1
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהוָה֙ אֶל מֹשֶׁ֣ה וְאֶֽל אַהֲרֹ֔ן בְּאֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרַ֖יִם לֵאמֹֽר
And the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying,
Opens the Passover legislation with the standard wayyiqtol formula; the scene is fixed precisely 'in the land of Egypt,' before the exodus, distinguishing this speech from the later Sinai legislation.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
וַיֹּ֤אמֶרand he saidwayyiqtol Qal 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; standard verb introducing direct divine speech.
יְהוָה֙YHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God; speaking directly while Israel is still in Egypt, before the exodus itself.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase marking addressee
מֹשֶׁ֣הMosesproper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Object of preposition (addressee)מֹשֶׁה (H4872), the covenant mediator; receives the Passover instructions jointly with Aaron.
וְאֶֽלand toconj וְ + prep · אֶל (H413)Coordinating conjunction + prepositional phrase
אַהֲרֹ֔ןAaronproper noun · אַהֲרֹן (H175)Object of preposition (second addressee)אַהֲרֹן (H175), Moses' brother; included as co-recipient, anticipating his priestly role.
בְּאֶ֥רֶץin the land ofprep בְ + N f sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prepositional phraseאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; construct with מִצְרַיִם fixes the setting.
מִצְרַ֖יִםEgyptproper noun · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Genitive complement of construct (locative)מִצְרַיִם (H4714); the whole legislation is dated to this final night there.
לֵאמֹֽרsayingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָמַר (H559)Infinitive of speech introducing direct discourse→ Infinitival: marks the following words as direct quotationThe formulaic לֵאמֹר opens the extended divine speech running through v. 20.
2
הַחֹ֧דֶשׁ הַזֶּ֛ה לָכֶ֖ם רֹ֣אשׁ חֳדָשִׁ֑ים רִאשׁ֥וֹן הוּא֙ לָכֶ֔ם לְחָדְשֵׁ֖י הַשָּׁנָֽה
This month shall be for you the beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year for you.
The divine speech proper begins asyndetically with the calendar reset — 'this month' (Aviv/Nisan) becomes month one, subordinating Israel's entire festal year to the Exodus event.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
הַחֹ֧דֶשׁthe monthart + N m sg abs · חֹדֶשׁ (H2320)Subject (fronted, casus pendens)חֹדֶשׁ (H2320) 'new moon, month', from חָדָשׁ 'new'.
הַזֶּ֛הthisart + demonstr pron m sg · זֶה (H2088)Attributive demonstrative modifying the monthPoints to the current month, Aviv/Nisan, as the pivot of the new calendar.
לָכֶ֖םfor youprep לְ + 2mp suffix · לְDative of advantage
רֹ֣אשׁhead/beginning ofN m sg constr · רֹאשׁ (H7218)Predicate nominative (construct)רֹאשׁ (H7218) 'head, beginning'; temporal — first in the sequence of months.
חֳדָשִׁ֑יםmonthsN m pl abs · חֹדֶשׁ (H2320)Genitive complement of construct (partitive)This clause resets Israel's calendar, making the Exodus month first of the religious year.
רִאשׁ֥וֹןfirstordinal adj m sg abs · רִאשׁוֹן (H7223)Predicate adjectiveרִאשׁוֹן (H7223), from רֹאשׁ; restates the ordinal rank.
הוּא֙it (is)indep pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Resumptive subject pronoun (copula)
לָכֶ֔םfor youprep לְ + 2mp suffix · לְDative of advantage
לְחָדְשֵׁ֖יof the months ofprep לְ + N m pl constr · חֹדֶשׁ (H2320)Prepositional phrase, genitive relationConstruct plural of חֹדֶשׁ — the reordered religious/civil calendar.
הַשָּׁנָֽהthe yearart + N f sg abs · שָׁנָה (H8141)Genitive complement of constructשָׁנָה (H8141) 'year'.
3
דַּבְּר֗וּ אֶֽל כָּל עֲדַ֤ת יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר בֶּעָשֹׂ֖ר לַחֹ֣דֶשׁ הַזֶּ֑ה וְיִקְח֣וּ לָהֶ֗ם אִ֛ישׁ שֶׂ֥ה לְבֵית אָבֹ֖ת שֶׂ֥ה לַבָּֽיִת
Speak to all the congregation of Israel, saying: On the tenth of this month each man shall take for himself a lamb according to their fathers' houses, a lamb for a household.
The speech shifts from calendar to procedure: Moses and Aaron must relay the instructions to 'all the congregation of Israel' — the Passover is a communal, household-based rite from its inception.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
דַּבְּר֗וּspeak!Piel impv 2mp · דָבַר (H1696)Predicate verb (imperative, main clause)→ Volitional: direct commandדָבַר (H1696) Piel 'to speak'; commands relaying this legislation to the whole assembly.
אֶֽלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase (addressee)
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹל (H3605)Construct governing עֲדַתכֹל (H3605) 'all, every'; in construct, 'the whole congregation.'
עֲדַ֤תcongregation ofN f sg constr · עֵדָה (H5712)Construct chain (genitival), governed by כָלעֵדָה (H5712) 'congregation, assembly'; Israel addressed corporately for the first time.
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙Israelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive complement of construct chainעֲדַת יִשְׂרָאֵל, 'the congregation of Israel' — recurs through the Passover legislation.
לֵאמֹ֔רsayingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָמַר (H559)Infinitive introducing reported command→ Infinitivalאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; here the infinitive construct introducing direct divine speech, '(the LORD spoke ...) saying.'
בֶּעָשֹׂ֖רon the tenthprep בְ + art + N m sg abs · עָשׂוֹר (H6218)Temporal prepositional phraseעָשׂוֹר (H6218) 'ten, tenth day'; the lamb is selected four days before slaughter (v. 6).
לַחֹ֣דֶשׁof the monthprep לְ + art + N m sg abs · חֹדֶשׁ (H2320)Genitive complementחֹדֶשׁ (H2320) 'month, new moon'; from a root 'to be new'; this chapter fixes 'this month' (Abib/Nisan) as the first month of Israel's calendar.
הַזֶּ֑הthisart + demonstr pron m sg · זֶה (H2088)Attributive demonstrative
וְיִקְח֣וּand let them takeconj וְ + Qal impf 3mp (jussive) · לָקַח (H3947)Jussive/volitional yiqtol continuing the command→ Volitional: jussive continuation of the imperative seriesלָקַח (H3947) 'to take'; the selection of the Passover animal, the first ritual act.
לָהֶ֗םfor themselvesprep לְ + 3mp suffix · לְDative of advantage (reflexive)
אִ֛ישׁeach manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Distributive apposition (adverbial, 'each')אִישׁ (H376) 'man', used distributively — per household.
שֶׂ֥הa lambN com sg abs · שֶׂה (H7716)Direct objectשֶׂה (H7716) 'lamb/kid, one of the flock'; further defined in v. 5.
לְבֵיתfor a house ofprep לְ + N m sg constr · בַיִת (H1004)Distributive prepositional phraseבַיִת (H1004) 'house'; here 'household', extended family unit.
אָבֹ֖תfathersN m pl abs · אָב (H1)Genitive complement (construct chain)בֵית אָבוֹת, 'a father's house' = extended family/clan unit, basic Passover unit.
שֶׂ֥הa lambN com sg abs · שֶׂה (H7716)Direct object (restated for clarity)שֶׂה (H7716) 'lamb, sheep or goat' (a single animal of the flock); the Passover victim selected per household.
לַבָּֽיִתfor the householdprep לְ + art + N m sg abs · בַיִת (H1004)Distributive prepositional phrase (apposition)Restates: one lamb per household, scaled by household size (cf. v. 4).
4
וְאִם יִמְעַ֣ט הַבַּיִת֮ מִהְיֹ֣ת מִשֶּׂה֒ וְלָקַ֣ח ה֗וּא וּשְׁכֵנ֛וֹ הַקָּרֹ֥ב אֶל בֵּית֖וֹ בְּמִכְסַ֣ת נְפָשֹׁ֑ת אִ֚ישׁ לְפִ֣י אָכְל֔וֹ תָּכֹ֖סּוּ עַל הַשֶּֽׂה
But if the household is too small for a lamb, then he and his neighbor nearest to his house shall take one according to the number of persons; each of you shall be reckoned according to what he eats regarding the lamb.
A subordinate case-law addition: household size determines lamb-sharing, ensuring the whole animal is consumed (cf. v. 10) without waste — casuistic legal style embedded in the narrative.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
וְאִםand ifconj וְ + conj · אִם (H518)Conditional conjunction (protasis)
יִמְעַ֣טis too smallQal impf 3ms · מָעַט (H4591)Predicate verb of conditional protasis→ Yiqtol: imperfective — a hypothetical/conditional stateמָעַט (H4591) 'to be few/small'; a household too small to consume a whole lamb.
הַבַּיִת֮the householdart + N m sg abs · בַיִת (H1004)Subjectבַּיִת (H1004) 'house, household'; both the physical house whose door is marked with blood and the family unit gathered to eat the lamb together.
מִהְיֹ֣תthan to haveprep מִן + Qal inf constr · הָיָה (H1961)Comparative infinitival clause ('too small to have...')→ Infinitival: comparative construction with מִןהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, have'; מִן + inf. constr. yields a comparative.
מִשֶּׂה֒for a lambprep מִן + N com sg abs · שֶׂה (H7716)Complement of comparative infinitiveשֶׂה (H7716) 'lamb, sheep or goat' (a single animal of the flock); the Passover victim selected per household.
וְלָקַ֣חthen he shall takeconj וְ + Qal perf 3ms (weqatal) · לָקַח (H3947)Apodosis predicate verb (weqatal)→ Weqatal: apodosis continuing the conditional's forceRepeats the taking of v. 3, now shared between neighbors.
ה֗וּאheindep pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Subject (resumptive/emphatic)
וּשְׁכֵנ֛וֹand his neighborconj וְ + N m sg constr + 3ms suffix · שָׁכֵן (H7934)Coordinate subjectשָׁכֵן (H7934) 'neighbor'; provision for small households to combine with an adjacent family.
הַקָּרֹ֥בthe nearest oneart + adj m sg abs · קָרוֹב (H7138)Attributive adjective modifying his neighborקָרוֹב (H7138) 'near'; presumably for practical convenience.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase of proximity
בֵּית֖וֹhis houseN m sg constr + 3ms suffix · בַיִת (H1004)Object of prepositionבַּיִת (H1004) 'house, household'; both the physical house whose door is marked with blood and the family unit gathered to eat the lamb together.
בְּמִכְסַ֣תaccording to the number ofprep בְ + N f sg constr · מִכְסָה (H4373)Prepositional phrase of measureמִכְסָה (H4373) 'number, proportion' (root כסה 'to count/reckon'); sets the ratio of lamb to eaters.
נְפָשֹׁ֑תpersonsN com pl abs · נֶפֶשׁ (H5315)Genitive complementנֶפצֶש (H5315) 'soul, person'; counted per capita for apportioning the lamb.
אִ֚ישׁeachN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Distributive appositionאִישׁ (H376) 'man'; used distributively, 'each man/household,' in the instructions for selecting a lamb per family.
לְפִ֣יaccording toprep לְ + N m sg constr · פֶּה (H6310)Prepositional phrase of measureפֶה (H6310) 'mouth'; idiomatically 'according to, in proportion to.'
אָכְל֔וֹhis eatingN m sg constr + 3ms suffix · אֹכֶל (H400)Genitive complement (verbal noun)אֹכֶל (H400) 'food, eating capacity'; ration calculated per person's appetite.
תָּכֹ֖סּוּyou shall reckonQal impf 2mp · כָסַס (H3699)Predicate verb (main clause continuation)→ Yiqtol: instructional/modal — prescribes the counting procedureכָסַס (H3699) 'to count, apportion'; a rare verb specific to this Passover-lamb allotment rule.
עַלwith regard toprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase specifying reference
הַשֶּֽׂהthe lambart + N com sg abs · שֶׂה (H7716)Object of prepositionשֶׂה (H7716) 'lamb, sheep or goat' (a single animal of the flock); the Passover victim selected per household.
5
שֶׂ֥ה תָמִ֛ים זָכָ֥ר בֶּן שָׁנָ֖ה יִהְיֶ֣ה לָכֶ֑ם מִן הַכְּבָשִׂ֥ים וּמִן הָעִזִּ֖ים תִּקָּֽחוּ
Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male a year old; you shall take it from the sheep or from the goats.
Details the required qualities of the animal — unblemished, male, yearling, from flock or herd — establishing the standard later applied to all Israelite sacrifices.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
שֶׂ֥הa lambN com sg abs · שֶׂה (H7716)Subject (fronted for emphasis)שֶׂה (H7716) 'lamb, sheep or goat' (a single animal of the flock); the Passover victim selected per household.
תָמִ֛יםwithout blemishadj m sg abs · תָמִים (H8549)Attributive adjectiveתָמִים (H8549) 'complete, unblemished'; ritual perfection required, foundational for NT typology (1 Pet 1:19).
זָכָ֥רa maleadj m sg abs · זָכָר (H2145)Attributive adjectiveזָכָר (H2145) 'male'.
בֶּןa son ofN m sg constr · בֵן (H1121)Construct governing שָׁנָה (age expression)בֵן שָׁנָה, 'a year old' — an idiom of age.
שָׁנָ֖הa yearN f sg abs · שָׁנָה (H8141)Genitive complement (age idiom)שָׁנָה (H8141) 'year'; the yearling age required of the Passover lamb (v.5) and the 430-year span of the Egyptian sojourn (v.40).
יִהְיֶ֣הit shall beQal impf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: modal/instructional — a binding requirementהָיָה (H1961) 'to be'.
לָכֶ֑םfor youprep לְ + 2mp suffix · לְDative of advantage
מִןfromprep · מִן (H4480)Prepositional phrase (source)
הַכְּבָשִׂ֥יםthe sheepart + N m pl abs · כֶבֶשׂ (H3532)Object of preposition (first option)כֶבֶשׂ (H3532) 'sheep, lamb'.
וּמִןor fromconj וְ + prep · מִן (H4480)Coordinating conjunction + preposition
הָעִזִּ֖יםthe goatsart + N f pl abs · עֵז (H5795)Object of preposition (second option)עֵז (H5795) 'goat'; either species acceptable for the victim.
תִּקָּֽחוּyou shall takeQal impf 2mp · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: instructional/modalלָקַח (H3947) 'to take'; the verb of taking the lamb, the blood, the hyssop — the concrete ritual actions commanded throughout the chapter.
6
וְהָיָ֤ה לָכֶם֙ לְמִשְׁמֶ֔רֶת עַ֣ד אַרְבָּעָ֥ה עָשָׂ֛ר י֖וֹם לַחֹ֣דֶשׁ הַזֶּ֑ה וְשָׁחֲט֣וּ אֹת֗וֹ כֹּ֛ל קְהַ֥ל עֲדַֽת יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל בֵּ֥ין הָעַרְבָּֽיִם
You shall keep it under guard until the fourteenth day of this month, then the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall slaughter it at twilight.
Specifies the precise day (the 14th) and hour ('between the evenings') for the communal slaughter, stressing corporate action by the whole congregation together.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
וְהָיָ֤הand it shall beconj וְ + Qal perf 3ms (weqatal) · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (weqatal, main clause)→ Weqatal: continuing instructionהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become, happen'; common verb of being; in the weqatal chains here it projects the future/customary consequence, 'it shall be/happen that ...'
לָכֶם֙for youprep לְ + 2mp suffix · לְDative of advantage
לְמִשְׁמֶ֔רֶתfor safekeepingprep לְ + N f sg abs · מִשְׁמֶרֶת (H4931)Predicate complementמִשְׁמֶרֶת (H4931) 'guard duty', from שָׁמַר; the lamb is watched four days before slaughter.
עַ֣דuntilprep · עַד (H5704)Temporal prepositional phrase
אַרְבָּעָ֥הfournumeral card · אַרְבַע (H702)Numeral (compound with עָשָׂר)אַרְבַע (H702) 'four'; cardinal numeral, part of the 'fourteenth day' formula fixing the date of the Passover slaughter.
עָשָׂ֛ר-teennumeral · עָשָׂר (H6240)Numeral, forms 'fourteen' with the prior wordעָשָׂר 'ten' (teens suffix); 'fourteen' is the day of slaughter.
י֖וֹםdayN m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Head noun of temporal phraseיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; the chapter's recurring temporal marker — the day of selection, of slaughter, of the exodus itself, and the seven days of Unleavened Bread.
לַחֹ֣דֶשׁof the monthprep לְ + art + N m sg abs · חֹדֶשׁ (H2320)Genitive complementחֹדֶשׁ (H2320) 'month, new moon'; from a root 'to be new'; this chapter fixes 'this month' (Abib/Nisan) as the first month of Israel's calendar.
הַזֶּ֑הthisart + demonstr pron m sg · זֶה (H2088)Attributive demonstrative
וְשָׁחֲט֣וּand they shall slaughterconj וְ + Qal perf 3cp (weqatal) · שָׁחַט (H7819)Predicate verb (weqatal, main clause)→ Weqatal: sequential instructionשָׁחַט (H7819) 'to slaughter'; the ritual killing, performed by the people themselves.
אֹת֗וֹitobj marker + 3ms suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct object
כֹּ֛לall/wholeN m sg constr · כֹל (H3605)Construct governing קְהַלכֹּל (H3605) 'all, whole, every'; a construct noun used as a quantifier — 'the whole congregation,' 'all Egypt,' 'every house,' 'all the days.'
קְהַ֥לassembly ofN m sg constr · קָהָל (H6951)Construct chain (genitival)קָהָל (H6951) 'assembly'; stacked with עֲדַת for corporate solemnity.
עֲדַֽתcongregation ofN f sg constr · עֵדָה (H5712)Construct chain (genitival)עֵדָה (H5712) 'congregation, assembly'; the whole gathered community of Israel who together perform the Passover slaughter (v.6) and from which the leaven-eater is cut off (v.19).
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive complement of construct chainיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478) 'Israel'; the covenant people (from Jacob's name), addressed corporately throughout the Passover legislation.
בֵּ֥יןbetweenprep · בֵין (H996)Temporal prepositional phrase (idiom)
הָעַרְבָּֽיִםthe two eveningsart + N m du abs · עֶרֶב (H6153)Object of preposition (idiom for twilight)בֵין הָעַרְבַיִם, 'between the (two) evenings' — late afternoon to sunset.
7
וְלָֽקְחוּ֙ מִן הַדָּ֔ם וְנָֽתְנ֛וּ עַל שְׁתֵּ֥י הַמְּזוּזֹ֖ת וְעַל הַמַּשְׁק֑וֹף עַ֚ל הַבָּ֣תִּ֔ים אֲשֶׁר יֹאכְל֥וּ אֹת֖וֹ בָּהֶֽם
And they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and on the lintel of the houses in which they eat it.
Introduces the blood rite proper — smeared on doorposts and lintel of every house where the lamb is eaten, the visible sign that will trigger God's protective 'passing over' in v. 13.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וְלָֽקְחוּ֙and they shall takeconj וְ + Qal perf 3cp (weqatal) · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb (weqatal)→ Weqatal: sequential instructionלָקַח (H3947) 'to take'; the verb of taking the lamb, the blood, the hyssop — the concrete ritual actions commanded throughout the chapter.
מִןsome ofprep · מִן (H4480)Partitive prepositional phrase
הַדָּ֔םthe bloodart + N m sg abs · דָם (H1818)Object of prepositionדָם (H1818) 'blood'; becomes the central ritual sign — applied, seen, and the ground of God's passing over.
וְנָֽתְנ֛וּand they shall putconj וְ + Qal perf 3cp (weqatal) · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (weqatal)→ Weqatal: sequential instructionנָתַן (H5414) 'to give, put'; the application of blood to the doorframe.
עַלonprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phrase
שְׁתֵּ֥יthe two ofnumeral f constr · שְׁתַיִם (H8147)Construct governing the doorpostsשְׁתַּיִם (H8147) 'two' (fem.); cardinal numeral, 'the two doorposts' on which the blood is applied.
הַמְּזוּזֹ֖תthe doorpostsart + N f pl abs · מְזוּזָה (H4201)Genitive complement of constructמְזוּזָה (H4201) 'doorpost'; later names the mezuzah scroll commemorating this event.
וְעַלand onconj וְ + prep · עַל (H5921)Coordinating conjunction + prepositional phrase
הַמַּשְׁק֑וֹףthe lintelart + N m sg abs · מַשְׁקוֹף (H4947)Object of prepositionמַשְׁקוֹף (H4947) 'lintel'; with the doorposts, blood marks three sides of the doorframe.
עַ֚לonprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phrase (resumptive)
הַבָּ֣תִּ֔יםthe housesart + N m pl abs · בַיִת (H1004)Object of prepositionבַּיִת (H1004) 'house, household'; both the physical house whose door is marked with blood and the family unit gathered to eat the lamb together.
אֲשֶׁרin whichrel particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing subordinate clause
יֹאכְל֥וּthey eatQal impf 3mp · אָכַל (H398)Predicate verb of relative clause→ Yiqtol: habitual/customaryאָכַל (H398) 'to eat'; the meal that dominates vv. 8-11.
אֹת֖וֹitobj marker + 3ms suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct object
בָּהֶֽםin themprep בְ + 3mp suffix · בְPrepositional phrase (locative, resumptive)
8
וְאָכְל֥וּ אֶת הַבָּשָׂ֖ר בַּלַּ֣יְלָה הַזֶּ֑ה צְלִי אֵ֣שׁ וּמַצּ֔וֹת עַל מְרֹרִ֖ים יֹאכְלֻֽהוּ
And they shall eat the flesh that same night, roasted over fire; with unleavened bread and bitter herbs they shall eat it.
Specifies the meal's contents and mode — roasted meat, unleavened bread, bitter herbs — the fixed menu that becomes the template for the later Seder.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וְאָכְל֥וּand they shall eatconj וְ + Qal perf 3cp (weqatal) · אָכַל (H398)Predicate verb (weqatal)→ Weqatal: sequential instructionאָכַל (H398) 'to eat'; the chapter's central ritual verb — eating the roasted lamb, unleavened bread and bitter herbs, and later the prohibition on eating anything leavened during the feast.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
הַבָּשָׂ֖רthe fleshart + N m sg abs · בָשָׂר (H1320)Direct objectבָשָׂר (H1320) 'flesh'; the roasted lamb, distinguished from the blood which is applied, not eaten.
בַּלַּ֣יְלָהin the nightprep בְ + art + N m sg abs · לַיְלָה (H3915)Temporal prepositional phraseלַיְלָה (H3915) 'night'; the meal is eaten the same night the LORD passes through Egypt (v. 12).
הַזֶּ֑הthis/that (same)art + demonstr pron m sg · זֶה (H2088)Attributive demonstrative
צְלִיroasted (of)N m sg constr · צָלִי (H6748)Adverbial accusative of manner (construct)צָלִי (H6748) 'roasted meat', from צָלָה; roasting keeps the animal whole and unbroken (v. 46).
אֵ֣שׁfireN com sg abs · אֵשׁ (H784)Genitive complement of constructאֵשׁ (H784) 'fire'.
וּמַצּ֔וֹתand unleavened breadconj וְ + N f pl abs · מַצָּה (H4682)Coordinate adverbial accusativeמַצָּה (H4682) 'unleavened bread'; eaten in haste (v. 39), thereafter perpetually (vv. 15-20).
עַלwithprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase of accompaniment
מְרֹרִ֖יםbitter herbsN m pl abs · מְרֹרִים (H4844)Object of prepositionמְרֹרִים (H4844), from מָרַר 'to be bitter'; traditionally linked to the bitterness of Egyptian slavery (1:14).
יֹאכְלֻֽהוּthey shall eat itQal impf 3mp + 3ms suffix · אָכַל (H398)Predicate verb (resumptive, main clause close)→ Yiqtol: instructional/modalאָכַל (H398) with suffix, closing the verse's triad: meat, unleavened bread, bitter herbs.
9
אַל תֹּאכְל֤וּ מִמֶּ֨נּוּ֙ נָ֔א וּבָשֵׁ֥ל מְבֻשָּׁ֖ל בַּמָּ֑יִם כִּ֣י אִם צְלִי אֵ֔שׁ רֹאשׁ֥וֹ עַל כְּרָעָ֖יו וְעַל קִרְבּֽוֹ
Do not eat any of it raw, or boiled at all in water, but roasted over fire, with its head, legs, and inner parts.
A negative stipulation forbidding raw or boiled preparation, insisting on whole-animal roasting — preserving the animal's physical integrity as a sign (cf. v. 46) and distinguishing it from ordinary cooking.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
אַלdo notnegative particle (jussive) · אַל (H408)Negative particle with jussive (prohibition)אַל (H408), used with the jussive for prohibitions, distinct from לֹא.
תֹּאכְל֤וּyou shall eatQal impf 2mp (jussive) · אָכַל (H398)Predicate verb (jussive, prohibition)→ Jussive/volitional: prohibitive force with אַלאָכַל (H398) 'to eat'; the chapter's central ritual verb — eating the roasted lamb, unleavened bread and bitter herbs, and later the prohibition on eating anything leavened during the feast.
מִמֶּ֨נּוּ֙from itprep מִן + 3ms suffix · מִן (H4480)Partitive prepositional phrase
נָ֔אrawadj m sg abs · נָא (H4995)Adverbial accusative modifying 'eat' ('raw')נָא (H4995) here the adjective 'raw, underdone' (distinct from the particle of entreaty spelled identically); paired with the next two words to exclude both raw and boiled preparation.
וּבָשֵׁ֥לor boiledconj וְ + adj m sg abs · בָשֵׁל (H1311)Coordinate adverbial accusative (cognate emphatic pair)בָשֵׁל (H1311) 'boiled, cooked'; paired with the participle for emphasis, 'boiled at all.'
מְבֻשָּׁ֖לboiledPual ptc m sg abs · בִשֵּׁל (H1310)Verbal complement intensifying the prior adjective→ Pual: passive/stative — emphatic repetitionבִשֵּׁל (H1310) Piel/Pual 'to boil'; the cognate pairing forbids boiling in any manner.
בַּמָּ֑יִםin waterprep בְ + art + N m pl abs · מַיִם (H4325)Locative prepositional phraseמַיִם (H4325) 'water'.
כִּ֣יbutconj · כִּי (H3588)Adversative conjunction (with אִם)
אִםratherconj · אִם (H518)Forms כִּי אִם, adversative 'but rather'כִּי אִם, a fixed adversative idiom, 'but, except, rather.'
צְלִיroasted (of)N m sg constr · צָלִי (H6748)Adverbial accusative of mannerצָלִי (H6748) 'roasted (meat)'; describes how the lamb must be cooked — roasted over fire, not boiled or eaten raw (v.9).
אֵ֔שׁfireN com sg abs · אֵשׁ (H784)Genitive complementאֵשׁ (H784) 'fire'; the lamb must be roasted with fire, not boiled in water — a specific ritual prescription (v.9).
רֹאשׁ֥וֹits headN m sg constr + 3ms suffix · רֹאשׁ (H7218)Apposition specifying the whole animal is roastedרֹאשׁ (H7218) 'head'; the animal is roasted whole and intact — head, legs, and entrails together.
עַלwithprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase of accompaniment
כְּרָעָ֖יוits legsN m du constr + 3ms suffix · כְּרָעַיִם (H3767)Object of prepositionכְּרָעַיִם (H3767) 'legs, shanks' (dual).
וְעַלand withconj וְ + prep · עַל (H5921)Coordinating conjunction + prepositional phrase
קִרְבּֽוֹits inner partsN m sg constr + 3ms suffix · קֶרֶב (H7130)Object of prepositionקֶרֶב (H7130) 'inward part, entrails'; the whole animal — head, legs, entrails — is roasted and eaten together, unbroken (cf. v. 46).
10
וְלֹא תוֹתִ֥ירוּ מִמֶּ֖נּוּ עַד בֹּ֑קֶר וְהַנֹּתָ֥ר מִמֶּ֛נּוּ עַד בֹּ֖קֶר בָּאֵ֥שׁ תִּשְׂרֹֽפוּ
You shall let none of it remain until morning; what remains of it until morning you shall burn with fire.
Closes the meal instructions: nothing sacred may survive till morning to be handled as common food; any remainder is destroyed by fire.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וְלֹאand notconj וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle
תוֹתִ֥ירוּyou shall let remainHiphil impf 2mp · יָתַר (H3498)Predicate verb (main clause, prohibition)→ Yiqtol: instructional, negatedיָתַר (H3498) Hiphil 'to leave over, cause to remain'.
מִמֶּ֖נּוּfrom itprep מִן + 3ms suffix · מִן (H4480)Partitive prepositional phrase
עַדuntilprep · עַד (H5704)Temporal prepositional phrase
בֹּ֑קֶרmorningN m sg abs · בֹקֶר (H1242)Object of prepositionבֹקֶר (H1242) 'morning'.
וְהַנֹּתָ֥רand what remainsconj וְ + art + Niphal ptc m sg abs · יָתַר (H3498)Subject (substantival participle, casus pendens)→ Niphal: passive/stative — the residue that is leftSubstantival use of the participle, 'that which remains,' resuming יָתַר.
מִמֶּ֛נּוּfrom itprep מִן + 3ms suffix · מִן (H4480)Partitive prepositional phrase
עַדuntilprep · עַד (H5704)Temporal prepositional phrase
בֹּ֖קֶרmorningN m sg abs · בֹקֶר (H1242)Object of prepositionבֹּקֶר (H1242) 'morning'; the temporal boundary of the rite — any meat left over must not remain until morning.
בָּאֵ֥שׁwith fireprep בְ + art + N com sg abs · אֵשׁ (H784)Instrumental prepositional phrase (fronted)אֵשׁ (H784) 'fire'; the lamb must be roasted with fire, not boiled in water — a specific ritual prescription (v.9).
תִּשְׂרֹֽפוּyou shall burnQal impf 2mp · שָׂרַף (H8313)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: instructional/modalשָׂרַף (H8313) 'to burn'; no trace of the sacred meal may survive to be treated commonly.
11
וְכָכָה֮ תֹּאכְל֣וּ אֹתוֹ֒ מָתְנֵיכֶ֣ם חֲגֻרִ֔ים נַֽעֲלֵיכֶם֙ בְּרַגְלֵיכֶ֔ם וּמַקֶּלְכֶ֖ם בְּיֶדְכֶ֑ם וַאֲכַלְתֶּ֤ם אֹתוֹ֙ בְּחִפָּז֔וֹן פֶּ֥סַח ה֖וּא לַיהוָֽה
And thus you shall eat it: your loins girded, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and you shall eat it in haste. It is the LORD's Passover.
The eating posture — girded, shod, staff in hand, eaten hastily — dramatizes readiness for immediate departure; the verse closes by naming the rite פֶסַח, 'Passover,' for the first time.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וְכָכָה֮and thusconj וְ + adv · כָכָה (H3602)Adverbial conjunction introducing manner clauseכָכָה (H3602) 'thus, in this manner'; introduces the posture for eating — dressed for departure.
תֹּאכְל֣וּyou shall eatQal impf 2mp · אָכַל (H398)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: instructional/modalאָכַל (H398) 'to eat'; the chapter's central ritual verb — eating the roasted lamb, unleavened bread and bitter herbs, and later the prohibition on eating anything leavened during the feast.
אֹתוֹ֒itobj marker + 3ms suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct object
מָתְנֵיכֶ֣םyour loinsN m du constr + 2mp suffix · מֹתֶן (H4975)Subject of following participle (circumstantial clause)מֹתֶן (H4975), dual 'loins, waist'; girding the loins signaled readiness for travel (cf. 1 Kgs 18:46).
חֲגֻרִ֔יםgirdedQal pass ptc m pl abs · חָגַר (H2296)Predicate participle (circumstantial clause)→ Participle: describes the posture accompanying the eatingחָגַר (H2296) 'to gird'; the loins bound for immediate movement.
נַֽעֲלֵיכֶם֙your sandalsN f pl constr + 2mp suffix · נַעַל (H5275)Subject of elided predicate (circumstantial clause)נַעַל (H5275) 'sandal'.
בְּרַגְלֵיכֶ֔םon your feetprep בְ + N f du constr + 2mp suffix · רֶגֶל (H7272)Locative predicate complementרֶגֶל (H7272), dual 'feet.'
וּמַקֶּלְכֶ֖םand your staffconj וְ + N m sg constr + 2mp suffix · מַקֵל (H4731)Coordinate subject of elided predicateמַקֵל (H4731) 'staff, rod'; again signals imminent departure.
בְּיֶדְכֶ֑םin your handprep בְ + N com sg constr + 2mp suffix · יָד (H3027)Locative predicate complementיָד (H3027) 'hand'.
וַאֲכַלְתֶּ֤םand you shall eatconj וְ + Qal perf 2mp (weqatal) · אָכַל (H398)Predicate verb (weqatal, resuming main clause)→ Weqatal: resumes and closes the instruction begun aboveאָכַל (H398) 'to eat'; the chapter's central ritual verb — eating the roasted lamb, unleavened bread and bitter herbs, and later the prohibition on eating anything leavened during the feast.
אֹתוֹ֙itobj marker + 3ms suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct object
בְּחִפָּז֔וֹןin hasteprep בְ + N m sg abs · חִפָזוֹן (H2649)Adverbial prepositional phrase of mannerחִפָזוֹן (H2649) 'haste, hurried flight' (root חפז); a rare noun almost exclusive to the Exodus/Passover context.
פֶּ֥סַחa Passover(-offering)N m sg abs · פֶסַח (H6453)Predicate nominativeפֶסַח (H6453) 'Passover', from פָסַח 'to pass over/protect' (see vv. 13, 23); first named here as an institution.
ה֖וּאit (is)indep pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Copula/resumptive pronoun
לַיהוָֽהto/for the LORDprep לְ + proper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Dative complement (dedication)The meal is 'a Passover to/for the LORD' — dedicated to him, not merely a family supper.
12
וְעָבַרְתִּ֣י בְאֶֽרֶץ מִצְרַיִם֮ בַּלַּ֣יְלָה הַזֶּה֒ וְהִכֵּיתִ֤י כָל בְּכוֹר֙ בְּאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרַ֔יִם מֵאָדָ֖ם וְעַד בְּהֵמָ֑ה וּבְכָל אֱלֹהֵ֥י מִצְרַ֛יִם אֶֽעֱשֶׂ֥ה שְׁפָטִ֖ים אֲנִ֥י יְהוָֽה
For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and I will strike every firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast, and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments; I am the LORD.
The theological center of the chapter: God himself will pass through Egypt to strike every firstborn and judge Egypt's gods, sealed with 'I am the LORD' — explaining why the blood-sign of vv. 7, 13 is necessary.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
וְעָבַרְתִּ֣יand I will pass throughconj וְ + Qal perf 1cs (weqatal) · עָבַר (H5674)Predicate verb (weqatal, divine first-person)→ Weqatal: emphatic first-person future/resolveעָבַר (H5674) 'to pass through/over'; God's own traversal of Egypt, the root underlying פֶסַח's counterpart פָסַח in v. 13.
בְאֶֽרֶץthrough the land ofprep בְ + N f sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prepositional phraseאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land, earth'; repeatedly 'the land of Egypt,' the geographic stage of the tenth plague and the exodus.
מִצְרַיִם֮Egyptproper noun · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Genitive complementמִצְרַיִם (H4714) 'Egypt, Egyptians'; the land and people who are both the object of the plague-judgment and the setting the Israelites depart from.
בַּלַּ֣יְלָהin the nightprep בְ + art + N m sg abs · לַיְלָה (H3915)Temporal prepositional phraseלַיְלָה (H3915) 'night'; the pivotal night of the tenth plague, the Passover meal, and the exodus — a night 'to be much observed' (v.42).
הַזֶּה֒thisart + demonstr pron m sg · זֶה (H2088)Attributive demonstrative
וְהִכֵּיתִ֤יand I will strikeconj וְ + Hiphil perf 1cs (weqatal) · נָכָה (H5221)Predicate verb (weqatal)→ Weqatal: emphatic first-person resolveנָכָה (H5221) Hiphil 'to strike, smite'; the verb of the tenth plague.
כָלeveryN m sg constr · כֹל (H3605)Construct governing בְכוֹרכֹּל (H3605) 'all, whole, every'; a construct noun used as a quantifier — 'the whole congregation,' 'all Egypt,' 'every house,' 'all the days.'
בְּכוֹר֙firstbornN m sg abs · בְכוֹר (H1060)Direct object (genitive complement of 'every')בְכוֹר (H1060) 'firstborn'; target of the final plague, and basis for Israel's own firstborn consecration (13:2).
בְּאֶ֣רֶץin the land ofprep בְ + N f sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prepositional phraseאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land, earth'; repeatedly 'the land of Egypt,' the geographic stage of the tenth plague and the exodus.
מִצְרַ֔יִםEgyptproper noun · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Genitive complementמִצְרַיִם (H4714) 'Egypt, Egyptians'; the land and people who are both the object of the plague-judgment and the setting the Israelites depart from.
מֵאָדָ֖םfrom manprep מִן + N m sg abs · אָדָם (H120)Prepositional phrase (merism, first member)אָדָם (H120) 'man'; paired with בְהֵמָה, a merism — human and animal firstborn alike.
וְעַדto/evenconj וְ + prep · עַד (H5704)Coordinating conjunction + preposition (merism marker)
בְּהֵמָ֑הbeastN f sg abs · בְהֵמָה (H929)Object of preposition (merism, second member)בְהֵמָה (H929) 'animal, livestock.'
וּבְכָלand against allconj וְ + prep בְ + N m sg constr · כֹל (H3605)Construct governing אֱלֹהֵי (prepositional phrase)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, whole, every'; a construct noun used as a quantifier — 'the whole congregation,' 'all Egypt,' 'every house,' 'all the days.'
אֱלֹהֵ֥יgods ofN m pl constr · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Genitive complement of construct chainאֱלֹהִים (H430), construct plural 'gods' — the deities of Egypt, exposed as powerless (cf. Num 33:4).
מִצְרַ֛יִםEgyptproper noun · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Genitive complementמִצְרַיִם (H4714) 'Egypt, Egyptians'; the land and people who are both the object of the plague-judgment and the setting the Israelites depart from.
אֶֽעֱשֶׂ֥הI will executeQal impf 1cs · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: emphatic first-person futureעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do'; with שְׁפָטִים, 'execute judgments' — technical for divine judgment-acts (cf. Num 33:4; Ezek 30:19).
שְׁפָטִ֖יםjudgmentsN m pl abs · שֶׁפֶט (H8201)Direct objectשֶׁפֶט (H8201) 'judgment, act of judgment'; plural intensive, the totality of the plagues culminating here.
אֲנִ֥יIindep pron 1cs · אֲנִי (H589)Subject (emphatic self-identification)
יְהוָֽהthe LORDproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Predicate nominative (self-identification formula)The formula אֲנִי יְהוָה seals the judgment-oracle with divine authority.
13
וְהָיָה֩ הַדָּ֨ם לָכֶ֜ם לְאֹ֗ת עַ֤ל הַבָּתִּים֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אַתֶּ֣ם שָׁ֔ם וְרָאִ֨יתִי֙ אֶת הַדָּ֔ם וּפָסַחְתִּ֖י עֲלֵכֶ֑ם וְלֹֽא יִֽהְיֶ֨ה בָכֶ֥ם נֶ֨גֶף֙ לְמַשְׁחִ֔ית בְּהַכֹּתִ֖י בְּאֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרָֽיִם
The blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are; when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague will fall on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.
The pivotal verse of the chapter and the etymological center of 'Passover': God will see the blood and 'pass over' (פָסַח) the marked houses, so the plague-blow that strikes Egypt does not touch Israel.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
וְהָיָה֩and it shall beconj וְ + Qal perf 3ms (weqatal) · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (weqatal)→ Weqatal: instructionalהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become, happen'; common verb of being; in the weqatal chains here it projects the future/customary consequence, 'it shall be/happen that ...'
הַדָּ֨םthe bloodart + N m sg abs · דָם (H1818)Subjectדָּם (H1818) 'blood'; the blood of the slaughtered lamb applied to the two doorposts and lintel — the sign by which the destroyer passes over the house.
לָכֶ֜םfor youprep לְ + 2mp suffix · לְDative of advantage
לְאֹ֗תas a signprep לְ + N com sg abs · אוֹת (H226)Predicate complementאוֹת (H226) 'sign'; the blood functions as a visible, protective sign, paralleling other covenant signs (Gen 9; 17).
עַ֤לonprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phrase
הַבָּתִּים֙the housesart + N m pl abs · בַיִת (H1004)Object of prepositionבַּיִת (H1004) 'house, household'; both the physical house whose door is marked with blood and the family unit gathered to eat the lamb together.
אֲשֶׁ֣רwhererel particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing locative clause
אַתֶּ֣םyouindep pron 2mp · אַתֶּם (H859)Subject of relative clause
שָׁ֔םthereadv · שָׁם (H8033)Adverbial predicate of relative clauseשָׁם (H8033) 'there.'
וְרָאִ֨יתִי֙and I will seeconj וְ + Qal perf 1cs (weqatal) · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (weqatal, divine first-person)→ Weqatal: emphatic first-person resolveרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; God's seeing of the blood triggers his protective passing-over.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
הַדָּ֔םthe bloodart + N m sg abs · דָם (H1818)Direct objectדָּם (H1818) 'blood'; the blood of the slaughtered lamb applied to the two doorposts and lintel — the sign by which the destroyer passes over the house.
וּפָסַחְתִּ֖יand I will pass overconj וְ + Qal perf 1cs (weqatal) · פָסַח (H6452)Predicate verb (weqatal)→ Weqatal: emphatic first-person resolveפָסַח (H6452) 'to pass over, spare, protect'; the verb giving the festival its name פֶסַח — God 'skips over' the marked houses.
עֲלֵכֶ֑םover youprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase (locative/beneficiary)
וְלֹֽאand notconj וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle
יִֽהְיֶ֨הthere will beQal impf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: future/modal, negatedהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become, happen'; common verb of being; in the weqatal chains here it projects the future/customary consequence, 'it shall be/happen that ...'
בָכֶ֥םon youprep בְ + 2mp suffix · בְPrepositional phrase (locative)
נֶ֨גֶף֙a plagueN m sg abs · נֶגֶף (H5063)Subjectנֶגֶף (H5063), root נגף 'to strike'; the destructive blow the blood-sign averts.
לְמַשְׁחִ֔יתto destroyprep לְ + N m sg abs · מַשְׁחִית (H4889)Purpose prepositional phraseמַשְׁחִית (H4889) 'destruction, destroyer', from שָׁחַת; anticipates 'the Destroyer' (הַמַּשְׁחִית) of v. 23.
בְּהַכֹּתִ֖יwhen I strikeprep בְ + Hiphil inf constr + 1cs suffix · נָכָה (H5221)Temporal infinitival clause ('when I strike')→ Infinitival: temporal clause specifying the moment of the plagueSame verb as וְהִכֵּיתִי (v. 12), naming the very act the blood-sign protects against.
בְּאֶ֥רֶץin the land ofprep בְ + N f sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prepositional phraseאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land, earth'; repeatedly 'the land of Egypt,' the geographic stage of the tenth plague and the exodus.
מִצְרָֽיִםEgyptproper noun · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Genitive complementמִצְרַיִם (H4714) 'Egypt, Egyptians'; the land and people who are both the object of the plague-judgment and the setting the Israelites depart from.
14
וְהָיָה֩ הַיּ֨וֹם הַזֶּ֤ה לָכֶם֙ לְזִכָּר֔וֹן וְחַגֹּתֶ֥ם אֹת֖וֹ חַ֣ג לַֽיהוָ֑ה לְדֹרֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם חֻקַּ֥ת עוֹלָ֖ם תְּחָגֻּֽהוּ
And this day shall be a memorial for you, and you shall celebrate it as a festival to the LORD; throughout your generations you shall celebrate it as a perpetual statute.
The night's rite is transformed into a named, dated, perpetual festival — 'this day' becomes a fixed annual memorial, tying future generations to this founding event.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וְהָיָה֩and it shall beconj וְ + Qal perf 3ms (weqatal) · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (weqatal)→ Weqatal: instructionalהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become, happen'; common verb of being; in the weqatal chains here it projects the future/customary consequence, 'it shall be/happen that ...'
הַיּ֨וֹםthe dayart + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Subjectיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; the chapter's recurring temporal marker — the day of selection, of slaughter, of the exodus itself, and the seven days of Unleavened Bread.
הַזֶּ֤הthisart + demonstr pron m sg · זֶה (H2088)Attributive demonstrative
לָכֶם֙for youprep לְ + 2mp suffix · לְDative of advantage
לְזִכָּר֔וֹןfor a memorialprep לְ + N m sg abs · זִכָרוֹן (H2146)Predicate complementזִכָרוֹן (H2146) 'memorial, remembrance', from זָכַר 'to remember'; the day itself becomes a perpetual act of commemoration.
וְחַגֹּתֶ֥םand you shall celebrateconj וְ + Qal perf 2mp (weqatal) · חָגַג (H2287)Predicate verb (weqatal)→ Weqatal: instructionalחָגַג (H2287) 'to celebrate a feast/pilgrimage'; root of חַג, 'festival.'
אֹת֖וֹitobj marker + 3ms suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct object
חַ֣גas a festivalN m sg abs · חַג (H2282)Adverbial accusative (predicate complement)חַג (H2282) 'feast, pilgrimage festival'; the Exodus event becomes one of Israel's three great pilgrim feasts.
לַֽיהוָ֑הto the LORDprep לְ + proper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Dative complement (dedication)יְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name (Tetragrammaton) of Israel's God; speaks and acts directly through the plague and exodus narrated in this chapter.
לְדֹרֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔םthroughout your generationsprep לְ + N m pl constr + 2mp suffix · דוֹר (H1755)Adverbial prepositional phrase of durationדוֹר (H1755) 'generation'; the celebration is projected forward as perpetual, not a one-time event.
חֻקַּ֥תa statute ofN f sg constr · חֻקָה (H2708)Predicate nominative (apposition)חֻקָה (H2708) 'statute, prescribed ordinance', from חָקַק 'to inscribe, decree.'
עוֹלָ֖םperpetuityN m sg abs · עוֹלָם (H5769)Genitive complement of constructעוֹלָם (H5769) 'long duration, forever'; חֻקַת עוֹלָם, 'a perpetual statute' — a recurring formula sealing the chapter's legislation (cf. vv. 17, 24).
תְּחָגֻּֽהוּyou shall celebrate itQal impf 2mp + 3ms suffix · חָגַג (H2287)Predicate verb (main clause, resumptive)→ Yiqtol: instructional/modal, resuming the weqatal seriesחָגַג (H2287) 'to keep a pilgrim-feast, celebrate'; root of חַג 'festival'; the command to observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread as a recurring festal celebration.
15
שִׁבְעַ֤ת יָמִים֙ מַצּ֣וֹת תֹּאכֵ֔לוּ אַ֚ךְ בַּיּ֣וֹם הָרִאשׁ֔וֹן תַּשְׁבִּ֥יתוּ שְּׂאֹ֖ר מִבָּתֵּיכֶ֑ם כִּ֣י כָּל אֹכֵ֣ל חָמֵ֗ץ וְנִכְרְתָ֞ה הַנֶּ֤פֶשׁ הַהִוא֙ מִיִּשְׂרָאֵ֔ל מִיּ֥וֹם הָרִאשֹׁ֖ן עַד י֥וֹם הַשְּׁבִעִֽי
Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread; on the first day you shall remove leaven from your houses, for whoever eats what is leavened from the first day until the seventh day, that person shall be cut off from Israel.
Introduces the week-long complement to the one-night Passover meal, with the severe karet ('cut off') sanction for eating leaven — the first explicit penalty clause in the chapter.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
שִׁבְעַ֤תseven ofnumeral card f constr · שֶׁבַע (H7651)Construct governing יָמִיםשֶׁבַע (H7651) 'seven'; cardinal numeral for the seven-day duration of the Feast of Unleavened Bread.
יָמִים֙daysN m pl abs · יוֹם (H3117)Genitive complement (duration expression, fronted)יוֹם (H3117) 'day'; the chapter's recurring temporal marker — the day of selection, of slaughter, of the exodus itself, and the seven days of Unleavened Bread.
מַצּ֣וֹתunleavened breadN f pl abs · מַצָה (H4682)Direct object (fronted for emphasis)מַצָה (H4682); the seven-day diet defining the festival's other name, the Feast of Unleavened Bread.
תֹּאכֵ֔לוּyou shall eatQal impf 2mp · אָכַל (H398)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: instructional/modalאָכַל (H398) 'to eat'; the chapter's central ritual verb — eating the roasted lamb, unleavened bread and bitter herbs, and later the prohibition on eating anything leavened during the feast.
אַ֚ךְonly/surelyadv · אַךְ (H389)Restrictive adverbאַךְ (H389) 'surely, only'; introduces the strict prohibition of leaven.
בַּיּ֣וֹםon the dayprep בְ + art + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Temporal prepositional phraseיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; the chapter's recurring temporal marker — the day of selection, of slaughter, of the exodus itself, and the seven days of Unleavened Bread.
הָרִאשׁ֔וֹןfirstart + ordinal adj m sg abs · רִאשׁוֹן (H7223)Attributive adjectiveרִאשׁוֹן (H7223) 'first'; ordinal from רֹאשׁ 'head'; names both the first day of Unleavened Bread and 'the first month' of Israel's reckoned year.
תַּשְׁבִּ֥יתוּyou shall removeHiphil impf 2mp · שָׁבַת (H7673)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: instructional/modalשָׁבַת (H7673) Hiphil 'to cause to cease, remove'; same root as שַׁבָּת, 'to rest, cease.'
שְּׂאֹ֖רleavenN m sg abs · שְׂאֹר (H7603)Direct objectשְׂאֹר (H7603) 'leaven, sourdough'; must be entirely purged from Israelite households.
מִבָּתֵּיכֶ֑םfrom your housesprep מִן + N m pl constr + 2mp suffix · בַיִת (H1004)Prepositional phrase (source)בַּיִת (H1004) 'house, household'; both the physical house whose door is marked with blood and the family unit gathered to eat the lamb together.
כִּ֣יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction
כָּלwhoever/allN m sg constr · כֹל (H3605)Construct governing the participle 'eats'כֹּל (H3605) 'all, whole, every'; a construct noun used as a quantifier — 'the whole congregation,' 'all Egypt,' 'every house,' 'all the days.'
אֹכֵ֣לeatsQal ptc m sg abs · אָכַל (H398)Substantival participle, subject of the clause→ Participle: characterizes an ongoing violator ('whoever eats')אָכַל (H398) as substantival participle, 'one who eats' — the transgressor.
חָמֵ֗ץleavened breadN m sg abs · חָמֵץ (H2557)Direct object of the participleחָמֵץ (H2557) 'leavened food', from חָמֵץ 'to be sour/leavened'; the forbidden substance during the seven days.
וְנִכְרְתָ֞הshall be cut offconj וְ + Niphal perf 3fs (weqatal) · כָרַת (H3772)Predicate verb (weqatal, apodosis)→ Niphal weqatal: passive judicial sanction — excision from the communityכָרַת (H3772) Niphal 'to be cut off'; the karet penalty, severe covenantal excision, not merely a fine.
הַנֶּ֤פֶשׁthe personart + N com sg abs · נֶפֶשׁ (H5315)Subjectנֶפֶשׁ (H5315) 'soul, person'; the individual transgressor, held personally liable.
הַהִוא֙thatart + demonstr pron f sg · הִיא (H1931)Attributive demonstrative modifying 'the person'
מִיִּשְׂרָאֵ֔לfrom Israelprep מִן + proper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Prepositional phrase (source of excision)Excision 'from Israel' severs covenantal membership, not merely physical life — a theological, not only civil, penalty.
מִיּ֥וֹםfrom the dayprep מִן + N m sg constr · יוֹם (H3117)Temporal prepositional phrase (source)יוֹם (H3117) 'day'; the chapter's recurring temporal marker — the day of selection, of slaughter, of the exodus itself, and the seven days of Unleavened Bread.
הָרִאשֹׁ֖ןfirstart + ordinal adj m sg abs · רִאשׁוֹן (H7223)Attributive adjectiveרִאשׁוֹן (H7223) 'first'; ordinal from רֹאשׁ 'head'; names both the first day of Unleavened Bread and 'the first month' of Israel's reckoned year.
עַדuntilprep · עַד (H5704)Temporal prepositional phrase (terminus)
י֥וֹםdayN m sg constr · יוֹם (H3117)Head noun of temporal phraseיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; the chapter's recurring temporal marker — the day of selection, of slaughter, of the exodus itself, and the seven days of Unleavened Bread.
הַשְּׁבִעִֽיthe seventhart + ordinal adj m sg abs · שְׁבִיעִי (H7637)Attributive adjectiveFrames the seven-day span of the unleavened-bread prohibition, first to seventh day inclusive.
16
וּבַיּ֤וֹם הָרִאשׁוֹן֙ מִקְרָא קֹ֔דֶשׁ וּבַיּוֹם֙ הַשְּׁבִיעִ֔י מִקְרָא קֹ֖דֶשׁ יִהְיֶ֣ה לָכֶ֑ם כָּל מְלָאכָה֙ לֹא יֵעָשֶׂ֣ה בָהֶ֔ם אַ֚ךְ אֲשֶׁ֣ר יֵאָכֵ֣ל לְכָל נֶ֔פֶשׁ ה֥וּא לְבַדּ֖וֹ יֵעָשֶׂ֥ה לָכֶֽם
On the first day there shall be a holy convocation, and on the seventh day a holy convocation; no work shall be done on them, except what every person must eat — that alone may be prepared for you.
Specifies convocation and rest on the first and seventh days, with a single narrow exception for food preparation — establishing the festival's liturgical shape.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
וּבַיּ֤וֹםand on the dayconj וְ + prep בְ + art + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Temporal prepositional phraseיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; the chapter's recurring temporal marker — the day of selection, of slaughter, of the exodus itself, and the seven days of Unleavened Bread.
הָרִאשׁוֹן֙firstart + ordinal adj m sg abs · רִאשׁוֹן (H7223)Attributive adjectiveרִאשׁוֹן (H7223) 'first'; ordinal from רֹאשׁ 'head'; names both the first day of Unleavened Bread and 'the first month' of Israel's reckoned year.
מִקְרָאa holy convocationN m sg constr · מִקְרָא (H4744)Predicate nominative (construct chain)מִקְרָא (H4744) 'convocation, calling-together', from קָרָא 'to call'; a formally summoned sacred assembly.
קֹ֔דֶשׁholyN m sg abs · קֹדֶשׁ (H6944)Genitive complement of constructקֹדֶשׁ (H6944) 'holiness'; מִקְרָא קֹדֶשׁ, 'a holy convocation' — first and seventh days are sabbath-like rest days.
וּבַיּוֹם֙and on the dayconj וְ + prep בְ + art + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Temporal prepositional phraseיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; the chapter's recurring temporal marker — the day of selection, of slaughter, of the exodus itself, and the seven days of Unleavened Bread.
הַשְּׁבִיעִ֔יseventhart + ordinal adj m sg abs · שְׁבִיעִי (H7637)Attributive adjectiveשְׁבִיעִי (H7637) 'seventh'; ordinal closing the week of Unleavened Bread with its own sacred convocation.
מִקְרָאa holy convocationN m sg constr · מִקְרָא (H4744)Predicate nominative (construct chain)מִקְרָא (H4744) 'convocation, calling together'; from קרא 'to call'; the sacred assembly held on the first and seventh days of Unleavened Bread.
קֹ֖דֶשׁholyN m sg abs · קֹדֶשׁ (H6944)Genitive complement of constructקֹדֶשׁ (H6944) 'holiness, sacred (thing)'; describes the convocation days set apart from ordinary labor.
יִהְיֶ֣הit shall beQal impf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: instructional/modalהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become, happen'; common verb of being; in the weqatal chains here it projects the future/customary consequence, 'it shall be/happen that ...'
לָכֶ֑םfor youprep לְ + 2mp suffix · לְDative of advantage
כָּלall/anyN m sg constr · כֹל (H3605)Construct governing מְלָאכָהכֹּל (H3605) 'all, whole, every'; a construct noun used as a quantifier — 'the whole congregation,' 'all Egypt,' 'every house,' 'all the days.'
מְלָאכָה֙workN f sg abs · מְלָאכָה (H4399)Subjectמְלָאכָה (H4399) 'work, occupation, business'; ordinary labor is suspended on these two bookend days, as on the weekly Sabbath.
לֹאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle
יֵעָשֶׂ֣הshall be doneNiphal impf 3ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (main clause, negated)→ Niphal: passive — 'shall not be done'עָשָׂה (H6213) Niphal, passive 'to be done'.
בָהֶ֔םin themprep בְ + 3mp suffix · בְPrepositional phrase (locative, referring to the two days)
אַ֚ךְonlyadv · אַךְ (H389)Restrictive adverbאַךְ (H389) 'only'; introduces the single exception to the work-prohibition.
אֲשֶׁ֣רthat whichrel particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing the exception clause
יֵאָכֵ֣לis eatenNiphal impf 3ms · אָכַל (H398)Predicate verb of relative clause→ Niphal: passive — 'is eaten, is to be eaten'אָכַל (H398) Niphal, passive; food preparation alone is exempted from the general work-ban.
לְכָלfor everyprep לְ + N m sg constr · כֹל (H3605)Prepositional phrase, distributiveכֹּל (H3605) 'all, whole, every'; a construct noun used as a quantifier — 'the whole congregation,' 'all Egypt,' 'every house,' 'all the days.'
נֶ֔פֶשׁpersonN com sg abs · נֶפֶשׁ (H5315)Genitive complementנֶפֶשׁ (H5315) 'soul, person, living being'; used distributively in reckoning how much lamb is needed 'according to each person's' portion (v.4).
ה֥וּאthatindep pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Resumptive subject pronoun
לְבַדּ֖וֹaloneprep לְ + N m sg constr + 3ms suffix · בַד (H905)Adverbial prepositional phrase ('by itself')בַד (H905) 'separation, alone'; לְבַדּוֹ, 'by itself' — food preparation, and only that, is permitted.
יֵעָשֶׂ֥הmay be doneNiphal impf 3ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Niphal: passive, permissive — 'may be done'עָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make, perform'; here Niphal passive, 'may be done/made' — of the work forbidden or permitted on the festival days.
לָכֶֽםfor youprep לְ + 2mp suffix · לְDative of advantage
17
וּשְׁמַרְתֶּם֮ אֶת הַמַּצּוֹת֒ כִּ֗י בְּעֶ֨צֶם֙ הַיּ֣וֹם הַזֶּ֔ה הוֹצֵ֥אתִי אֶת צִבְאוֹתֵיכֶ֖ם מֵאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרָ֑יִם וּשְׁמַרְתֶּ֞ם אֶת הַיּ֥וֹם הַזֶּ֛ה לְדֹרֹתֵיכֶ֖ם חֻקַּ֥ת עוֹלָֽם
You shall keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread, for on this very day I brought your hosts out of the land of Egypt; therefore you shall keep this day, throughout your generations, as a perpetual statute.
Repeats and grounds the 'keep this day' command in the historical fact of the deliverance itself, framing memory and command as inseparable.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
וּשְׁמַרְתֶּם֮and you shall keepconj וְ + Qal perf 2mp (weqatal) · שָׁמַר (H8104)Predicate verb (weqatal)→ Weqatal: instructionalשָׁמַר (H8104) 'to keep, observe'; obligates ongoing observance of the festival.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
הַמַּצּוֹת֒the (feast of) unleavened breadart + N f pl abs · מַצָה (H4682)Direct objectHere מַצוֹת stands metonymically for the festival itself, 'the Unleavened Bread (feast).'
כִּ֗יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction
בְּעֶ֨צֶם֙on this veryprep בְ + N f sg constr · עֶצֶם (H6106)Temporal prepositional phrase (idiom of exactness)עֶצֶם (H6106) 'bone, substance, self'; בְעֶצֶם הַיוֹם, idiomatic 'on this very day' — precise dating.
הַיּ֣וֹםdayart + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Head noun of temporal idiomיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; the chapter's recurring temporal marker — the day of selection, of slaughter, of the exodus itself, and the seven days of Unleavened Bread.
הַזֶּ֔הthisart + demonstr pron m sg · זֶה (H2088)Attributive demonstrative
הוֹצֵ֥אתִיI brought outHiphil perf 1cs · יָצָא (H3318)Predicate verb (subordinate causal clause)→ Perfective: a completed, decisive act of deliveranceיָצָא (H3318) Hiphil 'to bring out'; grounds the festival's date in the historical act of the exodus itself.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
צִבְאוֹתֵיכֶ֖םyour hostsN com pl constr + 2mp suffix · צָבָא (H6635)Direct objectצָבָא (H6635) 'host, army'; Israel is described as an organized military force marching out, not a fleeing rabble.
מֵאֶ֣רֶץfrom the land ofprep מִן + N f sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prepositional phrase (source)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'land, earth'; repeatedly 'the land of Egypt,' the geographic stage of the tenth plague and the exodus.
מִצְרָ֑יִםEgyptproper noun · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Genitive complementמִצְרַיִם (H4714) 'Egypt, Egyptians'; the land and people who are both the object of the plague-judgment and the setting the Israelites depart from.
וּשְׁמַרְתֶּ֞םand you shall keepconj וְ + Qal perf 2mp (weqatal) · שָׁמַר (H8104)Predicate verb (weqatal, resumptive)→ Weqatal: instructional, resumes the main commandשָׁמַר (H8104) 'to keep, watch, observe'; used of keeping the lamb until the appointed day and of observing the feast as a perpetual ordinance.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
הַיּ֥וֹםthe dayart + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Direct objectיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; the chapter's recurring temporal marker — the day of selection, of slaughter, of the exodus itself, and the seven days of Unleavened Bread.
הַזֶּ֛הthisart + demonstr pron m sg · זֶה (H2088)Attributive demonstrative
לְדֹרֹתֵיכֶ֖םthroughout your generationsprep לְ + N m pl constr + 2mp suffix · דוֹר (H1755)Adverbial prepositional phrase of durationדּוֹר (H1755) 'generation'; 'throughout your generations' establishes the Passover/Unleavened Bread observance as a perpetual, trans-generational statute.
חֻקַּ֥תa statute ofN f sg constr · חֻקָה (H2708)Predicate nominative (apposition)חֻקָּה (H2708) 'statute, prescribed ordinance'; from חקק 'to inscribe, decree'; a fixed, perpetual ordinance — used of the Passover regulation and the Feast of Unleavened Bread.
עוֹלָֽםperpetuityN m sg abs · עוֹלָם (H5769)Genitive complement of constructRepeats the formula of v. 14, framing the Unleavened Bread festival as permanently binding.
18
בָּרִאשֹׁ֡ן בְּאַרְבָּעָה֩ עָשָׂ֨ר י֤וֹם לַחֹ֨דֶשׁ֙ בָּעֶ֔רֶב תֹּאכְל֖וּ מַצֹּ֑ת עַ֠ד י֣וֹם הָאֶחָ֧ד וְעֶשְׂרִ֛ים לַחֹ֖דֶשׁ בָּעָֽרֶב
In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, in the evening, you shall eat unleavened bread, until the twenty-first day of the month, in the evening.
Gives the precise evening-to-evening bracket (14th to 21st) for the unleavened-bread observance, closing the festival calendar begun in v. 2.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
בָּרִאשֹׁ֡ןin the first (month)prep בְ + art + ordinal adj m sg abs · רִאשׁוֹן (H7223)Temporal prepositional phraseרִאשׁוֹן (H7223) 'first'; ordinal from רֹאשׁ 'head'; names both the first day of Unleavened Bread and 'the first month' of Israel's reckoned year.
בְּאַרְבָּעָה֩on the fourteenthprep בְ + numeral · אַרְבָעָה (H702)Temporal prepositional phrase (compound numeral)אַרְבַע (H702) 'four'; cardinal numeral, part of the 'fourteenth day' formula fixing the date of the Passover slaughter.
עָשָׂ֨ר-teennumeral · עָשָׂר (H6240)Numeral, forms 'fourteen' with the prior wordעָשָׂר (H6240) '-teen'; the numeral element forming 'fourteenth' and other teen ordinals used to date the rite precisely.
י֤וֹםdayN m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Head noun of temporal phraseיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; the chapter's recurring temporal marker — the day of selection, of slaughter, of the exodus itself, and the seven days of Unleavened Bread.
לַחֹ֨דֶשׁ֙of the monthprep לְ + art + N m sg abs · חֹדֶשׁ (H2320)Genitive complementחֹדֶשׁ (H2320) 'month, new moon'; from a root 'to be new'; this chapter fixes 'this month' (Abib/Nisan) as the first month of Israel's calendar.
בָּעֶ֔רֶבin the eveningprep בְ + art + N m sg abs · עֶרֶב (H6153)Temporal prepositional phraseעֶרֶב (H6153) 'evening'; the lamb is slaughtered 'between the two evenings' (בֵּין הָעַרְבַּיִם), a technical expression for twilight.
תֹּאכְל֖וּyou shall eatQal impf 2mp · אָכַל (H398)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: instructional/modalאָכַל (H398) 'to eat'; the chapter's central ritual verb — eating the roasted lamb, unleavened bread and bitter herbs, and later the prohibition on eating anything leavened during the feast.
מַצֹּ֑תunleavened breadN f pl abs · מַצָה (H4682)Direct objectמַצָּה (H4682) 'unleavened bread'; the bread baked without leaven, contrasted with חָמֵץ; the central food both of the hurried departure and of the week-long festival named for it.
עַ֠דuntilprep · עַד (H5704)Temporal prepositional phrase (terminus)
י֣וֹםdayN m sg constr · יוֹם (H3117)Head noun of temporal phraseיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; the chapter's recurring temporal marker — the day of selection, of slaughter, of the exodus itself, and the seven days of Unleavened Bread.
הָאֶחָ֧דthe oneart + numeral card m sg abs · אֶחָד (H259)Attributive numeral (part of compound date)אֶחָד (H259) 'one'; cardinal numeral from a root of unity; used of 'one law' (תּוֹרָה אַחַת) binding native and sojourner alike (v.49) and of dates within the month.
וְעֶשְׂרִ֛יםand twentyconj וְ + numeral card · עֶשְׂרִים (H6242)Coordinate numeral, forms 'twenty-one' with prior wordTogether, 'the twenty-first day' — the festival's full span is precisely bounded, evening to evening.
לַחֹ֖דֶשׁof the monthprep לְ + art + N m sg abs · חֹדֶשׁ (H2320)Genitive complementחֹדֶשׁ (H2320) 'month, new moon'; from a root 'to be new'; this chapter fixes 'this month' (Abib/Nisan) as the first month of Israel's calendar.
בָּעָֽרֶבin the eveningprep בְ + art + N m sg abs · עֶרֶב (H6153)Temporal prepositional phraseThe seven-day festival is bounded evening to evening, matching the lunar-day reckoning (day begins at sunset).
19
שִׁבְעַ֣ת יָמִ֔ים שְׂאֹ֕ר לֹ֥א יִמָּצֵ֖א בְּבָתֵּיכֶ֑ם כִּ֣י כָּל אֹכֵ֣ל מַחְמֶ֗צֶת וְנִכְרְתָ֞ה הַנֶּ֤פֶשׁ הַהִוא֙ מֵעֲדַ֣ת יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל בַּגֵּ֖ר וּבְאֶזְרַ֥ח הָאָֽרֶץ
Seven days no leaven shall be found in your houses; for whoever eats what is leavened, that person shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether sojourner or native of the land.
Reiterates the karet sanction with added emphasis on total absence ('shall be found') and explicit inclusion of the resident alien alongside the native Israelite.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
שִׁבְעַ֣תseven ofnumeral card f constr · שֶׁבַע (H7651)Construct governing יָמִיםשֶׁבַע (H7651) 'seven'; cardinal numeral for the seven-day duration of the Feast of Unleavened Bread.
יָמִ֔יםdaysN m pl abs · יוֹם (H3117)Genitive complement (duration expression, fronted)יוֹם (H3117) 'day'; the chapter's recurring temporal marker — the day of selection, of slaughter, of the exodus itself, and the seven days of Unleavened Bread.
שְׂאֹ֕רleavenN m sg abs · שְׂאֹר (H7603)Subjectשְׂאֹר (H7603) 'leaven, sourdough starter'; the fermenting agent that must be entirely removed from Israelite houses during the feast (v.19).
לֹ֥אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle
יִמָּצֵ֖אshall be foundNiphal impf 3ms · מָצָא (H4672)Predicate verb (main clause, negated)→ Niphal: passive — total absence requiredמָצָא (H4672) Niphal 'to be found'; not merely unused but entirely absent from the home.
בְּבָתֵּיכֶ֑םin your housesprep בְ + N m pl constr + 2mp suffix · בַיִת (H1004)Locative prepositional phraseבַּיִת (H1004) 'house, household'; both the physical house whose door is marked with blood and the family unit gathered to eat the lamb together.
כִּ֣יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction
כָּלwhoever/allN m sg constr · כֹל (H3605)Construct governing the participleכֹּל (H3605) 'all, whole, every'; a construct noun used as a quantifier — 'the whole congregation,' 'all Egypt,' 'every house,' 'all the days.'
אֹכֵ֣לeatsQal ptc m sg abs · אָכַל (H398)Substantival participle, subject of the clause→ Participle: characterizes an ongoing violatorאָכַל (H398) 'to eat'; the chapter's central ritual verb — eating the roasted lamb, unleavened bread and bitter herbs, and later the prohibition on eating anything leavened during the feast.
מַחְמֶ֗צֶתwhat is leavenedHiphil ptc f sg abs · חָמֵץ (H2557)Direct object of the participle (substantival participle)→ Participle: substantival, 'that which is leavened'חָמֵץ (H2557) Hiphil participle, 'leavened matter'; a synonym-variant of חָמֵץ noun in v. 15.
וְנִכְרְתָ֞הshall be cut offconj וְ + Niphal perf 3fs (weqatal) · כָרַת (H3772)Predicate verb (weqatal, apodosis)→ Niphal weqatal: passive judicial sanction — excision from the communityכָּרַת (H3772) 'to cut off, cut down'; here Niphal, 'shall be cut off' — the covenant-curse formula excluding from the congregation anyone who eats leavened bread during the feast (v.19).
הַנֶּ֤פֶשׁthe personart + N com sg abs · נֶפֶשׁ (H5315)Subjectנֶפֶשׁ (H5315) 'soul, person, living being'; used distributively in reckoning how much lamb is needed 'according to each person's' portion (v.4).
הַהִוא֙thatart + demonstr pron f sg · הִיא (H1931)Attributive demonstrative modifying 'the person'
מֵעֲדַ֣תfrom the congregation ofprep מִן + N f sg constr · עֵדָה (H5712)Prepositional phrase (source of excision)עֵדָה (H5712) 'congregation, assembly'; the whole gathered community of Israel who together perform the Passover slaughter (v.6) and from which the leaven-eater is cut off (v.19).
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive complement of constructיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478) 'Israel'; the covenant people (from Jacob's name), addressed corporately throughout the Passover legislation.
בַּגֵּ֖רwhether sojournerprep בְ + art + N m sg abs · גֵר (H1616)Prepositional phrase specifying scope (merism, first member)גֵר (H1616) 'resident alien, sojourner'; the leaven-prohibition binds foreigner and native alike — the law is territorial, not merely ethnic.
וּבְאֶזְרַ֥חor nativeconj וְ + prep בְ + N m sg constr · אֶזְרָח (H249)Coordinate prepositional phrase (merism, second member)אֶזְרָח (H249) 'native-born'; paired with גֵר for comprehensive scope.
הָאָֽרֶץof the landart + N com sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Genitive complement of constructאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land, earth'; repeatedly 'the land of Egypt,' the geographic stage of the tenth plague and the exodus.
20
כָּל מַחְמֶ֖צֶת לֹ֣א תֹאכֵ֑לוּ בְּכֹל֙ מוֹשְׁבֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם תֹּאכְל֖וּ מַצּֽוֹת
You shall eat nothing leavened; in all your dwelling places you shall eat unleavened bread.
A terse closing summary — nothing leavened, only unleavened bread — before the narrative resumes in v. 21.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
כָּלany/allN m sg constr · כֹל (H3605)Construct governing מַחְמֶצֶתכֹּל (H3605) 'all, whole, every'; a construct noun used as a quantifier — 'the whole congregation,' 'all Egypt,' 'every house,' 'all the days.'
מַחְמֶ֖צֶתleavened thingHiphil ptc f sg abs · חָמֵץ (H2557)Direct object (fronted, substantival participle)→ Participle: substantival, 'anything leavened'Restates the prohibition with the feminine substantival form.
לֹ֣אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle
תֹאכֵ֑לוּyou shall eatQal impf 2mp · אָכַל (H398)Predicate verb (main clause, negated)→ Yiqtol: instructional/modal, negatedאָכַל (H398) 'to eat'; the chapter's central ritual verb — eating the roasted lamb, unleavened bread and bitter herbs, and later the prohibition on eating anything leavened during the feast.
בְּכֹל֙in allprep בְ + N m sg constr · כֹל (H3605)Prepositional phrase, distributiveכֹּל (H3605) 'all, whole, every'; a construct noun used as a quantifier — 'the whole congregation,' 'all Egypt,' 'every house,' 'all the days.'
מוֹשְׁבֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔םyour dwelling placesN m pl constr + 2mp suffix · מוֹשָׁב (H4186)Genitive complement of constructמוֹשָׁב (H4186) 'dwelling place, habitation'; the law applies universally, wherever Israel resides.
תֹּאכְל֖וּyou shall eatQal impf 2mp · אָכַל (H398)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: instructional/modalאָכַל (H398) 'to eat'; the chapter's central ritual verb — eating the roasted lamb, unleavened bread and bitter herbs, and later the prohibition on eating anything leavened during the feast.
מַצּֽוֹתunleavened breadN f pl abs · מַצָה (H4682)Direct objectCloses the Unleavened Bread legislation (vv. 14-20) with a final positive-negative pairing: only מַצוֹת, never חָמֵץ.
21
וַיִּקְרָ֥א מֹשֶׁ֛ה לְכָל זִקְנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֲלֵהֶ֑ם מִֽשְׁכ֗וּ וּקְח֨וּ לָכֶ֥ם צֹ֛אן לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתֵיכֶ֖ם וְשַׁחֲט֥וּ הַפָּֽסַח
Then Moses called all the elders of Israel and said to them, Draw out and take for yourselves flock animals according to your families, and slaughter the Passover lamb.
The speech-frame closes and narrative resumes: Moses immediately relays the divine instructions to the elders, condensing vv. 3-11 into brief imperatives as the community moves to action.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וַיִּקְרָ֥אand he calledconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · קָרָא (H7121)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceקָרָא (H7121) 'to call'; the narrative resumes after the extended divine speech (vv. 1-20), showing Moses obeying at once.
מֹשֶׁ֛הMosesproper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Subjectמֹשֶׁה (H4872) 'Moses'; the covenant mediator, co-recipient with Aaron of these instructions, who later summons the elders of Israel (v.21).
לְכָלfor allprep לְ + N m sg constr · כֹל (H3605)Prepositional phrase (addressee)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, whole, every'; a construct noun used as a quantifier — 'the whole congregation,' 'all Egypt,' 'every house,' 'all the days.'
זִקְנֵ֥יelders ofadj m pl constr · זָקֵן (H2205)Construct chain (genitival)זָקֵן (H2205) 'elder, old man'; Moses relays the instructions through Israel's recognized leadership, not directly to the whole people.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive complement of construct chainיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478) 'Israel'; the covenant people (from Jacob's name), addressed corporately throughout the Passover legislation.
וַיֹּ֣אמֶרand saidconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; here the infinitive construct introducing direct divine speech, '(the LORD spoke ...) saying.'
אֲלֵהֶ֑םto themprep + 3mp suffix · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase (addressee)
מִֽשְׁכ֗וּdraw outQal impv 2mp · מָשַׁךְ (H4900)Predicate verb (imperative, direct speech)→ Volitional: direct commandמָשַׁךְ (H4900) 'to draw, drag out'; here of selecting/pulling out an animal from the flock.
וּקְח֨וּand takeconj וְ + Qal impv 2mp · לָקַח (H3947)Coordinate imperative→ Volitional: direct commandלָקַח (H3947) 'to take'; the verb of taking the lamb, the blood, the hyssop — the concrete ritual actions commanded throughout the chapter.
לָכֶ֥םfor yourselvesprep לְ + 2mp suffix · לְDative of advantage (reflexive)
צֹ֛אןflock animalsN com sg abs · צֹאן (H6629)Direct objectצֹאן (H6629) 'flock, small livestock (sheep/goats)'.
לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתֵיכֶ֖םaccording to your familiesprep לְ + N f pl constr + 2mp suffix · מִשְׁפָחָה (H4940)Distributive prepositional phraseמִשְׁפָחָה (H4940) 'clan, family'; the household-based allotment of vv. 3-4 is now put into action.
וְשַׁחֲט֥וּand slaughterconj וְ + Qal impv 2mp · שָׁחַט (H7819)Coordinate imperative→ Volitional: direct commandשָׁחַט (H7819) 'to slaughter (ritually)'; the technical verb for killing the Passover victim.
הַפָּֽסַחthe Passover (lamb)art + N m sg abs · פֶסַח (H6453)Direct objectפֶסַח (H6453) now used metonymically of the animal itself, 'the Passover victim.'
22
וּלְקַחְתֶּ֞ם אֲגֻדַּ֣ת אֵז֗וֹב וּטְבַלְתֶּם֮ בַּדָּ֣ם אֲשֶׁר בַּסַּף֒ וְהִגַּעְתֶּ֤ם אֶל הַמַּשְׁקוֹף֙ וְאֶל שְׁתֵּ֣י הַמְּזוּזֹ֔ת מִן הַדָּ֖ם אֲשֶׁ֣ר בַּסָּ֑ף וְאַתֶּ֗ם לֹ֥א תֵצְא֛וּ אִ֥ישׁ מִפֶּֽתַח בֵּית֖וֹ עַד בֹּֽקֶר
Take a bunch of hyssop, dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and touch the lintel and the two doorposts with the blood that is in the basin; and none of you shall go out of the door of his house until morning.
Specifies the hyssop-applicator (later linked to the mezuzah and to sprinkling rites generally) and adds the confinement rule that grounds the following verse's explanation.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
וּלְקַחְתֶּ֞םand takeconj וְ + Qal perf 2mp (weqatal, imperatival) · לָקַח (H3947)Coordinate predicate verb (weqatal continuing imperative series)→ Weqatal: continues the volitional force of the preceding imperativesלָקַח (H3947) 'to take'.
אֲגֻדַּ֣תa bunch ofN f sg constr · אֲגֻדָה (H92)Direct object (construct chain)אֲגֻדָה (H92) 'bunch, bundle', from אָגַד 'to bind'; a small bound cluster used as an applicator.
אֵז֗וֹבhyssopN m sg abs · אֵזוֹב (H231)Genitive complement of constructאֵזוֹב (H231) 'hyssop', a small bushy plant; used elsewhere for ritual sprinkling (Lev 14; Num 19; Ps 51:7).
וּטְבַלְתֶּם֮and dip (it)conj וְ + Qal perf 2mp (weqatal, imperatival) · טָבַל (H2881)Coordinate predicate verb (weqatal)→ Weqatal: continues the volitional forceטָבַל (H2881) 'to dip.'
בַּדָּ֣םin the bloodprep בְ + art + N m sg abs · דָם (H1818)Locative prepositional phrase (instrument)דָּם (H1818) 'blood'; the blood of the slaughtered lamb applied to the two doorposts and lintel — the sign by which the destroyer passes over the house.
אֲשֶׁרthatrel particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing subordinate clause
בַּסַּף֒(is) in the basinprep בְ + art + N m sg abs · סַף (H5592)Predicate complement of relative clauseסַף (H5592) 'basin, threshold-bowl'; the blood is collected in a vessel for the hyssop to be dipped into.
וְהִגַּעְתֶּ֤םand strike/touchconj וְ + Hiphil perf 2mp (weqatal, imperatival) · נָגַע (H5060)Coordinate predicate verb (weqatal)→ Weqatal: continues the volitional forceנָגַע (H5060) Hiphil 'to cause to touch, strike'; the actual application of blood to the doorframe.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase (goal)
הַמַּשְׁקוֹף֙the lintelart + N m sg abs · מַשְׁקוֹף (H4947)Object of prepositionמַשְׁקוֹף (H4947) 'lintel'; the horizontal beam above the doorway, the third location (with the two doorposts) where the blood is applied.
וְאֶלand toconj וְ + prep · אֶל (H413)Coordinating conjunction + prepositional phrase
שְׁתֵּ֣יthe two ofnumeral f constr · שְׁתַיִם (H8147)Construct governing הַמְזוּזֹתשְׁתַּיִם (H8147) 'two' (fem.); cardinal numeral, 'the two doorposts' on which the blood is applied.
הַמְּזוּזֹ֔תthe doorpostsart + N f pl abs · מְזוּזָה (H4201)Genitive complement of constructמְזוּזָה (H4201) 'doorpost'; the two vertical doorposts, together with the lintel, on which the blood is applied as the sign of the household's safety.
מִןfromprep · מִן (H4480)Partitive prepositional phrase
הַדָּ֖םthe bloodart + N m sg abs · דָם (H1818)Object of prepositionדָּם (H1818) 'blood'; the blood of the slaughtered lamb applied to the two doorposts and lintel — the sign by which the destroyer passes over the house.
אֲשֶׁ֣רthatrel particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing subordinate clause
בַּסָּ֑ף(is) in the basinprep בְ + art + N m sg abs · סַף (H5592)Predicate complement of relative clause (resumptive)סַף (H5592) 'basin, bowl'; here the vessel holding the blood into which the hyssop is dipped for applying to the lintel and doorposts (v.22).
וְאַתֶּ֗םand as for youconj וְ + indep pron 2mp · אַתֶּם (H859)Fronted subject (contrastive, casus pendens)Emphatic shift of address from the blood-rite itself to the people's own behavior that night.
לֹ֥אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle
תֵצְא֛וּyou shall go outQal impf 2mp · יָצָא (H3318)Predicate verb (main clause, negated)→ Yiqtol: instructional/modal, negatedיָצָא (H3318) 'to go out'; Israel must remain sheltered behind the blood-marked door through the night.
אִ֥ישׁany manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Distributive apposition ('each one')אִישׁ (H376) 'man'; used distributively, 'each man/household,' in the instructions for selecting a lamb per family.
מִפֶּֽתַחfrom the doorway ofprep מִן + N m sg constr · פֶתַח (H6607)Prepositional phrase (source)פֶתַח (H6607) 'opening, doorway.'
בֵּית֖וֹhis houseN m sg constr + 3ms suffix · בַיִת (H1004)Genitive complement of constructבַּיִת (H1004) 'house, household'; both the physical house whose door is marked with blood and the family unit gathered to eat the lamb together.
עַדuntilprep · עַד (H5704)Temporal prepositional phrase (terminus)
בֹּֽקֶרmorningN m sg abs · בֹקֶר (H1242)Object of prepositionThe confinement lasts through the whole night of judgment, until morning.
23
וְעָבַ֣ר יְהוָה֮ לִנְגֹּ֣ף אֶת מִצְרַיִם֒ וְרָאָ֤ה אֶת הַדָּם֙ עַל הַמַּשְׁק֔וֹף וְעַ֖ל שְׁתֵּ֣י הַמְּזוּזֹ֑ת וּפָסַ֤ח יְהוָה֙ עַל הַפֶּ֔תַח וְלֹ֤א יִתֵּן֙ הַמַּשְׁחִ֔ית לָבֹ֥א אֶל בָּתֵּיכֶ֖ם לִנְגֹּֽף
For the LORD will pass through to strike Egypt, and when he sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the LORD will pass over the door and will not allow the Destroyer to come into your houses to strike you.
Explains why Israel must stay inside: the LORD's own passing-through triggers the Destroyer's activity, and only the blood-marked, sealed household is safe.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
וְעָבַ֣רand will pass throughconj וְ + Qal perf 3ms (weqatal) · עָבַר (H5674)Predicate verb (weqatal, divine subject)→ Weqatal: emphatic future resolveעָבַר (H5674); repeats v. 12's verb, now explaining the rationale of the household confinement.
יְהוָה֮the LORDproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name (Tetragrammaton) of Israel's God; speaks and acts directly through the plague and exodus narrated in this chapter.
לִנְגֹּ֣ףto strikeprep לְ + Qal inf constr · נָגַף (H5062)Purpose infinitival clause→ Infinitival: purpose — the aim of the LORD's passing throughנָגַף (H5062) 'to strike, smite'; the verb underlying נֶגֶף (v. 13) and מַגֵפָה-type plague terminology.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
מִצְרַיִם֒Egyptproper noun · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Direct objectמִצְרַיִם (H4714) 'Egypt, Egyptians'; the land and people who are both the object of the plague-judgment and the setting the Israelites depart from.
וְרָאָ֤הand he will seeconj וְ + Qal perf 3ms (weqatal) · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (weqatal)→ Weqatal: emphatic future resolveרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; here of the LORD 'seeing' the blood on the doorposts as the basis for passing over the house (v.13).
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
הַדָּם֙the bloodart + N m sg abs · דָם (H1818)Direct objectדָּם (H1818) 'blood'; the blood of the slaughtered lamb applied to the two doorposts and lintel — the sign by which the destroyer passes over the house.
עַלonprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phrase
הַמַּשְׁק֔וֹףthe lintelart + N m sg abs · מַשְׁקוֹף (H4947)Object of prepositionמַשְׁקוֹף (H4947) 'lintel'; the horizontal beam above the doorway, the third location (with the two doorposts) where the blood is applied.
וְעַ֖לand onconj וְ + prep · עַל (H5921)Coordinating conjunction + prepositional phrase
שְׁתֵּ֣יthe two ofnumeral f constr · שְׁתַיִם (H8147)Construct governing הַמְזוּזֹתשְׁתַּיִם (H8147) 'two' (fem.); cardinal numeral, 'the two doorposts' on which the blood is applied.
הַמְּזוּזֹ֑תthe doorpostsart + N f pl abs · מְזוּזָה (H4201)Genitive complement of constructמְזוּזָה (H4201) 'doorpost'; the two vertical doorposts, together with the lintel, on which the blood is applied as the sign of the household's safety.
וּפָסַ֤חthen he will pass overconj וְ + Qal perf 3ms (weqatal) · פָסַח (H6452)Predicate verb (weqatal)→ Weqatal: emphatic future resolveפָסַח (H6452); the decisive statement of the LORD's own passing-over, giving the festival its name.
יְהוָה֙the LORDproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject (resumptive)יְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name (Tetragrammaton) of Israel's God; speaks and acts directly through the plague and exodus narrated in this chapter.
עַלoverprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phrase
הַפֶּ֔תַחthe doorwayart + N m sg abs · פֶתַח (H6607)Object of prepositionפֶּתַח (H6607) 'opening, doorway, entrance'; the door of the house on which the blood is applied and which none may leave until morning (v.22).
וְלֹ֤אand notconj וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle
יִתֵּן֙he will allowQal impf 3ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (main clause, negated)→ Yiqtol: future, negatedנָתַן (H5414) 'to give, allow, permit.'
הַמַּשְׁחִ֔יתthe Destroyerart + N m sg abs · מַשְׁחִית (H7843)Subjectמַשְׁחִית (H7843), substantival Hiphil participle 'the Destroyer'; the executing agent of the plague, distinct from but sent by the LORD (cf. 2 Sam 24:16).
לָבֹ֥אto comeprep לְ + Qal inf constr · בּוֹא (H935)Complementary infinitival clause→ Infinitival: complement of 'allow' — what is preventedבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, enter.'
אֶלintoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase (goal)
בָּתֵּיכֶ֖םyour housesN m pl constr + 2mp suffix · בַיִת (H1004)Object of prepositionבַּיִת (H1004) 'house, household'; both the physical house whose door is marked with blood and the family unit gathered to eat the lamb together.
לִנְגֹּֽףto strikeprep לְ + Qal inf constr · נָגַף (H5062)Purpose infinitival clause (resumptive)→ Infinitival: purpose, resuming the verse's opening purpose clauseנָגַף (H5062) 'to strike, smite'; the verb of the tenth plague — 'the LORD struck every firstborn' — cognate with נֶגֶף 'blow, plague.'
24
וּשְׁמַרְתֶּ֖ם אֶת הַדָּבָ֣ר הַזֶּ֑ה לְחָק לְךָ֥ וּלְבָנֶ֖יךָ עַד עוֹלָֽם
You shall keep this as a statute for you and for your sons forever.
A summary transition sentence binding everything just legislated (vv. 21-23) into a perpetual family obligation.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
וּשְׁמַרְתֶּ֖םand you shall keepconj וְ + Qal perf 2mp (weqatal) · שָׁמַר (H8104)Predicate verb (weqatal)→ Weqatal: instructionalשָׁמַר (H8104) 'to keep, watch, observe'; used of keeping the lamb until the appointed day and of observing the feast as a perpetual ordinance.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
הַדָּבָ֣רthe matterart + N m sg abs · דָבָר (H1697)Direct objectדָבָר (H1697) 'word, matter'; refers back to the whole Passover ordinance just given.
הַזֶּ֑הthisart + demonstr pron m sg · זֶה (H2088)Attributive demonstrative
לְחָקas a statuteprep לְ + N m sg abs · חֹק (H2706)Predicate complementחֹק (H2706) 'statute, prescribed limit'; a near-synonym of חֻקָה (vv. 14, 17).
לְךָ֥for youprep לְ + 2ms suffix · לְDative of advantage
וּלְבָנֶ֖יךָand for your sonsconj וְ + prep לְ + N m pl constr + 2ms suffix · בֵן (H1121)Coordinate dative of advantageExplicitly extends the obligation to future generations of sons.
עַדuntilprep · עַד (H5704)Temporal prepositional phrase
עוֹלָֽםforeverN m sg abs · עוֹלָם (H5769)Object of prepositionעַד עוֹלָם, 'forever'; caps the perpetual-statute language of the chapter.
25
וְהָיָ֞ה כִּֽי תָבֹ֣אוּ אֶל הָאָ֗רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֨ר יִתֵּ֧ן יְהוָ֛ה לָכֶ֖ם כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר דִּבֵּ֑ר וּשְׁמַרְתֶּ֖ם אֶת הָעֲבֹדָ֥ה הַזֹּֽאת
And when you come to the land that the LORD will give you, as he has promised, you shall keep this service.
Projects the Passover's observance forward past the wilderness into the promised land, making the rite portable across covenant history rather than tied only to the exodus night.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וְהָיָ֞הand it shall beconj וְ + Qal perf 3ms (weqatal) · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (weqatal)→ Weqatal: instructional, introducing a future scenarioהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become, happen'; common verb of being; in the weqatal chains here it projects the future/customary consequence, 'it shall be/happen that ...'
כִּֽיwhenconj · כִּי (H3588)Temporal/conditional conjunction
תָבֹ֣אוּyou comeQal impf 2mp · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb of temporal clause→ Yiqtol: future — anticipates entry into Canaanבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, enter'; looks ahead beyond the wilderness to the promised land.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase (goal)
הָאָ֗רֶץthe landart + N com sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Object of prepositionאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land, earth'; repeatedly 'the land of Egypt,' the geographic stage of the tenth plague and the exodus.
אֲשֶׁ֨רthatrel particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing subordinate clause
יִתֵּ֧ןwill giveQal impf 3ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb of relative clause→ Yiqtol: future, divine promiseנָתַן (H5414); the land-gift, a leading motif of the Pentateuch's promise theology.
יְהוָ֛הthe LORDproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name (Tetragrammaton) of Israel's God; speaks and acts directly through the plague and exodus narrated in this chapter.
לָכֶ֖םto youprep לְ + 2mp suffix · לְDative of advantage
כַּאֲשֶׁ֣רas he has spokenprep כְ + rel particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Comparative prepositional phrase
דִּבֵּ֑רhe has spokenPiel perf 3ms · דָבַר (H1696)Predicate verb of comparative clause→ Perfective: a completed prior act of promiseדָבַר (H1696); refers to the patriarchal land-promise (Gen 12:7; 15:18; etc.).
וּשְׁמַרְתֶּ֖םthen you shall keepconj וְ + Qal perf 2mp (weqatal) · שָׁמַר (H8104)Predicate verb (weqatal, apodosis)→ Weqatal: apodosis of the temporal/conditional clauseשָׁמַר (H8104) 'to keep, watch, observe'; used of keeping the lamb until the appointed day and of observing the feast as a perpetual ordinance.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
הָעֲבֹדָ֥הserviceart + N f sg abs · עֲבֹדָה (H5656)Direct objectעֲבֹדָה (H5656) 'service, rite'; the Passover observance is here named a service/liturgy, to be maintained even after settlement in the land.
הַזֹּֽאתthisart + demonstr pron f sg · זֹאת (H2063)Attributive demonstrative
26
וְהָיָ֕ה כִּֽי יֹאמְר֥וּ אֲלֵיכֶ֖ם בְּנֵיכֶ֑ם מָ֛ה הָעֲבֹדָ֥ה הַזֹּ֖את לָכֶֽם
And when your sons say to you, What does this service mean to you?
Anticipates the recurring didactic scene in which the next generation, seeing the rite but not the event, asks its meaning — paralleled at 13:14 and Deut 6:20.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
וְהָיָ֕הand it shall beconj וְ + Qal perf 3ms (weqatal) · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (weqatal)→ Weqatal: instructional, introducing a future scenarioהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become, happen'; common verb of being; in the weqatal chains here it projects the future/customary consequence, 'it shall be/happen that ...'
כִּֽיwhenconj · כִּי (H3588)Temporal/conditional conjunction
יֹאמְר֥וּsayQal impf 3mp · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb of temporal clause→ Yiqtol: future — anticipates a recurring questionAnticipates a catechetical scene repeated for the other festival-etiologies (13:14; Deut 6:20; Josh 4:6).
אֲלֵיכֶ֖םto youprep + 2mp suffix · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase (addressee)
בְּנֵיכֶ֑םyour sonsN m pl constr + 2mp suffix · בֵן (H1121)Subjectבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; here collectively 'sons of Israel' (בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל), the covenant people, and 'your sons' in the catechetical instruction for future generations (vv.24-27).
מָ֛הwhatinterrog pron · מָה (H4100)Interrogative pronoun (predicate of the question)
הָעֲבֹדָ֥הserviceart + N f sg abs · עֲבֹדָה (H5656)Subject of the embedded questionעֲבֹדָה (H5656) 'service, ritual observance'; 'this service' — the Passover rite Israel is to keep and to explain to their children (v.26).
הַזֹּ֖אתthisart + demonstr pron f sg · זֹאת (H2063)Attributive demonstrative
לָכֶֽם(is) to youprep לְ + 2mp suffix · לְDative of advantageThe children's question presupposes the rite's ongoing, visible practice — it prompts the catechetical answer of v. 27.
27
וַאֲמַרְתֶּ֡ם זֶֽבַח פֶּ֨סַח ה֜וּא לַֽיהוָ֗ה אֲשֶׁ֣ר פָּ֠סַח עַל בָּתֵּ֤י בְנֵֽי יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ בְּמִצְרַ֔יִם בְּנָגְפּ֥וֹ אֶת מִצְרַ֖יִם וְאֶת בָּתֵּ֣ינוּ הִצִּ֑יל וַיִּקֹּ֥ד הָעָ֖ם וַיִּֽשְׁתַּחֲוּֽוּ
you shall say, It is the sacrifice of the LORD's Passover, who passed over the houses of the sons of Israel in Egypt, when he struck Egypt but delivered our houses. And the people bowed down and worshiped.
Supplies the fixed liturgical answer naming the rite 'the LORD's Passover sacrifice,' then narrates Israel's immediate, reverent response — worship, not merely compliance.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
וַאֲמַרְתֶּ֡םthen you shall sayconj וַ + Qal perf 2mp (weqatal) · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (weqatal, apodosis)→ Weqatal: apodosis, prescribing the required answerאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; here the infinitive construct introducing direct divine speech, '(the LORD spoke ...) saying.'
זֶֽבַחa sacrifice ofN m sg constr · זֶבַח (H2077)Predicate nominative (construct chain)זֶבַח (H2077) 'sacrifice'; the catechetical answer names the rite as a sacrificial offering, not merely a meal.
פֶּ֨סַחPassover (it is)N m sg abs · פֶסַח (H6453)Genitive complement of constructפֶּסַח (H6453) 'Passover'; from a root 'to pass over, spare'; names both the sacrificial victim and the festival commemorating the LORD's passing over the marked houses.
ה֜וּאit (is)indep pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Copula/resumptive pronoun
לַֽיהוָ֗הto the LORDprep לְ + proper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Dative complement (dedication)יְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name (Tetragrammaton) of Israel's God; speaks and acts directly through the plague and exodus narrated in this chapter.
אֲשֶׁ֣רwhorel particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing subordinate clause
פָּ֠סַחpassed overQal perf 3ms · פָסַח (H6452)Predicate verb of relative clause→ Perfective: a completed, decisive historical actפָסַח (H6452); the answer recites the founding historical event as the rite's ground.
עַלoverprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phrase
בָּתֵּ֤יthe houses ofN m pl constr · בַיִת (H1004)Construct chain (genitival)בַּיִת (H1004) 'house, household'; both the physical house whose door is marked with blood and the family unit gathered to eat the lamb together.
בְנֵֽיthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵן (H1121)Construct chain (genitival)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; here collectively 'sons of Israel' (בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל), the covenant people, and 'your sons' in the catechetical instruction for future generations (vv.24-27).
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙Israelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive complement of construct chainיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478) 'Israel'; the covenant people (from Jacob's name), addressed corporately throughout the Passover legislation.
בְּמִצְרַ֔יִםin Egyptprep בְ + proper noun · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Locative prepositional phraseמִצְרַיִם (H4714) 'Egypt, Egyptians'; the land and people who are both the object of the plague-judgment and the setting the Israelites depart from.
בְּנָגְפּ֥וֹwhen he struckprep בְ + Qal inf constr + 3ms suffix · נָגַף (H5062)Temporal infinitival clause ('when he struck')→ Infinitival: temporal clause specifying the moment of judgmentנָגַף (H5062); the same striking of Egypt named in v. 23.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
מִצְרַ֖יִםEgyptproper noun · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Direct objectמִצְרַיִם (H4714) 'Egypt, Egyptians'; the land and people who are both the object of the plague-judgment and the setting the Israelites depart from.
וְאֶתbut/andconj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Coordinating conjunction + direct-object marker
בָּתֵּ֣ינוּour housesN m pl constr + 1cp suffix · בַיִת (H1004)Direct objectבַּיִת (H1004) 'house, household'; both the physical house whose door is marked with blood and the family unit gathered to eat the lamb together.
הִצִּ֑ילhe deliveredHiphil perf 3ms · נָצַל (H5337)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed, decisive act of deliveranceנָצַל (H5337) Hiphil 'to deliver, rescue'; the positive counterpart to נָגַף — Israel's houses spared while Egypt's were struck.
וַיִּקֹּ֥דand bowedconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · קָדַד (H6915)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause, resuming narrative)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceקָדַד (H6915) 'to bow down, kneel'; the people's spontaneous response of worship to Moses' rehearsal of the catechism.
הָעָ֖םthe peopleart + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Subjectעַם (H5971) 'people'; the people of Israel corporately, and also 'my people' in Pharaoh's demand that Moses take them and go (v.31).
וַיִּֽשְׁתַּחֲוּֽוּand worshipedconj וַ + Hitpael wayyiqtol 3mp · שָׁחָה (H7812)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceשָׁחָה (H7812) Hitpael 'to bow oneself down, worship'; the people's reverent acceptance of the whole Passover ordinance.
28
וַיֵּלְכ֥וּ וַיַּֽעֲשׂ֖וּ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל כַּאֲשֶׁ֨ר צִוָּ֧ה יְהוָ֛ה אֶת מֹשֶׁ֥ה וְאַהֲרֹ֖ן כֵּ֥ן עָשֽׂוּ
Then the sons of Israel went and did so; just as the LORD had commanded Moses and Aaron, so they did.
A formulaic obedience-report ('so they did') closes the legislative unit before the narrative turns to the night of the plague itself in v. 29.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וַיֵּלְכ֥וּand they wentconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · הָלַךְ (H3212)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceהָלַךְ (H3212) 'to go'; the people's obedient departure to carry out the instructions.
וַיַּֽעֲשׂ֖וּand didconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · עָשָׂה (H6213)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make, perform'; here Niphal passive, 'may be done/made' — of the work forbidden or permitted on the festival days.
בְּנֵ֣יthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵן (H1121)Subject (construct chain)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; here collectively 'sons of Israel' (בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל), the covenant people, and 'your sons' in the catechetical instruction for future generations (vv.24-27).
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive complement of construct chainיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478) 'Israel'; the covenant people (from Jacob's name), addressed corporately throughout the Passover legislation.
כַּאֲשֶׁ֨רjust asprep כְ + rel particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Comparative conjunction
צִוָּ֧הcommandedPiel perf 3ms · צָוָה (H6680)Predicate verb of comparative clause→ Perfective: a completed, authoritative actצָוָה (H6680) Piel 'to command'; the standard verb of divine legislative authority.
יְהוָ֛הthe LORDproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name (Tetragrammaton) of Israel's God; speaks and acts directly through the plague and exodus narrated in this chapter.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
מֹשֶׁ֥הMosesproper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Direct objectמֹשֶׁה (H4872) 'Moses'; the covenant mediator, co-recipient with Aaron of these instructions, who later summons the elders of Israel (v.21).
וְאַהֲרֹ֖ןand Aaronconj וְ + proper noun · אַהֲרֹן (H175)Coordinate direct objectאַהֲרֹן (H175) 'Aaron'; Moses' brother, co-addressee of the Passover instructions here in Egypt and later Israel's high priest; name of uncertain Egyptian or Hebrew etymology.
כֵּ֥ןsoadv · כֵן (H3651)Comparative adverb ('so, thus')
עָשֽׂוּthey didQal perf 3cp · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (summary clause)→ Perfective: a completed, comprehensive act of obedienceEmphatic closing summary — כֵן עָשׂוּ, 'so they did' — total compliance, closing the legislative unit before the plague narrative resumes (v. 29).
29
וַיְהִ֣י בַּחֲצִ֣י הַלַּ֗יְלָה וַֽיהוָה֮ הִכָּ֣ה כָל בְּכוֹר֮ בְּאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרַיִם֒ מִבְּכֹ֤ר פַּרְעֹה֙ הַיֹּשֵׁ֣ב עַל כִּסְא֔וֹ עַ֚ד בְּכ֣וֹר הַשְּׁבִ֔י אֲשֶׁ֖ר בְּבֵ֣ית הַבּ֑וֹר וְכֹ֖ל בְּכ֥וֹר בְּהֵמָֽה
And it happened at midnight that the LORD struck every firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the captive who was in the dungeon, and all the firstborn of livestock.
The narrative's turning point: the warning of vv. 12, 23 is now fulfilled exactly, spanning the full social range from Pharaoh's throne to the prison, plus all the livestock — total, indiscriminate judgment on Egypt, total exemption for the blood-marked Israelite houses.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
וַיְהִ֣יand it happenedconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceהָיָה (H1961); the narrative's climax formula, 'and it came to pass', introducing the plague itself.
בַּחֲצִ֣יat the middle ofprep בְ + N m sg constr · חֲצִי (H2677)Temporal prepositional phraseחֲצִי (H2677) 'half, middle'; the precise hour of judgment.
הַלַּ֗יְלָהthe nightart + N m sg abs · לַיְלָה (H3915)Genitive complement of constructלַיְלָה (H3915) 'night'; the pivotal night of the tenth plague, the Passover meal, and the exodus — a night 'to be much observed' (v.42).
וַֽיהוָה֮and the LORDconj וְ + proper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject (fronted for emphasis)The subject is fronted before the verb, stressing that it is the LORD himself, not merely a plague, who strikes.
הִכָּ֣הstruckHiphil perf 3ms · נָכָה (H5221)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed, decisive act of judgmentנָכָה (H5221); fulfills exactly the warning of v. 12 and v. 23.
כָלeveryN m sg constr · כֹל (H3605)Construct governing בְכוֹרכֹּל (H3605) 'all, whole, every'; a construct noun used as a quantifier — 'the whole congregation,' 'all Egypt,' 'every house,' 'all the days.'
בְּכוֹר֮firstbornN m sg abs · בְכוֹר (H1060)Direct objectבְּכוֹר (H1060) 'firstborn'; from a root 'to be first-born'; the firstborn of Egypt, man and beast, struck by the final plague and spared where the blood-sign was displayed.
בְּאֶ֣רֶץin the land ofprep בְ + N f sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prepositional phraseאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land, earth'; repeatedly 'the land of Egypt,' the geographic stage of the tenth plague and the exodus.
מִצְרַיִם֒Egyptproper noun · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Genitive complementמִצְרַיִם (H4714) 'Egypt, Egyptians'; the land and people who are both the object of the plague-judgment and the setting the Israelites depart from.
מִבְּכֹ֤רfrom the firstborn ofprep מִן + N m sg constr · בְכוֹר (H1060)Prepositional phrase (extent, from the highest)בְּכוֹר (H1060) 'firstborn'; from a root 'to be first-born'; the firstborn of Egypt, man and beast, struck by the final plague and spared where the blood-sign was displayed.
פַּרְעֹה֙Pharaohproper noun · פַרְעֹה (H6547)Genitive complement of constructEven the throne itself is not exempt — the plague reaches to the very heir of Egypt's king.
הַיֹּשֵׁ֣בwho sitsart + Qal ptc m sg abs · יָשַׁב (H3427)Attributive participle modifying Pharaoh→ Participle: describes an ongoing state ('who sits')יָשַׁב (H3427) 'to sit'; substantival/attributive, 'the one sitting on his throne' — a royal epithet.
עַלonprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phrase
כִּסְא֔וֹhis throneN m sg constr + 3ms suffix · כִסֵא (H3678)Object of prepositionכִּסֵּא (H3678) 'throne'; Pharaoh's throne, the highest social rank named in the merism 'from Pharaoh who sits on his throne to the captive in the dungeon,' marking the totality of the plague's reach.
עַ֚דtoprep · עַד (H5704)Prepositional phrase (extent, to the lowest)
בְּכ֣וֹרthe firstborn ofN m sg constr · בְכוֹר (H1060)Genitive complement (construct chain)בְּכוֹר (H1060) 'firstborn'; from a root 'to be first-born'; the firstborn of Egypt, man and beast, struck by the final plague and spared where the blood-sign was displayed.
הַשְּׁבִ֔יthe captiveart + N com sg abs · שְׁבִי (H7628)Genitive complement of constructשְׁבִי (H7628) 'captive(s)'; the merism spans from Pharaoh's own house to the lowest prisoner — total, unexempted judgment.
אֲשֶׁ֖רwhorel particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing subordinate clause
בְּבֵ֣ית(was) in the house ofprep בְ + N m sg constr · בַיִת (H1004)Predicate complement of relative clauseבַּיִת (H1004) 'house, household'; both the physical house whose door is marked with blood and the family unit gathered to eat the lamb together.
הַבּ֑וֹרthe dungeonart + N m sg abs · בוֹר (H953)Genitive complement of constructבוֹר (H953) 'pit, dungeon'; בֵית הַבוֹר, 'the prison-house.'
וְכֹ֖לand allconj וְ + N m sg constr · כֹל (H3605)Coordinate construct chain (extending the merism to livestock)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, whole, every'; a construct noun used as a quantifier — 'the whole congregation,' 'all Egypt,' 'every house,' 'all the days.'
בְּכ֥וֹרfirstborn ofN m sg constr · בְכוֹר (H1060)Construct chain (genitival)בְּכוֹר (H1060) 'firstborn'; from a root 'to be first-born'; the firstborn of Egypt, man and beast, struck by the final plague and spared where the blood-sign was displayed.
בְּהֵמָֽהlivestockN f sg abs · בְהֵמָה (H929)Genitive complement of constructCompletes the merism of v. 12 — man (from Pharaoh to captive) and beast alike.
30
וַיָּ֨קָם פַּרְעֹ֜ה לַ֗יְלָה ה֤וּא וְכָל עֲבָדָיו֙ וְכָל מִצְרַ֔יִם וַתְּהִ֛י צְעָקָ֥ה גְדֹלָ֖ה בְּמִצְרָ֑יִם כִּֽי אֵ֣ין בַּ֔יִת אֲשֶׁ֥ר אֵֽין שָׁ֖ם מֵֽת
And Pharaoh arose in the night, he and all his servants and all Egypt, and there was a great cry in Egypt, for there was not a house where there was not someone dead.
Egypt's own 'great cry' now answers Israel's cry of bondage (2:23; 3:7) — every house touched by death, none exempted.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
וַיָּ֨קָםand aroseconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · קוּם (H6965)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceקוּם (H6965) 'to arise'; Pharaoh himself is roused from sleep by the calamity.
פַּרְעֹ֜הPharaohproper noun · פַרְעֹה (H6547)Subjectפַּרְעֹה (H6547) 'Pharaoh'; the Egyptian royal title used as a name, standing at the top of the merism in v.29 that spans the whole of Egyptian society struck by the plague.
לַ֗יְלָהby nightN m sg abs · לַיְלָה (H3915)Adverbial accusative of timeלַיְלָה (H3915) 'night'; the pivotal night of the tenth plague, the Passover meal, and the exodus — a night 'to be much observed' (v.42).
ה֤וּאheindep pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Emphatic resumptive pronoun (subject)
וְכָלand allconj וְ + N m sg constr · כֹל (H3605)Coordinate subject (construct chain)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, whole, every'; a construct noun used as a quantifier — 'the whole congregation,' 'all Egypt,' 'every house,' 'all the days.'
עֲבָדָיו֙his servantsN m pl constr + 3ms suffix · עֶבֶד (H5650)Genitive complement of constructעֶבֶד (H5650) 'servant'; here of Pharaoh's court officials.
וְכָלand allconj וְ + N m sg constr · כֹל (H3605)Coordinate subject (construct chain)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, whole, every'; a construct noun used as a quantifier — 'the whole congregation,' 'all Egypt,' 'every house,' 'all the days.'
מִצְרַ֔יִםEgyptproper noun · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Genitive complement of constructThe grief is universalized — not just the court but the whole nation.
וַתְּהִ֛יand there wasconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3fs · הָיָה (H1961)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become, happen'; common verb of being; in the weqatal chains here it projects the future/customary consequence, 'it shall be/happen that ...'
צְעָקָ֥הa cryN f sg abs · צְעָקָה (H6818)Subjectצְעָקָה (H6818) 'cry, outcry'; the same root used of Israel's own cry under bondage (2:23; 3:7) — Egypt now cries as Israel once did.
גְדֹלָ֖הgreatadj f sg abs · גָדוֹל (H1419)Attributive adjectiveגָּדוֹל (H1419) 'great'; here fem., describing the 'great cry' (צְעָקָה גְדֹלָה) that rises in Egypt at midnight as the firstborn die (v.30).
בְּמִצְרָ֑יִםin Egyptprep בְ + proper noun · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Locative prepositional phraseמִצְרַיִם (H4714) 'Egypt, Egyptians'; the land and people who are both the object of the plague-judgment and the setting the Israelites depart from.
כִּֽיforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction
אֵ֣יןthere was notnegative particle (existential) · אַיִן (H369)Negative existential particle (predicate)אַיִן (H369) 'there is not'; negates existence, 'not a house existed...'
בַּ֔יִתa houseN m sg abs · בַיִת (H1004)Subjectבַּיִת (H1004) 'house, household'; both the physical house whose door is marked with blood and the family unit gathered to eat the lamb together.
אֲשֶׁ֥רwhererel particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing subordinate clause
אֵֽיןthere was notnegative particle (existential) · אַיִן (H369)Negative existential particle (predicate of relative clause)
שָׁ֖םthereadv · שָׁם (H8033)Adverbial predicate (locative)
מֵֽתa dead oneQal ptc m sg abs · מוּת (H4191)Subject (substantival participle)→ Participle: substantival, 'a dead person'מוּת (H4191) 'to die'; substantival participle — every Egyptian household loses at least one firstborn.
31
וַיִּקְרָא֩ לְמֹשֶׁ֨ה וּֽלְאַהֲרֹ֜ן לַ֗יְלָה וַיֹּ֨אמֶר֙ ק֤וּמוּ צְּאוּ֙ מִתּ֣וֹךְ עַמִּ֔י גַּם אַתֶּ֖ם גַּם בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וּלְכ֛וּ עִבְד֥וּ אֶת יְהוָ֖ה כְּדַבֶּרְכֶֽם
Then he called for Moses and Aaron by night and said, Arise, go out from among my people, both you and the sons of Israel, and go, serve the LORD as you have said.
Pharaoh himself, at night, finally grants unconditionally what he had refused through nine prior plagues — release to worship the LORD, exactly in the terms first demanded.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
וַיִּקְרָא֩and he calledconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · קָרָא (H7121)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceקָרָא (H7121); Pharaoh's own summons, a stark reversal from his earlier refusals to let Israel go.
לְמֹשֶׁ֨הfor Mosesprep לְ + proper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Object of preposition (addressee)מֹשֶׁה (H4872) 'Moses'; the covenant mediator, co-recipient with Aaron of these instructions, who later summons the elders of Israel (v.21).
וּֽלְאַהֲרֹ֜ןand for Aaronconj וְ + prep לְ + proper noun · אַהֲרֹן (H175)Coordinate object of prepositionאַהֲרֹן (H175) 'Aaron'; Moses' brother, co-addressee of the Passover instructions here in Egypt and later Israel's high priest; name of uncertain Egyptian or Hebrew etymology.
לַ֗יְלָהby nightN m sg abs · לַיְלָה (H3915)Adverbial accusative of timeThe summons itself happens at night, underscoring the crisis's urgency — Pharaoh cannot wait until morning.
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר֙and saidconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; here the infinitive construct introducing direct divine speech, '(the LORD spoke ...) saying.'
ק֤וּמוּariseQal impv 2mp · קוּם (H6965)Predicate verb (imperative, direct speech)→ Volitional: direct commandקוּם (H6965); Pharaoh finally issues the command to depart that he had long refused.
צְּאוּ֙go outQal impv 2mp · יָצָא (H3318)Coordinate imperative→ Volitional: direct commandיָצָא (H3318) 'to go out'; the verbal root behind the Exodus itself; here Pharaoh's imperative 'go out from among my people' (v.31).
מִתּ֣וֹךְfrom the midst ofprep מִן + N m sg constr · תָוֶךְ (H8432)Prepositional phrase (source)תָּוֶךְ (H8432) 'midst, middle'; 'in the midst of Egypt' — the heart of the land, both the site of the plague-judgment and the place Israel goes out from.
עַמִּ֔יmy peopleN m sg constr + 1cs suffix · עַם (H5971)Genitive complement of constructPharaoh's own possessive 'my people' now implicitly excludes Israel — a tacit admission of their separateness.
גַּםbothadv · גַם (H1571)Emphatic adverb ('also, even')
אַתֶּ֖םyouindep pron 2mp · אַתֶּם (H859)Subject (emphatic, resumptive)
גַּםbothadv · גַם (H1571)Emphatic adverb ('also, even')
בְּנֵ֣יthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵן (H1121)Coordinate subject (construct chain)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; here collectively 'sons of Israel' (בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל), the covenant people, and 'your sons' in the catechetical instruction for future generations (vv.24-27).
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive complement of construct chainיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478) 'Israel'; the covenant people (from Jacob's name), addressed corporately throughout the Passover legislation.
וּלְכ֛וּand goconj וְ + Qal impv 2mp · הָלַךְ (H3212)Coordinate imperative→ Volitional: direct commandהָלַךְ (H3212) 'to go, walk'; imperative 'go' — Moses sends the elders to select and slaughter the lamb (v.21); also the departure/exodus motif.
עִבְד֥וּserveQal impv 2mp · עָבַד (H5647)Coordinate imperative→ Volitional: direct commandעָבַד (H5647) 'to serve, worship'; grants at last the very request first voiced in 5:1, 'let my people go that they may serve me.'
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
יְהוָ֖הthe LORDproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Direct objectיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name (Tetragrammaton) of Israel's God; speaks and acts directly through the plague and exodus narrated in this chapter.
כְּדַבֶּרְכֶֽםas you have spokenprep כְ + Piel inf constr + 2mp suffix · דָבַר (H1696)Comparative infinitival clause ('as you have said')→ Infinitival: comparative — matching Israel's own prior demandPharaoh's total capitulation: he now grants exactly the terms Moses had repeatedly demanded.
32
גַּם צֹאנְכֶ֨ם גַּם בְּקַרְכֶ֥ם קְח֛וּ כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר דִּבַּרְתֶּ֖ם וָלֵ֑כוּ וּבֵֽרַכְתֶּ֖ם גַּם אֹתִֽי
Take both your flocks and your herds, as you have said, and go, and bless me also.
Pharaoh drops every remaining condition (cf. 10:24) and even begs a blessing, marking the complete reversal of Egypt's power over Israel.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
גַּםbothadv · גַם (H1571)Emphatic adverb ('also, even')
צֹאנְכֶ֨םyour flocksN com sg constr + 2mp suffix · צֹאן (H6629)Direct object (fronted for emphasis)צֹאן (H6629) 'flock (sheep and goats)'; the collective source from which the Passover animal is drawn (v.21).
גַּםbothadv · גַם (H1571)Emphatic adverb ('also, even')
בְּקַרְכֶ֥םyour herdsN com sg constr + 2mp suffix · בָקָר (H1241)Coordinate direct object (fronted)Pharaoh drops even his prior demand to retain the livestock (10:24) — total, unconditional release.
קְח֛וּtakeQal impv 2mp · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb (imperative, direct speech)→ Volitional: direct commandלָקַח (H3947) 'to take'; the verb of taking the lamb, the blood, the hyssop — the concrete ritual actions commanded throughout the chapter.
כַּאֲשֶׁ֥רjust asprep כְ + rel particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Comparative conjunction
דִּבַּרְתֶּ֖םyou have saidPiel perf 2mp · דָבַר (H1696)Predicate verb of comparative clause→ Perfective: a completed prior act of speechדָּבַר (H1696) 'to speak'; Piel, often with the nuance 'to command/state authoritatively'; here Pharaoh recalls Moses' own words, 'go, serve the LORD, as you have said' (v.31).
וָלֵ֑כוּand goconj וְ + Qal impv 2mp · הָלַךְ (H3212)Coordinate imperative→ Volitional: direct commandהָלַךְ (H3212) 'to go, walk'; imperative 'go' — Moses sends the elders to select and slaughter the lamb (v.21); also the departure/exodus motif.
וּבֵֽרַכְתֶּ֖םand blessconj וְ + Piel perf 2mp (imperatival weqatal) · בָרַךְ (H1288)Coordinate imperative (weqatal continuing the command)→ Volitional: continues the imperative seriesבָרַךְ (H1288) 'to bless'; remarkably, Pharaoh asks Israel's blessing on his way out — a final reversal of Genesis 12:3's promise.
גַּםalsoadv · גַם (H1571)Emphatic adverb ('also, even')
אֹתִֽיmeobj marker + 1cs suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct objectPharaoh's abject final request — that Israel, whom he enslaved, bless even him.
33
וַתֶּחֱזַ֤ק מִצְרַ֨יִם֙ עַל הָעָ֔ם לְמַהֵ֖ר לְשַׁלְּחָ֣ם מִן הָאָ֑רֶץ כִּ֥י אָמְר֖וּ כֻּלָּ֥נוּ מֵתִֽים
And the Egyptians were urgent with the people, to send them out of the land in haste, for they said, We are all dying.
The wider populace shares Pharaoh's terror and presses Israel to leave immediately, giving the historical reason unleavened bread became necessary (cf. v. 39).
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וַתֶּחֱזַ֤קand grew strong/urgentconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3fs · חָזַק (H2388)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceחָזַק (H2388) 'to be strong'; here of pressure/urgency exerted on the people to hurry.
מִצְרַ֨יִם֙Egyptproper noun · מִצְרַיִם (H4713)Subjectמִצְרַיִם (H4714, variant pointing) 'Egypt, Egyptians'; the land and people who are both the object of the plague-judgment and the setting the Israelites depart from.
עַלuponprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase (object of pressure)
הָעָ֔םthe peopleart + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Object of prepositionעַם (H5971) 'people'; the people of Israel corporately, and also 'my people' in Pharaoh's demand that Moses take them and go (v.31).
לְמַהֵ֖רto hastenprep לְ + Piel inf constr · מָהַר (H4116)Purpose infinitival clause→ Infinitival: purpose — the aim of Egypt's urgencyמָהַר (H4116) Piel 'to hurry, hasten'.
לְשַׁלְּחָ֣םto send awayprep לְ + Piel inf constr + 3mp suffix · שָׁלַח (H7971)Complementary infinitival clause (purpose)→ Infinitival: purpose, complementing 'to hasten'שָׁלַח (H7971) Piel 'to send away, expel'; the same verb repeatedly used through the plague cycle of Pharaoh 'letting Israel go.'
מִןfromprep · מִן (H4480)Prepositional phrase (source)
הָאָ֑רֶץthe landart + N com sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Object of prepositionאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land, earth'; repeatedly 'the land of Egypt,' the geographic stage of the tenth plague and the exodus.
כִּ֥יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction
אָמְר֖וּthey saidQal perf 3cp · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb of causal clause→ Perfective: a completed statementReports the Egyptians' own words, giving their motive directly.
כֻּלָּ֥נוּall of usN m sg constr + 1cp suffix · כֹל (H3605)Subject of nominal clauseכֹּל (H3605) 'all, whole, every'; a construct noun used as a quantifier — 'the whole congregation,' 'all Egypt,' 'every house,' 'all the days.'
מֵתִֽים(are) dyingQal ptc m pl abs · מוּת (H4191)Predicate participle (nominal clause)→ Participle: describes an ongoing/imminent state ('we are all as good as dead')מוּת (H4191); the Egyptians' panicked cry, echoing the terror of the tenth plague's totality.
34
וַיִּשָּׂ֥א הָעָ֛ם אֶת בְּצֵק֖וֹ טֶ֣רֶם יֶחְמָ֑ץ מִשְׁאֲרֹתָ֛ם צְרֻרֹ֥ת בְּשִׂמְלֹתָ֖ם עַל שִׁכְמָֽם
So the people carried their dough before it was leavened, their kneading bowls bound up in their clothes on their shoulders.
A vivid narrative detail — dough not yet leavened, kneading bowls wrapped and carried on the shoulder — grounding the unleavened-bread law in lived historical urgency.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וַיִּשָּׂ֥אand carriedconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · נָשָׂא (H5375)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceנָשָׂא (H5375) 'to lift, carry'.
הָעָ֛םthe peopleart + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Subjectעַם (H5971) 'people'; the people of Israel corporately, and also 'my people' in Pharaoh's demand that Moses take them and go (v.31).
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
בְּצֵק֖וֹits doughN m sg constr + 3ms suffix · בָצֵק (H1217)Direct objectבָצֵק (H1217) 'dough'; carried as-is, unbaked.
טֶ֣רֶםbeforeadv · טֶרֶם (H2962)Temporal adverb ('before')
יֶחְמָ֑ץit was leavenedQal impf 3ms · חָמֵץ (H2556)Predicate verb of temporal clause→ Yiqtol: future/potential — 'before it could leaven'חָמֵץ (H2556) 'to be leavened, sour'; there was no time even to add leaven — the historical origin of the unleavened-bread requirement (cf. v. 39).
מִשְׁאֲרֹתָ֛םtheir kneading bowlsN f pl constr + 3mp suffix · מִשְׁאֶרֶת (H4863)Subject (of following passive participle)מִשְׁאֶרֶת (H4863) 'kneading trough, bowl'.
צְרֻרֹ֥תbound upQal pass ptc f pl abs · צָרַר (H6887)Predicate participle (circumstantial)→ Participle: describes the state of the bowls — wrapped for travelצָרַר (H6887) 'to bind, wrap'; the bowls themselves wrapped in cloth for carrying.
בְּשִׂמְלֹתָ֖םin their clothesprep בְ + N f pl constr + 3mp suffix · שִׂמְלָה (H8071)Locative prepositional phrase (instrument)שִׂמְלָה (H8071) 'garment, cloak'; the clothing in which the Israelites carry off the plundered silver and gold (v.35).
עַלonprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phrase
שִׁכְמָֽםtheir shoulderN m sg constr + 3mp suffix · שְׁכֶם (H7926)Object of prepositionשְׁכֶם (H7926) 'shoulder'; the whole scene captures the utter haste of the departure.
35
וּבְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵ֥ל עָשׂ֖וּ כִּדְבַ֣ר מֹשֶׁ֑ה וַֽיִּשְׁאֲלוּ֙ מִמִּצְרַ֔יִם כְּלֵי כֶ֛סֶף וּכְלֵ֥י זָהָ֖ב וּשְׂמָלֹֽת
Now the sons of Israel had done according to the word of Moses, and they asked from the Egyptians articles of silver and articles of gold, and clothing.
A background note (pluperfect sense) reporting Israel's compliance with the earlier instruction (11:2) to request valuables from the Egyptians before departing.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וּבְנֵיand the sons ofconj וְ + N m pl constr · בֵן (H1121)Subject (construct chain)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; here collectively 'sons of Israel' (בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל), the covenant people, and 'your sons' in the catechetical instruction for future generations (vv.24-27).
יִשְׂרָאֵ֥לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive complement of construct chainיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478) 'Israel'; the covenant people (from Jacob's name), addressed corporately throughout the Passover legislation.
עָשׂ֖וּdidQal perf 3cp · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed, obedient actעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make, perform'; here Niphal passive, 'may be done/made' — of the work forbidden or permitted on the festival days.
כִּדְבַ֣רaccording to the word ofprep כְ + N m sg constr · דָבָר (H1697)Comparative prepositional phraseדָּבָר (H1697) 'word, thing, matter'; 'according to the word of Moses' — Israel executes the instructions exactly as Moses had relayed them (v.35).
מֹשֶׁ֑הMosesproper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Genitive complement of constructRecalls Moses' instructions given earlier (11:2) to request articles of silver and gold before departure.
וַֽיִּשְׁאֲלוּ֙and they askedconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · שָׁאַל (H7592)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceשָׁאַל (H7592) 'to ask, request'.
מִמִּצְרַ֔יִםfrom Egyptprep מִן + proper noun · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Prepositional phrase (source)מִצְרַיִם (H4714) 'Egypt, Egyptians'; the land and people who are both the object of the plague-judgment and the setting the Israelites depart from.
כְּלֵיarticles ofN m pl constr · כְלִי (H3627)Direct object (construct chain)כְּלִי (H3627) 'vessel, article, implement'; 'articles of silver and gold' — the plundered goods Israel takes from the Egyptians (v.35).
כֶ֛סֶףsilverN m sg abs · כֶסֶף (H3701)Genitive complement of constructכֶּסֶף (H3701) 'silver'; paired with gold among the articles Israel asks of the Egyptians (v.35).
וּכְלֵ֥יand articles ofconj וְ + N m pl constr · כְלִי (H3627)Coordinate direct object (construct chain)כְּלִי (H3627) 'vessel, article, implement'; 'articles of silver and gold' — the plundered goods Israel takes from the Egyptians (v.35).
זָהָ֖בgoldN m sg abs · זָהָב (H2091)Genitive complement of constructזָהָב (H2091) 'gold'; articles of gold plundered from the Egyptians per the earlier divine instruction (cf. Ex 3:22; 11:2).
וּשְׂמָלֹֽתand clothingconj וְ + N f pl abs · שִׂמְלָה (H8071)Coordinate direct objectFulfills 3:21-22 and 11:2 — Israel leaves not empty-handed but enriched, a form of back-wages for generations of unpaid labor.
36
וַֽיהוָ֞ה נָתַ֨ן אֶת חֵ֥ן הָעָ֛ם בְּעֵינֵ֥י מִצְרַ֖יִם וַיַּשְׁאִל֑וּם וַֽיְנַצְּל֖וּ אֶת מִצְרָֽיִם
And the LORD gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, and they granted their request; thus they plundered the Egyptians.
Explicitly names the LORD as the giver of favor, interpreting the material transfer of v. 35 as divine action, not mere Egyptian panic.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וַֽיהוָ֞הand the LORDconj וְ + proper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject (fronted)יְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name (Tetragrammaton) of Israel's God; speaks and acts directly through the plague and exodus narrated in this chapter.
נָתַ֨ןgaveQal perf 3ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed, decisive divine actנָתַן (H5414); the same verb of 3:21, 11:3 now fulfilled.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
חֵ֥ןfavor ofN m sg constr · חֵן (H2580)Direct object (construct chain)חֵן (H2580) 'favor, grace'; recalls 3:21 and 11:3, where the LORD promises to give Israel favor in Egyptian eyes.
הָעָ֛םthe peopleart + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Genitive complement of constructעַם (H5971) 'people'; the people of Israel corporately, and also 'my people' in Pharaoh's demand that Moses take them and go (v.31).
בְּעֵינֵ֥יin the eyes ofprep בְ + N f du constr · עַיִן (H5869)Prepositional phrase (idiom of perception)עַיִן (H5869), dual 'eyes'; idiomatic 'in the sight/opinion of.'
מִצְרַ֖יִםEgyptproper noun · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Genitive complementמִצְרַיִם (H4714) 'Egypt, Egyptians'; the land and people who are both the object of the plague-judgment and the setting the Israelites depart from.
וַיַּשְׁאִל֑וּםand they let them askconj וַ + Hiphil wayyiqtol 3mp + 3mp suffix · שָׁאַל (H7592)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceשָׁאַל (H7592) Hiphil, causative 'to cause to ask/grant a request'; the Egyptians actively gave what was asked in v. 35.
וַֽיְנַצְּל֖וּand they plunderedconj וַ + Piel wayyiqtol 3mp · נָצַל (H5337)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceנָצַל (H5337) Piel 'to strip, plunder'; a striking reversal — Israel, once stripped of freedom, now 'strips' Egypt of its wealth on the way out.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
מִצְרָֽיִםEgyptproper noun · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Direct objectCloses the plunder motif begun at 3:22 and 11:2 — Israel departs materially vindicated, not merely freed.
37
וַיִּסְע֧וּ בְנֵֽי יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל מֵרַעְמְסֵ֖ס סֻכֹּ֑תָה כְּשֵׁשׁ מֵא֨וֹת אֶ֧לֶף רַגְלִ֛י הַגְּבָרִ֖ים לְבַ֥ד מִטָּֽף
And the sons of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides children.
The narrative turns from the plague-night to the journey itself, giving the census figure (600,000 men) that will recur throughout the wilderness narratives.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וַיִּסְע֧וּand journeyedconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · נָסַע (H5265)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceנָסַע (H5265) 'to pull up (tent-pegs), set out, journey'; the technical verb for breaking camp — the exodus march itself begins.
בְנֵֽיthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵן (H1121)Subject (construct chain)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; here collectively 'sons of Israel' (בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל), the covenant people, and 'your sons' in the catechetical instruction for future generations (vv.24-27).
יִשְׂרָאֵ֛לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive complement of construct chainיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478) 'Israel'; the covenant people (from Jacob's name), addressed corporately throughout the Passover legislation.
מֵרַעְמְסֵ֖סfrom Ramesesprep מִן + proper noun · רַעְמְסֵס (H7486)Prepositional phrase (source)רַעְמְסֵס (H7486), a store-city built by Israelite forced labor (1:11) — the point of departure, fittingly, is the very site of their oppression.
סֻכֹּ֑תָהto Succothproper noun + directive ה · סֻכוֹת (H5523)Prepositional phrase (goal, directive suffix)סֻכוֹת (H5523) 'Succoth' ('booths'); the first stage of the wilderness journey.
כְּשֵׁשׁabout sixprep כְ + numeral f · שֵׁשׁ (H8337)Approximative prepositional phrase (numeral)כְ 'about, approximately' with a round number — an emphatically large host.
מֵא֨וֹתhundrednumeral f · מֵאָה (H3967)Numeral (compound, 'six hundred')מֵאָה (H3967) 'hundred'; numeral used in counting 'about six hundred thousand' men (v.37) and the 'four hundred and thirty years' of sojourn in Egypt (vv.40-41).
אֶ֧לֶףthousandnumeral · אֶלֶף (H505)Numeral, head of the compound numberאֶלֶף (H505) 'thousand'; שֵׁשׁ מֵאוֹת אֶלֶף, 'six hundred thousand' — the census figure for adult men alone (cf. Num 1:46).
רַגְלִ֛יon footadj m sg abs · רַגְלִי (H7273)Adverbial accusative of mannerרַגְלִי (H7273) 'on foot, infantry'; a term also carrying military connotation, echoing צִבְאוֹת, 'hosts' (v. 41).
הַגְּבָרִ֖יםthe menart + N m pl abs · גֶבֶר (H1397)Subject (apposition, specifying the count)גֶבֶר (H1397) 'man, able-bodied male'; specifies that the 600,000 figure counts adult men only.
לְבַ֥דbesidesprep לְ + N m sg constr · בַד (H905)Adverbial prepositional phrase ('apart from')לְבַד, 'apart from, besides' — the total population, including women and children, was far larger.
מִטָּֽףchildrenprep מִן + N m sg abs · טַף (H2945)Object of prepositionטַף (H2945) 'little ones, children'; the true scale of the exodus is thus far greater than 600,000.
38
וְגַם עֵ֥רֶב רַ֖ב עָלָ֣ה אִתָּ֑ם וְצֹ֣אן וּבָקָ֔ר מִקְנֶ֖ה כָּבֵ֥ד מְאֹֽד
And a great mixed multitude also went up with them, and flocks and herds, very much livestock.
Notes the 'mixed multitude' (עֵרֶב רַב) who joined Israel's exodus, along with vast livestock — details that surface again in later wilderness complaints (Num 11:4).
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
וְגַםand alsoconj וְ + adv · גַם (H1571)Emphatic adverb (introducing an addition)
עֵ֥רֶבa mixtureN m sg abs · עֵרֶב (H6154)Subjectעֵרֶב (H6154) 'mixture, mixed company'; non-Israelites who joined the exodus, later a recurring source of complaint (Num 11:4).
רַ֖בgreatadj m sg abs · רַב (H7227)Attributive adjectiveרַב (H7227) 'great, much, many'; here modifying the 'mixed multitude' (עֵרֶב רַב) that goes up with Israel out of Egypt (v.38).
עָלָ֣הwent upQal perf 3ms · עָלָה (H5927)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed, decisive actעָלָה (H5927) 'to go up'; used of the exodus journey (regularly 'up' out of Egypt, geographically and theologically).
אִתָּ֑םwith themprep + 3mp suffix · אֵת (H854)Prepositional phrase (accompaniment)
וְצֹ֣אןand flocksconj וְ + N com sg abs · צֹאן (H6629)Coordinate subjectצֹאן (H6629) 'flock (sheep and goats)'; the collective source from which the Passover animal is drawn (v.21).
וּבָקָ֔רand herdsconj וְ + N com sg abs · בָקָר (H1241)Coordinate subjectבָּקָר (H1241) 'herd, cattle'; large livestock included among the possessions Israel takes at the exodus, alongside the flocks.
מִקְנֶ֖הlivestockN m sg abs · מִקְנֶה (H4735)Apposition (summarizing the preceding pair)מִקְנֶה (H4735) 'livestock, cattle'; summarizes 'flocks and herds' together.
כָּבֵ֥דveryadj m sg abs · כָבֵד (H3515)Predicate adjective ('heavy, abundant')כָבֵד (H3515) 'heavy'; idiomatically of great quantity.
מְאֹֽדgreatadv · מְאֹד (H3966)Adverbial intensifierמְאֹד (H3966) 'very, exceedingly'; Israel departs not destitute but with vast material wealth in livestock.
39
וַיֹּאפ֨וּ אֶת הַבָּצֵ֜ק אֲשֶׁ֨ר הוֹצִ֧יאוּ מִמִּצְרַ֛יִם עֻגֹ֥ת מַצּ֖וֹת כִּ֣י לֹ֣א חָמֵ֑ץ כִּֽי גֹרְשׁ֣וּ מִמִּצְרַ֗יִם וְלֹ֤א יָֽכְלוּ֙ לְהִתְמַהְמֵ֔הַּ וְגַם צֵדָ֖ה לֹא עָשׂ֥וּ לָהֶֽם
And they baked the dough that they had brought out of Egypt into cakes of unleavened bread, for it was not leavened, because they were driven out of Egypt and could not delay, nor had they prepared any provisions for themselves.
A causal explanation retrojected into the narrative: the historical reason Israel's bread was unleavened was sheer haste and expulsion, not advance planning — grounding the festival law of vv. 15-20 in lived history.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
וַיֹּאפ֨וּand they bakedconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · אָפָה (H644)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָפָה (H644) 'to bake'.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
הַבָּצֵ֜קthe doughart + N m sg abs · בָצֵק (H1217)Direct objectבָּצֵק (H1217) 'dough'; the unleavened dough Israel carries out in kneading bowls at the hurried departure (v.34).
אֲשֶׁ֨רthatrel particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing subordinate clause
הוֹצִ֧יאוּthey had brought outHiphil perf 3cp · יָצָא (H3318)Predicate verb of relative clause→ Perfective: a completed prior act (pluperfect sense)יָצָא (H3318) Hiphil; the dough carried out of Egypt per v. 34.
מִמִּצְרַ֛יִםfrom Egyptprep מִן + proper noun · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Prepositional phrase (source)מִצְרַיִם (H4714) 'Egypt, Egyptians'; the land and people who are both the object of the plague-judgment and the setting the Israelites depart from.
עֻגֹ֥תcakes ofN f pl abs · עֻגָה (H5692)Direct object (apposition)עֻגָה (H5692) 'round cake'; the finished product of the hasty baking.
מַצּ֖וֹתunleavened breadN f pl abs · מַצָה (H4682)Genitive complement (apposition)מַצָּה (H4682) 'unleavened bread'; the bread baked without leaven, contrasted with חָמֵץ; the central food both of the hurried departure and of the week-long festival named for it.
כִּ֣יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction
לֹ֣אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle
חָמֵ֑ץit was leavenedQal perf 3ms · חָמֵץ (H2556)Predicate verb of causal clause→ Perfective: a completed (negated) stateחָמֵץ (H2556); explicitly states the cause — there had been no time to leaven.
כִּֽיforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction (coordinate, second reason)
גֹרְשׁ֣וּthey were driven outPual perf 3cp · גָרַשׁ (H1644)Predicate verb of causal clause→ Pual: passive — 'they were driven out/expelled'גָרַשׁ (H1644) Pual, passive 'to be driven out, expelled'; underscores Egypt's active expulsion, not Israel's leisurely departure.
מִמִּצְרַ֗יִםfrom Egyptprep מִן + proper noun · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Prepositional phrase (source)מִצְרַיִם (H4714) 'Egypt, Egyptians'; the land and people who are both the object of the plague-judgment and the setting the Israelites depart from.
וְלֹ֤אand notconj וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle
יָֽכְלוּ֙they were ableQal perf 3cp · יָכֹל (H3201)Predicate verb (main clause, negated)→ Perfective: a completed (negated) abilityיָכֹל (H3201) 'to be able.'
לְהִתְמַהְמֵ֔הַּto delayprep לְ + Hitpael inf constr · מָהַהּ (H4102)Complementary infinitival clause→ Infinitival: complement of 'were able' — the action preventedמָהַהּ (H4102) Hitpael 'to tarry, delay oneself'; not even a moment's delay was possible.
וְגַםand alsoconj וְ + adv · גַם (H1571)Coordinating conjunction + emphatic adverb
צֵדָ֖הprovisionsN com sg abs · צֵדָה (H6720)Subjectצֵדָה (H6720) 'provisions, food for a journey'; ordinarily prepared before travel.
לֹאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle
עָשׂ֥וּthey madeQal perf 3cp · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (main clause, negated)→ Perfective: a completed (negated) actCloses the verse's threefold emphasis on total, unprepared haste.
לָהֶֽםfor themselvesprep לְ + 3mp suffix · לְDative of advantage (reflexive)
40
וּמוֹשַׁב֙ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל אֲשֶׁ֥ר יָשְׁב֖וּ בְּמִצְרָ֑יִם שְׁלֹשִׁ֣ים שָׁנָ֔ה וְאַרְבַּ֥ע מֵא֖וֹת שָׁנָֽה
The dwelling time of the sons of Israel, during which they lived in Egypt, was four hundred and thirty years.
A formal chronological notice — 430 years — anchoring the whole Exodus narrative in a fixed span of time (cf. Gen 15:13's rounded 400 years; Gal 3:17 depends on this figure).
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וּמוֹשַׁב֙and the dwelling ofconj וְ + N m sg constr · מוֹשָׁב (H4186)Subject (construct chain, fronted)מוֹשָׁב (H4186) 'dwelling, sojourn'; introduces the chronological summary of the whole Egyptian sojourn.
בְּנֵ֣יthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵן (H1121)Construct chain (genitival)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; here collectively 'sons of Israel' (בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל), the covenant people, and 'your sons' in the catechetical instruction for future generations (vv.24-27).
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive complement of construct chainיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478) 'Israel'; the covenant people (from Jacob's name), addressed corporately throughout the Passover legislation.
אֲשֶׁ֥רthatrel particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing subordinate clause
יָשְׁב֖וּthey dweltQal perf 3cp · יָשַׁב (H3427)Predicate verb of relative clause→ Perfective: a completed, extended stateיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to dwell.'
בְּמִצְרָ֑יִםin Egyptprep בְ + proper noun · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Locative prepositional phraseמִצְרַיִם (H4714) 'Egypt, Egyptians'; the land and people who are both the object of the plague-judgment and the setting the Israelites depart from.
שְׁלֹשִׁ֣ים(was) thirtynumeral card · שְׁלֹשִׁים (H7970)Predicate numeral (compound with the following)Forms the total with the following words: 430 years.
שָׁנָ֔הyearsN f sg abs · שָׁנָה (H8141)Genitive complement (duration)שָׁנָה (H8141) 'year'; the yearling age required of the Passover lamb (v.5) and the 430-year span of the Egyptian sojourn (v.40).
וְאַרְבַּ֥עand fourconj וְ + numeral card f · אַרְבַע (H702)Coordinate numeral (compound)אַרְבַע (H702) 'four'; cardinal numeral, part of the 'fourteenth day' formula fixing the date of the Passover slaughter.
מֵא֖וֹתhundrednumeral f · מֵאָה (H3967)Numeral, forms 'four hundred' with prior wordמֵאָה (H3967) 'hundred'; numeral used in counting 'about six hundred thousand' men (v.37) and the 'four hundred and thirty years' of sojourn in Egypt (vv.40-41).
שָׁנָֽהyearsN f sg abs · שָׁנָה (H8141)Genitive complement (duration)Together, 430 years — the famous chronological datum for Israel's time in Egypt (cf. Gen 15:13, which rounds to 400).
41
וַיְהִ֗י מִקֵּץ֙ שְׁלֹשִׁ֣ים שָׁנָ֔ה וְאַרְבַּ֥ע מֵא֖וֹת שָׁנָ֑ה וַיְהִ֗י בְּעֶ֨צֶם֙ הַיּ֣וֹם הַזֶּ֔ה יָֽצְא֛וּ כָּל צִבְא֥וֹת יְהוָ֖ה מֵאֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרָֽיִם
And it happened at the end of four hundred and thirty years, on that very day, all the hosts of the LORD went out from the land of Egypt.
Restates the 430-year span and pins the exodus to 'this very day,' echoing the exactness of v. 17 and stressing that the event fulfills a precisely reckoned divine timetable.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
וַיְהִ֗יand it happenedconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become, happen'; common verb of being; in the weqatal chains here it projects the future/customary consequence, 'it shall be/happen that ...'
מִקֵּץ֙at the end ofprep מִן + N m sg constr · קֵץ (H7093)Temporal prepositional phraseקֵץ (H7093) 'end.'
שְׁלֹשִׁ֣יםthirtynumeral card · שְׁלֹשִׁים (H7970)Numeral (compound)שְׁלֹשִׁים (H7970) 'thirty'; numeral forming part of 'four hundred and thirty years,' the length of Israel's sojourn in Egypt (vv.40-41).
שָׁנָ֔הyearsN f sg abs · שָׁנָה (H8141)Genitive complement (duration)שָׁנָה (H8141) 'year'; the yearling age required of the Passover lamb (v.5) and the 430-year span of the Egyptian sojourn (v.40).
וְאַרְבַּ֥עand fourconj וְ + numeral card f · אַרְבַע (H702)Coordinate numeral (compound)אַרְבַע (H702) 'four'; cardinal numeral, part of the 'fourteenth day' formula fixing the date of the Passover slaughter.
מֵא֖וֹתhundrednumeral f · מֵאָה (H3967)Numeral (compound)מֵאָה (H3967) 'hundred'; numeral used in counting 'about six hundred thousand' men (v.37) and the 'four hundred and thirty years' of sojourn in Egypt (vv.40-41).
שָׁנָ֑הyearsN f sg abs · שָׁנָה (H8141)Genitive complement (duration)שָׁנָה (H8141) 'year'; the yearling age required of the Passover lamb (v.5) and the 430-year span of the Egyptian sojourn (v.40).
וַיְהִ֗יand it happenedconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause, resumptive)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance, resuming after the numeral clauseהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become, happen'; common verb of being; in the weqatal chains here it projects the future/customary consequence, 'it shall be/happen that ...'
בְּעֶ֨צֶם֙on this veryprep בְ + N f sg constr · עֶצֶם (H6106)Temporal prepositional phrase (idiom of exactness)Repeats the idiom of v. 17 — the exodus falls on a precisely reckoned day.
הַיּ֣וֹםdayart + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Head noun of temporal idiomיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; the chapter's recurring temporal marker — the day of selection, of slaughter, of the exodus itself, and the seven days of Unleavened Bread.
הַזֶּ֔הthisart + demonstr pron m sg · זֶה (H2088)Attributive demonstrative
יָֽצְא֛וּwent outQal perf 3cp · יָצָא (H3318)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed, decisive act — the exodus itselfיָצָא (H3318) 'to go out'; the summary verb of the entire book's central event.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹל (H3605)Construct governing צִבְאוֹתכֹּל (H3605) 'all, whole, every'; a construct noun used as a quantifier — 'the whole congregation,' 'all Egypt,' 'every house,' 'all the days.'
צִבְא֥וֹתthe hosts ofN com pl constr · צָבָא (H6635)Subject (construct chain, genitival)צָבָא (H6635) 'host, army'; Israel described corporately as an organized army — 'the LORD's hosts' — cf. v. 17.
יְהוָ֖הthe LORDproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive complement of construct chainStriking phrase — יהוה's own hosts, a military-liturgical designation for the departing nation.
מֵאֶ֥רֶץfrom the land ofprep מִן + N f sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prepositional phrase (source)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'land, earth'; repeatedly 'the land of Egypt,' the geographic stage of the tenth plague and the exodus.
מִצְרָֽיִםEgyptproper noun · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Genitive complementמִצְרַיִם (H4714) 'Egypt, Egyptians'; the land and people who are both the object of the plague-judgment and the setting the Israelites depart from.
42
לֵ֣יל שִׁמֻּרִ֥ים הוּא֙ לַֽיהוָ֔ה לְהוֹצִיאָ֖ם מֵאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרָ֑יִם הֽוּא הַלַּ֤יְלָה הַזֶּה֙ לַֽיהוָ֔ה שִׁמֻּרִ֛ים לְכָל בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל לְדֹרֹתָֽם
It is a night of watching kept to the LORD for bringing them out of the land of Egypt; this same night is a watching kept to the LORD for all the sons of Israel throughout their generations.
A closing theological reflection: the night is called a שִׁמֻרִים, 'watching,' both because the LORD watched over Israel that night and because Israel is to keep watch/vigil in commemoration every year thereafter.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
לֵ֣ילa night ofN m sg constr · לַיִל (H3915)Predicate nominative (construct chain, fronted)לַיִל, poetic/construct form of לַיְלָה 'night.'
שִׁמֻּרִ֥יםwatchingN m pl abs · שִׁמֻרִים (H8107)Genitive complement of constructשִׁמֻרִים (H8107) 'watchings, vigil', from שָׁמַר 'to watch, keep'; the same night God 'watched over' Israel to bring them out.
הוּא֙it (is)indep pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Copula/resumptive pronoun
לַֽיהוָ֔הto the LORDprep לְ + proper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Dative complement (dedication)יְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name (Tetragrammaton) of Israel's God; speaks and acts directly through the plague and exodus narrated in this chapter.
לְהוֹצִיאָ֖םto bring them outprep לְ + Hiphil inf constr + 3mp suffix · יָצָא (H3318)Purpose infinitival clause→ Infinitival: purpose — the aim of the night of watchingיָצָא (H3318) Hiphil 'to bring out'; the whole night is defined by this single redemptive purpose.
מֵאֶ֣רֶץfrom the land ofprep מִן + N f sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prepositional phrase (source)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'land, earth'; repeatedly 'the land of Egypt,' the geographic stage of the tenth plague and the exodus.
מִצְרָ֑יִםEgyptproper noun · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Genitive complementמִצְרַיִם (H4714) 'Egypt, Egyptians'; the land and people who are both the object of the plague-judgment and the setting the Israelites depart from.
הֽוּאthis (same)indep pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Resumptive demonstrative pronoun (emphatic repetition)
הַלַּ֤יְלָהthe nightart + N m sg abs · לַיְלָה (H3915)Apposition (restating the subject)לַיְלָה (H3915) 'night'; the pivotal night of the tenth plague, the Passover meal, and the exodus — a night 'to be much observed' (v.42).
הַזֶּה֙thisart + demonstr pron m sg · זֶה (H2088)Attributive demonstrative
לַֽיהוָ֔הto the LORDprep לְ + proper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Dative complement (dedication, repeated)יְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name (Tetragrammaton) of Israel's God; speaks and acts directly through the plague and exodus narrated in this chapter.
שִׁמֻּרִ֛יםa watchingN m pl abs · שִׁמֻרִים (H8107)Predicate nominative (repeated for emphasis)The repetition of שִׁמֻרִים frames this night as perpetually commemorated — Israel's own night of watching in every generation, answering God's watching over them.
לְכָלfor allprep לְ + N m sg constr · כֹל (H3605)Prepositional phrase (beneficiary, distributive)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, whole, every'; a construct noun used as a quantifier — 'the whole congregation,' 'all Egypt,' 'every house,' 'all the days.'
בְּנֵ֥יthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵן (H1121)Construct chain (genitival)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; here collectively 'sons of Israel' (בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל), the covenant people, and 'your sons' in the catechetical instruction for future generations (vv.24-27).
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive complement of construct chainיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478) 'Israel'; the covenant people (from Jacob's name), addressed corporately throughout the Passover legislation.
לְדֹרֹתָֽםthroughout their generationsprep לְ + N m pl constr + 3mp suffix · דוֹר (H1755)Adverbial prepositional phrase of durationCloses the historical narrative of the exodus night with the same perpetual-generations formula used for the festival legislation (vv. 14, 17).
43
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהוָה֙ אֶל מֹשֶׁ֣ה וְאַהֲרֹ֔ן זֹ֖את חֻקַּ֣ת הַפָּ֑סַח כָּל בֶּן נֵכָ֖ר לֹא יֹ֥אכַל בּֽוֹ
And the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, This is the statute of the Passover: no foreigner shall eat of it.
A supplementary divine speech appended after the narrative of the exodus itself, addressing who may and may not eat the Passover — beginning with exclusion of the uncircumcised foreigner.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וַיֹּ֤אמֶרand saidconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceIntroduces a fresh divine speech, a supplementary set of Passover regulations concerning who may eat it.
יְהוָה֙the LORDproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name (Tetragrammaton) of Israel's God; speaks and acts directly through the plague and exodus narrated in this chapter.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase (addressee)
מֹשֶׁ֣הMosesproper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Object of preposition (addressee)מֹשֶׁה (H4872) 'Moses'; the covenant mediator, co-recipient with Aaron of these instructions, who later summons the elders of Israel (v.21).
וְאַהֲרֹ֔ןand Aaronconj וְ + proper noun · אַהֲרֹן (H175)Coordinate object of prepositionאַהֲרֹן (H175) 'Aaron'; Moses' brother, co-addressee of the Passover instructions here in Egypt and later Israel's high priest; name of uncertain Egyptian or Hebrew etymology.
זֹ֖אתthisdemonstr pron f sg · זֹאת (H2063)Subject (predicate nominative construction)
חֻקַּ֣ת(is) the statute ofN f sg constr · חֻקָה (H2708)Predicate nominative (construct chain)חֻקָּה (H2708) 'statute, prescribed ordinance'; from חקק 'to inscribe, decree'; a fixed, perpetual ordinance — used of the Passover regulation and the Feast of Unleavened Bread.
הַפָּ֑סַחthe Passoverart + N m sg abs · פֶסַח (H6453)Genitive complement of constructOpens a new legal unit (vv. 43-49) specifying eligibility to eat the Passover, appended after the exodus narrative itself.
כָּלanyN m sg constr · כֹל (H3605)Construct governing בֶן נֵכָרכֹּל (H3605) 'all, whole, every'; a construct noun used as a quantifier — 'the whole congregation,' 'all Egypt,' 'every house,' 'all the days.'
בֶּןson ofN m sg constr · בֵן (H1121)Construct chain (genitival)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; here collectively 'sons of Israel' (בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל), the covenant people, and 'your sons' in the catechetical instruction for future generations (vv.24-27).
נֵכָ֖רa foreignerN m sg abs · נֵכָר (H5236)Genitive complement of constructבֶן נֵכָר, 'son of a foreigner' = a non-Israelite outsider with no covenant bond, as distinct from the resident-alien גֵר of v. 19 and 48-49.
לֹאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle
יֹ֥אכַלshall eatQal impf 3ms · אָכַל (H398)Predicate verb (main clause, negated)→ Yiqtol: instructional, negatedThe Passover is restricted to the covenant community — an uncircumcised foreigner may not partake (cf. v. 48).
בּֽוֹof itprep בְ + 3ms suffix · בְPrepositional phrase (partitive)
44
וְכָל עֶ֥בֶד אִ֖ישׁ מִקְנַת כָּ֑סֶף וּמַלְתָּ֣ה אֹת֔וֹ אָ֖ז יֹ֥אכַל בּֽוֹ
But every man's servant, purchased with money, when you have circumcised him, then he may eat of it.
A purchased slave, fully incorporated into the household via circumcision, is admitted — covenant membership, not ethnicity or social status, is the criterion.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
וְכָלbut anyconj וְ + N m sg constr · כֹל (H3605)Construct governing עֶבֶד אִישׁכֹּל (H3605) 'all, whole, every'; a construct noun used as a quantifier — 'the whole congregation,' 'all Egypt,' 'every house,' 'all the days.'
עֶ֥בֶדservant ofN m sg constr · עֶבֶד (H5650)Construct chain (genitival)עֶבֶד (H5650) 'servant, slave'; used both of Pharaoh's officials/servants (v.30) and of a purchased slave who, once circumcised, may share the Passover meal (v.44).
אִ֖ישׁa manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Genitive complement of constructעֶבֶד אִישׁ, 'a man's servant/slave' — specifies the household bondservant, distinct from a foreigner merely passing through.
מִקְנַתpurchase ofN f sg constr · מִקְנָה (H4736)Genitive complement (apposition, specifying kind of servant)מִקְנָה (H4736) 'purchase, acquisition', from קָנָה 'to buy'; a slave bought with money.
כָּ֑סֶףmoneyN m sg abs · כֶסֶף (H3701)Genitive complement of constructכֶּסֶף (H3701) 'silver'; paired with gold among the articles Israel asks of the Egyptians (v.35).
וּמַלְתָּ֣הwhen you have circumcisedconj וְ + Qal perf 2ms (weqatal, conditional) · מוּל (H4135)Predicate verb of conditional clause→ Weqatal: conditional — the circumcision that qualifies participationמוּל (H4135) 'to circumcise'; incorporation into the covenant, not ethnicity, is the criterion.
אֹת֔וֹhimobj marker + 3ms suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct object
אָ֖זthenadv · אָז (H227)Temporal/logical adverb ('then')
יֹ֥אכַלhe may eatQal impf 3ms (jussive/permissive) · אָכַל (H398)Predicate verb (main clause, apodosis)→ Yiqtol: permissive — once circumcised, he is admittedאָכַל (H398) 'to eat'; the chapter's central ritual verb — eating the roasted lamb, unleavened bread and bitter herbs, and later the prohibition on eating anything leavened during the feast.
בּֽוֹof itprep בְ + 3ms suffix · בְPrepositional phrase (partitive)
45
תּוֹשָׁ֥ב וְשָׂכִ֖יר לֹא יֹ֥אכַל בּֽוֹ
A temporary resident and a hired worker shall not eat of it.
Temporary residents and hired laborers, lacking the covenant sign, remain excluded by default.
Word-by-word analysis· 5 words
תּוֹשָׁ֥בa temporary residentN m sg abs · תוֹשָׁב (H8453)Subject (first of a coordinate pair)תוֹשָׁב (H8453) 'sojourner, temporary resident'; one who dwells among Israel without full covenant incorporation.
וְשָׂכִ֖ירand a hired workerconj וְ + adj m sg abs · שָׂכִיר (H7916)Coordinate subjectשָׂכִיר (H7916) 'hired laborer'; a wage-worker, likewise lacking covenant membership by default.
לֹאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle
יֹ֥אכַלshall eatQal impf 3ms · אָכַל (H398)Predicate verb (main clause, negated)→ Yiqtol: instructional, negatedBoth categories are excluded unless they undergo the covenant sign of circumcision (implied by contrast with v. 48).
בּֽוֹof itprep בְ + 3ms suffix · בְPrepositional phrase (partitive)
46
בְּבַ֤יִת אֶחָד֙ יֵאָכֵ֔ל לֹא תוֹצִ֧יא מִן הַבַּ֛יִת מִן הַבָּשָׂ֖ר ח֑וּצָה וְעֶ֖צֶם לֹ֥א תִשְׁבְּרוּ בֽוֹ
It shall be eaten in one house; you shall not carry any of the flesh outside the house, nor shall you break a bone of it.
Reiterates the one-house confinement of v. 22 and adds the no-broken-bone rule, preserving the animal's bodily wholeness to the end — later read typologically of Christ (John 19:36).
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
בְּבַ֤יִתin a houseprep בְ + N m sg abs · בַיִת (H1004)Locative prepositional phraseבַּיִת (H1004) 'house, household'; both the physical house whose door is marked with blood and the family unit gathered to eat the lamb together.
אֶחָד֙onenumeral card m sg abs · אֶחָד (H259)Attributive numeral ('a single house')Restates and reinforces v. 22's confinement rule — one lamb, one house, one meal.
יֵאָכֵ֔לit shall be eatenNiphal impf 3ms · אָכַל (H398)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Niphal: passive — instructionalאָכַל (H398) 'to eat'; the chapter's central ritual verb — eating the roasted lamb, unleavened bread and bitter herbs, and later the prohibition on eating anything leavened during the feast.
לֹאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle
תוֹצִ֧יאyou shall bring outHiphil impf 2ms · יָצָא (H3318)Predicate verb (main clause, negated)→ Yiqtol: instructional, negatedThe meat may not leave the house where it is eaten — reinforcing the household-unity of the rite.
מִןfromprep · מִן (H4480)Partitive prepositional phrase
הַבַּ֛יִתthe houseart + N m sg abs · בַיִת (H1004)Object of prepositionבַּיִת (H1004) 'house, household'; both the physical house whose door is marked with blood and the family unit gathered to eat the lamb together.
מִןfromprep · מִן (H4480)Partitive prepositional phrase (resumptive)
הַבָּשָׂ֖רthe fleshart + N m sg abs · בָשָׂר (H1320)Object of prepositionבָּשָׂר (H1320) 'flesh, meat'; the roasted flesh of the Passover lamb, to be eaten that same night and not left over.
ח֑וּצָהoutwardN m sg abs + directive ה · חוּץ (H2351)Adverbial accusative of direction ('to the outside')חוּץ (H2351) 'outside'; with directive ה, 'to the outside, outward.'
וְעֶ֖צֶםand a boneconj וְ + N f sg abs · עֶצֶם (H6106)Direct object (fronted)עֶצֶם (H6106) 'bone'; the physical wholeness of the animal (cf. v. 9's whole-roasting rule) is preserved to the very end.
לֹ֥אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle
תִשְׁבְּרוּyou shall breakQal impf 2mp · שָׁבַר (H7665)Predicate verb (main clause, negated)→ Yiqtol: instructional, negatedשָׁבַר (H7665) 'to break'; cited in John 19:36 as fulfilled typologically in the crucifixion of Christ, whose legs were not broken.
בֽוֹof itprep בְ + 3ms suffix · בְPrepositional phrase (partitive)
47
כָּל עֲדַ֥ת יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל יַעֲשׂ֥וּ אֹתֽוֹ
All the congregation of Israel shall observe it.
A terse restatement of the corporate obligation first given in vv. 3, 6 — the whole congregation, not scattered individuals, keeps this rite.
Word-by-word analysis· 5 words
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹל (H3605)Construct governing עֲדַת יִשְׂרָאֵלכֹּל (H3605) 'all, whole, every'; a construct noun used as a quantifier — 'the whole congregation,' 'all Egypt,' 'every house,' 'all the days.'
עֲדַ֥תthe congregation ofN f sg constr · עֵדָה (H5712)Construct chain (genitival)עֵדָה (H5712) 'congregation, assembly'; the whole gathered community of Israel who together perform the Passover slaughter (v.6) and from which the leaven-eater is cut off (v.19).
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive complement of construct chainיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478) 'Israel'; the covenant people (from Jacob's name), addressed corporately throughout the Passover legislation.
יַעֲשׂ֥וּshall observeQal impf 3mp · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: instructional/modalReaffirms the corporate, universal obligation of vv. 3, 6.
אֹתֽוֹitobj marker + 3ms suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct object
48
וְכִֽי יָג֨וּר אִתְּךָ֜ גֵּ֗ר וְעָ֣שָׂה פֶסַח֮ לַיהוָה֒ הִמּ֧וֹל ל֣וֹ כָל זָכָ֗ר וְאָז֙ יִקְרַ֣ב לַעֲשֹׂת֔וֹ וְהָיָ֖ה כְּאֶזְרַ֣ח הָאָ֑רֶץ וְכָל עָרֵ֖ל לֹֽא יֹ֥אכַל בּֽוֹ
And when a sojourner dwells with you and wishes to observe the Passover to the LORD, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near to observe it, and he shall be like a native of the land; but no uncircumcised person shall eat of it.
Provides the positive counterpart to v. 43: a resident alien is not permanently excluded but may join fully through circumcision, becoming legally equivalent to a native Israelite.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
וְכִֽיand whenconj וְ + conj · כִּי (H3588)Conditional/temporal conjunction
יָג֨וּרsojournsQal impf 3ms · גוּר (H1481)Predicate verb of conditional clause→ Yiqtol: future/hypotheticalגוּר (H1481) 'to sojourn, dwell as a resident alien'.
אִתְּךָ֜with youprep + 2ms suffix · אֵת (H854)Prepositional phrase (locative/comitative)
גֵּ֗רa sojournerN m sg abs · גֵר (H1616)Subjectגֵר (H1616); unlike the foreigner of v. 43, this resident sojourner may join Israel's Passover — provided he is circumcised.
וְעָ֣שָׂהand wishes to observeconj וְ + Qal perf 3ms (weqatal, conditional) · עָשָׂה (H6213)Coordinate predicate verb of conditional clause→ Weqatal: conditional continuationעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make, perform'; here Niphal passive, 'may be done/made' — of the work forbidden or permitted on the festival days.
פֶסַח֮a PassoverN m sg abs · פֶסַח (H6453)Direct objectפֶּסַח (H6453) 'Passover'; from a root 'to pass over, spare'; names both the sacrificial victim and the festival commemorating the LORD's passing over the marked houses.
לַיהוָה֒to the LORDprep לְ + proper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Dative complement (dedication)יְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name (Tetragrammaton) of Israel's God; speaks and acts directly through the plague and exodus narrated in this chapter.
הִמּ֧וֹלlet there be circumcisedNiphal inf abs (imperatival) · מוּל (H4135)Predicate verb (infinitive absolute as imperative, apodosis)→ Infinitival: imperatival force — a binding requirementמוּל (H4135) Niphal infinitive absolute functioning imperativally, 'let ... be circumcised' — the non-negotiable precondition for Gentile participation.
ל֣וֹto himprep + 3ms suffix · לְ (Hloc-)Dative of reference
כָלeveryN m sg constr · כֹל (H3605)Construct governing זָכָרכֹּל (H3605) 'all, whole, every'; a construct noun used as a quantifier — 'the whole congregation,' 'all Egypt,' 'every house,' 'all the days.'
זָכָ֗רmaleadj m sg abs · זָכָר (H2145)Genitive complement of constructCircumcision of every male in the household, echoing the original covenant sign of Gen 17:10-14, becomes the gateway to Passover participation.
וְאָז֙and thenconj וְ + adv · אָז (H227)Temporal/logical adverb ('then')
יִקְרַ֣בhe may approachQal impf 3ms (jussive) · קָרַב (H7126)Predicate verb (apodosis, permissive)→ Jussive: permissive — once circumcised, admission followsקָרַב (H7126) 'to draw near, approach'; often used of approach to sacred ritual.
לַעֲשֹׂת֔וֹto observe itprep לְ + Qal inf constr + 3ms suffix · עָשָׂה (H6213)Purpose infinitival clause→ Infinitival: purpose — the goal of drawing nearעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make, perform'; here Niphal passive, 'may be done/made' — of the work forbidden or permitted on the festival days.
וְהָיָ֖הand he shall beconj וְ + Qal perf 3ms (weqatal) · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (weqatal)→ Weqatal: instructionalהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become, happen'; common verb of being; in the weqatal chains here it projects the future/customary consequence, 'it shall be/happen that ...'
כְּאֶזְרַ֣חlike a native ofprep כְ + N m sg constr · אֶזְרָח (H249)Comparative prepositional phraseCircumcision fully equalizes status — the convert-sojourner becomes legally 'like a native.'
הָאָ֑רֶץthe landart + N com sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Genitive complement of constructאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land, earth'; repeatedly 'the land of Egypt,' the geographic stage of the tenth plague and the exodus.
וְכָלbut anyconj וְ + N m sg constr · כֹל (H3605)Construct governing עָרֵל (contrastive)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, whole, every'; a construct noun used as a quantifier — 'the whole congregation,' 'all Egypt,' 'every house,' 'all the days.'
עָרֵ֖לuncircumcised (man)adj m sg abs · עָרֵל (H6189)Genitive complement of constructעָרֵל (H6189) 'uncircumcised'; the negative counterpart closing the verse — without the covenant sign, no participation.
לֹֽאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle
יֹ֥אכַלshall eatQal impf 3ms · אָכַל (H398)Predicate verb (main clause, negated)→ Yiqtol: instructional, negatedאָכַל (H398) 'to eat'; the chapter's central ritual verb — eating the roasted lamb, unleavened bread and bitter herbs, and later the prohibition on eating anything leavened during the feast.
בּֽוֹof itprep בְ + 3ms suffix · בְPrepositional phrase (partitive)
49
תּוֹרָ֣ה אַחַ֔ת יִהְיֶ֖ה לָֽאֶזְרָ֑ח וְלַגֵּ֖ר הַגָּ֥ר בְּתוֹכְכֶֽם
One law shall apply to the native and to the sojourner who dwells among you.
Caps the eligibility rules with a governing principle — one law for native and incorporated sojourner alike — anticipating the single-law theme repeated throughout Israel's legislation (Num 15:15-16).
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
תּוֹרָ֣הone lawN f sg abs · תוֹרָה (H8451)Subjectתוֹרָה (H8451) 'law, instruction'; the chapter closes its Passover-eligibility rules with a principle of legal uniformity.
אַחַ֔ת(the) sameadj f sg abs · אֶחָד (H259)Attributive adjectiveאֶחָד (H259) 'one'; תוֹרָה אַחַת, 'one law' — a single standard for all participants.
יִהְיֶ֖הthere shall beQal impf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: instructional/modalהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become, happen'; common verb of being; in the weqatal chains here it projects the future/customary consequence, 'it shall be/happen that ...'
לָֽאֶזְרָ֑חfor the nativeprep לְ + art + N m sg abs · אֶזְרָח (H249)Dative complementאֶזְרָח (H249) 'native, home-born (citizen)'; from a root meaning 'to spring up, be native to the soil,' contrasted with גֵּר 'sojourner' in the rulings on who may share the Passover.
וְלַגֵּ֖רand for the sojournerconj וְ + prep לְ + art + N m sg abs · גֵר (H1616)Coordinate dative complementגֵּר (H1616) 'sojourner, resident alien'; a non-Israelite living among the people; may keep the Passover once circumcised, and 'one law' covers native and sojourner alike (vv.48-49).
הַגָּ֥רwho sojournsart + Qal ptc m sg abs · גוּר (H1481)Attributive participle modifying the sojourner→ Participle: describes an ongoing state ('who sojourns')Once circumcised (v. 48), the sojourner stands under exactly the same law as the native-born — no double standard.
בְּתוֹכְכֶֽםamong youprep בְ + N m sg constr + 2mp suffix · תָוֶךְ (H8432)Locative prepositional phraseתָּוֶךְ (H8432) 'midst, middle'; 'in the midst of Egypt' — the heart of the land, both the site of the plague-judgment and the place Israel goes out from.
50
וַיַּֽעֲשׂ֖וּ כָּל בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל כַּאֲשֶׁ֨ר צִוָּ֧ה יְהוָ֛ה אֶת מֹשֶׁ֥ה וְאֶֽת אַהֲרֹ֖ן כֵּ֥ן עָשֽׂוּ
Thus all the sons of Israel did; just as the LORD commanded Moses and Aaron, so they did.
A near-verbatim repetition of v. 28's obedience formula, bracketing the appended eligibility legislation (vv. 43-49) and confirming Israel's compliance with the whole Passover law.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וַיַּֽעֲשׂ֖וּand didconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · עָשָׂה (H6213)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceCloses the appended legal unit (vv. 43-49) with a formulaic obedience-report, echoing v. 28.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹל (H3605)Construct governing בְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵלכֹּל (H3605) 'all, whole, every'; a construct noun used as a quantifier — 'the whole congregation,' 'all Egypt,' 'every house,' 'all the days.'
בְּנֵ֣יthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵן (H1121)Construct chain (genitival)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; here collectively 'sons of Israel' (בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל), the covenant people, and 'your sons' in the catechetical instruction for future generations (vv.24-27).
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive complement of construct chainיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478) 'Israel'; the covenant people (from Jacob's name), addressed corporately throughout the Passover legislation.
כַּאֲשֶׁ֨רjust asprep כְ + rel particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Comparative conjunction
צִוָּ֧הcommandedPiel perf 3ms · צָוָה (H6680)Predicate verb of comparative clause→ Perfective: a completed, authoritative actצָוָה (H6680) 'to command'; root of מִצְוָה 'commandment'; the LORD's authoritative instruction which Moses and Aaron carry out exactly (vv.28, 50).
יְהוָ֛הthe LORDproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name (Tetragrammaton) of Israel's God; speaks and acts directly through the plague and exodus narrated in this chapter.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
מֹשֶׁ֥הMosesproper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Direct objectמֹשֶׁה (H4872) 'Moses'; the covenant mediator, co-recipient with Aaron of these instructions, who later summons the elders of Israel (v.21).
וְאֶֽתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Coordinating conjunction + direct-object marker (second object)
אַהֲרֹ֖ןAaronproper noun · אַהֲרֹן (H175)Coordinate direct objectאַהֲרֹן (H175) 'Aaron'; Moses' brother, co-addressee of the Passover instructions here in Egypt and later Israel's high priest; name of uncertain Egyptian or Hebrew etymology.
כֵּ֥ןsoadv · כֵן (H3651)Comparative adverb ('so, thus')
עָשֽׂוּthey didQal perf 3cp · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (summary clause)→ Perfective: a completed, comprehensive act of obedienceVerbatim repetition of v. 28's closing formula, framing the whole chapter's legislation with total compliance.
51
וַיְהִ֕י בְּעֶ֖צֶם הַיּ֣וֹם הַזֶּ֑ה הוֹצִ֨יא יְהוָ֜ה אֶת בְּנֵ֧י יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל מֵאֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרַ֖יִם עַל צִבְאֹתָֽם
And on that very day the LORD brought the sons of Israel out of the land of Egypt by their hosts.
The chapter's closing sentence restates the exodus event itself in formal, summary terms, with the LORD as the explicit grammatical subject who brings Israel out by their organized hosts — the fitting close to the chapter that began with the calendar reset of v. 2.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וַיְהִ֕יand it happenedconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceFinal summary sentence of the chapter, restating the exodus itself in formal closing terms.
בְּעֶ֖צֶםon this veryprep בְ + N f sg constr · עֶצֶם (H6106)Temporal prepositional phrase (idiom of exactness)Third occurrence of this exactness-idiom in the chapter (cf. vv. 17, 41).
הַיּ֣וֹםdayart + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Head noun of temporal idiomיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; the chapter's recurring temporal marker — the day of selection, of slaughter, of the exodus itself, and the seven days of Unleavened Bread.
הַזֶּ֑הthisart + demonstr pron m sg · זֶה (H2088)Attributive demonstrative
הוֹצִ֨יאbrought outHiphil perf 3ms · יָצָא (H3318)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed, decisive act — the exodus itselfיָצָא (H3318) Hiphil; the LORD himself is the grammatical subject and agent of the exodus, not merely its occasion.
יְהוָ֜הthe LORDproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name (Tetragrammaton) of Israel's God; speaks and acts directly through the plague and exodus narrated in this chapter.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
בְּנֵ֧יthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵן (H1121)Direct object (construct chain)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; here collectively 'sons of Israel' (בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל), the covenant people, and 'your sons' in the catechetical instruction for future generations (vv.24-27).
יִשְׂרָאֵ֛לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive complement of construct chainיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478) 'Israel'; the covenant people (from Jacob's name), addressed corporately throughout the Passover legislation.
מֵאֶ֥רֶץfrom the land ofprep מִן + N f sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prepositional phrase (source)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'land, earth'; repeatedly 'the land of Egypt,' the geographic stage of the tenth plague and the exodus.
מִצְרַ֖יִםEgyptproper noun · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Genitive complementמִצְרַיִם (H4714) 'Egypt, Egyptians'; the land and people who are both the object of the plague-judgment and the setting the Israelites depart from.
עַלbyprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase of manner ('by, according to')
צִבְאֹתָֽםtheir hostsN com pl constr + 3mp suffix · צָבָא (H6635)Object of prepositionצָבָא (H6635) 'host, army'; the chapter closes exactly as it narrated the exodus in v. 41 — Israel as the LORD's marshaled hosts, orderly and organized, not a fleeing rabble.