corporate responsibility—every household shares in the sacrificial death. Christ died at the ninth hour (3 PM, Mark 15:34), precisely during Passover preparation.
Historical Context
The fourteenth of Abib placed Passover at the full moon, providing maximum light for the nighttime exodus. The corporate slaughter meant hundreds of thousands of lambs were killed simultaneously throughout Goshen.
Reflection
- How does the timing of Christ's death at Passover reveal God's meticulous orchestration of redemptive history?
- What does the whole assembly's participation teach about the church's corporate identification with Christ's death?
Cross-References
- References Israel: Exodus 16:12, Acts 4:27
- Parallel theme: Exodus 12:18, Leviticus 23:5, Numbers 9:11, 28:16, Ezekiel 45:21, Mark 15:1