פֶּ֫סַח (pe.sach)
pe.sach
Passover
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 45 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun pesach refers to the Passover, encompassing both the annual festival and the specific lamb sacrificed during it. Derived from a root meaning "to pass over" or "to spare," the word describes God’s act of sparing the Israelite homes in Egypt while striking the Egyptians (Exodus 12:27). This etymology anchors the term in an event of divine protection and exemption from judgment.
In Scripture, pesach appears most frequently in Chronicles and Numbers, often detailing how kings like Hezekiah and Josiah restored proper observance of the rite. The sources distinguish between the festival itself and the animal victim, noting that the sacrifice functioned as a communion meal. This dual usage highlights the communal nature of the event, where the entire household participated in the meal that commemorated their deliverance.
Translators typically render pesach as "Passover," preserving the link to the Greek pascha found in the New Testament. The term carries significant theological weight, marking a definitive moment of salvation history. By focusing on the sparing of the firstborn, the word encapsulates the core narrative of redemption that defines the Israelite identity and continues to shape Christian understanding of Christ as the ultimate sacrifice.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word pesach carries the weight of a rescue. It describes the moment God passed over homes marked by faith, sparing them from judgment while protecting His people. This is not just an ancient ritual; it is a reminder that deliverance comes through divine mercy, not human effort.
In Exodus 12:27, the text explains that this act was about sparing our houses when others faced striking. For believers today, this points to the core of hope: we are covered by grace. The Passover lamb’s blood provided safety, a picture fulfilled in Christ, who took judgment so we could walk in freedom.
When you read about kings like Josiah restoring this feast, it shows how vital remembering is. We keep these stories alive to anchor our hearts in God’s faithfulness. Let this truth comfort you: the same God who spared Israel then is your refuge now.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 45 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ passover28×
- a passover12×
- for the/ passovers3×
- like the/ passover2×
- the/ passovers1×
- passover1×
- [is] a passover1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הַ/פֶּ֖סַח7×
- הַ/פָּ֑סַח5×
- הַ/פֶּ֔סַח4×
- פֶּ֖סַח3×
- הַ/פָּֽסַח\׃3×
- פֶּ֛סַח2×
- פֶּ֔סַח2×
- כַּ/פֶּ֣סַח2×
- הַ/פֶּ֡סַח2×
- הַ/פֶּ֛סַח2×
- פֶּ֨סַח1×
- פֶּ֥סַח1×
Key Verses
-
Exodus 12:27
that you shall say, ‘It is the sacrifice of Yahweh’s Passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he struck the Egyptians, and spared our houses.’” The people bowed their heads and worshiped.
This verse explicitly defines the word's meaning as God sparing our houses while striking the Egyptians, anchoring the term in divine protection.
-
Exodus 12:21
Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said to them, “Draw out, and take lambs according to your families, and kill the Passover.
Here the word refers to the specific animal sacrifice required for the ritual, highlighting the tangible act of obedience needed for deliverance.
-
II Kings 23:22
Surely there was not kept such a Passover from the days of the judges who judged Israel, nor in all the days of the kings of Israel, nor of the kings of Judah;
This occurrence marks a rare historical restoration of the feast, showing how central this memory was to Israel's spiritual identity across generations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word pesach mean?
How is pesach different from other sacrifices?
Where does this word appear most often?
Every Occurrence (45 verses across 8 books)
Exodus 6 verses
This is how you shall eat it: with your belt on your waist, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and…
Exodus 12:21Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said to them, “Draw out, and take lambs according to your families,…
Exodus 12:27that you shall say, ‘It is the sacrifice of Yahweh’s Passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in…
Exodus 12:43Yahweh said to Moses and Aaron, “This is the ordinance of the Passover. No foreigner shall eat of it,
Exodus 12:48When a stranger lives as a foreigner with you, and would like to keep the Passover to Yahweh, let all his males be…
Exodus 34:25“You shall not offer the blood of my sacrifice with leavened bread. The sacrifice of the feast of the Passover shall…