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 12:6KJV
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Exodus 12:6 (KJV)

What 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.

Where else these words appear

“in” Hebrew H996 · used in 23 verses

  • Genesis 1:4 And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.
  • Exodus 16:12 I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel: speak unto them, saying, At even ye shall eat flesh, and in the morning ye shall be filled with bread; and ye shall know that I am the LORD your God.
  • Job 24:11 Which make oil within their walls, and tread their winepresses, and suffer thirst.

“whole” Hebrew H3605 · used in 24 verses

  • Genesis 3:17 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;
  • Exodus 16:23 And he said unto them, This is that which the LORD hath said, To morrow is the rest of the holy sabbath unto the LORD: bake that which ye will bake to day, and seethe that ye will seethe; and that which remaineth over lay up for you to be kept until the morning.
  • 2 Samuel 3:35 And when all the people came to cause David to eat meat while it was yet day, David sware, saying, So do God to me, and more also, if I taste bread, or ought else, till the sun be down.

“keep” Hebrew H4931 · used in 69 verses

  • Genesis 26:5 Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.
  • Numbers 9:19 And when the cloud tarried long upon the tabernacle many days, then the children of Israel kept the charge of the LORD, and journeyed not.
  • 1 Chronicles 26:12 Among these were the divisions of the porters, even among the chief men, having wards one against another, to minister in the house of the LORD.

“kill” Hebrew H7819 · used in 70 verses

  • Genesis 22:10 And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son.
  • Leviticus 9:12 And he slew the burnt offering; and Aaron's sons presented unto him the blood, which he sprinkled round about upon the altar.
  • 2 Kings 10:14 And he said, Take them alive. And they took them alive, and slew them at the pit of the shearing house, even two and forty men; neither left he any of them.