
Text -- Exodus 12:43-51 (NET)




Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics



collapse allCommentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)
Unless he submit to be circumcised.

Wesley: Exo 12:47 - -- Though it was observed in families apart, yet it is looked upon as the act of the whole congregation. And so the new testament passover, the Lord's su...
Though it was observed in families apart, yet it is looked upon as the act of the whole congregation. And so the new testament passover, the Lord's supper, ought not to be neglected by any that are capable of celebrating it.

Wesley: Exo 12:48 - -- No stranger that was uncircumcised might eat of it. Neither may any now approach the Lord's supper who have not first submitted to baptism; nor shall ...
No stranger that was uncircumcised might eat of it. Neither may any now approach the Lord's supper who have not first submitted to baptism; nor shall any partake of the benefit of Christ's sacrifice, who are not first circumcised in heart. Any stranger that was circumcised might eat of the passover, even servants. Here is an indication of favour to the poor Gentiles, that the stranger, if circumcised, stands upon the same level with the home-born Israelite; one law for both. This was a mortification to the Jews, and taught them that it was their dedication to God, not their descent from Abraham, that entitled them to their privileges.
JFB -> Exo 12:49
JFB: Exo 12:49 - -- This regulation displays the liberal spirit of the Hebrew institutions. Any foreigner might obtain admission to the privileges of the nation on comply...
This regulation displays the liberal spirit of the Hebrew institutions. Any foreigner might obtain admission to the privileges of the nation on complying with their sacred ordinances. In the Mosaic equally as in the Christian dispensation, privilege and duty were inseparably conjoined.
Clarke: Exo 12:43 - -- This is the ordinance of the passover - From the last verse of this chapter it appears pretty evident that this, to the 50th verse inclusive, consti...
This is the ordinance of the passover - From the last verse of this chapter it appears pretty evident that this, to the 50th verse inclusive, constituted a part of the directions given to Moses relative to the proper observance of the first passover, and should be read conjointly with the preceding account beginning at Exo 12:21. It may be supposed that these latter parts contain such particular directions as God gave to Moses after he had given those general ones mentioned in the preceding verses, but they seem all to belong to this first passover

Clarke: Exo 12:43 - -- There shall no stranger eat thereof - בן נכר ben nechar , the son of a stranger or foreigner, i.e., one who was not of the genuine Hebrew stoc...
There shall no stranger eat thereof -
In treatises on the religious customs of the Jews we frequently meet with the term proselyte, from the Greek

Clarke: Exo 12:45 - -- A foreigner - תושב toshab , from ישב yashab , to sit down or dwell; one who is a mere sojourner, for the purpose of traffic, merchandise, e...
A foreigner -

Clarke: Exo 12:45 - -- And a hired servant - Who, though he be bought with money, or has indented himself for a certain term to serve a Jew, yet has not become either a pr...
And a hired servant - Who, though he be bought with money, or has indented himself for a certain term to serve a Jew, yet has not become either a proselyte of the gate or of the covenant. None of these shall eat of it, because not circumcised - not brought under the bond of the covenant; and not being under obligation to observe the Mosaic law, had no right to its privileges and blessings. Even under the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, he is the author of eternal salvation only to them who Obey him, Heb 5:9; and those who become Christians are chosen to salvation through Sanctification of the Spirit, and belief of the truth, 2Th 2:13; for the grace of God, that bringeth salvation to all men, hath appeared, teaching us that, Denying Ungodliness and Worldly Lusts we should live Soberly, Righteously, and Godly, in this present world; Tit 2:11, Tit 2:12. Such persons only walk worthy of the vocation wherewith they are called.

Clarke: Exo 12:46 - -- In one house shall it be eaten - In one family, if that be large enough; if not, a neighboring family might be invited, Exo 12:4
In one house shall it be eaten - In one family, if that be large enough; if not, a neighboring family might be invited, Exo 12:4

Clarke: Exo 12:46 - -- Thou shalt not carry forth aught of the flesh - Every family must abide within doors because of the destroying angel, none being permitted to go out...
Thou shalt not carry forth aught of the flesh - Every family must abide within doors because of the destroying angel, none being permitted to go out of his house till the next day, Exo 12:22

Clarke: Exo 12:46 - -- Neither shall ye break a bone thereof - As it was to be eaten in haste, (Exo 12:11), there was no time either to separate the bones, or to break the...
Neither shall ye break a bone thereof - As it was to be eaten in haste, (Exo 12:11), there was no time either to separate the bones, or to break them in order to extract the marrow; and lest they should be tempted to consume time in this way, therefore this ordinance was given. It is very likely that, when the whole lamb was brought to table, they cut off the flesh without even separating any of the large joints, leaving the skeleton, with whatever flesh they could not eat, to be consumed with fire, Exo 12:10. This precept was also given to point out a most remarkable circumstance which 1500 years after was to take place in the crucifixion of the Savior of mankind, who was the true Paschal Lamb, that Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world; who, though he was crucified as a common malefactor, and it was a universal custom to break the legs of such on the cross, yet so did the providence of God order it that a bone of Him was not broken. See the fulfillment of this wondrously expressive type, Joh 19:33, Joh 19:36.

Clarke: Exo 12:48 - -- And when a stranger - will keep the passover, etc. - Let all who sojourn among you, and who desire to partake of this sacred ordinance, not only be ...
And when a stranger - will keep the passover, etc. - Let all who sojourn among you, and who desire to partake of this sacred ordinance, not only be circumcised themselves, but all the males of their families likewise, that they may all have an equal right to the blessings of the covenant.

Clarke: Exo 12:49 - -- One law shall be to him that is home-born, etc. - As this is the first place that the term תורה torah or Law occurs, a term of the greatest i...
One law shall be to him that is home-born, etc. - As this is the first place that the term
The word
The word lex , law, among the Romans, has been derived from lego , I read; because when a law or statute was made, it was hung up in the most public places, that it might be seen, read, and known by all men, that those who were to obey the laws might not break them through ignorance, and thus incur the penalty. This was called promulgatio legis, q. provulgatio , the promulgation of the law, i.e., the laying it before the common people. Or from ligo , I bind, because the law binds men to the strict observance of its precepts. The Greeks call a law

Clarke: Exo 12:51 - -- By their armies - צבאתם tsibotham , from צבא tsaba , to assemble, meet together, in an orderly or regulated manner, and hence to war, to a...
By their armies -
On this chapter the notes have been so full and so explicit, that little can be added to set the subject before the reader in a clearer light. On the ordinance of the Passover, the reader is requested to consult the notes on Exo 12:7, Exo 12:14, and Exo 12:27. See Clarke’ s note on Exo 12:7. See Clarke’ s note on Exo 12:14. See Clarke’ s note on Exo 12:27. For the display of God’ s power and providence in supporting so great a multitude where, humanly speaking, there was no provision, and the proof that the exodus of the Israelites gives of the truth of the Mosaic history, he is referred to Exo 12:37. And for the meaning of the term Law, to Exo 12:49
On the ten plagues it may be but just necessary, after what has been said in the notes, to make a few general reflections. When the nature of the Egyptian idolatry is considered, and the plagues which were sent upon them, we may see at once the peculiarity of the judgment, and the great propriety of its being inflicted in the way related by Moses. The plagues were either inflicted on the objects of their idolatry, or by their means
1. That the river Nile was an object of their worship and one of their greatest gods, we have already seen. As the First plague, its waters were therefore turned into blood; and the fish, many of which were objects also of their adoration, died. Blood was particularly offensive to them, and the touch of any dead animal rendered them unclean. When then their great god, the river, was turned into blood, and its waters became putrid, so that all the fish, minor objects of their devotion, died, we see a judgment at once calculated to punish, correct, and reform them. Could they ever more trust in gods who could neither save themselves nor their deluded worshippers
2. Mr. Bryant has endeavored to prove that frogs, the Second plague, were sacred animals in Egypt, and dedicated to Osiris: they certainly appear on many ancient Egyptian monuments, and in such circumstances and connections as to show that they were held in religious veneration. These therefore became an awful scourge; first, by their numbers, and their intrusion into every place; and, secondly, by their death, and the infection of the atmosphere which took place in consequence
3. We have seen also that the Egyptians, especially the priests, affected great cleanliness, and would not wear woolen garments lest any kind of vermin should harbour about them. The Third plague, by means of lice or such like vermin, was wisely calculated both to humble and confound them. In this they immediately saw a power superior to any that could be exerted by their gods or their magicians; and the latter were obliged to confess, This is the finger of God
4. That flies were held sacred among the Egyptians and among various other nations, admits of the strongest proof. It is very probable that Baal-zebub himself was worshipped under the form of a fly or great cantharid. These, therefore, or some kind of winged noxious insects, became the prime agents in the Fourth plague; and if the cynomyia or dog-fly be intended, we have already seen in the notes with what propriety and effect this judgment was inflicted
5. The murrain or mortality among the cattle was the Fifth plague, and the most decisive mark of the power and indignation of Jehovah. That dogs, cats, monkeys, rams, heifers, and bulls, were all objects of their most religious veneration, all the world knows. These were smitten in a most singular manner by the hand of God; and the Egyptians saw themselves deprived at once of all their imaginary helpers. Even Apis, their ox-god, in whom they particularly trusted, now suffers, groans, and dies under the hand of Jehovah. Thus does he execute judgment against all the gods of Egypt. See Exo 12:12
6. The Sixth plague, viz., of boils and blains, was as appropriate as any of the preceding; and the sprinkling of the ashes, the means by which it was produced, peculiarly significant. Pharmacy, Mr. Bryant has observed, was in high repute among the Egyptians; and Isis, their most celebrated goddess, was considered as the preventer or healer of all diseases. "For this goddess,"says Diodorus, Hist., lib. i., "used to reveal herself to people in their sleep when they labored under any disorder, and afford them relief. Many who placed their confidence in her influence,
7. The grievous hail, the Seventh plague, attended with rain, thunder, and lightning, in a country where these scarcely ever occur, and according to an express prediction of Moses, must in the most signal manner point out the power and justice of God. Fire and water were some of the principal objects of Egyptian idolatry; and fire, as Porphyry says, they considered
8. In the Eighth plague we see by what insignificant creatures God can bring about a general destruction. A caterpillar is beyond all animals the most contemptible, and, taken singly, the least to be dreaded in the whole empire of nature; but in the hand of Divine justice it becomes one of the most formidable foes of the human race. From the examples in the notes we see how little human power, industry, or art, can avail against this most awful scourge. Not even the most contemptible animal should be considered with disrespect, as in the hand of God it may become the most terrible instrument for the punishment of a criminal individual or a guilty land
9. The Ninth plague, the total and horrible darkness that lasted for three days, afforded both Israelites and Egyptians the most illustrious proof of the power and universal dominion of God; and was particularly to the latter a most awful yet instructive lesson against a species of idolatry which had been long prevalent in that and other countries, viz., the worship of the celestial luminaries. The sun and moon were both adored as supreme deities, as the sole dispensers of light and life; and the sun was invoked as the giver of immortality and eternal blessedness. Porphyry, De Abstin., l. 4, preserves the very form used by the Egyptian priests in addressing the sun on behalf of a deceased person, that he might be admitted into the society of the gods:
10. The Tenth and last plague, the slaying of the first-born or chief person in each family, may be considered in the light of a Divine retribution: for after that their nation had been preserved by one of the Israelitish family, "they had,"says Mr. Bryant, "contrary to all right, and in defiance of original stipulation, enslaved the people to whom they had been so much indebted; and not contented with this, they had proceeded to murder their offspring, and to render the people’ s bondage intolerable by a wanton exertion of power. It had been told them that the family of the Israelites were esteemed as God’ s first-born, Exo 4:22; therefore God said: Let my son go, that he may serve me; and if thou refuse - behold, I will slay thy son, even thy First-Born, Exo 4:23. But they heeded not this admonition, and hence those judgments came upon them that terminated in the death of the eldest in each family; a just retaliation for their disobedience and cruelty."See several curious and important remarks on this subject in a work entitled, Observations upon the Plagues inflicted on the Egyptians, by Jacob Bryant, 8vo., 1810
On the whole we may say, Behold the goodness and severity of God! Severity mixed with goodness even to the same people. He punished and corrected them at the same time; for there was not one of these judgments that had not, from its peculiar nature and circumstances, some emendatory influence. Nor could a more effectual mode be adopted to demonstrate to that people the absurdity of their idolatry, and the inefficacy of their dependence, than that made use of on this occasion by the wise, just, and merciful God. At the same time the Israelites themselves must have received a lesson of the most impressive instruction on the vanity and wickedness of idolatry, to which they were at all times most deplorably prone, and of which they would no doubt have given many more examples, had they not had the Egyptian plagues continually before their eyes. It was probably these signal displays of God’ s rower and justice, and these alone, that induced them to leave Egypt at his command by Moses and Aaron; otherwise, with the dreadful wilderness before them, totally unprovided for such a journey, in which humanly speaking it was impossible for them and their households to subsist, they would have rather preferred the ills they then suffered, than have run the risk of greater by an attempt to escape from their present bondage. This is proved by their murmurings, Exo 16:2, Exo 16:3, from which it is evident that they preferred Egypt with all its curses to their situation in the wilderness, and never could have been induced to leave it had they not had the fullest evidence that it was the will of God; which will they were obliged, on pain of utter destruction, to obey.
Calvin: Exo 12:43 - -- 43.This is the ordinance of the passover Since the passover was the sacred bond whereby God would hold the elect people in obligation to Himself, He ...
43.This is the ordinance of the passover Since the passover was the sacred bond whereby God would hold the elect people in obligation to Himself, He forbids all strangers from partaking of it; because a promiscuous permission to eat of it would have been an unworthy profanation. And in fact, since this is a supplement to the First Commandment, it only addresses itself to those unto whom is directed the preface of the Law, “Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord.” We know that among the Gentiles none but the initiated 318 were admitted to their sacred rites. This was an absurd imitation 319 of this true and lawful ordinance; because such a condition is only applicable to the institution of God, lest strangers should promiscuously usurp the testimonies of His grace, with which He honors His Church alone. For circumcision was then like a hedge, which should distinguish heathen nations from the holy race of Abraham; if, then, any should wish to celebrate the passover together with the elect people, it was necessary that he should be circumcised, so as to attach himself to the true God; though God did not merely refer to the outward sign, but to the object, viz., that all who were circumcised should promise to study sincere piety. Moses, therefore, first of all, excludes all strangers who were unclean through their uncircumcision; and then he adds two exceptions, viz., that servants bought with money should be circumcised, (which was a necessary requirement;) and that free and independent persons, if they chose to embrace the same alternative, should also be received to the passover. Hence it appears that this rite was not only peculiar to God’s people, but that it was a sign of the future redemption. For strangers could not testify that they were sharers in that redemption which had been promised to the race of Abraham alone; and, therefore, the ceremony of the sacred feast would have been vain and useless to them. Nor does Moses refer only to that mixed multitude which had followed the Israelites out of Egypt; but prescribes a law respecting all strangers, who for many succeeding ages should come on business into the land. No doubt but that, in celebrating the passover, they would have expected another redemption; since that which was already vouchsafed to the children of Abraham had not extended to them. For although they might be reckoned among the people, yet did no portion of the land in consequence fall to their lot, nor was their condition improved as to temporal rights; 320 but it was only that they might become members of the Church. From the analogy between the Holy Supper and the Passover, this law remains in force now, viz., that no polluted or impure person should intrude himself at the Lord’s table, but that only the faithful should be received, after they have professed themselves to be followers of Christ. 321 And this is expressed also in the words, “One law shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto the stranger,” etc., Exo 12:49; viz., that the ordinance of the sacrament should be solemnly observed by all, and that thus they should equally participate in the grace offered to them in common, and that in this respect the condition of all should be equal, though it differed as to their inheritance of the land.

Calvin: Exo 12:46 - -- 46.Neither shall ye break a bone thereof I am not certain why God desired no bone to be broken; unless that this might also be a sign of haste; becau...
46.Neither shall ye break a bone thereof I am not certain why God desired no bone to be broken; unless that this might also be a sign of haste; because people at table seldom partake of the marrow, unless when their entertainment is protracted. For I fear there is too much subtlety in the explanation which some give, that the virtue of Christ, which is represented by the bones, is not diminished whilst we feed on His flesh. But the former opinion which I have glanced at above, as it is the simplest, so also it is by no means unsuitable here; that they were commanded, when they were standing in readiness for their journey, and eating hurriedly, to burn the bones in order to prevent all delay. What God commanded as to the lamb, He chose to have openly fulfilled in the person of His only-begotten Son; that the truth corresponding with its type, and the substance with its shadow, might shew that God would be reconciled to His people by no other blood than Christ’s. Whence it is again clear that the ancients under the Law were instructed by the Paschal Lamb as to the future redemption, for otherwise this passage could not have been properly accommodated to Christ. But when the Evangelist quotes it, (Joh 19:33,) he takes it for granted that thus was typically shewn what God would bestow by His Son. Hence it came to pass that He was distinguished by this visible mark, which proved Him to be the true Passover. But, in order that no bone of Christ’s should be broken, God’s providence wonderfully interfered. The soldiers were commanded to hasten the death of Christ, no less than that of the robbers, by breaking their bones. They execute their intention on the robbers, but lest they should attempt the same on Christ, it is certain that they were restrained by a divine power, so that the wholeness of His bones might be a presage of the approaching redemption.

Calvin: Exo 12:50 - -- 50.Thus did all the children of Israel This chiefly refers to the slaying of the Paschal lamb with its adjuncts, although I do not deny that allusion...
50.Thus did all the children of Israel This chiefly refers to the slaying of the Paschal lamb with its adjuncts, although I do not deny that allusion is also made to the other circumstances attending their sudden departure. But it is not so much their promptitude and alacrity which are praised, as the wondrous power of God in fashioning their hearts, and directing their hands, so that, in the darkness of the night, amidst the greatest disturbances, in precipitate haste, with nothing well prepared, they were so active and dexterous. Meanwhile, Moses concludes, from the obedience of the people, that nothing was done without the command and guidance of God; from whence it is more clearly manifest that He was the sole author of their deliverance.



TSK: Exo 12:48 - -- a stranger : Exo 12:43; Num 9:14, Num 15:15, Num 15:16
let all : Gen 17:12; Eze 44:9, Eze 47:22
shall be : Gal 3:28; Col 3:11


TSK: Exo 12:50 - -- as the Lord : Deu 4:1, Deu 4:2, Deu 12:32; Mat 7:24, Mat 7:25, Mat 28:20; Joh 2:5, Joh 13:17, Joh 15:14; Rev 22:15, by their armies, Exo 12:41, Exo 6:...

collapse allCommentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)
Barnes: Exo 12:43 - -- And the Lord said - From this verse to Exo 13:16 are instructions regarding the Passover. Such instructions were needed when the Israelites wer...
And the Lord said - From this verse to Exo 13:16 are instructions regarding the Passover. Such instructions were needed when the Israelites were joined by the "mixed multitude:"of strangers; and they were probably given at Succoth, on the morning following the departure from Rameses.
No stranger - Literally, "son of a stranger."The term is general; it includes all who were aliens from Israel, until they were incorporated into the nation by circumcision.

Barnes: Exo 12:44 - -- Servant - The circumcision of the slave, thus enjoined formally on the first day that Israel became a nation, in accordance with the law given ...
Servant - The circumcision of the slave, thus enjoined formally on the first day that Israel became a nation, in accordance with the law given to Abraham, (see the margin reference) made him a true member of the family, equally entitled to all religious privileges. In the household of a priest the slave was even permitted to eat the consecrated food: Lev 22:11.

Barnes: Exo 12:45 - -- A foreigner - or sojourner: one who resides in a country, not having a permanent home, nor being attached to an Israelitish household.
A foreigner - or sojourner: one who resides in a country, not having a permanent home, nor being attached to an Israelitish household.

Barnes: Exo 12:46 - -- In one house - i. e. "in one company."Each lamb was to be entirely consumed by the members of one company, whether they belonged to the same ho...
In one house - i. e. "in one company."Each lamb was to be entirely consumed by the members of one company, whether they belonged to the same household or not.
Break a bone - The typical significance of this injunction is recognized by John, (see the margin reference.) It is not easy to assign any other satisfactory reason for it. This victim alone was exempt from the general law by which the limbs were ordered to be separated from the body.
Poole: Exo 12:43 - -- This which here followeth is the law or appointment of God concerning the celebration of the passover.
No stranger, or, foreigner who is so both b...
This which here followeth is the law or appointment of God concerning the celebration of the passover.
No stranger, or, foreigner who is so both by nation and religion; for if he were circumcised, he might eat of it, Exo 12:44,48 .

Poole: Exo 12:44 - -- When thou hast circumcised him for the master had a power to circumcise such persons, Gen 17:12 . And though it is probable, that by their interest i...
When thou hast circumcised him for the master had a power to circumcise such persons, Gen 17:12 . And though it is probable, that by their interest in them, and a diligent instruction of them, they made them willing to receive circumcision, yet it seems they had a power to compel them to it; but then circumcision was not to them a seal of God’ s covenant, nor of their religion, for that must be matter of choice, but only a civil badge, or a note of that family or people into which they were politically incorporated.


Poole: Exo 12:46 - -- Partly, because they were all obliged not to go out of the house till the morning, Exo 12:22 , and to leave none of it till that time, Exo 12:10 ; p...
Partly, because they were all obliged not to go out of the house till the morning, Exo 12:22 , and to leave none of it till that time, Exo 12:10 ; partly, lest it should be either superstitiously or profanely abused; and partly, to signify that Christ and salvation are not to be had out of God’ s house or church.
To take out and eat the marrow of it. This was required, partly to mind them of their hasty departure out of Egypt, wherein they had no leisure to break and empty the bones; and principally, that it might be an evident type of the Lord Jesus, in whom this was literally fulfilled, Joh 19:36 . The bones were burnt with the other remainders of the lamb.
Haydock -> Exo 12:48
Haydock: Exo 12:48 - -- Dwell, or become a proselyte, by circumcision, if a male; or by baptism, if a female; receiving a sort of new-birth, John iii. 10. The Jews would no...
Dwell, or become a proselyte, by circumcision, if a male; or by baptism, if a female; receiving a sort of new-birth, John iii. 10. The Jews would not suffer any to dwell among them, who would not observe the seven precepts given to Noe, Genesis ix. But the proselytes of justice embraced the Jewish religion. (Calmet)
Gill: Exo 12:43 - -- And the Lord said unto Moses and Aaron,.... At the same time he acquainted them with the above things:
this is the ordinance of the passover; as be...
And the Lord said unto Moses and Aaron,.... At the same time he acquainted them with the above things:
this is the ordinance of the passover; as before delivered, and these the laws and rules, according to which it is to be observed, as now related, both with respect to the lamb, and to the unleavened bread; and the following is an account of the persons that were to partake of it:
there shall no stranger eat thereof, one that is of another country, an entire Heathen, and unacquainted with, and does not profess the Jewish religion, which was the religion of God.

Gill: Exo 12:44 - -- But every man's servant that is bought for money,.... And so his own property:
when thou hast circumcised him; as such an one ought to be, accordin...
But every man's servant that is bought for money,.... And so his own property:
when thou hast circumcised him; as such an one ought to be, according to the covenant of circumcision given to Abraham, Gen 17:13, though one should think not without his consent; wherefore care was to be taken to purchase such servants as would be willing to conform to that rite, and pains were to be taken with them to instruct them in it, and persuade them to it; to which, when they had submitted, they had a right to eat the passover, but if they did not, it was not allowed:
then shall he eat thereof; but not otherwise.

Gill: Exo 12:45 - -- A foreigner and an hired servant shall not eat thereof. One of another nation, and one that was only hired by the day, week, or year; as they were not...
A foreigner and an hired servant shall not eat thereof. One of another nation, and one that was only hired by the day, week, or year; as they were not obliged to circumcision, so without it they had no right to eat of the passover, none but such as became proselytes of righteousness.

Gill: Exo 12:46 - -- In one house shall it be eaten,.... For though there might be more lambs than one eaten in a house, where there were a sufficient number to eat them; ...
In one house shall it be eaten,.... For though there might be more lambs than one eaten in a house, where there were a sufficient number to eat them; and there might be more societies than one in a house, provided they kept themselves distinct, and were large enough each of them to eat up a lamb; yet one lamb might not be eaten in different houses, a part of it in one house, and a part of it in another; which may denote the unity of the general assembly and church of the firstborn, and the distinct separate congregations of the saints, and the right that each have to a whole Christ, who is not to be divided from his ministers, word, and ordinances; See Gill on Mat 26:18,
thou shall not carry forth ought of the flesh abroad out of the house: into another house; for where there was not a sufficient number in one house to eat a lamb, their neighbours in the next house were to join with them; but then they were not to part it, and one portion of it to be eaten in one house, and the other in another, but they were to meet together in one of their houses, and there partake of it; thus, though Christ may be fed upon by faith any where by particular believers, yet in an ordinance way only in the church of God:
neither shall ye break a bone thereof; any of its tender bones to get out the marrow; and so the Targum of Jonathan adds,"that ye may eat that which is in the midst of it:''this was remarkably fulfilled in Christ the antitype, Joh 19:32.

Gill: Exo 12:47 - -- All the congregation of Israel shall keep it. The passover, and the feast of unleavened bread only; for a Gentile was first to be circumcised, and be ...
All the congregation of Israel shall keep it. The passover, and the feast of unleavened bread only; for a Gentile was first to be circumcised, and be joined to the congregation, and then partake of it, and not before.

Gill: Exo 12:48 - -- And when a stranger shall sojourn with thee, Who by so doing became a proselyte of the gate, he observing the commands of the sons of Noah:
and wi...
And when a stranger shall sojourn with thee, Who by so doing became a proselyte of the gate, he observing the commands of the sons of Noah:
and will keep the passover of the Lord; is desirous of being admitted to that ordinance:
let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near, and keep it: first himself, and then all his male children and male servants, and then, and not till then, he might approach to this ordinance, and observe it; for by this means he would become a proselyte of righteousness, and in all respects as an Israelite, or son of Abraham, as it follows:
and he shall be as one that is born in the land; a native and proper inhabitant of Canaan, enjoying all the privileges and immunities of such:
for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof; these laws and rules concerning those persons that were to eat of the passover are such as were to be observed in all successive generations, to the coming of Christ; and were the rather necessary to be given now, because of the mixed multitude who now came up with the children of Israel out of Egypt.

Gill: Exo 12:49 - -- One law shall be to him that is homeborn,.... A proper Israelite, one that is so by descent:
and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you; that ...
One law shall be to him that is homeborn,.... A proper Israelite, one that is so by descent:
and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you; that becomes a proselyte to the true religion; these were both bound by the same law, and obliged to observe the same rites and ceremonies, and partook of the same ordinances, benefits, and privileges; this was a dawn of grace to the poor Gentiles, and presignified what would be in Gospel times, when they should be fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God, be fellow heirs of the same body, and partakers of the promises of Christ by the Gospel, Eph 2:19.

Gill: Exo 12:50 - -- Thus did all the children of Israel,.... They slew a lamb, and roasted and ate it, with unleavened bread, and bitter herbs, and took a bunch of hyssop...
Thus did all the children of Israel,.... They slew a lamb, and roasted and ate it, with unleavened bread, and bitter herbs, and took a bunch of hyssop, and dipped it in the blood, and struck the lintel and the side posts of the doors of their houses: this they did on the night of their deliverance out of Egypt:
as the Lord commanded Moses and Aaron, so did they; being instructed by them; which is an instance of their ready and cheerful obedience to the divine will, which they were under great obligation to perform, from a grateful sense of the wonderful mercy and favour they now were made partakers of.

Gill: Exo 12:51 - -- And it came to pass the selfsame day,.... That the above ordinance was instituted and celebrated in the night:
that the Lord did bring the children...
And it came to pass the selfsame day,.... That the above ordinance was instituted and celebrated in the night:
that the Lord did bring the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt, by their armies; by their several tribes, which were like so many armies, marching in large numbers, and with great order and regularity; see Gill on Exo 7:4.

expand allCommentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes
NET Notes: Exo 12:43 This is the partitive use of the bet (ב) preposition, expressing that the action extends to something and includes the idea of participation in ...

NET Notes: Exo 12:48 אֶזְרָח (’ezrakh) refers to the native-born individual, the native Israelite as opposed to the “...


NET Notes: Exo 12:50 Heb “did as the Lord had commanded Moses and Aaron, so they did.” The final phrase “so they did,” which is somewhat redundant ...
Geneva Bible: Exo 12:43 And the LORD said unto Moses and Aaron, This [is] the ordinance of the passover: ( t ) There shall no stranger eat thereof:
( t ) Unless he is circum...

Geneva Bible: Exo 12:49 One ( u ) law shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you.
( u ) They that are of the household of God, must be...

expand allCommentary -- Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis -> Exo 12:1-51
TSK Synopsis: Exo 12:1-51 - --1 The beginning of the year is changed.3 The passover is instituted.11 The import of the rite of the passover.15 Unleavened bread, etc.29 The firstbor...
MHCC -> Exo 12:43-51
MHCC: Exo 12:43-51 - --In times to come, all the congregation of Israel must keep the passover. All that share in God's mercies should join in thankful praises for them. The...
Matthew Henry -> Exo 12:43-51
Matthew Henry: Exo 12:43-51 - -- Some further precepts are here given concerning the passover, as it should be observed in times to come. I. All the congregation of Israel must kee...
Keil-Delitzsch: Exo 12:43-48 - --
Regulations Concerning the Participants in the Passover. - These regulations, which were supplementary to the law of the Passover in Exo 12:3-11, we...

Keil-Delitzsch: Exo 12:49 - --
There was one law with reference to the Passover which was applicable both to the native and the foreigner: no uncircumcised man was to be allowed t...

Keil-Delitzsch: Exo 12:50-51 - --
Exo 12:50 closes the instructions concerning the Passover with the statement that the Israelites carried them out, viz., in after times (e.g., Num 9...
Constable: Exo 1:1--15:22 - --I. THE LIBERATION OF ISRAEL 1:1--15:21
"The story of the first half of Exodus, in broad summary, is Rescue. The ...

Constable: Exo 12:1--13:17 - --C. God's redemption of His people 12:1-13:16
Scholars differ in their opinions as to when Israel actuall...
