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Exodus 12:1-3
New Catholic Bible
Exodus 12:1-3
New Catholic Bible
The Passover
Chapter 12
Preparations for the Passover.[a] 1 The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, 2 “This month shall be the beginning of months for you; it shall be your first month of the year.[b] 3 Speak to the whole community of Israel and say, ‘The tenth of this month each person shall obtain a lamb for each family, one for each household.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Exodus 12:1 Passover was already being celebrated in the period when the Hebrews were pastoral nomads and used to offer the firstfruits of the flock. The blood poured on the posts of the tent was to protect those living in it. Once this ancient spring festival was connected with the departure from Egypt, it would commemorate the deliverance effected by God.
The Passover was essentially sacrificial from the beginning. Added to this was the meal (v. 11) and the urgency in which it was to be held because of the circumstances it commemorated: there is no time for seasoning anything (v. 9); neither is any other food to be eaten with it except for the bread and desert herbs; and the people are to be in traveling dress—standing, wearing sandals, and holding a staff—indicating that they are on a journey to the true Promised Land.
Jesus chose to institute the Eucharist in the context of the Passover meal and to be crucified during Passover. He thus becomes the true Passover lamb, whose blood is shed for the salvation of all humankind. - Exodus 12:2 This is the month of Abib, of the ripe ears of corn (see Ex 13:4). It would later be called Nisan (March-April).
