And it shall be when the LORD shall bring thee into the land of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, which he sware unto thy fathers to give thee, a land flowing with milk and honey, that thou shalt keep this service in this month.
EXODUS 13:5KJVWhat does Exodus 13:5 mean?
Exodus 13:5 describes how, when God brings the Israelites into the promised land—a fertile place inhabited by several peoples—He commands them to observe a special ritual during that month. The verse emphasizes that this land is a fulfillment of God’s promise to their ancestors and is described as “flowing with milk and honey,” highlighting its abundance.
In this verse, Moses is speaking to the Israelites as they prepare to leave Egypt. He reminds them that God (called “the LORD” here) has sworn to give their ancestors this specific land, which is currently occupied by the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Hivites, and Jebusites. The “service” they are to keep refers to the observance of Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread, marking their deliverance and God’s faithfulness.
The Hebrew behind Exodus 13:5
- “the LORD” (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name of God used throughout the Old Testament, highlighting God’s covenant relationship with Israel.
- “land” (אֶרֶץ, erets): This word means “land” or “earth,” and here it specifically refers to the territory promised to the Israelites.
- “flowing” (זָבַת, zavat): This word means “flowing” or “gushing,” painting a vivid picture of the land’s richness and fertility.
- “service” (עֲבֹדָה, avodah): This word means “service” or “work,” and in this context, it refers to the religious observance or ritual the Israelites are to perform.
Why Exodus 13:5 matters
- Exodus 13:5 clarifies that the ritual observance is not just a one-time event but is to be kept when the Israelites are settled in the promised land, tying their worship to God’s faithfulness in fulfilling His promise.
- The verse highlights the specific peoples inhabiting the land, reminding the Israelites that their inheritance is both a gift and a fulfillment of a sworn oath to their ancestors.
- By describing the land as “flowing with milk and honey,” Exodus 13:5 emphasizes the goodness and abundance of what God is providing, reinforcing the significance of remembering and celebrating this gift.