Summary

Details the institution of the Passover, the final plague on Egypt (the death of the firstborn), and the subsequent departure of the Israelites from Egypt.

Key Points

• God instructs Moses and Aaron on the establishment of the Passover, marking the beginning of the Hebrew calendar (Exodus 12:1-2).

• Each household is to select a lamb without blemish, to be killed on the fourteenth day of the month (Exodus 12:3-6).

• The blood of the lamb is to be applied to the doorposts and lintel of each house, as a sign for the Lord to pass over and spare the inhabitants (Exodus 12:7).

• The lamb is to be roasted and eaten with unleavened bread and bitter herbs, with specific instructions on how to eat it (Exodus 12:8-11).

• The Lord will pass through Egypt and strike down all the firstborn, but will pass over the houses marked with blood (Exodus 12:12-13).

• The Passover is to be observed as a perpetual ordinance for future generations (Exodus 12:14).

• Instructions are given for the Feast of Unleavened Bread, to be observed for seven days following the Passover (Exodus 12:15-20).

• Moses conveys God's instructions to the elders of Israel, and the people obey (Exodus 12:21-28).

• At midnight, the Lord strikes down all the firstborn in Egypt, leading to a great cry throughout the land (Exodus 12:29-30).

• Pharaoh summons Moses and Aaron, urging the Israelites to leave Egypt immediately (Exodus 12:31-32).

• The Israelites leave Egypt, taking with them silver, gold, and clothing given by the Egyptians (Exodus 12:33-36).

• The Israelites journey from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand men, plus women and children (Exodus 12:37-39).

• The length of the Israelites' stay in Egypt is recorded as 430 years (Exodus 12:40-42).

• God gives additional instructions for the observance of the Passover, including who may participate (Exodus 12:43-49).

• The chapter concludes with the Israelites' obedience to God's commands and their departure from Egypt (Exodus 12:50-51).