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.
EXODUS 12:22KJVWhat does Exodus 12:22 mean?
Exodus 12:22 instructs the Israelites to use a bunch of hyssop to apply lamb’s blood to the top and sides of their doorframes, and then to stay inside their homes until morning. This act was a specific command from God, given through Moses, as part of the preparations for the first Passover in Egypt.
Moses is speaking to the Israelite families on the night before their departure from slavery. The blood on the doorposts marked their homes for protection during the final plague, when God would strike down the firstborn in Egypt. The command to stay inside shows the seriousness and urgency of following God’s instructions exactly for their safety.
The Hebrew behind Exodus 12:22
- "Hyssop" (אֵזוֹב, ezov) refers to a small, bushy plant often used in purification rituals. Its use here highlights the idea of cleansing and setting apart.
- "Strike" (נָגַע, naga‘) means to touch or apply, not to hit forcefully. The Israelites were to carefully mark their doorframes, not damage them.
- "Bason" (סַף, saf) can mean a bowl or a threshold. In this context, it likely refers to a container holding the blood, but some readers see a possible connection to the threshold of the door itself.
Why Exodus 12:22 matters
- Exodus 12:22 clarifies that the Israelites’ protection depended on both the visible sign of the blood and their obedience to stay inside, not just one or the other.
- The use of hyssop connects this event to later purification practices in Israel’s worship, showing a thread of meaning about cleansing and being set apart for God.
- This verse shows the practical steps of faith required in a moment of crisis, emphasizing that God’s instructions were detailed and required careful attention.