Exodus 12:1-28

12:2 | Yahweh began the calendar of Israel with the Exodus. The first month of the Hebrew year, called Abib (or Aviv), literally means “the ear” month because at this time – about April for us – the ears of grain have developed.

12:3-6 | God’s specific instructions about the Passover lamb (a goat’s kid was also acceptable) would ensure that in every way, it was fit for sacrifice.

12:12-13 | The one who would pass through the land was not some angel of death as is commonly assumed. According to the repeated pronoun I, it was the Lord Himself, bringing judgment against all the gods of Egypt.

12:14-28 | This lengthy section describes the ordinances for the Passover. The Passover is preceded by the Feast of Unleavened Bread, a period of seven days in which no leaven is permitted in meals or in the people’s homes. To commemorate that first Passover, all succeeding Passovers were to be marked by the eating of unleavened bread (called matzo).

12:21-28 | The continued use of the word strike in this context indicates the Lord’s severe and intentional judgment.