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Exodus 13

World English Bible

WEB

1Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, 2“Sanctify to me all the firstborn, whatever opens the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and of animal. It is mine.” 3Moses said to the people, “Remember this day, in which you came out of Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand Yahweh brought you out from this place. No leavened bread shall be eaten. 4Today you go out in the month Abib. 5It shall be, when Yahweh brings you into the land of the Canaanite, and the Hittite, and the Amorite, and the Hivite, and the Jebusite, which he swore to your fathers to give you, a land flowing with milk and honey, that you shall keep this service in this month. 6Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread, and in the seventh day shall be a feast to Yahweh. 7Unleavened bread shall be eaten throughout the seven days; and no leavened bread shall be seen with you. No yeast shall be seen with you, within all your borders. 8You shall tell your son in that day, saying, ‘It is because of that which Yahweh did for me when I came out of Egypt.’ 9It shall be for a sign to you on your hand, and for a memorial between your eyes, that Yahweh’s law may be in your mouth; for with a strong hand Yahweh has brought you out of Egypt. 10You shall therefore keep this ordinance in its season from year to year. 11“It shall be, when Yahweh brings you into the land of the Canaanite, as he swore to you and to your fathers, and will give it to you, 12that you shall set apart to Yahweh all that opens the womb, and every firstborn that comes from an animal which you have. The males shall be Yahweh’s. 13Every firstborn of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb; and if you will not redeem it, then you shall break its neck; and you shall redeem all the firstborn of man among your sons. 14It shall be, when your son asks you in time to come, saying, ‘What is this?’ that you shall tell him, ‘By strength of hand Yahweh brought us out from Egypt, from the house of bondage. 15When Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, Yahweh killed all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man, and the firstborn of livestock. Therefore I sacrifice to Yahweh all that opens the womb, being males; but all the firstborn of my sons I redeem.’ 16It shall be for a sign on your hand, and for symbols between your eyes; for by strength of hand Yahweh brought us out of Egypt.” 17When Pharaoh had let the people go, God didn’t lead them by the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, “Lest perhaps the people change their minds when they see war, and they return to Egypt”; 18but God led the people around by the way of the wilderness by the Red Sea; and the children of Israel went up armed out of the land of Egypt. 19Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for he had made the children of Israel swear, saying, “God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones away from here with you.” 20They took their journey from Succoth, and encamped in Etham, in the edge of the wilderness. 21Yahweh went before them by day in a pillar of cloud, to lead them on their way, and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light, that they might go by day and by night: 22the pillar of cloud by day, and the pillar of fire by night, didn’t depart from before the people.

World English Bible, 2020 stable text edition. Public domain; “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org. eBible.org

Overview

Exodus Chapter 13 marks a significant moment in the journey of the Israelites as they are led out of slavery in Egypt. The chapter begins with God commanding Moses to consecrate every firstborn male, both human and animal, to Him. This act serves as a reminder of the final plague in Egypt, where the firstborn of the Egyptians were struck down, while the Israelites were spared. This consecration is a call to remember the Lord's mighty hand in their deliverance, emphasizing the importance of teaching future generations about God's faithfulness and the significance of their liberation from bondage (#Exodus #Firstborn).

The chapter continues with instructions for the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which is to be observed annually. This feast commemorates the haste with which the Israelites left Egypt, symbolizing their separation from sin and the old life. God emphasizes that they should eat unleavened bread for seven days and tell their children about the meaning of this observance, reinforcing the importance of passing down the faith and the story of God's deliverance (#FeastOfUnleavenedBread).

Finally, the chapter concludes with God leading the Israelites on a path through the wilderness, rather than directly to the Promised Land, to prevent them from losing heart in the face of battle. Instead, He guides them with a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, demonstrating His constant presence and guidance. This chapter beautifully illustrates the themes of remembrance, obedience, and divine guidance as the Israelites embark on their journey to freedom and the Promised Land.

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Referenced by

  1. Numbers 3:12v2Numbers 3:12 describes the Lord's command to take the Levites instead of the firstborn of Israel, which is a continuation of the principle established in Exodus 13:2 where God claims all firstborns as His own after the Passover.
  2. Deuteronomy 15:15v3Deuteronomy 15:15 reminds the Israelites of their deliverance from Egypt as a reason for releasing slaves, similar to Exodus 13:3, which calls them to remember their liberation during the Feast of Unleavened Bread.
  3. Deuteronomy 15:19v12Deuteronomy 15:19 commands the consecration of firstborn animals to the Lord, which is also instructed in Exodus 13:12, highlighting the principle of dedicating the first and best to God.
  4. Deuteronomy 26:8v14Deuteronomy 26:8 speaks of the Lord bringing Israel out of Egypt with a mighty hand. Exodus 13:14 recounts the same event, emphasizing God's powerful deliverance during the Exodus.
  5. Ezra 8:31v21Ezra 8:31 recounts God's protection during their journey, paralleling the divine guidance and protection provided to the Israelites during the Exodus, as described in Exodus 13:21-22.
  6. Psalms 105:39v21Psalm 105:39 describes God's guidance through a cloud by day and fire by night, as detailed in Exodus 13:21.
  7. Psalms 114:1v3Psalm 114:1 recalls the exodus of Israel from Egypt, which is a central event in Exodus 13:3 where Moses instructs the Israelites to remember their deliverance.
  8. Isaiah 4:5v21Isaiah 4:5 describes the Lord creating a cloud by day and a flaming fire by night over Mount Zion, reminiscent of Exodus 13:21 where the Lord led Israel with a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.
  9. 1 Corinthians 10:1-2v211 Corinthians 10:1-2 refers to the Israelites being under the cloud and passing through the sea, which is a direct reference to the events in Exodus 13:21-22 where God led the Israelites with a pillar of cloud and parted the Red Sea.

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