God institutes the Passover: each household slaughters a lamb at twilight, applies blood to the doorposts, and eats in haste with sandals on. At midnight the LORD strikes every Egyptian firstborn. Pharaoh finally drives Israel out, and they leave after 430 years, plundering Egypt.
The Passover resets Israel's calendar — 'this month shall be the beginning of months for you' (v2). Liberation redefines time itself. The word tamim ('without blemish,' v5) describing the lamb is the same word used for Noah's character (Genesis 6:9) and Abraham's covenant walk (Genesis 17:1) — physical wholeness in the offering symbolizes moral wholeness. The communal timing (bein ha'arbayim, 'between the evenings') means every household acts simultaneously; the Passover is a national act, not a private one.
The phrase bein ha'arbayim ('at twilight,' v6) — literally 'between the evenings' — has been debated in Jewish tradition for centuries. We rendered it 'at twilight' as the most accessible reading. The word edah ('congregation,' v3) appears for the first time in Exodus, and we retained 'congregation' to mark the shift from family units to a constituted community. The blood on the doorposts functions as a sign (ot) for the LORD, not as a magical ward — our rendering preserves this theological distinction.
The Passover lamb anticipates Isaiah 53:7 and John 1:29. The blood on the doorposts connects to the covenant blood of 24:8. The 430 years fulfill Genesis 15:13-16. The command to retell the story (v26-27) grounds the Passover Haggadah tradition. Paul identifies Christ as 'our Passover lamb' in 1 Corinthians 5:7. **Tradition comparisons:** The Samaritan Pentateuch differs significantly here: SP (and LXX) add 'and their fathers' and 'in the land of Canaan and,' making the 430 years cover both the patriarchal sojourn in Canaan AND the Egyptian slavery, not Egypt alone. This dramatically sho.... See the [Samaritan Pentateuch](/samaritan-pentateuch/exodus). Targum Onkelos interprets this chapter with notable Aramaic renderings: God does not 'pass through' Egypt like a traveler. Onkelos replaces physical movement with divine self-revelation, consistent with the theology that God acts without spatial displacement. (4 notable renderings in this chapter) See the [Targum Onkelos on Exodus](/targum/exodus).
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהֹוָה֙ אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֣ה וְאֶֽל־אַהֲרֹ֔ן בְּאֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרַ֖יִם לֵאמֹֽר׃
The LORD said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt,
KJV And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying,
הַחֹ֧דֶשׁ הַזֶּ֛ה לָכֶ֖ם רֹ֣אשׁ חֳדָשִׁ֑ים רִאשׁ֥וֹן הוּא֙ לָכֶ֔ם לְחׇדְשֵׁ֖י הַשָּׁנָֽה׃
"This month will mark the beginning of months for you. It will be the first month of your year.
KJV This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you.
דַּבְּר֗וּ אֶֽל־כׇּל־עֲדַ֤ת יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר בֶּעָשֹׂ֖ר לַחֹ֣דֶשׁ הַזֶּ֑ה וְיִקְח֣וּ לָהֶ֗ם אִ֛ישׁ שֶׂ֥ה לְבֵית־אָבֹ֖ת שֶׂ֥ה לַבָּֽיִת׃
Speak to the whole congregation of Israel, saying: On the tenth day of this month, each man shall take a lamb for his father's household — a lamb for each household.
KJV Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house:
וְאִם־יִמְעַ֣ט הַבַּ֘יִת֮ מִהְי֣וֹת מִשֶּׂה֒ וְלָקַ֣ח ה֗וּא וּשְׁכֵנ֛וֹ הַקָּרֹ֥ב אֶל־בֵּית֖וֹ בְּמִכְסַ֣ת נְפָשֹׁ֑ת אִ֚ישׁ לְפִ֣י אׇכְל֔וֹ תָּכֹ֖סּוּ עַל־הַשֶּֽׂה׃
If the household is too small for a lamb, he and his nearest neighbor shall take one according to the number of persons. According to what each can eat, you shall apportion the lamb.
KJV And if the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbour next unto his house take it according to the number of the souls; every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb.
שֶׂ֥ה תָמִ֛ים זָכָ֥ר בֶּן־שָׁנָ֖ה יִהְיֶ֣ה לָכֶ֑ם מִן־הַכְּבָשִׂ֥ים וּמִן־הָעִזִּ֖ים תִּקָּֽחוּ׃
Your lamb shall be without blemish, a year-old male. You may take it from the sheep or from the goats.
KJV Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats:
The sacrificial standard of physical wholeness. The same word describes Noah's character (Genesis 6:9) and is commanded of Abraham (Genesis 17:1). What God requires of persons, He also requires of offerings.
וְהָיָ֤ה לָכֶם֙ לְמִשְׁמֶ֔רֶת עַ֣ד אַרְבָּעָ֥ה עָשָׂ֛ר י֖וֹם לַחֹ֣דֶשׁ הַזֶּ֑ה וְשָׁחֲט֣וּ אֹת֗וֹ כֹּ֛ל קְהַ֥ל עֲדַֽת־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל בֵּ֥ין הָעַרְבָּֽיִם׃
You shall keep it until the fourteenth day of this month, and the whole assembled congregation of Israel shall slaughter it at twilight.
KJV 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.
וְלָֽקְחוּ֙ מִן־הַדָּ֔ם וְנָ֥תְנ֛וּ עַל־שְׁתֵּ֥י הַמְּזוּזֹ֖ת וְעַל־הַמַּשְׁק֑וֹף עַ֚ל הַבָּ֣תִּ֔ים אֲשֶׁר־יֹאכְל֥וּ אֹת֖וֹ בָּהֶֽם׃
They shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and on the lintel of the houses in which they eat it.
KJV And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it.
וְאָכְל֥וּ אֶת־הַבָּשָׂ֖ר בַּלַּ֣יְלָה הַזֶּ֑ה צְלִי־אֵ֣שׁ וּמַצּ֔וֹת עַל־מְרֹרִ֖ים יֹאכְלֻֽהוּ׃
They shall eat the flesh that night, roasted over fire, with unleavened bread and bitter herbs.
KJV And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it.
אַל־תֹּאכְל֤וּ מִמֶּ֙נּוּ֙ נָ֔א וּבָשֵׁ֥ל מְבֻשָּׁ֖ל בַּמָּ֑יִם כִּ֣י אִם־צְלִי־אֵ֔שׁ רֹאשׁ֥וֹ עַל־כְּרָעָ֖יו וְעַל־קִרְבּֽוֹ׃
Do not eat any of it raw or boiled in water, but roasted over fire — its head with its legs and its inner parts.
KJV Eat not of it raw, nor sodden at all with water, but roast with fire; his head with his legs, and with the purtenance thereof.
וְלֹא־תוֹתִ֥ירוּ מִמֶּ֖נּוּ עַד־בֹּ֑קֶר וְהַנֹּתָ֥ר מִמֶּ֛נּוּ עַד־בֹּ֖קֶר בָּאֵ֥שׁ תִּשְׂרֹֽפוּ׃
You shall not leave any of it until morning. Whatever remains until morning you shall burn with fire.
KJV And ye shall let nothing of it remain until the morning; and that which remaineth of it until the morning ye shall burn with fire.
וְכָ֘כָה֮ תֹּאכְל֣וּ אֹתוֹ֒ מׇתְנֵיכֶ֣ם חֲגֻרִ֔ים נַֽעֲלֵיכֶם֙ בְּרַגְלֵיכֶ֔ם וּמַקֶּלְכֶ֖ם בְּיֶדְכֶ֑ם וַאֲכַלְתֶּ֤ם אֹתוֹ֙ בְּחִפָּז֔וֹן פֶּ֥סַח ה֖וּא לַיהֹוָֽה׃
This is how you shall eat it: with your belt fastened, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. You shall eat it in haste. It is the LORD's Passover.
KJV And 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.
The word pesach gives the festival its name. Its root meaning is debated: 'to pass over' (skip), 'to protect' (hover over and shield), or 'to have compassion.' All three meanings converge in the event: God sees the blood, protects the household, and passes over in judgment.
וְעָבַרְתִּ֣י בְאֶֽרֶץ־מִצְרַ֘יִם֮ בַּלַּ֣יְלָה הַזֶּה֒ וְהִכֵּיתִ֤י כׇל־בְּכוֹר֙ בְּאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרַ֔יִם מֵאָדָ֖ם וְעַד־בְּהֵמָ֑ה וּבְכׇל־אֱלֹהֵ֥י מִצְרַ֛יִם אֶֽעֱשֶׂ֥ה שְׁפָטִ֖ים אֲנִ֥י יְהֹוָֽה׃
I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will strike down every firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast. Against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments. I am the LORD.
KJV For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD.
Targum Onkelos (Aramaic, 1st-5th c. CE)anti-anthropomorphism
"And I will reveal myself in the land of Egypt... I am the LORD."
God does not 'pass through' Egypt like a traveler. Onkelos replaces physical movement with divine self-revelation, consistent with the theology that God acts without spatial displacement.
וְהָיָה֩ הַדָּ֨ם לָכֶ֜ם לְאֹ֗ת עַ֤ל הַבָּתִּים֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אַתֶּ֣ם שָׁ֔ם וְרָאִ֙יתִי֙ אֶת־הַדָּ֔ם וּפָסַחְתִּ֖י עֲלֵכֶ֑ם וְלֹֽא־יִֽהְיֶ֨ה בָכֶ֥ם נֶ֙גֶף֙ לְמַשְׁחִ֔ית בְּהַכֹּתִ֖י בְּאֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרָֽיִם׃
The blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live. When I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague shall fall upon you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.
KJV And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.
The defining verb of the Passover: God Himself performs the pesach action. The blood is the covenant sign; the passing-over is the covenant act. Together they constitute the foundational act of Israelite redemption.
Targum Onkelos (Aramaic, 1st-5th c. CE)theological
"And I will see the blood and I will have mercy upon you."
Onkelos interprets 'pass over' (pasach) as 'have mercy' (echush), shifting from a physical action (skipping over houses) to a theological one (exercising mercy). This deepens the Passover from spatial movement to divine compassion.
וְהָיָה֩ הַיּ֨וֹם הַזֶּ֤ה לָכֶם֙ לְזִכָּר֔וֹן וְחַגֹּתֶ֥ם אֹת֖וֹ חַ֣ג לַֽיהֹוָ֑ה לְדֹרֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם חֻקַּ֥ת עוֹלָ֖ם תְּחׇגֻּֽהוּ׃
This day shall be a memorial for you, and you shall celebrate it as a feast to the LORD. Throughout your generations you shall celebrate it as an eternal ordinance.
KJV And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.
Active remembrance that makes the past present. The Passover zikkaron is not nostalgic recall but liturgical re-entry into the exodus. Each generation does not merely remember the departure; they experience it.
שִׁבְעַ֤ת יָמִים֙ מַצּ֣וֹת תֹּאכֵ֔לוּ אַ֚ךְ בַּיּ֣וֹם הָרִאשׁ֔וֹן תַּשְׁבִּ֥יתוּ שְּׂאֹ֖ר מִבָּתֵּיכֶ֑ם כִּ֣י ׀ כׇּל־אֹכֵ֣ל חָמֵ֗ץ וְנִכְרְתָ֞ה הַנֶּ֤פֶשׁ הַהִוא֙ מִיִּשְׂרָאֵ֔ל מִיּ֥וֹם הָרִאשֹׁ֖ן עַד־י֥וֹם הַשְּׁבִעִֽי׃
Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread. On the first day you shall remove leaven from your houses. Whoever eats anything leavened from the first day to the seventh day — that person shall be cut off from Israel.
KJV Seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread; even the first day ye shall put away leaven out of your houses: for whosoever eateth leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that soul shall be cut off from Israel.
וּבַיּ֤וֹם הָרִאשׁוֹן֙ מִקְרָא־קֹ֔דֶשׁ וּבַיּוֹם֙ הַשְּׁבִיעִ֔י מִקְרָא־קֹ֖דֶשׁ יִהְיֶ֣ה לָכֶ֑ם כׇּל־מְלָאכָה֙ לֹא־יֵעָשֶׂ֣ה בָהֶ֔ם אַ֚ךְ אֲשֶׁ֣ר יֵאָכֵ֣ל לְכׇל־נֶ֔פֶשׁ ה֥וּא לְבַדּ֖וֹ יֵעָשֶׂ֥ה לָכֶֽם׃
On the first day there shall be a holy assembly, and on the seventh day a holy assembly. No work shall be done on those days, except what is needed for each person to eat — that alone may be prepared by you.
KJV And in the first day there shall be an holy convocation, and in the seventh day there shall be an holy convocation to you; no manner of work shall be done in them, save that which every man must eat, that only may be done of you.
וּשְׁמַרְתֶּם֮ אֶת־הַמַּצּוֹת֒ כִּ֗י בְּעֶ֙צֶם֙ הַיּ֣וֹם הַזֶּ֔ה הוֹצֵ֥אתִי אֶת־צִבְאוֹתֵיכֶ֖ם מֵאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרָ֑יִם וּשְׁמַרְתֶּ֞ם אֶת־הַיּ֥וֹם הַזֶּ֛ה לְדֹרֹתֵיכֶ֖ם חֻקַּ֥ת עוֹלָֽם׃
You shall observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread, for on this very day I brought your hosts out of the land of Egypt. You shall observe this day throughout your generations as an eternal ordinance.
KJV And ye shall observe the feast of unleavened bread; for in this selfsame day have I brought your armies out of the land of Egypt: therefore shall ye observe this day in your generations by an ordinance for ever.
בָּרִאשֹׁ֡ן בְּאַרְבָּעָה֩ עָשָׂ֨ר י֤וֹם לַחֹ֙דֶשׁ֙ בָּעֶ֔רֶב תֹּאכְל֖וּ מַצֹּ֑ת עַ֠ד י֣וֹם הָאֶחָ֧ד וְעֶשְׂרִ֛ים לַחֹ֖דֶשׁ בָּעָֽרֶב׃
In the first month, from the evening of the fourteenth day until the evening of the twenty-first day, you shall eat unleavened bread.
KJV In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at even, ye shall eat unleavened bread, until the one and twentieth day of the month at even.
שִׁבְעַ֣ת יָמִ֔ים שְׂאֹ֕ר לֹ֥א יִמָּצֵ֖א בְּבָתֵּיכֶ֑ם כִּ֣י ׀ כׇּל־אֹכֵ֣ל מַחְמֶ֗צֶת וְנִכְרְתָ֞ה הַנֶּ֤פֶשׁ הַהִוא֙ מֵעֲדַ֣ת יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל בַּגֵּ֖ר וּבְאֶזְרַ֥ח הָאָֽרֶץ׃
For seven days no leaven shall be found in your houses. Whoever eats what is leavened — that person shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether sojourner or native of the land.
KJV Seven days shall there be no leaven found in your houses: for whosoever eateth that which is leavened, even that soul shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he be a stranger, or born in the land.
כׇּל־מַחְמֶ֖צֶת לֹ֣א תֹאכֵ֑לוּ בְּכֹל֙ מוֹשְׁבֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם תֹּאכְל֖וּ מַצּֽוֹת׃ {פ}
You shall eat nothing leavened. In all your dwellings you shall eat unleavened bread."
KJV Ye shall eat nothing leavened; in all your habitations shall ye eat unleavened bread.
וַיִּקְרָ֥א מֹשֶׁ֛ה לְכׇל־זִקְנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֲלֵהֶ֑ם מִֽשְׁכ֗וּ וּקְח֨וּ לָכֶ֥ם צֹ֛אן לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתֵיכֶ֖ם וְשַׁחֲט֥וּ הַפָּֽסַח׃
Then Moses called all the elders of Israel and said to them, "Go and select lambs for your families, and slaughter the Passover lamb.
KJV Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said unto them, Draw out and take you a lamb according to your families, and kill the passover.
וּלְקַחְתֶּ֞ם אֲגֻדַּ֣ת אֵז֗וֹב וּטְבַלְתֶּם֮ בַּדָּ֣ם אֲשֶׁר־בַּסַּף֒ וְהִגַּעְתֶּ֤ם אֶל־הַמַּשְׁקוֹף֙ וְאֶל־שְׁתֵּ֣י הַמְּזוּזֹ֔ת מִן־הַדָּ֖ם אֲשֶׁ֣ר בַּסָּ֑ף וְאַתֶּ֗ם לֹ֥א תֵצְא֛וּ אִ֥ישׁ מִפֶּֽתַח־בֵּית֖וֹ עַד־בֹּֽקֶר׃
Take a bunch of hyssop and dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and touch the lintel and the two doorposts with the blood in the basin. None of you shall go out of the door of his house until morning.
KJV And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the bason, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the bason; and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning.
וְעָבַ֣ר יְהֹוָה֮ לִנְגֹּ֣ף אֶת־מִצְרַ֒יִם֒ וְרָאָ֤ה אֶת־הַדָּם֙ עַל־הַמַּשְׁק֔וֹף וְעַ֖ל שְׁתֵּ֣י הַמְּזוּזֹ֑ת וּפָסַ֤ח יְהֹוָה֙ עַל־הַפֶּ֔תַח וְלֹ֤א יִתֵּן֙ הַמַּשְׁחִ֔ית לָבֹ֥א אֶל־בָּתֵּיכֶ֖ם לִנְגֹּֽף׃
For the LORD will pass through to strike the Egyptians, and when He sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the LORD will pass over the door and will not allow the destroyer to enter your houses to strike you.
KJV For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the LORD will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you.
Targum Onkelos (Aramaic, 1st-5th c. CE)theological
"And he will not allow the destroying angel to enter your houses."
The 'destroyer' (mashchit) is identified as 'the destroying angel' (malakha demachei), an angelic agent rather than an impersonal force. This clarifies the agent of the plague while distancing God from direct destruction.
וּשְׁמַרְתֶּ֖ם אֶת־הַדָּבָ֣ר הַזֶּ֑ה לְחׇק־לְךָ֥ וּלְבָנֶ֖יךָ עַד־עוֹלָֽם׃
You shall observe this as an ordinance for you and your sons forever.
KJV And ye shall observe this thing for an ordinance to thee and to thy sons for ever.
וְהָיָ֞ה כִּֽי־תָבֹ֣אוּ אֶל־הָאָ֗רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֨ר יִתֵּ֧ן יְהֹוָ֛ה לָכֶ֖ם כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר דִּבֵּ֑ר וּשְׁמַרְתֶּ֖ם אֶת־הָעֲבֹדָ֥ה הַזֹּֽאת׃
When you come to the land that the LORD will give you, as He has promised, you shall keep this service.
KJV And it shall come to pass, when ye be come to the land which the LORD will give you, according as he hath promised, that ye shall keep this service.
וְהָיָ֕ה כִּֽי־יֹאמְר֥וּ אֲלֵיכֶ֖ם בְּנֵיכֶ֑ם מָ֛ה הָעֲבֹדָ֥ה הַזֹּ֖את לָכֶֽם׃
When your children say to you, 'What does this service mean to you?'
KJV And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto you, What mean ye by this service?
וַאֲמַרְתֶּ֡ם זֶֽבַח־פֶּ֨סַח ה֜וּא לַֽיהֹוָ֗ה אֲשֶׁ֣ר פָּ֠סַ֠ח עַל־בָּתֵּ֤י בְנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ בְּמִצְרַ֔יִם בְּנׇגְפּ֥וֹ אֶת־מִצְרַ֖יִם וְאֶת־בָּתֵּ֣ינוּ הִצִּ֑יל וַיִּקֹּ֥ד הָעָ֖ם וַיִּֽשְׁתַּחֲוֽוּ׃
you shall say, 'It is the sacrifice of the LORD's Passover, for He passed over the houses of the sons of Israel in Egypt when He struck the Egyptians but delivered our households.'" And the people bowed their heads and worshipped.
KJV That ye shall say, It is the sacrifice of the LORD’S passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses. And the people bowed the head and worshipped.
וַיֵּלְכ֥וּ וַֽיַּעֲשׂ֖וּ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל כַּאֲשֶׁ֨ר צִוָּ֧ה יְהֹוָ֛ה אֶת־מֹשֶׁ֥ה וְאַהֲרֹ֖ן כֵּ֥ן עָשֽׂוּ׃ {ס}
The sons of Israel went and did so. Just as the LORD had commanded Moses and Aaron, so they did.
KJV And the children of Israel went away, and did as the LORD had commanded Moses and Aaron, so did they.
וַיְהִ֣י ׀ בַּחֲצִ֣י הַלַּ֗יְלָה וַֽיהֹוָה֮ הִכָּ֣ה כׇל־בְּכוֹר֮ בְּאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרַ֒יִם֒ מִבְּכֹ֤ר פַּרְעֹה֙ הַיֹּשֵׁ֣ב עַל־כִּסְא֔וֹ עַ֚ד בְּכ֣וֹר הַשְּׁבִ֔י אֲשֶׁ֖ר בְּבֵ֣ית הַבּ֑וֹר וְכֹ֖ל בְּכ֥וֹר בְּהֵמָֽה׃
At midnight the LORD struck down every firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the captive in the dungeon, and all the firstborn of the livestock.
KJV And it came to pass, that at midnight the LORD smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle.
וַיָּ֨קׇם פַּרְעֹ֜ה לַ֗יְלָה ה֤וּא וְכׇל־עֲבָדָיו֙ וְכׇל־מִצְרַ֔יִם וַתְּהִ֛י צְעָקָ֥ה גְדֹלָ֖ה בְּמִצְרָ֑יִם כִּֽי־אֵ֣ין בַּ֔יִת אֲשֶׁ֥ר אֵֽין־שָׁ֖ם מֵֽת׃
Pharaoh rose in the night — he and all his servants and all the Egyptians — and there was a great cry in Egypt, for there was not a house where someone was not dead.
KJV And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt; for there was not a house where there was not one dead.
וַיִּקְרָא֩ לְמֹשֶׁ֨ה וּֽלְאַהֲרֹ֜ן לַ֗יְלָה וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ ק֤וּמוּ צְּאוּ֙ מִתּ֣וֹךְ עַמִּ֔י גַּם־אַתֶּ֖ם גַּם־בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וּלְכ֛וּ עִבְד֥וּ אֶת־יְהֹוָ֖ה כְּדַבֶּרְכֶֽם׃
He summoned Moses and Aaron by night and said, "Rise up, go out from among my people, both you and the sons of Israel! Go, serve the LORD, as you have said.
KJV And he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, Rise up, and get you forth from among my people, both ye and the children of Israel; and go, serve the LORD, as ye have said.
גַּם־צֹאנְכֶ֨ם גַּם־בְּקַרְכֶ֥ם קְח֛וּ כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר דִּבַּרְתֶּ֖ם וָלֵ֑כוּ וּבֵֽרַכְתֶּ֖ם גַּם־אֹתִֽי׃
Take your flocks and your herds, as you have said, and go — and bless me also."
KJV Also take your flocks and your herds, as ye have said, and be gone; and bless me also.
וַתֶּחֱזַ֤ק מִצְרַ֙יִם֙ עַל־הָעָ֔ם לְמַהֵ֖ר לְשַׁלְּחָ֣ם מִן־הָאָ֑רֶץ כִּ֥י אָמְר֖וּ כֻּלָּ֥נוּ מֵתִֽים׃
The Egyptians pressed the people hard, urging them to leave the land quickly, for they said, "We shall all be dead."
KJV And the Egyptians were urgent upon the people, that they might send them out of the land in haste; for they said, We be all dead men.
וַיִּשָּׂ֥א הָעָ֛ם אֶת־בְּצֵק֖וֹ טֶ֣רֶם יֶחְמָ֑ץ מִשְׁאֲרֹתָ֛ם צְרֻרֹ֥ת בְּשִׂמְלֹתָ֖ם עַל־שִׁכְמָֽם׃
So the people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneading bowls wrapped in their cloaks on their shoulders.
KJV And the people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneadingtroughs being bound up in their clothes upon their shoulders.
וּבְנֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֥ל עָשׂ֖וּ כִּדְבַ֣ר מֹשֶׁ֑ה וַֽיִּשְׁאֲלוּ֙ מִמִּצְרַ֔יִם כְּלֵי־כֶ֛סֶף וּכְלֵ֥י זָהָ֖ב וּשְׂמָלֹֽת׃
The sons of Israel had done as Moses told them: they had asked the Egyptians for articles of silver and articles of gold and for clothing.
KJV And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment:
וַֽיהֹוָ֞ה נָתַ֨ן אֶת־חֵ֥ן הָעָ֛ם בְּעֵינֵ֥י מִצְרַ֖יִם וַיַּשְׁאִל֑וּם וַֽיְנַצְּל֖וּ אֶת־מִצְרָֽיִם׃ {פ}
The LORD had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they let them have what they asked. Thus they plundered the Egyptians.
KJV And the LORD gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required. And they spoiled the Egyptians.
וַיִּסְע֧וּ בְנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל מֵרַעְמְסֵ֖ס סֻכֹּ֑תָה כְּשֵׁשׁ־מֵא֨וֹת אֶ֧לֶף רַגְלִ֛י הַגְּבָרִ֖ים לְבַ֥ד מִטָּֽף׃
The sons of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides women and children.
KJV And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children.
וְגַם־עֵ֥רֶב רַ֖ב עָלָ֣ה אִתָּ֑ם וְצֹ֣אן וּבָקָ֔ר מִקְנֶ֖ה כָּבֵ֥ד מְאֹֽד׃
A mixed multitude also went up with them, along with very many flocks and herds of livestock.
KJV And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and herds, even very much cattle.
וַיֹּאפ֨וּ אֶת־הַבָּצֵ֜ק אֲשֶׁ֨ר הוֹצִ֧יאוּ מִמִּצְרַ֛יִם עֻגֹ֥ת מַצּ֖וֹת כִּ֣י לֹ֣א חָמֵ֑ץ כִּֽי־גֹרְשׁ֣וּ מִמִּצְרַ֗יִם וְלֹ֤א יָֽכְלוּ֙ לְהִתְמַהְמֵ֔הַּ וְגַם־צֵדָ֖ה לֹא־עָשׂ֥וּ לָהֶֽם׃
They baked the dough that they had brought out of Egypt into unleavened cakes, for it was not leavened — because they were driven out of Egypt and could not wait, and they had not prepared any provisions for themselves.
KJV And they baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they brought forth out of Egypt, for it was not leavened; because they were thrust out of Egypt, and could not tarry, neither had they prepared for themselves any victual.
וּמוֹשַׁב֙ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל אֲשֶׁ֥ר יָשְׁב֖וּ בְּמִצְרָ֑יִם שְׁלֹשִׁ֣ים שָׁנָ֔ה וְאַרְבַּ֥ע מֵא֖וֹת שָׁנָֽה׃
The time that the sons of Israel lived in Egypt was 430 years.
KJV Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, was four hundred and thirty years.
Samaritan Pentateuch (4th c. BCE divergence)high
"The dwelling of the children of Israel and their fathers who dwelt in the land of Canaan and in the land of Egypt was four hundred and thirty years"
SP (and LXX) add 'and their fathers' and 'in the land of Canaan and,' making the 430 years cover both the patriarchal sojourn in Canaan AND the Egyptian slavery, not Egypt alone. This dramatically shortens the Egyptian bondage to approximately 215 years. Paul's argument in Galatians 3:17 depends on this longer reckoning. This is one of the most consequential chronological variants in the entire Bible.
וַיְהִ֗י מִקֵּץ֙ שְׁלֹשִׁ֣ים שָׁנָ֔ה וְאַרְבַּ֥ע מֵא֖וֹת שָׁנָ֑ה וַיְהִ֗י בְּעֶ֙צֶם֙ הַיּ֣וֹם הַזֶּ֔ה יָ֥צְא֛וּ כׇּל־צִבְא֥וֹת יְהֹוָ֖ה מֵאֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרָֽיִם׃
At the end of 430 years, on that very day, all the hosts of the LORD went out from the land of Egypt.
KJV And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years, even the selfsame day it came to pass, that all the hosts of the LORD went out from the land of Egypt.
לֵ֣יל שִׁמֻּרִ֥ים הוּא֙ לַֽיהֹוָ֔ה לְהוֹצִיאָ֖ם מֵאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרָ֑יִם הֽוּא־הַלַּ֤יְלָה הַזֶּה֙ לַֽיהֹוָ֔ה שִׁמֻּרִ֛ים לְכׇל־בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל לְדֹרֹתָֽם׃ {פ}
It was a night of watching by the LORD, to bring them out of the land of Egypt. This same night is a night of watching kept to the LORD by all the sons of Israel throughout their generations.
KJV It is a night to be much observed unto the LORD for bringing them out from the land of Egypt: this is that night of the LORD to be observed of all the children of Israel in their generations.
An intensive plural unique to this verse. God watches over Israel; Israel watches in remembrance of God. The mutual watching defines the Passover night as a shared vigil between God and His people across all generations.
Targum Onkelos (Aramaic, 1st-5th c. CE)poem-of-four-nights
"It is a night of watching before the LORD... four nights [are recorded in the memorial book]."
This is the Poem of Four Nights, the most famous unique composition in the targum tradition. Onkelos (and more fully Pseudo-Jonathan and Neofiti) expands this verse into a cosmic four-night schema: (1) the night of creation when God's Memra illuminated the darkness, (2) the night of Abraham's covenant/Aqedah, (3) the night of the Exodus, and (4) the night of the Messiah's coming. This links all of salvation history into a single nocturnal typology.
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהֹוָה֙ אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֣ה וְאַהֲרֹ֔ן זֹ֖את חֻקַּ֣ת הַפָּ֑סַח כׇּל־בֶּן־נֵכָ֖ר לֹא־יֹ֥אכַל בּֽוֹ׃
The LORD said to Moses and Aaron, "This is the statute of the Passover: no foreigner shall eat of it,
KJV And the LORD said unto Moses and Aaron, This is the ordinance of the passover: There shall no stranger eat thereof:
וְכׇל־עֶ֥בֶד אִ֖ישׁ מִקְנַת־כָּ֑סֶף וּמַלְתָּ֣ה אֹת֔וֹ אָ֖ז יֹ֥אכַל בּֽוֹ׃
but every slave purchased with silver, after you have circumcised him, may eat of it.
KJV But every man’s servant that is bought for money, when thou hast circumcised him, then shall he eat thereof.
תּוֹשָׁ֥ב וְשָׂכִ֖יר לֹא־יֹ֥אכַל בּֽוֹ׃
A temporary resident and a hired worker shall not eat of it.
KJV A foreigner and an hired servant shall not eat thereof.
בְּבַ֤יִת אֶחָד֙ יֵאָכֵ֔ל לֹא־תוֹצִ֧יא מִן־הַבַּ֛יִת מִן־הַבָּשָׂ֖ר ח֑וּצָה וְעֶ֖צֶם לֹ֥א תִשְׁבְּרוּ־בֽוֹ׃
It shall be eaten in one house. You shall not take any of the flesh outside the house, and you shall not break any of its bones.
KJV In one house shall it be eaten; thou shalt not carry forth ought of the flesh abroad out of the house; neither shall ye break a bone thereof.
The Passover lamb must remain whole — its integrity preserved even in death. John 19:36 cites this as fulfilled in the crucifixion of Jesus, where the soldiers did not break his legs.
כׇּל־עֲדַ֥ת יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל יַעֲשׂ֥וּ אֹתֽוֹ׃
The whole congregation of Israel shall keep it.
KJV All the congregation of Israel shall keep it.
וְכִֽי־יָג֨וּר אִתְּךָ֜ גֵּ֗ר וְעָ֣שָׂה פֶ֘סַח֮ לַיהֹוָה֒ הִמּ֧וֹל ל֣וֹ כׇל־זָכָ֗ר וְאָז֙ יִקְרַ֣ב לַעֲשֹׂת֔וֹ וְהָיָ֖ה כְּאֶזְרַ֣ח הָאָ֑רֶץ וְכׇל־עָרֵ֖ל לֹֽא־יֹ֥אכַל בּֽוֹ׃
If a sojourner lives with you and wants to keep the Passover to the LORD, let all his males be circumcised, and then he may come near and keep it. He shall be as a native of the land. But no uncircumcised person shall eat of it.
KJV And 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.
תּוֹרָ֣ה אַחַ֔ת יִהְיֶ֖ה לָֽאֶזְרָ֑ח וְלַגֵּ֖ר הַגָּ֥ר בְּתוֹכְכֶֽם׃
There shall be one law for the native and for the sojourner who lives among you."
KJV One law shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you.
וַֽיַּעֲשׂ֖וּ כׇּל־בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל כַּאֲשֶׁ֨ר צִוָּ֧ה יְהֹוָ֛ה אֶת־מֹשֶׁ֥ה וְאֶֽת־אַהֲרֹ֖ן כֵּ֥ן עָשֽׂוּ׃ {ס}
All the sons of Israel did so. Just as the LORD had commanded Moses and Aaron, so they did.
KJV Thus did all the children of Israel; as the LORD commanded Moses and Aaron, so did they.
וַיְהִ֕י בְּעֶ֖צֶם הַיּ֣וֹם הַזֶּ֑ה הוֹצִ֨יא יְהֹוָ֜ה אֶת־בְּנֵ֧י יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל מֵאֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרַ֖יִם עַל־צִבְאֹתָֽם׃ {פ}
On that very day the LORD brought the sons of Israel out of the land of Egypt by their hosts.
KJV And it came to pass the selfsame day, that the LORD did bring the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt by their armies.