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.

EXODUS 12:13KJV
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Exodus 12:13 (KJV)

What does Exodus 12:13 mean?

Exodus 12:13 says that the blood on the Israelites’ houses would be a sign for God to spare them when He brought a deadly plague on Egypt; wherever God saw the blood, He would “pass over” that house and no one inside would be harmed. This verse explains how the Israelites would be protected from the judgment that was about to fall on the land.

In this verse, God is speaking to Moses and Aaron, giving instructions for the first Passover night. The Israelites were told to mark their doorposts with the blood of a lamb, and this visible sign would set them apart from the Egyptians. The verse highlights both God’s judgment on Egypt and His protection of those who followed His command.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 12:13

  • “blood” (דָּם, dam, H1818): The word refers to the blood of the sacrificed lamb, which was to be painted on the doorframes. This blood was not just a random mark, but a specific sign of obedience and trust in God’s promise of protection.
  • “token” (אוֹת, 'ot, H226): This word means a sign or a distinguishing mark. Here, it emphasizes that the blood was meant to be a clear, visible signal to God, setting apart the homes of the Israelites.
  • “pass” (פָּסַח, pasach, H6452): This verb means to pass over or to spare. It is the root of the word “Passover,” showing that God would skip over the marked houses and not bring destruction there.
  • “plague” (נֶגֶף, negef, H5063): This word means a blow or a plague, referring to the disaster that would strike Egypt. It clarifies that the danger was a specific act of divine judgment.

Why Exodus 12:13 matters

  • Exodus 12:13 clarifies that the Israelites’ safety depended on following God’s instructions, not on their nationality or personal merit; the sign of blood was essential.
  • The verse explains the origin of the term “Passover,” showing that God’s act of “passing over” was both literal and deeply significant for the people’s survival.
  • Understanding the specific words for “sign” and “pass over” helps readers see that this was a deliberate, meaningful act, not just a random sparing of lives, but a marked distinction between those under God’s protection and those who were not.

Where else these words appear

“pass” Hebrew H6452 · used in 7 verses

  • Exodus 12:23 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.
  • 2 Samuel 4:4 And Jonathan, Saul's son, had a son that was lame of his feet. He was five years old when the tidings came of Saul and Jonathan out of Jezreel, and his nurse took him up, and fled: and it came to pass, as she made haste to flee, that he fell, and became lame. And his name was Mephibosheth.
  • 1 Kings 18:26 And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made.

“plague” Hebrew H5063 · used in 7 verses

  • Exodus 30:12 When thou takest the sum of the children of Israel after their number, then shall they give every man a ransom for his soul unto the LORD, when thou numberest them; that there be no plague among them, when thou numberest them.
  • Numbers 16:46 And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a censer, and put fire therein from off the altar, and put on incense, and go quickly unto the congregation, and make an atonement for them: for there is wrath gone out from the LORD; the plague is begun.
  • Joshua 22:17 Is the iniquity of Peor too little for us, from which we are not cleansed until this day, although there was a plague in the congregation of the LORD,

“destroy” Hebrew H4889 · used in 11 verses

  • 2 Kings 23:13 And the high places that were before Jerusalem, which were on the right hand of the mount of corruption, which Solomon the king of Israel had builded for Ashtoreth the abomination of the Zidonians, and for Chemosh the abomination of the Moabites, and for Milcom the abomination of the children of Ammon, did the king defile.
  • Jeremiah 5:26 For among my people are found wicked men: they lay wait, as he that setteth snares; they set a trap, they catch men.
  • Ezekiel 9:6 Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house.

“token” Hebrew H226 · used in 77 verses

  • Genesis 1:14 And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:
  • Deuteronomy 4:34 Or hath God assayed to go and take him a nation from the midst of another nation, by temptations, by signs, and by wonders, and by war, and by a mighty hand, and by a stretched out arm, and by great terrors, according to all that the LORD your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes?
  • Psalms 65:8 They also that dwell in the uttermost parts are afraid at thy tokens: thou makest the outgoings of the morning and evening to rejoice.