Exodus 13

King James Version

Full text for Exodus Chapter 13

1¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

2Sanctify unto me all the firstborn, whatsoever openeth the womb among the children of Israel, [both] of man and of beast: it [is] mine.

3And Moses said unto the people, Remember this day, in which ye came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the LORD brought you out from this [place]: there shall no leavened bread be eaten.

4This day came ye out in the month Abib.

5And it shall be when the LORD shall bring thee into the land of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, which he sware unto thy fathers to give thee, a land flowing with milk and honey, that thou shalt keep this service in this month.

6Seven days thou shalt eat unleavened bread, and in the seventh day [shall be] a feast to the LORD.

7Unleavened bread shall be eaten seven days; and there shall no leavened bread be seen with thee, neither shall there be leaven seen with thee in all thy quarters.

8And thou shalt shew thy son in that day, saying, [This is done] because of that [which] the LORD did unto me when I came forth out of Egypt.

9And it shall be for a sign unto thee upon thine hand, and for a memorial between thine eyes, that the LORD'S law may be in thy mouth: for with a strong hand hath the LORD brought thee out of Egypt.

10Thou shalt therefore keep this ordinance in his season from year to year.

11¶ And it shall be when the LORD shall bring thee into the land of the Canaanites, as he sware unto thee and to thy fathers, and shall give it thee,

12That thou shalt set apart unto the LORD all that openeth the matrix, and every firstling that cometh of a beast which thou hast; the males [shall be] the LORD'S.

13And every firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb; and if thou wilt not redeem it, then thou shalt break his neck: and all the firstborn of man among thy children shalt thou redeem.

14And it shall be when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying, What [is] this? that thou shalt say unto him, By strength of hand the LORD brought us out from Egypt, from the house of bondage:

15And it came to pass, when Pharaoh would hardly let us go, that the LORD slew all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man, and the firstborn of beast: therefore I sacrifice to the LORD all that openeth the matrix, being males; but all the firstborn of my children I redeem.

16And it shall be for a token upon thine hand, and for frontlets between thine eyes: for by strength of hand the LORD brought us forth out of Egypt.

17¶ And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not [through] the way of the land of the Philistines, although that [was] near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt:

18But God led the people about, [through] the way of the wilderness of the Red sea: and the children of Israel went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt.

19And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him: for he had straitly sworn the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you; and ye shall carry up my bones away hence with you.

20And they took their journey from Succoth, and encamped in Etham, in the edge of the wilderness.

21And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night:

22He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, [from] before the people.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Exodus 13 details God's command for Israel to sanctify all firstborn, both man and beast, as a perpetual reminder of their deliverance from Egypt. It also reiterates the observance of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, emphasizing its role in teaching future generations about the Lord's mighty hand. Furthermore, the chapter describes how God led the Israelites through the wilderness with a pillar of cloud by day and fire by night, avoiding the more direct but war-prone route.

Medium Summary

In Exodus 13, the Lord commands the Israelites to consecrate all firstborn, human and animal, to Him, explaining that they are His due to His judgment on Egypt's firstborn. This command includes the redemption of human firstborn and unclean animals. Moses also instructs the people to perpetually observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread in the month Abib, ensuring no leaven is seen for seven days, as a memorial of their exodus. This observance and the sanctification of the firstborn are to serve as signs and teachings for future generations. As the people departed, God deliberately led them away from the land of the Philistines, choosing the wilderness route to prevent them from encountering war and returning to Egypt. Throughout their journey, the Lord manifested His presence and guidance through a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, which never departed from before them.

Long Summary

Exodus 13 begins with the Lord instructing Moses to sanctify all firstborn, both human and animal, to Him, declaring them as His possession. This command is intrinsically linked to Israel's deliverance from Egyptian bondage. Moses then reminds the people to remember the day of their exodus in the month Abib, emphasizing the perpetual observance of the Feast of Unleavened Bread for seven days, during which no leaven is to be present. This annual ordinance serves as a vital teaching for future generations, explaining that it commemorates the Lord's strong hand in bringing them out of Egypt, acting as a sign upon their hand and a memorial between their eyes. The chapter further elaborates on the sanctification of the firstborn, stating that every firstborn male of man and beast is the Lord's. It specifies that the firstling of an ass must be redeemed with a lamb or have its neck broken, and all firstborn sons must be redeemed. This practice is explained as a direct consequence of the Lord slaying all the firstborn in Egypt, both man and beast, when Pharaoh was reluctant to let Israel go. Following their departure, God chose a circuitous route through the wilderness of the Red Sea, intentionally avoiding the more direct path through the land of the Philistines, lest the people encounter war and desire to return to Egypt. Moses also took Joseph's bones with him, fulfilling the oath sworn by Joseph's descendants. As they journeyed from Succoth to Etham, the Lord Himself went before them, appearing as a pillar of cloud by day to lead the way and a pillar of fire by night to provide light, ensuring continuous divine guidance and presence.

Core Concepts

  • Sanctification of the FirstbornThe command from the Lord to set apart every firstborn male, whether human or animal, as His own. This act serves as a perpetual reminder of God's power in slaying Egypt's firstborn during the plagues.
  • Feast of Unleavened BreadA seven-day annual observance in the month Abib, commemorating Israel's hasty departure from Egypt, during which no leavened bread is to be eaten. It is intended to teach future generations about the Lord's mighty deliverance.
  • Divine Guidance (Pillars)The Lord's continuous manifestation as a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, leading the Israelites through the wilderness. This visible presence provided direction and light, assuring them of God's constant care.
  • Redemption of FirstbornThe requirement to redeem the firstborn of men and unclean animals (like the ass) with a lamb or sacrifice, signifying that while they belong to the Lord, they are spared through substitution. This practice reinforces the memory of God sparing Israel's firstborn.
  • Memorials and SignsThe ordinances of the firstborn and unleavened bread are designated as 'signs upon thine hand' and 'memorials between thine eyes.' These physical and symbolic reminders ensure that God's law and mighty acts remain continually present in the minds and actions of the Israelites.
  • God's Strategic LeadingGod intentionally led the Israelites away from the shorter route through the Philistine land to prevent them from encountering war and potentially returning to Egypt. This demonstrates His foresight and protective care for His people.