The Passover, known as Pesach in Hebrew, is one of the most significant feasts in the Jewish calendar, commemorating the Israelites' deliverance from slavery in Egypt. The Passover offerings are central to the observance of this feast, as they symbolize the sacrificial lamb whose blood marked the homes of the Israelites, sparing them from the final plague. The instructions for these offerings are detailed in the Old Testament, primarily in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers.

Biblical Instructions

The initial commandment regarding the Passover lamb is found in Exodus 12. The Israelites were instructed to select a lamb without blemish, a male a year old, on the tenth day of the first month (Exodus 12:3-5). The lamb was to be slaughtered at twilight on the fourteenth day, and its blood was to be applied to the doorposts and lintels of their homes (Exodus 12:6-7). This act of faith and obedience was crucial for the Israelites' protection during the plague of the firstborn.

The lamb was to be roasted whole and consumed with unleavened bread and bitter herbs (Exodus 12:8). None of the meat was to remain until morning, and any leftovers were to be burned (Exodus 12:10). The manner of eating was also specified: "You are to eat it in haste; it is the LORD’s Passover" (Exodus 12:11).

Levitical Offerings

In Leviticus 23:5-8, the Passover is further elaborated as part of the broader system of feasts. The Passover itself is followed by the Feast of Unleavened Bread, lasting seven days. On the first day, a sacred assembly is held, and no regular work is to be done. Offerings by fire to the LORD are to be made for seven days, with another sacred assembly on the seventh day (Leviticus 23:7-8).

Additional Offerings

Numbers 28:16-25 provides additional details on the offerings during the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. On the fourteenth day of the first month, the Passover is to be observed, followed by a seven-day feast. Each day, specific offerings are to be made: two young bulls, one ram, and seven male lambs a year old, all without defect, along with their grain offerings and drink offerings (Numbers 28:19-24). A male goat is also offered as a sin offering to make atonement (Numbers 28:22).

Symbolism and Fulfillment

The Passover lamb is a profound symbol of redemption and deliverance. In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is identified as the ultimate Passover Lamb. John the Baptist declared, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29). The Apostle Paul also draws a parallel, stating, "For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed" (1 Corinthians 5:7). The sacrificial system of the Old Testament finds its fulfillment in the atoning work of Christ, whose blood delivers believers from the bondage of sin and death.

The Passover offerings, therefore, not only commemorate a historical event but also point to the greater redemption accomplished through Jesus Christ. The meticulous instructions and the emphasis on purity and obedience underscore the holiness required in approaching God, a theme that resonates throughout Scripture.