Exodus 12 47

Exodus 12:47

ESV: All the congregation of Israel shall keep it.

KJV: All the congregation of Israel shall keep it.

NIV: The whole community of Israel must celebrate it.

NKJV: All the congregation of Israel shall keep it.

NLT: The whole community of Israel must celebrate this Passover festival.

Meaning

Exodus 12:47 states that the entire gathered community of Israel is obligated to observe the Passover ordinance. This commandment underscores the universal responsibility of all members within the covenant nation to participate in this foundational act of remembrance and worship, which commemorated their deliverance from bondage in Egypt.

Cross References

Context

Exodus chapter 12 details the institution of the Passover in Egypt on the eve of the tenth plague and the exodus. It outlines the specific commands for preparing and observing the Passover lamb and the feast of unleavened bread. Verses 43-49 define who among the household and resident foreigners could partake in the Passover, notably excluding uncircumcised males. Verse 47 serves as a categorical statement affirming that all those recognized as the congregation of Israel must adhere to this ordinance without exception, setting it apart as a communal and covenantal obligation for the newly forming nation.

Word analysis

• All (כֹּל – kol):

  • Meaning: The entire body, every part, the whole.
  • Significance: Emphasizes universality. There is no individual exemption for a circumcised Israelite from this collective responsibility. It stresses the solidarity and unified participation expected from the community as a whole.

• the congregation (עֲדַת – ‘ădat):

  • Meaning: Assembly, congregation, multitude. Derived from a root meaning "to appoint," suggesting an appointed gathering or community.
  • Significance: This specific term denotes the gathered body of the Israelites, a structured and divinely recognized community. It highlights the corporate identity of God's chosen people, not just individual compliance, but the unified action of the collective body of Israel.

• of Israel (יִשְׂרָאֵל – Yisrael):

  • Meaning: Israel, Jacob's new name, denoting the nation descended from him, God's chosen people.
  • Significance: Identifies the specific people group bound by this command. It solidifies their national and spiritual identity as recipients of God's covenant and deliverance, setting them apart from other peoples.

• shall keep it (יַעֲשׂוּ אֹתֹו – ya‘asu oto):

  • Meaning: From the verb עָשָׂה (‘asah), meaning to do, to make, to perform, to observe. Oto is "it," referring to the Passover.
  • Significance: Denotes an active, required, and obligatory performance. It's not optional; it's a non-negotiable part of their covenantal duties. This emphasizes the perpetual nature of the commandment and the active obedience expected.

• "All the congregation of Israel":

  • This phrase unequivocally includes every member who identifies as an Israelite, under the specific regulations of inclusion (e.g., circumcision). It portrays Israel as a unified body, collectively responsible before God. This establishes a principle of corporate responsibility that runs throughout the Old Testament covenant.

• "shall keep it":

  • This stresses not just a mental acknowledgment, but active observance and participation in the ritual, signifying their perpetual remembrance of God's redemptive work. The future tense implies a standing command for generations.

Commentary

Exodus 12:47 is a pivotal declaration reinforcing the foundational nature and universal application of the Passover within Israel. It commands that "all the congregation of Israel shall keep it," emphasizing an inescapable, collective responsibility. This was not a private family affair but a nation-wide observance, binding every circumcised male within the Israelite community, thereby solidifying their covenant identity and unity. The detailed regulations immediately surrounding this verse, particularly concerning foreigners and circumcision (vv. 43-49), underscore the exclusive nature of Israel's covenant relationship at this time. Only those fully integrated into Israel by birth or by circumcision and adherence to Israelite law could partake in the sacred feast. Theologically, this verse establishes the importance of corporate worship and the communal memory of God's redemptive acts, setting a precedent for national solidarity and shared spiritual heritage. This commanded unity in observance foreshadows the New Covenant church's shared participation in Christ, our ultimate Passover, fulfilling the shadows of the old law with spiritual realities (1 Cor 5:7-8).

Bonus section

• The term ‘edah (congregation) is a frequently used and important designation in the Pentateuch, particularly in Numbers, highlighting Israel as a structured community under God's governance. It represents their national and religious identity before God.
• The emphasis on "all" for Israelites while placing strict conditions on non-Israelites (vv. 43-49) highlights the distinct boundary markers of the Mosaic Covenant. This legal boundary established their unique identity as God's chosen people at that time, entrusted with His ordinances.
• The consistent requirement for Passover observance throughout Israelite history (e.g., in Joshua, Hezekiah, Josiah, Ezra) demonstrates their ongoing commitment to this foundational act of remembrance as crucial to their national and spiritual life.

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