Leviticus 23:5 Meaning: Passover: God's Appointed Time
In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month in the evening, is Yahweh’s Passover.
In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is the Lord’s passover.
In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at even, is Jehovah’s passover.
in the first month, on the fourteenth of the month, between the evenings, is the passover to Jehovah;
In the first month, on the fourteenth of the month, between the two evenings, is the passover to Jehovah.
Meaning in one sentence
Why the fourteenth day at evening for Passover? Leviticus 23:5 marks God's precise timing of deliverance and His call to remember.
Context
God gives Moses a calendar of holy days in Leviticus 23. This verse lists the first annual feast: Passover. The timing is exact, the fourteenth day of the first month at evening. It points back to the night the Lord spared Israel’s firstborn and led them out of Egypt. The next verse begins the Feast of Unleavened Bread, showing these two celebrations are closely linked but distinct. Together they form the foundation of Israel’s worship year, calling the people to remember their rescue and trust God’s appointed seasons.
Key Words
Two Hebrew phrases in this verse carry deep meaning. First, bein ha’arbayim, “between the evenings”, describes the twilight when the Passover lamb was killed. It was the hinge between day and night, the moment God passed over the houses marked with blood. Second, Pesach, “Passover”, comes from a verb meaning to skip over or spare. The word itself holds the story of God’s protection. Third, “first month” marks a new beginning for Israel’s calendar. Time now starts at redemption. These details teach us that God works at exact moments and calls us to remember the particular, historical act of His salvation.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians have long seen the Passover as a prefiguring of Christ, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. The timing at evening parallels the Last Supper and the crucifixion. Jewish readers focus on the historical rescue from Egypt and the ongoing celebration of the Seder. The Geneva Bible notes see the verse as establishing a perpetual memorial. The Barnes and Cambridge commentaries emphasize the distinction between Passover and Unleavened Bread, while acknowledging their close connection. Both traditions recognize that at this set time God acted decisively for His people.
A common misunderstanding
Some assume that “evening” meant any time after sunset, so the exact moment did not matter. In fact, the Hebrew phrase “between the evenings” specifies a narrow window of twilight. God gave precise instructions because the Passover was a sign of His precise deliverance. He saved them at a set time, not in a casual way.
Living This Out
This verse invites you to consider the appointed times in your own life. The Israelites kept Passover at the same moment each year, year after year. What would it look like for you to regularly remember a specific act of God’s deliverance? It could be a date you mark on the calendar, a reminder of when He answered a prayer, brought you through a hard season, or gave you a fresh start. The precision of the fourteenth day at evening teaches us that God is not vague. He shows up right when He says He will.
Main takeaway: God marks time with purpose; the exact date of Passover shows He saves at the right moment and calls us to remember.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
God told His people to celebrate Passover on a special night: the fourteenth day of the first month at evening. That was the night He saved them from Egypt. He wanted them to remember it every year.
For ages 9, 12
The Passover was not just a holiday God made up. It was tied to a real night when God rescued His people from slavery. The exact time mattered because it showed that God works in history at particular moments. When you celebrate important days, remember that God is not random. He does things on purpose and wants you to remember His goodness.
Questions People Ask
Why is the Passover on the fourteenth day at evening?
The date comes directly from the Exodus story. On that night, the Lord passed over the houses of the Israelites and spared their firstborn. The timing is precise because God wanted the people to remember the exact moment of their deliverance, not a vague season.
What does 'between the evenings' mean?
It describes the twilight period between sunset and full darkness. In ancient Israel, this was the time when the Passover lamb was slaughtered. The phrase specifies a narrow window, showing the care God gave to the timing of this memorial.
How is the Passover related to Jesus?
Christians see the Passover as a foreshadowing of Christ’s sacrifice. Jesus is called the Lamb of God (John 1:29). He was crucified around the time of the Passover, and the apostles connected his death with the deliverance from Egypt. The precise timing of the Passover points to God’s plan of redemption through Christ.
Why is the first month significant?
God commanded that this month be the beginning of the year for Israel (Exodus 12:2). It marks a new start for the nation, tied to their freedom from slavery. The first month is a reminder that redemption reorders our lives and our sense of time.
Is Passover the same as the Feast of Unleavened Bread?
In Leviticus 23, Passover (verse 5) and the Feast of Unleavened Bread (verse 6) are listed as separate events, though they follow one another closely. Passover is a single day; Unleavened Bread lasts seven days. Commentators like Barnes and the Cambridge Bible note they are distinct but connected, together forming a single season of remembrance.
For pastors & researchers
Hebrew interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study