Exodus 12:21 · Bible study
Exodus 12:21 Commentary: The Lamb Called Passover
Hebrew · 9 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Moses instructs elders to 'kill the passover', identifying the lamb with the institution. A study of authority transfer and theological meaning.
Research Summary
- Meaning: Moses delegates to the elders the command to select and slaughter the Passover lamb, identifying the animal with the institution itself.
- Key words: ma.shakh (draw), tzon (flock), pe.sach (passover), the lamb is called by the name of the festival.
- Main debate: Whether 'kill the passover' is metonymy (the lamb stands for the festival) or typological identification (the lamb prefigures the ultimate sacrifice).
- Theological theme: The lamb as the means of salvation, substitutionary blood, and memorial for future generations.
- Best use: Teaching on typology, leadership in the church, and the personal nature of receiving salvation.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
Then Moses summoned all the elders of Israel and told them, “Go at once and select for yourselves a lamb for each family, and slaughter the Passover lamb.
WEB World English Bible 2000
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.
KJV King James Version 1769
Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said unto them, Draw out and take you a lamb according to your families, and kill the passover.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said unto them, Draw out, and take you lambs according to your families, and kill the passover.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
And Moses calleth for all the elders of Israel, and saith unto them, `Draw out and take for yourselves from the flock, for your families, and slaughter the passover-sacrifice;
Darby Darby Bible 1890
And Moses called all the elders of Israel, and said to them, Seize and take yourselves lambs for your families, and kill the passover.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
And Moses called all the ancients of the children of Israel, and said to them: Go take a lamb by your families, and sacrifice the Phase.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Y Moisés convocó á todos los ancianos de Israel, y díjoles: Sacad, y tomaos corderos por vuestras familias, y sacrificad la pascua.
E Moisés convocou a todos os anciãos de Israel, e disse-lhes: Tirai, e tomai para vós cordeiros por vossas famílias, e sacrificai a páscoa.
Moïse appela tous les anciens d’ Israël, et leur dit: Allez prendre du bétail pour vos familles, et immolez la Pâque.
Und Mose forderte alle Ältesten in Israel und sprach zu ihnen: Leset aus und nehmet Schafe für euch nach euren Geschlechtern und schlachtet das Passah.
Mozes dan riep al de oudsten van Israel, en zeide tot hen: Leest uit, en neemt u lammeren voor uw huisgezinnen, en slacht het pascha.
Mosè dunque chiamò tutti gli anziani d’Israele, e disse loro: “Sceglietevi e prendetevi degli agnelli per le vostre famiglie, e immolate la Pasqua.
Wezwał tedy Mojżesz wszystkich starszych Izraelskich, i rzekł do nich: Odłączcie, a weźmijcie sobie baranka według familii swych, a zarznijcie na święto przejścia.
И созвал Моисей всех старейшин [сынов] Израилевых и сказал им: выберите и возьмите себе агнцев по семействам вашим и заколите пасху;
於是，摩西 召了 以色列 的眾 長老來，對他們 說：「你們要按著家口 取 出 羊羔，把這逾越節的羊羔 宰了。
Then Moses sent for the chiefs of Israel, and said to them, See that lambs are marked out for yourselves and your families, and let the Passover lamb be put to death.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · Exodus 12:21
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators agree that Moses' command to 'kill the passover' is a condensed way of saying 'kill the Passover lamb.' The word 'passover' itself is applied to the animal. Adam Clarke notes that the lamb was so identified with the institution that the animal took the name of the festival, just as later Paul calls Christ 'our passover' (1 Cor 5:7). Barnes adds that this marks the lamb as the sign and pledge of Israel's exemption from judgment. Gill explains that the elders were to draw lambs from the flocks and slaughter them as the Passover sacrifice. The Cambridge Bible observes that the institution is introduced here as if already known, which suggests this is a practical summary of the earlier instructions in verses 1, 13. All traditions see the verse as a key moment where divine instruction passes through Moses to the people's leaders, and where the sacrificial lamb becomes the focal point of deliverance.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Metonymy (part for whole): The lamb is called 'the passover' as a common figure of speech, where the sacrifice stands for the festival (Barnes, Gill).
- Typological prefiguration: The lamb is not just a symbol but divinely ordained to point forward to Christ (Clarke, based on 1 Cor 5:7).
- Direct identification (institution embodied in the victim): The word 'passover' originally meant God's passing over; attaching it to the lamb makes the animal the bearer of that saving act (Calvin, Ellicott).
What is clear: The lamb is the central sacrificial element of the Passover, and its blood is the means of protection from judgment.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Identification of the lamb with the Passover | The lamb is called 'the passover' as a compressed way of saying 'the Passover sacrifice.' | Some understand this as simple metonymy (the part for the whole), while others see a stronger typological connection: the lamb itself is the embodiment of the saving act, prefiguring Christ. |
| Role of the elders in the Passover | Moses called the elders to relay the command, showing a transfer of authority from Moses to community leaders. | Whether the elders personally slaughtered the lambs or only oversaw the process is not specified; later practice (Deuteronomy 16:5, 6) required slaughter at the central sanctuary, but at the first Passover it was done in homes by heads of families. |
| Timing of the command | The command was given on the same day as the events of Exodus 12, likely the 14th of Abib. | Whether the selection of the lamb (implied by 'draw out') happened on the 10th or the 14th is debated; the earlier instructions in verse 3 specify a four-day period, but this verse compresses the action. |
| Continuity with Christian practice | Both Jews and Christians see this verse as foundational for understanding redemption through a sacrifice. | Jews observe the Passover as the ongoing memorial of the exodus; Christians interpret it as a type fulfilled in Christ's sacrifice, with differences over whether the Eucharist replaces or continues the Passover. |
Historical & Cultural Context
This verse sits in the narrative of the final plague. The instructions for the first Passover had been given to Moses and Aaron in Exodus 12:1, 13, but here Moses personally summons the elders, the representatives of Israel's families, and relays a shortened version. The elders likely already knew the fuller command from earlier days, so Moses' words act as a final reminder and a delegation of authority.
The command to 'draw out' a lamb from the flock echoes the earlier word in verse 3 to select a lamb on the tenth day and keep it until the fourteenth. Now, on the eve of the plague, the selection becomes urgent. The Hebrew verb ma.shakh (draw) implies pulling the animal from the fold, perhaps checking for blemishes. The word tzon (sheep) can also mean goats, giving flexibility for the household's choice.
Calling the lamb 'the passover' creates a direct link between the sacrifice and the saving event. The term pe.sach had been explained in verse 12 as the Lord passing over the houses marked with blood. Now the animal itself receives that name, showing that the means of protection and the protective act are one. Edersheim notes that later Jewish tradition distinguished between 'the Egyptian Passover' (this first celebration) and later annual observances, but here the institution is born in a single night of judgment and mercy.
The elders' role was crucial. They were not just listeners; they were agents who would ensure each family carried out the ritual. This delegation anticipates the permanent leadership structures in Israel, where elders continue to represent the people before God and before Moses' successors.
Textual Notes
The supplied commentaries and lexical notes identify no significant textual variants for Exodus 12:21. The Hebrew text is stable across the Masoretic tradition and the early versions. Minor differences in English translations arise from rendering the imperative verbs and the word tzon (sheep vs. flock), but these do not affect the meaning.
Reception History
Jewish tradition has always treated this verse as part of the original institution of the Passover Seder. The rabbis saw the involvement of the elders as a model for communal leadership in the festival. In Christian tradition, the phrase 'kill the passover' was read typologically: the lamb is a clear type of Christ, the Lamb of God. Early church fathers like Justin Martyr and Irenaeus drew parallels between the blood on the doorposts and the cross, and between the lamb's bones not being broken and Christ's unbroken legs. The verse has been sung in hymns such as 'Christ Our Passover' and used in liturgy to connect the Old Covenant sacrifice with the New Covenant Lord's Supper. The Reformation commentators (Calvin, Luther) emphasized that the lamb's identification with the Passover points to the single, sufficient sacrifice of Christ.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- Delegated authority. Moses calls the elders, not the whole congregation. He trusts God's chosen representatives to carry the command to every family. Leadership in God's work passes from one to many, but the source remains God's word through Moses.
- Personal participation. 'Draw out and take for yourselves', each family must act. The lamb is not provided by the priest; it must be selected, kept, and slaughtered by the household. Salvation requires personal involvement, not passive waiting.
- Identification with the sacrifice. 'Kill the passover' identifies the lamb with the institution of deliverance. The animal becomes the embodiment of God's passing over. This points forward to Christ, whom Paul calls 'our Passover.'
Five-point outline
- Moses' obedience. He faithfully transmits what God commanded.
- The elders' role. They are intermediaries, ensuring every family hears and acts.
- The selection of the lamb. Drawing from the flock implies choosing and setting apart.
- The slaughter. Killing the lamb is a violent, public act that seals the covenant.
- The meaning of 'passover.' The lamb's blood becomes the sign for the destroyer to pass over.
Illustration hooks
- Family leadership. When a household faces a crisis, someone must give clear instructions and others must follow. Moses delegates to elders; parents today guide their families in faith.
- Symbolic shorthand. We call a wedding ring 'my marriage,' or a national flag 'the country.' Similarly, the lamb is called 'the passover' because it represents the entire act of deliverance.
- Urgent preparation. A family packing for an emergency moves quickly and follows the leader's orders. Israel acted with haste, trusting God's timing.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Why did Moses only speak to the elders and not to everyone directly?
- What does it mean that the lamb is called 'the passover'?
- How does this verse connect to Jesus as the Lamb of God?
Leading a Discussion
In Exodus 12:21, the instruction that was first given to Moses and Aaron now reaches the people through the elders. This is a moment of transition: from private revelation to public action. The command is brief, but it carries the weight of the entire Passover institution. As a group, consider how this single verse summarizes God's plan for salvation and how it invites each family to participate.
Discussion questions
- What does Moses do first, and why is it significant that he calls the elders?
- The command says 'draw out and take for yourselves a lamb.' How does this emphasize personal responsibility?
- Why does Moses say 'kill the passover' instead of 'kill the lamb'? What does that tell you about the connection between the animal and the event?
- How does the role of the elders here prepare Israel for future leadership structures (compare Exodus 3:16, 17:5, 19:7, Numbers 11:16)?
- In what ways does this verse anticipate Christ's sacrifice? (Refer to 1 Corinthians 5:7, though not quoted directly.)
- What does the urgency of the command ('draw out... kill') teach about responding to God's deliverance?
- How can your small group or family apply the principle of 'taking the lamb' in your faith journey today?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Exodus 3:16 | Go and gather the elders of Israel together, and tell them, ‘Yahweh, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, has appeared to me, saying, “I have surely visited you, and seen that which is done to you in Egypt. |
| Exodus 12:3 | Speak to all the congregation of Israel, saying, ‘On the tenth day of this month, they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to their fathers’ houses, a lamb for a household; |
| Exodus 12:11 | 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 you shall eat it in haste: it is Yahweh’s Passover. |
| Exodus 17:5 | Yahweh said to Moses, “Walk on before the people, and take the elders of Israel with you, and take the rod in your hand with which you struck the Nile, and go. |
| Exodus 19:7 | Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and set before them all these words which Yahweh commanded him. |
| Numbers 9:2 | “Let the children of Israel keep the Passover in its appointed season. |
| Numbers 9:5 | They kept the Passover in the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at evening, in the wilderness of Sinai. According to all that Yahweh commanded Moses, so the children of Israel did. |
| Numbers 11:16 | Yahweh said to Moses, “Gather to me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and officers over them; and bring them to the Tent of Meeting, that they may stand there with you. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
9 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke notes that the command to kill the passover refers to killing the lamb, not the festival itself. The animal is called by the name of the institution, just as the covenant sacrifice is called "the covenant," the rock is called Christ, and Paul calls Christ our passover to mean the paschal lamb.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes draws attention to the action of bringing the lamb from the fold into the house, then notes a key detail: the word "passover" is applied to the lamb itself. That means the lamb functions as the sign and guarantee of Israel's exemption from judgment.
Calvin's Commentaries Reformed 1564
Calvin emphasizes that the name "Passover" refers to God's own action, not the people's. He explains that the word means God passing over the houses of the Israelites unharmed while He struck down Egypt's firstborn. The feast commemorates God's sparing of His people in the midst of widespread judgment.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The commentator reads "Draw out" as a command to take the lambs from their folds, not a general call to move along. He also notes that Moses, after the detailed instructions in earlier verses, surprisingly omits those specifics when speaking to the people, and the wording assumes the Passover is already a familiar institution.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
Then Moses called all the Elders of Israel, and saide vnto them, Choose out and take you for euerie of your housholdes a lambe, and kill the Passeouer.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill draws attention to the historical shift in how the Passover was carried out. He explains that before the priesthood was settled in Aaron’s family and the temple was built, the heads of families killed the lamb in their own homes. Later, only priests could kill it at the temple in Jerusalem.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB notes that verses 21 through 25 contain specific, detailed instructions for how the observance was to be carried out. The passage moves from general command to practical direction, spelling out exactly what the elders and the people were to do.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange defends the last plague as both a real historical miracle and a religious narrative that uses symbolic generalization. He rejects naturalistic explanations like Knobel's, but also avoids a strictly literal reading. For Lange, the event's perfect fulfillment of its purpose lifts it above legend even as the text idealizes and generalizes.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Matthew Henry highlights that Moses, as a faithful steward, delivered God's commands fully and added the instruction that no Israelite was to leave the house until morning on the night of the plague. This detail underscores that safety came from staying inside under the blood's protection, not from venturing out.