Bible Commentary

Exodus 13:1-16

The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 13:1-16

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

EXPOSITION

SANCTIFICATION OF THE FIRSTBORN. In connection with the deliverance from death of the Israelite first-born by the blood of the lamb, and still further to fix the remembrance of the historical facts in the mind of the nation, Moses was commissioned to declare all the firstborn of Israel for all future time, and all the firstborn of their domesticated animals "holy to the Lord." There was, perhaps, already in the minds of men a feeling that peculiar dignity attached to the first-born in each family; and this feeling was now strengthened by the assignment to them of a sacred character. God claimed them, and also the first-born of beasts, as His own. The clean beasts became his by sacrifice; but the unclean ones could not he similarly treated, and therefore had to be "redeemed" () by the sacrifice of clean animals in their place. The first-born of men became at the first institution of the new ordinance God's ministers; but as this system was not intended to continue, it was announced that they too would have to be "redeemed" (, ). The exact mode of redeeming them was left to be settled afterwards, and will be found in ; .

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commentaryMatthew Henry on Exodus 13:1-10In remembrance of the destruction of the first-born of Egypt, both of man and of beast, and the deliverance of the Israelites out of bondage, the first-born males of the Israelites were set apart to the Lord. By this wa…Matthew HenrycommentaryThe Sanctification of the Firstborn. (b. c. 1491.)THE SANCTIFICATION OF THE FIRSTBORN. (B. C. 1491.) Care is here taken to perpetuate the remembrance, I. Of the preservation of Israel's firstborn, when the firstborn of the Egyptians were slain. In memory of that distin…Matthew HenrycommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 13:1-16The Dedication and Redemption of the First-born. In commemoration of the great mercy whereby their first-born sons were spared, when all those of the Egyptians were slain, God required the Israelites to do two things:—…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 13:1On the true grammatical nexus of this verse, see note on Exodus 12:51. The injunctions of Exodus 12:2, and probably those of 3-15—were given to Moses on the very day of the setting-forth, most likely, at Succoth in the…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 13:2Sanctify unto me. Not by any positive ceremony, but by regarding it as "set apart unto the Lord" (Exodus 13:12)—made over to him, that is, as his own. All the first-born. The Hebrew word used is masculine, and by its pr…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 13:3And Moses said. Without relating the directions given to Moses any further, the author passes to the directions given by him. He thus, here and elsewhere, avoids unnecessary repetition. Remember this day. The injunction…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 13:3-16How to declare God's salvation. I. BY THE REMEMBRANCE OF HIS MERCIES. 1. "Remember this day in which ye came out from Egypt." 2. The celebration of the Passover awoke inquiry among those who had not witnessed God's deed…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 13:3-11Remember this day. The exhortation in these verses may very well be applied to Christians. They are to remember the fact add the might of their redemption. They are to commemorate it by observance of appointed ordinance…Joseph S. Exell and contributors