And it shall be when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying, What is this? that thou shalt say unto him, By strength of hand the LORD brought us out from Egypt, from the house of bondage:
EXODUS 13:14KJVWhat does Exodus 13:14 mean?
Exodus 13:14 tells parents to explain to their children that God, by His powerful action, brought the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. When future generations ask about the meaning of certain practices, parents are to recount how the LORD delivered them from bondage.
In this verse, Moses is instructing the Israelites on what to say when their children ask about the rituals connected to the Exodus, such as the Passover. The setting is just after the Israelites have left Egypt, and Moses is preparing them to remember and teach about this defining event. The verse highlights the importance of passing down the story of God's deliverance to each new generation.
The Hebrew behind Exodus 13:14
- "Strength" (חָזָק, ḥāzāq): This word means strength or might, emphasizing the powerful and forceful way God acted to free the people.
- "Hand" (יָד, yād): In Hebrew, "hand" often symbolizes power or action. Saying God brought them out "by strength of hand" stresses that it was God's direct intervention, not human effort, that made their escape possible.
- "Bondage" (עֶבֶד, ʿeved): This word means servant or slave. Referring to Egypt as the "house of bondage" underlines the severity of their oppression and the significance of their liberation.
Why Exodus 13:14 matters
- This verse clarifies that the rituals and traditions of Israel are not empty customs, but reminders of a real historical rescue by God.
- It emphasizes the role of parents in teaching faith and history to their children, making the Exodus a living memory rather than a forgotten story.
- By focusing on God's strength and the reality of slavery, the verse helps readers understand the depth of gratitude and identity that shapes the people of Israel.