Exodus13
English Standard Version
1The Lord to ,
2 to me the . is the first to the among the of , both of and of , is mine.
3Then to the , in you from , out of the of , for by a the Lord from this place. shall be .
4 , in the of , you are going .
5And when the Lord you into the of the , the , the , the , and the , he to your to you, a with and , you shall in this .
6 you shall , and on the there shall be a to the Lord.
7 shall be for ; shall be with you, and shall be with you in your .
8You shall your on that , is because what the Lord for me when I out of .
9And it shall be to you as a on your and as a your , that the of the Lord may be in your . For with a the Lord has of .
10You shall therefore this at its appointed from to .
11When the Lord you into the of the , as he to you and your , and shall it to you,
12you shall to the Lord that the . the of your that are shall be the Lord ’s.
13 of a you shall with a , if you will it you shall break its . of among your you shall .
14And in time to your you, does mean? you shall to him, By a the Lord of , from the of .
15For when to let us , the Lord the in the of , the of and the of . I to the Lord the that the , but the of my I .
16It shall be as a on your or your , for by a the Lord of .
17When the , did them by of the of the , that was . For , the change their when they and to .
18But the by the of the toward the . And the of out of the of equipped for .
19 the of with him, for Joseph had made the of , , will you, and you shall carry my with you .
20And they from and at , on the of the .
21And the Lord them by in a of to them along the , and by in a of to give them , that they by and by .
22The of by and the of by did from the .
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Exodus 13.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The first-born sanctified to God, The remembrance of the passover commanded. (1–10). The firstlings of beasts set apart. (11–16). Joseph's bones carried with the Israelites, They come to Etham. (17–20). God guideth the Israelites by a pillar of cloud fire. (21, 22).
vv1-10
In remembrance of the destruction of the first-born of Egypt, both of man and of beast, and the deliverance of the Israelites out of bondage, the first-born males of the Israelites were set apart to the Lord. By this was set before them, that their lives were preserved through the ransom of the atonement, which in due time was to be made for sin. They were also to consider their lives, thus ransomed from death, as now to be consecrated to the service of God. The parents were not to look upon themselves as having any right in their first-born, till they solemnly presented them to God, and allowed his title to them. That which is, by special mercy, spared to us, should be applied to God's honour; at least, some grateful acknowledgment, in works of piety and charity, should be made. The remembrance of their coming out of Egypt must be kept up every year. The day of Christ's resurrection is to be remembered, for in it we were raised up with Christ out of death's house of bondage. The Scripture tells us not expressly what day of the year Christ rose, but it states particularly what day of the week it was; as the more valuable deliverance, it should be remembered weekly. The Israelites must keep the feast of unleavened bread. Under the gospel, we must not only remember Christ, but observe his holy supper. Do this in remembrance of him. Also care must be taken to teach children the knowledge of God. Here is an old law for catechising. It is of great use to acquaint children betimes with the histories of the Bible. And those who have God's law in their heart should have it in their mouth, and often speak of it, to affect themselves, and to teach others.
vv11-16
The firstlings of beast not used in sacrifice, were to be changed for others so used, or they were to be destroyed. Our souls are forfeited to God's justice, and unless ransomed by the sacrifice of Christ, will certainly perish. These institutions would continually remind them of their duty, to love and serve the Lord. In like manner, baptism and the Lord's supper, if explained and attended to, would remind us, and give us occasion to remind one another of our profession and duty.
vv17-20
There were two ways from Egypt to Canaan. One was only a few days' journey; the other was much further about, through the wilderness, and that was the way in which God chose to lead his people Israel. The Egyptians were to be drowned in the Red sea; the Israelites were to be humbled and proved in the wilderness. God's way is the right way, though it seems about. If we think he leads not his people the nearest way, yet we may be sure he leads them the best way, and so it will appear when we come to our journey's end. The Philistines were powerful enemies; it was needful that the Israelites should be prepared for the wars of Canaan, by passing through the difficulties of the wilderness. Thus God proportions his people's trials to their strength, 1Co 10:13. They went up in good order. They went up in five in a rank, some; in five bands, so others, which it seems rather to their faith and hope, that God would bring them to Canaan, in expectation of which they carried these bones with them while in the desert.
Key Words
דָבַר: perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
קָדַשׁ: to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally)
כֹּל: properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
בְּכוֹר: firstborn; hence, chief
פֶּטֶר: a fissure, i.e. (concretely) firstling (as opening the matrix)
רֶחֶם: the womb
בֵּן: a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.)
יִשְׂרָאֵל: Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
אָדָם: ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
בְּהֵמָה: properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective)
Cross References
Exodus 13Explicitly quotes the law of the firstborn in Ex 13:2 regarding the presentation of Christ.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Direct fulfillment of Joseph's oath that Israel must carry his bones out of Egypt.
Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin
Paul explicitly references the fathers being "under the cloud" as a type of Christian baptism and guidance.
Supported by Matthew Henry
New Testament theological commentary on Joseph's command to carry his bones as an act of faith.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The most detailed narrative description of the cloud and fire regulating Israel's journeys and encampments.
Explains the historical background: God claimed the firstborn when He slew Egypt's firstborn.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Typological fulfillment identifying the church of the firstborn registered in heaven.
Supported by JFB
New Testament fulfillment of purging out old leaven to be a new lump.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Parallel command to bind the law as a sign on the hand and frontlets between eyes.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The explicit law detailing the redemption of unclean beasts and human firstborns.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The historical recording of Joseph's bones finally being buried in Shechem.
Supported by John Calvin
Nehemiah's historical prayer recalls God leading them with a pillar of cloud and fire to give light.
Poetic historical remembrance of God leading them with a cloud by day and light of fire by night.
Highlights the cloud as a protective covering and fire to give light in the night.
The culmination of Exodus where the glory of the Lord fills the tabernacle, manifest in the cloud.
Explicitly praises God for not taking away the pillar of cloud and fire despite Israel's rebellions.
Fulfills the prophecy that Egypt's king would only let Israel go by a strong hand.
Supported by JFB
Parallel instruction on how to explain the Exodus and commandments to inquiring children.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The historical event referenced: God slaying all firstborn in Egypt from Pharaoh to captive.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Prophetic reuse of the cloud and smoke by day and shining fire by night over Mount Zion.
Metaphorical binding of commandments on the fingers and writing them on the heart.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Explores the military terminology of Israel going up 'harnessed' or armed in ranks.
Supported by John Calvin