Exodus 12:21
New International Version
Then Moses summoned all the elders of Israel and said to them, “Go at once and select the animals for your families and slaughter the Passover lamb.

New Living Translation
Then Moses called all the elders of Israel together and said to them, “Go, pick out a lamb or young goat for each of your families, and slaughter the Passover animal.

English Standard Version
Then Moses called all the elders of Israel and said to them, “Go and select lambs for yourselves according to your clans, and kill the Passover lamb.

Berean Standard Bible
Then Moses summoned all the elders of Israel and told them, “Go at once and select for yourselves a lamb for each family, and slaughter the Passover lamb.

King James Bible
Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said unto them, Draw out and take you a lamb according to your families, and kill the passover.

New King James Version
Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel and said to them, “Pick out and take lambs for yourselves according to your families, and kill the Passover lamb.

New American Standard Bible
Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel and said to them, “Go and take for yourselves lambs according to your families, and slaughter the Passover lamb.

NASB 1995
Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel and said to them, “Go and take for yourselves lambs according to your families, and slay the Passover lamb.

NASB 1977
Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said to them, “Go and take for yourselves lambs according to your families, and slay the Passover lamb.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel and said to them, “Bring out and take for yourselves lambs according to your families and slaughter the Passover lamb.

Amplified Bible
Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel and said to them, “Go and take a lamb for yourselves according to [the size of] your families and slaughter the Passover lamb.

Christian Standard Bible
Then Moses summoned all the elders of Israel and said to them, “Go, select an animal from the flock according to your families, and slaughter the Passover animal.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then Moses summoned all the elders of Israel and said to them, “Go, select an animal from the flock according to your families, and slaughter the Passover animal.

American Standard Version
Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said unto them, Draw out, and take you lambs according to your families, and kill the passover.

Contemporary English Version
Moses called the leaders of Israel together and said: Each family is to pick out a sheep and kill it for Passover.

English Revised Version
Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said unto them, Draw out, and take you lambs according to your families, and kill the passover.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then Moses called for all the leaders of Israel. He said to them, "Pick out a lamb or a young goat for your families, and kill the Passover animal.

Good News Translation
Moses called for all the leaders of Israel and said to them, "Each of you is to choose a lamb or a young goat and kill it, so that your families can celebrate Passover.

International Standard Version
Then Moses summoned all the elders of Israel and told them, "Choose sheep for your families, and slaughter the Passover lamb.

Majority Standard Bible
Then Moses summoned all the elders of Israel and told them, ?Go at once and select for yourselves a lamb for each family, and slaughter the Passover lamb.

NET Bible
Then Moses summoned all the elders of Israel, and told them, "Go and select for yourselves a lamb or young goat for your families, and kill the Passover animals.

New Heart English Bible
Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said to them, "Draw out, and take lambs according to your families, and kill the Passover lamb.

Webster's Bible Translation
Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said to them, Draw out, and take you a lamb, according to your families, and kill the passover.

World English Bible
Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said to them, “Draw out, and take lambs according to your families, and kill the Passover.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Moses calls for all [the] elderly of Israel and says to them, “Draw out and take for yourselves [from] the flock, for your families, and slaughter the Passover-sacrifice;

Young's Literal Translation
And Moses calleth for all the elders of Israel, and saith unto them, 'Draw out and take for yourselves from the flock, for your families, and slaughter the passover-sacrifice;

Smith's Literal Translation
And Moses will call for all the old men of Israel and he will say to them, Draw out and take to yourselves a sheep according to your tribes, and slaughter the passing over.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Moses called all the ancients of the children of Israel, and said to them: Go take a lamb by your families, and sacrifice the Phase.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then Moses called all the elders of the sons of Israel, and he said to them: “Go, taking an animal by your families, and sacrifice the Passover.

New American Bible
Moses summoned all the elders of Israel and said to them, “Go and procure lambs for your families, and slaughter the Passover victims.

New Revised Standard Version
Then Moses called all the elders of Israel and said to them, “Go, select lambs for your families, and slaughter the passover lamb.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then Moses called all the eiders of the children of Israel and said to them, Hasten, take lambs for yourselves according to your families and kill the passover lamb.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Moshe called all the Elders of the children of Israel and he said to them, “Quickly take to yourselves lambs for your generations and kill the Passover.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said unto them: 'Draw out, and take you lambs according to your families, and kill the passover lamb.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Moses called all the elders of the children of Israel, and said to them, Go away and take to yourselves a lamb according to your kindreds, and slay the passover.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Feast of Unleavened Bread
20You are not to eat anything leavened; eat unleavened bread in all your homes.” 21Then Moses summoned all the elders of Israel and told them, “Go at once and select for yourselves a lamb for each family, and slaughter the Passover lamb. 22Take a cluster of hyssop, dip it into the blood in the basin, and brush the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe. None of you shall go out the door of his house until morning.…

Cross References
Hebrews 11:28
By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch Israel’s own firstborn.

1 Corinthians 5:7
Get rid of the old leaven, that you may be a new unleavened batch, as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.

John 1:29
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

Matthew 26:17-19
On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?” / He answered, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him that the Teacher says, ‘My time is near. I will keep the Passover with My disciples at your house.’” / So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover.

Mark 14:12-16
On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb was to be sacrificed, Jesus’ disciples asked Him, “Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?” / So He sent two of His disciples and told them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jug of water will meet you. Follow him, / and whichever house he enters, say to the owner, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is My guest room, where I may eat the Passover with My disciples?’ ...

Luke 22:7-13
Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb was to be sacrificed. / Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover.” / “Where do You want us to prepare it?” they asked. ...

1 Peter 1:19
but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot.

Revelation 5:6
Then I saw a Lamb who appeared to have been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which represent the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.

Revelation 7:14
“Sir,” I answered, “you know.” So he replied, “These are the ones who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

Romans 3:25
God presented Him as an atoning sacrifice in His blood through faith, in order to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance He had passed over the sins committed beforehand.

Leviticus 23:5
The Passover to the LORD begins at twilight on the fourteenth day of the first month.

Numbers 9:2-5
“The Israelites are to observe the Passover at its appointed time. / You are to observe it at the appointed time, at twilight on the fourteenth day of this month, in accordance with its statutes and ordinances.” / So Moses told the Israelites to observe the Passover, ...

Deuteronomy 16:1-8
Observe the month of Abib and celebrate the Passover to the LORD your God, because in the month of Abib the LORD your God brought you out of Egypt by night. / You are to offer to the LORD your God the Passover sacrifice from the herd or flock in the place the LORD will choose as a dwelling for His Name. / You must not eat leavened bread with it; for seven days you are to eat with it unleavened bread, the bread of affliction, because you left the land of Egypt in haste—so that you may remember for the rest of your life the day you left the land of Egypt. ...

Joshua 5:10-11
On the evening of the fourteenth day of the month, while the Israelites were camped at Gilgal on the plains of Jericho, they kept the Passover. / The day after the Passover, on that very day, they ate unleavened bread and roasted grain from the produce of the land.

2 Chronicles 30:1-5
Then Hezekiah sent word throughout all Israel and Judah, and he also wrote letters to Ephraim and Manasseh inviting them to come to the house of the LORD in Jerusalem to keep the Passover of the LORD, the God of Israel. / For the king and his officials and the whole assembly in Jerusalem had decided to keep the Passover in the second month, / since they had been unable to keep it at the regular time, because not enough priests had consecrated themselves and the people had not been gathered in Jerusalem. ...


Treasury of Scripture

Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said to them, Draw out and take you a lamb according to your families, and kill the passover.

elders

Exodus 3:16
Go, and gather the elders of Israel together, and say unto them, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, appeared unto me, saying, I have surely visited you, and seen that which is done to you in Egypt:

Exodus 17:5
And the LORD said unto Moses, Go on before the people, and take with thee of the elders of Israel; and thy rod, wherewith thou smotest the river, take in thine hand, and go.

Exodus 19:7
And Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before their faces all these words which the LORD commanded him.

and take

Exodus 12:3
Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house:

Numbers 9:2-5
Let the children of Israel also keep the passover at his appointed season…

Joshua 5:10
And the children of Israel encamped in Gilgal, and kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the month at even in the plains of Jericho.

lamb, or kid

Exodus 12:3
Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house:

the passover.

1 Corinthians 5:7
Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:

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Animals Chiefs Draw Elders Families Israel Kill Lambs Marked Moses Once Passover Seize Select Slaughter Slay Summoned Yourselves
Exodus 12
1. The beginning of the year is changed
3. The Passover is instituted
11. The import of the rite of the Passover
15. Unleavened bread
29. The firstborn are slain
31. The Israelites are driven out of the land
37. They come to Succoth
41. The time of their sojourning
43. The ordinance of the Passover














Then Moses summoned
The act of summoning by Moses signifies a moment of divine instruction and leadership. Moses, as the chosen leader of Israel, acts as a mediator between God and His people. The Hebrew root for "summoned" is קָרָא (qara), which means to call or proclaim. This highlights the urgency and importance of the message Moses is about to deliver. In the historical context, Moses' leadership is crucial as he guides the Israelites through a pivotal moment in their history.

all the elders of Israel
The elders represent the leadership and governance structure within the Israelite community. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, elders were respected figures who held authority and were responsible for making decisions on behalf of the people. The Hebrew word זָקֵן (zaqen) refers to these elders, emphasizing their wisdom and experience. This gathering of elders underscores the communal and organized nature of the Israelite society, as well as the importance of collective obedience to God's commands.

and said to them
Moses' communication with the elders is direct and authoritative. The phrase indicates the transmission of God's instructions through Moses to the people. This reflects the biblical principle of divine revelation being communicated through chosen leaders. The act of speaking, דָּבַר (dabar) in Hebrew, is significant as it conveys the power and authority of God's word being delivered to His people.

Go at once
The immediacy of the command "Go at once" highlights the urgency of the situation. The Hebrew word לֵךְ (lek) is an imperative form, urging prompt action. This urgency is reflective of the impending judgment on Egypt and the necessity for the Israelites to prepare for their deliverance. It serves as a reminder of the importance of timely obedience to God's instructions.

and select for yourselves a lamb
The selection of a lamb is a critical component of the Passover preparation. The Hebrew word בָּחַר (bachar) means to choose or select, indicating a deliberate and careful choice. The lamb, a symbol of innocence and purity, foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, the Lamb of God. This act of selection is a precursor to the sacrificial system that would be central to Israelite worship.

for each family
The instruction to select a lamb for each family emphasizes the personal and familial aspect of the Passover observance. The Hebrew word בַּיִת (bayit) refers to a household or family unit. This highlights the communal nature of the Passover, where each family participates in the act of remembrance and deliverance. It underscores the importance of faith being practiced within the family context.

and slaughter the Passover lamb
The act of slaughtering the Passover lamb is central to the observance of Passover. The Hebrew word שָׁחַט (shachat) means to slaughter or kill, signifying the sacrificial nature of the lamb. This act is a foreshadowing of the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, whose blood would bring about spiritual deliverance. The Passover lamb serves as a powerful symbol of redemption and God's provision for His people. The historical context of this event marks the beginning of Israel's journey to freedom, a pivotal moment in their identity as God's chosen people.

THE FIRST PASSOVER KEPT.

(21) Moses called for all the elders.--He had been directed to "speak unto all the congregation" (Exodus 12:3), but understood the direction as allowing him to do so mediately, through the elders.

Draw out.--Some understand this intransitively--"Withdraw, and take," i.e., go, and take; others transitively--"Withdraw a lamb from the flock."

According to your families--i.e., with reference to the number of your families, but not necessarily one for each. (See Exodus 12:4.)

Verse 21-28. - THE FIRST PASSOVER. Having received the Divine directions as to the new rite, if not with all the fulness ultimately given them, yet with sufficient fulness for the immediate purpose, Moses proceeded to communicate the Divine Will to the people under his protection. Having already aroused the jealousy and hatred of Pharaoh, he could not summon a general assembly of the people, but he ventured to call a meeting of the elders, or heads of principal families, and through them communicated the orders which he had received to the entire nation. We find, in the directions which he gave, two small points which are not comprised in the record of God's words to him.

1. The designation of the "hyssop," as the instrument, by which the blood was to be placed on the side-posts and lintel (ver. 22); and,

2. The injunction not to quit the house "until the morning." These points may have been contained in the original directions, though omitted from the record for brevity; or they may have been added by Moses of his own authority. On the other hand, several very main points of the original directions are not repeated in the injunctions given to the elders, though there can be no doubt that they were communicated. Verse 21. - Draw out - i.e., "Withdraw from the flock." (See ver. 3.) A lamb. The word used is generic, and would not exclude the offering of a goat.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then Moses
מֹשֶׁ֛ה (mō·šeh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4872: Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver

summoned
וַיִּקְרָ֥א (way·yiq·rā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7121: To call, proclaim, read

all
לְכָל־ (lə·ḵāl)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the elders
זִקְנֵ֥י (ziq·nê)
Adjective - masculine plural construct
Strong's 2205: Old

of Israel
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

and told
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

them,
אֲלֵהֶ֑ם (’ă·lê·hem)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

“Go at once
מִֽשְׁכ֗וּ (miš·ḵū)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 4900: To draw, drag

and select
וּקְח֨וּ (ū·qə·ḥū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 3947: To take

for yourselves
לָכֶ֥ם (lā·ḵem)
Preposition | second person masculine plural
Strong's Hebrew

a lamb
צֹ֛אן (ṣōn)
Noun - common singular
Strong's 6629: Small cattle, sheep and goats, flock

for each family,
לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתֵיכֶ֖ם (lə·miš·pə·ḥō·ṯê·ḵem)
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine plural construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 4940: A family, circle of relatives, a class, a species, sort, a tribe, people

and slaughter
וְשַׁחֲט֥וּ (wə·ša·ḥă·ṭū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 7819: To slaughter, beat

the Passover lamb.
הַפָּֽסַח׃ (hap·pā·saḥ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6453: A pretermission, exemption, Passover


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OT Law: Exodus 12:21 Then Moses called for all the elders (Exo. Ex)
Exodus 12:20
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