Consecration of the Firstborn
Exodus 13:1-16
Exo.13.1 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- וידבר: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- משה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
Parallels
- Exodus 3:4 (verbal): God's direct address to Moses in a commissioning theophany — same pattern of divine speech that initiates Moses' mission.
- Exodus 12:1 (structural): Introductory formula 'The LORD said unto Moses and Aaron' that launches a major ritual/legal section (the Passover instructions), parallel in function and wording.
- Leviticus 1:1 (verbal): Another canonical instance of 'And the LORD called unto Moses, and spake unto him…' introducing priestly legislation; shows the recurring formula of divine instruction to Moses.
- Numbers 1:1 (structural): 'And the LORD spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai…' — same narrative structure marking divine revelation to Moses that initiates census/organizational commands.
- Exodus 20:1 (thematic): 'And God spake all these words…' introduces the Decalogue; thematically parallel as God speaking authoritative commandments (though addressed to Israel through Moses).
Alternative generated candidates
- And YHWH spoke to Moses, saying:
- And YHWH spoke to Moses, saying:
Exo.13.2 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- קדש: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- כל: DET
- בכור: NOUN,m,sg,const
- פטר: VERB,qal,imp,2,ms
- כל: DET
- רחם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בבני: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- באדם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ובבהמה: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Numbers 3:12-13 (thematic): God declares he has taken the Levites in place of all the firstborn of Israel, developing Exodus' claim that the firstborn belong to the Lord.
- Numbers 18:15-16 (verbal): Repeats the law that every firstborn of humans and animals is the Lord's and prescribes procedures for redemption and valuation.
- Leviticus 27:26-27 (verbal): Treats firstborn animals as holy to the LORD and gives rules for dedications and substitutions, echoing Exodus' consecration language.
- Deuteronomy 15:19 (verbal): Commands Israel to set apart the firstborn of their herds and flocks as holy to the LORD, a restatement of Exodus' obligation concerning firstborn animals.
- Luke 2:22-24 (quotation): New Testament fulfillment/appeal to the law: parents bring the firstborn to the temple and redeem him, explicitly invoking the law that every firstborn male is holy to the Lord.
Alternative generated candidates
- “Consecrate to me every firstborn, the opener of every womb among the sons of Israel, both of man and of beast; it is mine.”
- 'Consecrate to me every firstborn, the opener of every womb among the sons of Israel, in man and in beast; it is mine.'
Exo.13.3 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- משה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- זכור: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
- אשר: PRON,rel
- יצאתם: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
- ממצרים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- מבית: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עבדים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- כי: CONJ
- בחזק: PREP+ADJ,m,sg
- יד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הוציא: VERB,hiphil,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אתכם: PRT+PRON,2,m,pl
- מזה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ולא: CONJ
- יאכל: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- חמץ: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Exodus 12:17-20 (verbal): Repeats the prohibition against eating leaven during the Feast of Unleavened Bread ("no leavened bread"), the ritual command connected to the Exodus event.
- Exodus 12:14 (structural): Establishes the day as a memorial/observance (Passover) to remember the deliverance from Egypt, parallel to Moses' charge to "remember this day."
- Exodus 13:8 (structural): Immediate narrative parallel within the same chapter that instructs Israelites to recount the Exodus to their children — a practical extension of the command to remember.
- Deuteronomy 16:3-4 (verbal): Deuteronomy reiterates the ban on leaven during the Passover and gives the same reason — Yahweh brought you out of Egypt with a mighty hand — echoing Exod 13:3's language and rationale.
- Deuteronomy 5:15 (thematic): Uses the imperative 'remember' and grounds a communal obligation (the Sabbath) in Israel's experience of slavery and divine deliverance, thematically parallel to Exod 13:3's call to remember the Exodus.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Moses said to the people: “Remember this day on which you came out from Egypt, from the house of slaves; for with a strong hand YHWH brought you out from here, and no leavened bread shall be eaten.
- And Moses said to the people: 'Remember this day on which you came out from Egypt, from the house of slaves, for with a strong hand YHWH brought you out from here; and no leavened bread shall be eaten.
Exo.13.4 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אתם: PRON,2,m,pl
- יצאים: VERB,qal,part,,m,pl
- בחדש: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,cstr
- האביב: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Exod.12.2 (verbal): Declares this month as the first month of the year—same temporal framing that identifies the month of Aviv/Nisan for the Exodus events.
- Exod.12.18 (structural): Gives the precise timing for the Festival of Unleavened Bread in the first month (Aviv), connecting the Exodus departure to the liturgical calendar.
- Deut.16.1 (verbal): Commands Israel to observe the month of Aviv and keep Passover—echoes the identification of the departure as occurring in the month of Aviv.
- Lev.23.5 (thematic): Locates Passover in the first month on the fourteenth day—reinforces the association between Aviv (spring) and the Passover/Exodus remembrance.
- Num.9.1-3 (allusion): Reports that the Israelites kept Passover in the second year after the Exodus in the first month—recalls the ongoing link between the Exodus event and the month of Aviv.
Alternative generated candidates
- Today you are going out, in the month of Aviv.
- Today you are going out, in the month of Abib.
Exo.13.5 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- והיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- יביאך: VERB,hiph,impf,3,m,sg+SUFF=2,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- ארץ: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- הכנעני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,def
- והחתי: ADJ,m,sg,def
- והאמרי: ADJ,m,sg,def
- והחוי: ADJ,m,sg,def
- והיבוסי: ADJ,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- נשבע: VERB,niphal,perf,3,m,sg
- לאבתיך: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PREP=ל+SUFF=2,m,sg
- לתת: VERB,qal,inf
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- ארץ: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- זבת: VERB,qal,ptc,f,sg
- חלב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ודבש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ועבדת: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- העבדה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- הזאת: DEM,f,sg,def
- בחדש: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PREP=ב
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
Parallels
- Exodus 3:8 (verbal): God’s promise to bring Israel into “a land flowing with milk and honey”—same phrasing and promise of possession.
- Deuteronomy 7:1 (verbal): Lists the peoples (Hittite, Amorite, Canaanite, Hivite, Jebusite) whom God will dispossess when He brings Israel into the land, echoing the nations named in Exod 13:5.
- Genesis 15:18 (allusion): The covenantal grant of the land to Abraham’s descendants—background for Exod 13:5’s reference to what God ‘swore to your fathers.’
- Deuteronomy 16:1–3 (thematic): Passover/Abib regulations instruct observing the month and remembering departure from Egypt, connecting to Exod 13:5’s command to keep this service in this month.
- Numbers 13:27 (verbal): The spies report the land as ‘flowing with milk and honey,’ repeating the characteristic description used in Exod 13:5 to characterize Canaan’s bounty.
Alternative generated candidates
- And it shall be, when YHWH brings you into the land of the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Amorite, the Hivvite, and the Jebusite, which he swore to your fathers to give you—a land flowing with milk and honey—that you shall perform this service in this month.
- And it shall be, when YHWH brings you into the land of the Canaanite and the Hittite and the Amorite and the Hivite and the Jebusite, which he swore to your fathers to give you—a land flowing with milk and honey—that you shall perform this service in this month.
Exo.13.6 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- שבעת: NUM,card,construct
- ימים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- תאכל: VERB,qal,impf,2,ms
- מצת: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- וביום: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- השביעי: NUM,ord,m,sg,def
- חג: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ליהוה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Exod.12:15 (verbal): Directly parallels the command to eat unleavened bread for seven days and the prohibition/removal of leaven—same festival regulation tied to Passover/Unleavened Bread.
- Exod.34:18 (allusion): Briefly restates the command to observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread for seven days, echoing the temporal requirement of Exod 13:6.
- Lev.23:6-8 (structural): Gives the formal liturgical structure for the seven-day Feast of Unleavened Bread, including holy convocations on the first and last days, paralleling the seventh‑day feast mention in Exod 13:6.
- Deut.16:8 (verbal): Reiterates the requirement to eat unleavened bread for seven days and to hold a holy assembly on the seventh day—an explicit restatement of the Exodus regulation.
- Num.28:17-25 (thematic): Prescribes the sacrificial offerings and character of the seven‑day Feast of Unleavened Bread, including the special observance of the seventh day, thematically linked to Exod 13:6.
Alternative generated candidates
- Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread, and on the seventh day there shall be a festival to YHWH.
- Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread, and on the seventh day a festival to YHWH.
Exo.13.7 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- מצות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- יאכל: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- שבעת: NUM,card,construct
- הימים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ולא: CONJ
- יראה: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- חמץ: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ולא: CONJ
- יראה: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- שאר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בכל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- גבלך: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
Parallels
- Exodus 12:15 (verbal): Commands removal of leaven for seven days; same prohibition that 'no leaven shall be seen' during the Festival of Unleavened Bread.
- Exodus 12:18-20 (verbal): Specifies the timing (from 14th to 21st of the month) and reiterates the ban on leaven for the seven-day observance, paralleling the duration and visibility prohibition in Exod 13:7.
- Deuteronomy 16:3-4 (verbal): Reiterates the command to eat unleavened bread for seven days and that leaven shall not be found in your houses during that time, mirroring the Exodus regulation.
- Leviticus 23:6-8 (structural): Prescribes the seven-day Feast of Unleavened Bread immediately after Passover and the holy assembly on the first and seventh days, providing priestly/ritual framing for the same prohibition.
- 1 Corinthians 5:7-8 (allusion): Paul uses the imagery of removing 'old leaven' and keeping the feast of unleavened bread metaphorically (moral/Christological application) echoing the Exodus injunction about leaven's absence during the seven days.
Alternative generated candidates
- Unleavened bread shall be eaten the seven days; and there shall not be seen with you any leavened thing, nor shall any leaven be seen with you in all your territory.
- Unleavened bread shall be eaten the seven days; and no leavened thing shall be seen with you, and no leaven shall be seen with you within all your borders.
Exo.13.8 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- והגדת: VERB,hifil,perf,2,m,sg
- לבנך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- ביום: PREP
- ההוא: DEM,ms,sg
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
- בעבור: PREP
- זה: PRON,dem,m,sg
- עשה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- בצאתי: PREP+VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- ממצרים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- Exodus 12:26–27 (structural): Passover Q&A: children ask about the rite and the adults reply by recounting God’s act of deliverance — the same communal instruction to explain Israel’s exodus to the next generation.
- Exodus 13:14 (verbal): Immediate parallel within the same instruction: the formula “when your son asks… you shall say” and the content of recounting God’s hand in bringing Israel out of Egypt.
- Deuteronomy 6:20–25 (thematic): Parent–child catechetical pattern: when a child asks about the meaning of commandments/observances the parent answers by recalling God’s saving acts in Egypt and linking them to obedience.
- Joshua 4:6–7 (structural): Memorial stones set up so future children will ask their parents ‘What do these stones mean?’ and be told about God’s saving action — a parallel practice of memorializing deliverance to prompt instruction.
- Psalm 78:5–8 (thematic): A didactic psalm that urges teaching the next generation the mighty works of the LORD so they will not forget — same theme of recounting God’s deeds to children to ensure faithfulness.
Alternative generated candidates
- And you shall tell your son on that day, saying, ‘Because of this YHWH did for me when I came out from Egypt.’
- And you shall tell your son on that day, saying, "Because of this YHWH did for me when I came out from Egypt."
Exo.13.9 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- והיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- לאות: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- על: PREP
- ידך: NOUN,f,sg,abs,poss:2,f,sg
- ולזכרון: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בין: PREP
- עיניך: NOUN,f,pl,abs+2ms
- למען: PREP
- תהיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,f,sg
- תורת: NOUN,f,sg,cs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- בפיך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- ביד: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- חזקה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- הוצאך: VERB,hiph,perf,3,m,sg+PRON,2,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ממצרים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- Exodus 13:16 (verbal): Immediate parallel and repetition of the same formula: 'a sign on your hand and frontlets between your eyes' and the reason 'for by a strong hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt.'
- Deuteronomy 6:6–9 (verbal): Same injunctional language (bind as a sign on your hand, frontlets between your eyes; write on doorposts) and the purpose that the words/commandments be with you and taught to your children.
- Deuteronomy 11:18 (verbal): Direct repetition of the Exodus formula—commands to 'lay up these words' and 'bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be frontlets between your eyes'—linking memory of redemption to daily observance.
- Numbers 15:39–41 (thematic): Commands to wear fringes so that you remember the commandments and the LORD who brought Israel out of Egypt—shared theme of external signs to prompt remembrance of the Exodus.
- Isaiah 49:16 (thematic): Uses the image of engraving on the hand ('Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands')—a related motif of the hand as a locus of identity/remembrance, here applied to God's care rather than human observance.
Alternative generated candidates
- And it shall be for you as a sign upon your hand and as a reminder between your eyes, so that the instruction of YHWH may be in your mouth; for with a strong hand YHWH brought you out from Egypt.
- And it shall be to you for a sign on your hand and for a memorial between your eyes, so that the instruction of YHWH may be in your mouth; for with a strong hand YHWH brought you out of Egypt.
Exo.13.10 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ושמרת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- החקה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- הזאת: DEM,f,sg,def
- למועדה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs,3,f,sg
- מימים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ימימה: ADV
Parallels
- Exodus 12:14 (verbal): Commands keeping the Passover as an ordinance 'for ever'—language parallel to 'ושמרת את־ החקה הזאת למועדה מימים ימימה' (keep this statute at its appointed time from year to year).
- Exodus 12:24 (verbal): Repeats the injunction to observe the Passover 'for an ordinance... for ever,' echoing the statutory/annual preservation expressed in Exod 13:10.
- Numbers 9:2 (verbal): Specifically instructs Israel to 'keep the Passover in its appointed season,' closely mirroring the phrase 'למועדה' (at its appointed time).
- Leviticus 23:4 (thematic): Sets out the LORD's feasts as 'holy convocations' to be proclaimed 'in their seasons,' reflecting the broader theme of observing appointed times annually.
- Deuteronomy 16:1 (thematic): Commands observance of the month of Abib and keeping the Passover—a later reiteration of the requirement to observe the festival at its appointed time each year.
Alternative generated candidates
- And you shall keep this statute at its appointed time, from year to year.
- And you shall keep this statute at its appointed time, from year to year.
Exo.13.11 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- והיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- יבאך: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- ארץ: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- הכנעני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,def
- כאשר: CONJ
- נשבע: VERB,niphal,perf,3,m,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- ולאבתיך: CONJ+PREP,2,m,sg
- ונתנה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
Parallels
- Genesis 15:18 (allusion): The original covenant in which God defines and promises the land to Abram’s offspring — the foundational oath behind later statements that God will ‘give’ the land.
- Genesis 17:8 (verbal): God’s promise to Abraham: ‘I will give unto thee... the land of Canaan’ — language and promise echoed in Exodus’ statement that the LORD will bring and give the land.
- Exodus 6:8 (verbal): Immediate parallel within Exodus where God promises to bring Israel into the land of Canaan and give it to them as an inheritance — closely mirrors the wording and theme of 13:11.
- Deuteronomy 1:8 (verbal): Moses’ reiteration to Israel: ‘go in and possess the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers’ — repeats the formula of an oath to the patriarchs and the command to enter and receive the land.
- Joshua 1:2-4 (structural): Continuation of the promise in the conquest narrative: God charges Joshua that He will give the land to Israel ‘as I promised Moses’ and specifies its boundaries — the fulfillment trajectory of the Exodus promise.
Alternative generated candidates
- And it shall be, when YHWH brings you into the land of the Canaanite, as he swore to you and to your fathers, and gives it to you,
- And it shall be, when YHWH brings you into the land of the Canaanite, as he swore to you and to your fathers, and gives it to you,
Exo.13.12 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- והעברת: VERB,hiph,perf,2,m,sg
- כל: DET
- פטר: NOUN,m,sg,constr
- רחם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ליהוה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- פטר: NOUN,m,sg,constr
- שגר: VERB,qal,ptcp,ms,sg
- בהמה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- יהיה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- הזכרים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ליהוה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Exod.13.2 (verbal): Immediate parallel in the same command sequence: 'Consecrate to me every firstborn'—same injunction to set the firstborn apart for the LORD.
- Num.3.40-51 (structural): Develops the theme by accounting for the firstborn of Israel, substituting the Levites for the firstborn and prescribing redemption (counting and ransom) of excess firstborns.
- Num.18.15-16 (thematic): Repeats and specifies the law that every firstborn (human and animal) is holy to the LORD and prescribes redemption procedures (including a redemption price).
- Luke 2:23 (quotation): New Testament quotation/applied fulfillment of the OT law: the presentation of Jesus invokes the rule that 'every firstborn male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord.'
Alternative generated candidates
- that you shall set apart to YHWH every opener of the womb; and every firstborn of the offspring of your beasts that you have—the males—to YHWH.
- you shall set apart to YHWH every opener of the womb; and every first issue of an animal that you have—the males—belong to YHWH.
Exo.13.13 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- פטר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- חמר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- תפדה: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- בשה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואם: CONJ
- לא: PART_NEG
- תפדה: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- וערפתו: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- בכור: NOUN,m,sg,const
- אדם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בבניך: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs,POSS,2,m,sg
- תפדה: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
Parallels
- Exod.13.2 (structural): Establishes the basic principle that every firstborn is holy to the LORD—background principle for the specific redemption rule in 13:13.
- Num.18.15-16 (verbal): Directly treats redemption of firstborn of persons and animals and prescribes redemption payment—uses the same language of 'redeem' as Exodus 13:13.
- Num.3.12-13 (thematic): God substitutes the Levites in place of Israelite firstborns (a corporate substitution/redemption motif), an alternative expression of the firstborn's consecration to the Lord.
- Lev.27.26-27 (thematic): Laws concerning things devoted to the LORD and the options for redeeming or consecrating animals—parallels Exodus' concern with holiness and redemption of firstborn animals.
- Luke 2:22-24 (allusion): New Testament practice of presenting and fulfilling obligations for the firstborn (’every firstborn male shall be called holy to the Lord’), echoing the Torah’s treatment of firstborn status and parental duties.
Alternative generated candidates
- And every firstborn of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb; and if you do not redeem it, then you shall break its neck. And every firstborn of man among your sons you shall redeem.
- And every firstborn donkey you shall redeem with a lamb; and if you do not redeem it, then you shall break its neck; and every firstborn of man among your sons you shall redeem.
Exo.13.14 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- והיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- ישאלך: VERB,qal,impf,3,ms
- בנך: NOUN,m,sg,cstr+poss,2,m,sg
- מחר: ADV
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
- מה: PRON,int
- זאת: DEM,f,sg
- ואמרת: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- אליו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- בחזק: PREP+ADJ,m,sg
- יד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הוציאנו: VERB,hifil,perf,3,ms
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ממצרים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- מבית: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עבדים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- Exod.12:26-27 (structural): Same ritual instruction: if children ask the meaning of the observance, the adult must reply by recounting the Exodus (identifies the event as the Passover deliverance). Verbal and situational parallel.
- Exod.13:8 (verbal): Immediate parallel in the same pericope: identical formula 'and you shall tell your son' used twice to mandate telling the next generation about the LORD's mighty hand in bringing Israel out of Egypt.
- Deut.6:20-25 (thematic): Parent-to-child catechetical instruction on how to answer questions about covenant observances by recounting God's act of bringing Israel out of Egypt and the reason for obedience.
- Deut.26:5-8 (allusion): Liturgical confession recited with firstfruits: narrates the Patriarchal origin and God's deliverance ('brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm'), echoing the Exodus language used to explain the meaning of the observance.
- Ps.78:4-7 (thematic): Psalmic exhortation to tell the coming generation of God's deeds and the Exodus so they may trust God—parallels the command to instruct children about the mighty acts by which God delivered Israel from Egypt.
Alternative generated candidates
- And it shall be, when your son asks you tomorrow, saying, ‘What is this?’ you shall say to him, ‘With a strong hand YHWH brought us out from Egypt, from the house of slaves.’
- And it shall be, when your son asks you tomorrow, saying, "What is this?" then you shall say to him, "With a strong hand YHWH brought us out from Egypt, from the house of slaves."
Exo.13.15 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- הקשה: VERB,hiph,perf,3,m,sg
- פרעה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- לשלחנו: PREP+VERB,qal,infc,1,pl
- ויהרג: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- כל: DET
- בכור: NOUN,m,sg,const
- בארץ: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,def
- מצרים: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- מבכר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אדם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ועד: CONJ+PREP
- בכור: NOUN,m,sg,const
- בהמה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- על: PREP
- כן: ADV
- אני: PRON,1,sg
- זבח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ליהוה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- כל: DET
- פטר: NOUN,m,sg,const
- רחם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הזכרים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- בכור: NOUN,m,sg,const
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- אפדה: VERB,qal,impf,1,sg
Parallels
- Exodus 12:29–30 (structural): Narrative account of the LORD striking the firstborn in Egypt at the Passover night — the event to which Exod 13:15 directly refers.
- Exodus 13:11–16 (verbal): Immediate parallel within the same pericope about consecrating and redeeming the firstborn (including language of sacrifice and redemption) and teaching children the reason.
- Numbers 18:15–16 (verbal): Legal prescription for the redemption (pidyon) of the firstborn of man and beast — echoes the language and institution implied in Exod 13:15.
- Numbers 3:12–13 (thematic): Explains the substitution of the Levites for Israel’s firstborn — thematically related to the idea that the LORD claims the firstborn and requires dedication or redemption.
- Psalm 78:51 (allusion): Poetic retelling of God’s judgment on Egypt that explicitly mentions God striking the firstborn, alluding to the same event commemorated in Exod 13:15.
Alternative generated candidates
- And it came to pass, when Pharaoh hardened himself about sending us away, that YHWH struck down every firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of man to the firstborn of beast; therefore I sacrifice to YHWH every male opener of the womb, and every firstborn of my sons I redeem.
- And it came to pass, when Pharaoh hardened himself about sending us, that YHWH killed every firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of man to the firstborn of beast; therefore I sacrifice to YHWH every opener of the womb, the males, and every firstborn of my sons I redeem.
Exo.13.16 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- והיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- לאות: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- על: PREP
- ידכה: NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- ולטוטפת: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- בין: PREP
- עיניך: NOUN,f,pl,abs+2ms
- כי: CONJ
- בחזק: PREP+ADJ,m,sg,abs
- יד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הוציאנו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg+PRON,1,pl
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ממצרים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 6:8 (verbal): Nearly identical wording: commands to bind the words as a sign on your hand and as frontlets between your eyes — same instruction for a bodily sign/remembrance.
- Deuteronomy 11:18 (verbal): Repeats the injunction to lay up God's words, binding them as a sign on the hand and as frontlets between the eyes; links the sign to covenantal memory and Israel's history (including deliverance).
- Exodus 13:9 (structural): Immediate parallel in the same passage: earlier verse gives the same formula about a sign on the hand and frontlets between the eyes as a memorial of the exodus.
- Exodus 31:13 (thematic): Speaks of the Sabbath as a 'sign' between Yahweh and Israel so they may know he sanctifies them — parallels the idea of physical signs that mark Israel's identity and remembrance of God's redemptive acts.
- Numbers 15:39 (thematic): Commands tassels on garments 'that you may look upon it and remember' the commandments and not follow lusts — parallels the use of visible/bodily reminders to foster obedience and recollection of God's acts and law.
Alternative generated candidates
- And it shall be for a sign upon your hand and for frontlets between your eyes; for with a strong hand YHWH brought us out from Egypt.
- And it shall be for a sign on your hand and for frontlets between your eyes; for with a strong hand YHWH brought us out from Egypt.'
And YHWH said to Moses, saying:
Consecrate to me every firstborn, every first to open the womb among the sons of Israel, both human and animal; it is mine. And Moses said to the people: Remember this day on which you came out from Egypt, from the house of slaves; for with a strong hand YHWH brought you out from here; and no leavened bread shall be eaten.
Today you are going out, in the month of Aviv. And it shall be, when YHWH brings you into the land of the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Amorite, the Hivvite, and the Jebusite, as he swore to your fathers to give you—a land flowing with milk and honey—that you shall perform this service in this month.
Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread, and on the seventh day a feast to YHWH.
Unleavened bread shall be eaten for the seven days; and no leavened thing shall be seen with you, and no leaven shall be seen with you in all your territory. And you shall tell your son on that day, saying, "Because of this YHWH did for me when I came out from Egypt." And it shall be to you for a sign on your hand and for a memorial between your eyes, so that the instruction of YHWH may be in your mouth; for with a strong hand YHWH brought you out of Egypt. And you shall keep this statute at its appointed time, from year to year. And it shall be, when YHWH brings you into the land of the Canaanite, as he swore to you and to your fathers, and gives it to you,
that you shall set apart to YHWH every first to open the womb, and every first issue of livestock that you have, the males, shall be YHWH's. And every firstborn of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb; and if you do not redeem it, you shall break its neck; and every firstborn of man among your sons you shall redeem. And it shall be, when in time to come your son asks you, saying, "What is this?" that you shall say to him, "With a strong hand YHWH brought us out from Egypt, from the house of slaves." And it came to pass, when Pharaoh hardened himself against sending us away, that YHWH killed every firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of man even to the firstborn of beast; therefore I sacrifice to YHWH every first to open the womb, the males, and every firstborn of my sons I redeem. And it shall be for a sign on your hand and for frontlets between your eyes; for with a strong hand YHWH brought us out of Egypt.