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.
EXODUS 12:6KJVWhat does Exodus 12:6 mean?
Exodus 12:6 instructs the Israelites to keep the Passover lamb until the fourteenth day of the month, when the entire community of Israel is to slaughter it together in the evening. This verse sets the specific timing and communal nature of the Passover sacrifice.
God is speaking to Moses and Aaron, giving detailed instructions for the first Passover in Egypt. The verse emphasizes that the sacrifice is not just a private or family act, but something the whole assembly of Israel participates in at the same time, marking a shared moment of obedience and identity.
The Hebrew behind Exodus 12:6
- "Assembly" (קָהָל, qāhāl) and "congregation" (עֵדָה, ʿēdāh) both refer to groups of people, but "qāhāl" often points to a gathered assembly for a specific purpose, while "ʿēdāh" can mean the community as a whole. Their use together here stresses the unity and collective responsibility of all Israel.
- "Evening" (עָרֶב, ʿārev) is often understood as the time between sunset and full darkness. This timing is important because it sets the Passover sacrifice at a transitional moment in the day, which had ritual and symbolic significance for the Israelites.
Why Exodus 12:6 matters
- This verse clarifies that the Passover sacrifice was a coordinated, national event, not just a household observance, highlighting the unity of the Israelites.
- The precise timing ("in the evening" on the fourteenth day) shows the importance of following God's instructions exactly, which becomes a recurring theme in Israel's relationship with God.
- Understanding the communal aspect helps explain why later Passover celebrations in the Bible continue to be central, shared events in Israel's worship and identity.