1I řekl Hospodin Mojžíšovi a Áronovi v egyptské zemi: 2Tento měsíc bude pro vás počátkem měsíců. Bude pro vás prvním měsícem roku. 3Vyhlaste celé pospolitosti Izraele: Desátého tohoto měsíce ať si každý vezme beránka na otcovský dům, beránka na rodinu. 4A kdyby rodina byla na beránka příliš malá, ať si přibere souseda nejblíže svému domu do počtu duší. Každý bude započten na beránka podle toho, co kdo sní. 5Budete mít beránka bez vady, ročního samce; vyberete ho z beránků nebo z kůzlat. 6A bude ve vaší péči až do čtrnáctého dne tohoto měsíce. Potom ho celé shromáždění pospolitosti Izraele k večeru zabije. 7Pak vezmou z krve a dají na obě veřeje a na nadpraží domů, v nichž ho budou jíst. 8Té noci budou jíst maso; budou je jíst pečené na ohni s nekvašenými chleby a hořkými bylinami. 9Nebudete jíst z něho nic syrového ani vařeného ve vodě, ale pouze pečené na ohni i hlavu s hnáty a s vnitřnostmi. 10Nic z něho neponecháte do rána. Co z něho zůstane do rána, to spálíte ohněm. 11A budete ho jíst takto: Bedra budete mít přepásaná, sandály na nohou a hůl v ruce. Budete ho jíst ve spěchu. Bude to velikonoční oběť Hospodinu. 12A té noci projdu egyptskou zemí a pobiji v egyptské zemi všechno prvorozené od lidí až po dobytek. Vykonám soudy nad všemi bohy Egypta. Já, Hospodin. 13Krev na domech, v nichž budete, bude vaším znamením; když uvidím tu krev, pominu vás a nebude mezi vámi zhoubná pohroma, když budu bít egyptskou zemi. 14Tento den se pro vás stane dnem památným a budete ho slavit jako Hospodinův svátek; po všechny své generace ho budete slavit jako věčné ustanovení. 15Sedm dnů budete jíst nekvašený chléb. Hned první den odstraníte kvas ze svých domů, protože každý, kdo by jedl něco kvašeného od prvního dne až do sedmého dne, takový člověk bude vyhlazen z Izraele. 16Prvního dne budete mít svaté shromáždění, i sedmého dne budete mít svaté shromáždění. V nich nebude konána žádná práce, pouze co budete každý jíst, jenom to si připravíte. 17Budete zachovávat svátek nekvašených chlebů, protože právě v tento den jsem vyvedl vaše oddíly z egyptské země; tento den budete zachovávat po všechny své generace jako věčné ustanovení. 18V prvním měsíci od čtrnáctého dne měsíce večer budete jíst nekvašené chleby až do večera dvacátého prvního dne toho měsíce. 19Sedm dnů se ve vašich domech nenajde kvas. Protože každý, kdo by jedl něco kvašeného, takový člověk bude vyhlazen z pospolitosti Izraele, jak příchozí, tak domorodec. 20Nic kvašeného nebudete jíst. Kdekoli budete přebývat, budete jíst nekvašené chleby. 21Mojžíš tedy svolal všechny izraelské starší a řekl jim: Vyberte si a vezměte jehně po svých rodinách a zabijte velikonoční oběť. 22Vezmete svazek yzopu, namočíte do krve v misce a z krve v misce nanesete na nadpraží a na obě veřeje. A nikdo z vás ať nevyjde ze dveří svého domu až do rána. 23Když bude Hospodin procházet, aby postihl Egypt, a uvidí krev na nadpraží a na obou veřejích, pomine Hospodin ty dveře a nedovolí ničiteli vstoupit do vašeho domu, aby vás postihl. 24Tuto věc budeš zachovávat jako ustanovení pro sebe a pro své syny až navěky. 25Až vejdete do země, kterou vám dá Hospodin tak, jak prohlásil, budete zachovávat tuto službu. 26A až se vás vaši synové budou ptát, co pro vás tato služba znamená, 27odpovíte: To je velikonoční oběť Hospodinu, který pominul domy synů Izraele v Egyptě, když postihl Egypťany a naše domy uchránil. Tu lid poklekl a klaněl se. 28Synové Izraele šli a učinili tak, jak Hospodin přikázal Mojžíšovi a Áronovi; přesně tak učinili. 29O půlnoci se stalo, že Hospodin v egyptské zemi pobil všechno prvorozené od prvorozeného syna faraona, který seděl na svém trůnu, až po prvorozeného zajatce, který seděl v žaláři, i všechno prvorozené z dobytka. 30Tu farao té noci vstal, i všichni jeho otroci, i všichni Egypťané, a v Egyptě nastal veliký křik, protože nebyl dům, ve kterém by nebyl někdo mrtvý. 31Ještě v noci zavolal Mojžíše a Árona a řekl: Vstaňte a odejděte zprostřed mého lidu vy i synové Izraele. Jděte a služte Hospodinu, jak jste říkali. 32Vezměte také svůj brav a svůj skot, tak jak jste řekli, a jděte. Požehnejte také mně. 33Egypťané naléhali na lid, aby je rychle poslali ze země, protože si říkali: Všichni zemřeme! 34Lid tedy vzal své těsto ještě nevykynuté, díže zavinuté v pláštích na ramenou. 35Synové Izraele také učinili podle Mojžíšova slova a vyžádali si od Egypťanů stříbrné a zlaté předměty a oděvy, 36a Hospodin dal lidu přízeň v očích Egypťanů, takže jim vyhověli. Tak vyplenili Egypt. 37Synové Izraele vyrazili z Ramesesu do Sukótu v počtu kolem šesti set tisíc pěších mužů, kromě žen a dětí. 38Vyšlo s nimi také množství přimíšeného lidu, brav a skot, veliké množství dobytka. 39Z těsta, které vynesli z Egypta, napekli nekvašené podpopelné chleby, protože nevykynulo. Když byli vypuzeni z Egypta, nemohli otálet a nepřipravili si ani potravu. 40Doba, po kterou synové Izraelovi pobývali v Egyptě, byla čtyři sta třicet let. 41Když uplynulo čtyři sta třicet let, právě ten den vyšly všechny Hospodinovy oddíly z egyptské země. 42To byla noc Hospodinova bdění, aby je vyvedl z egyptské země. A tato noc je Hospodinova — noc bdění pro všechny syny Izraele po všechny generace. 43Hospodin řekl Mojžíšovi a Áronovi: Toto je ustanovení o velikonočním beránku: Žádný cizinec z něho nebude jíst. 44Ale každý otrok, muž koupený za peníze, když jsi ho obřezal, potom bude z něho jíst. 45Příchozí ani najatý z něho jíst nebude. 46Bude sněden v tomtéž domě, nic z jeho masa nevyneseš ven z domu; žádnou kost v něm nezlámete. 47Toto bude dělat celá pospolitost Izraele. 48Bude-li u tebe pobývat cizinec a bude chtít slavit velikonoční oběť Hospodinu, musí se dát obřezat všichni jeho lidé mužského pohlaví. Potom se přiblíží, aby ji slavil, a bude jako domorodec. Ale žádný neobřezanec nebude z ní jíst. 49Stejný zákon bude platit pro domorodce i pro cizince, který bude pobývat mezi vámi. 50Pak všichni synové Izraele učinili tak, jak Hospodin přikázal Mojžíšovi a Áronovi; přesně tak učinili. 51A právě ten den Hospodin vyvedl syny Izraele po jejich oddílech z egyptské země.
Matthew Henry - Concise Commentary 1 The Lord makes all things new to those whom he delivers from the bondage of Satan, and takes to himself to be his people. The time when he does this is to them the beginning of a new life. God appointed that, on the night wherein they were to go out of Egypt, each family should kill a lamb, or that two or three families, if small, should kill one lamb. This lamb was to be eaten in the manner here directed, and the blood to be sprinkled on the door-posts, to mark the houses of the Israelites from those of the Egyptians. The angel of the Lord, when destroying the first-born of the Egyptians, would pass over the houses marked by the blood of the lamb: hence the name of this holy feast or ordinance. The passover was to be kept every year, both as a remembrance of Israel's preservation and deliverance out of Egypt, and as a remarkable type of Christ. Their safety and deliverance were not a reward of their own righteousness, but the gift of mercy. Of this they were reminded, and by this ordinance they were taught, that all blessings came to them through the shedding and sprinkling of blood. Observe, 1. The paschal lamb was typical. Christ is our passover,
1Cor 5:7. Christ is the Lamb of God,
John 1:29; often in the Revelation he is called the Lamb. It was to be in its prime; Christ offered up himself in the midst of his days, not when a babe at Bethlehem. It was to be without blemish; the Lord Jesus was a Lamb without spot: the judge who condemned Christ declared him innocent. It was to be set apart four days before, denoting the marking out of the Lord Jesus to be a Saviour, both in the purpose and in the promise. It was to be slain, and roasted with fire, denoting the painful sufferings of the Lord Jesus, even unto death, the death of the cross. The wrath of God is as fire, and Christ was made a curse for us. Not a bone of it must be broken, which was fulfilled in Christ,
John 19:33, denoting the unbroken strength of the Lord Jesus. 2. The sprinkling of the blood was typical. The blood of the lamb must be sprinkled, denoting the applying of the merits of Christ's death to our souls; we must receive the atonement,
Roma 5:11. Faith is the bunch of hyssop, by which we apply the promises, and the benefits of the blood of Christ laid up in them, to ourselves. It was to be sprinkled on the door-posts, denoting the open profession we are to make of faith in Christ. It was not to be sprinkled upon the threshold; which cautions us to take heed of trampling under foot the blood of the covenant. It is precious blood, and must be precious to us. The blood, thus sprinkled, was a means of preserving the Israelites from the destroying angel, who had nothing to do where the blood was. The blood of Christ is the believer's protection from the wrath of God, the curse of the law, and the damnation of hell,
Roma 8:1. 3. The solemn eating of the lamb was typical of our gospel duty to Christ. The paschal lamb was not to be looked upon only, but to be fed upon. So we must by faith make Christ our own; and we must receive spiritual strength and nourishment from him, as from our food, see
John 6:53,
John 6:55. It was all to be eaten; those who by faith feed upon Christ, must feed upon a whole Christ; they must take Christ and his yoke, Christ and his cross, as well as Christ and his crown. It was to be eaten at once, not put by till morning. To-day Christ is offered, and is to be accepted while it is called to-day, before we sleep the sleep of death. It was to be eaten with bitter herbs, in remembrance of the bitterness of their bondage in Egypt; we must feed upon Christ with sorrow and brokenness of heart, in remembrance of sin. Christ will be sweet to us, if sin be bitter. It was to be eaten standing, with their staves in their hands, as being ready to depart. When we feed upon Christ by faith, we must forsake the rule and the dominion of sin; sit loose to the world, and every thing in it; forsake all for Christ, and reckon it no bad bargain,
Hebre 13:13,
Hebre 13:14. 4. The feast of unleavened bread was typical of the Christian life,
1Cor 5:7,
1Cor 5:8. Having received Christ Jesus the Lord, we must continually delight ourselves in Christ Jesus. No manner of work must be done, that is, no care admitted and indulged, which does not agree with, or would lessen this holy joy. The Jews were very strict as to the passover, so that no leaven should be found in their houses. It must be a feast kept in charity, without the leaven of malice; and in sincerity, without the leaven of hypocrisy. It was by an ordinance for ever; so long as we live we must continue feeding upon Christ, rejoicing in him always, with thankful mention of the great things he has done for us.
21 That night, when the first-born were to be destroyed, no Israelite must stir out of doors till called to march out of Egypt. Their safety was owing to the blood of sprinkling. If they put themselves from under the protection of that, it was at their peril. They must stay within, to wait for the salvation of the Lord; it is good to do so. In after-times they should carefully teach their children the meaning of this service. It is good for children to ask about the things of God; they that ask for the way will find it. The keeping of this solemnity every year was, 1. To look backward, that they might remember what great things God had done for them and their fathers. Old mercies, to ourselves, or to our fathers, must not be forgotten, that God may be praised, and our faith in him encouraged. 2. It was designed to look forward, as an earnest of the great sacrifice of the Lamb of God in the fulness of time. Christ our passover was sacrificed for us; his death was our life.
29 The Egyptians had been for three days and nights kept in anxiety and horror by the darkness; now their rest is broken by a far more terrible calamity. The plague struck their first-born, the joy and hope of their families. They had slain the Hebrews' children, now God slew theirs. It reached from the throne to the dungeon: prince and peasant stand upon the same level before God's judgments. The destroying angel entered every dwelling unmarked with blood, as the messenger of woe. He did his dreadful errand, leaving not a house in which there was not one dead. Imagine then the cry that rang through the land of Egypt, the long, loud shriek of agony that burst from every dwelling. It will be thus in that dreadful hour when the Son of man shall visit sinners with the last judgment. God's sons, his first-born, were now released. Men had better come to God's terms at first, for he will never come to theirs. Now Pharaoh's pride is abased, and he yields. God's word will stand; we get nothing by disputing, or delaying to submit. In this terror the Egyptians would purchase the favour and the speedy departure of Israel. Thus the Lord took care that their hard-earned wages should be paid, and the people provided for their journey.
37 The children of Israel set forward without delay. A mixed multitude went with them. Some, perhaps, willing to leave their country, laid waste by plagues; others, out of curiosity; perhaps a few out of love to them and their religion. But there were always those among the Israelites who were not Israelites. Thus there are still hypocrites in the church. This great event was 430 years from the promise made to Abraham: see
Galat 3:17. So long the promise of a settlement was unfulfilled. But though God's promises are not performed quickly, they will be, in their season. This is that night of the Lord, that remarkable night, to be celebrated in all generations. The great things God does for his people, are to be not only a few days' wonder, but to be remembered throughout all ages; especially the work of our redemption by Christ. This first passover-night was a night of the Lord, much to be observed; but the last passover-night, in which Christ was betrayed and in which the first passover, with the rest of the Jewish ceremonies, was done away, was a night of the Lord, much more to be observed. Then a yoke, heavier than that of Egypt, was broken from off our necks, and a land, better than that of Canaan, set before us. It was a redemption to be celebrated in heaven, for ever and ever.
43 In times to come, all the congregation of Israel must keep the passover. All that share in God's mercies should join in thankful praises for them. The New Testament passover, the Lord's supper, ought not to be neglected by any. Strangers, if circumcised, might eat of the passover. Here is an early indication of favour to the gentiles. This taught the Jews that their being a nation favoured by God, entitled them to their privileges, not their descent from Abraham. Christ our passover is sacrificed for us,
1Cor 5:7; his blood is the only ransom for our souls; without the shedding of it there is no remission; without the sprinkling of it there can be no salvation. Have we, by faith in him, sheltered our souls from deserved vengeance under the protection of his atoning blood? Do we keep close to him, constantly depending upon him? Do we so profess our faith in the Redeemer, and our obligations to him, that all who pass by may know to whom we belong? Do we stand prepared for his service, ready to walk in his ways, and to separate ourselves from his enemies? These are questions of vast importance to the soul; may the Lord direct our consciences honestly to answer them.