The Passover-offering, also known as the "Pesach" in Hebrew, is a central element of the Jewish Passover festival, commemorating the Israelites' deliverance from slavery in Egypt. This offering is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative and holds significant theological and historical importance within the Judeo-Christian tradition.

Biblical Foundation

The institution of the Passover-offering is detailed in the Book of Exodus. As the final plague—the death of the firstborn—was about to strike Egypt, God commanded the Israelites to sacrifice a lamb and apply its blood to the doorposts and lintels of their homes. This act served as a sign for the Lord to "pass over" their houses, sparing them from the plague. Exodus 12:13 states, "The blood on the houses where you are staying will distinguish them; when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No plague will fall on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt."

Regulations and Observance

The Passover-offering was to be a male lamb without blemish, taken from the sheep or the goats, and it was to be slaughtered at twilight on the 14th day of the first month, Nisan. The lamb was to be roasted whole and eaten with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. Exodus 12:8 instructs, "They are to eat the meat that night, roasted over the fire, along with unleavened bread and bitter herbs."

The offering was to be consumed entirely, with no leftovers until morning, and any remains were to be burned. Participants were to eat it in haste, with their loins girded, sandals on their feet, and staff in hand, symbolizing readiness for the imminent exodus (Exodus 12:11).

Symbolism and Significance

The Passover-offering is rich in symbolism. The lamb represents innocence and sacrifice, prefiguring the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the "Lamb of God," who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). The blood of the lamb, which protected the Israelites from the angel of death, foreshadows the redemptive power of Christ's blood for believers.

The unleavened bread signifies the haste of the Israelites' departure from Egypt, as there was no time for the dough to rise. It also represents purity and separation from sin, as leaven is often associated with corruption in Scripture.

New Testament Fulfillment

In the New Testament, the Passover-offering finds its fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul explicitly connects Christ to the Passover lamb in 1 Corinthians 5:7 , "For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed." The Last Supper, which Jesus shared with His disciples, was a Passover meal, during which He instituted the Lord's Supper, signifying the new covenant in His blood (Luke 22:19-20).

Continued Observance

While the sacrificial aspect of the Passover-offering is no longer practiced following the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 AD, the Passover festival continues to be observed by Jewish communities worldwide. It serves as a time of remembrance and celebration of God's deliverance and faithfulness.

For Christians, the Passover-offering is a profound reminder of God's redemptive plan through Jesus Christ, who delivers believers from the bondage of sin and death, offering eternal life and freedom.6453. pesach -- passover
... passover offering. From pacach; a pretermission, ie Exemption; used only techically
of the Jewish Passover (the festival or the victim) -- passover (offering). ...
/hebrew/6453.htm - 6kPassover-offering (7 Occurrences)
Passover-offering. Passover-lambs, Passover-offering. Passover-offerings .
Multi-Version Concordance Passover-offering (7 Occurrences). ...
/p/passover-offering.htm - 8k

Chooses (36 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 16:2 And thou shalt sacrifice the passover-offering unto the LORD thy
God, of the flock and the herd, in the place which the LORD shall choose to ...
/c/chooses.htm - 17k

Establish (133 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 16:2 The Passoveroffering, from your flock or your herd, is to be given
to the Lord your God in the place marked out by him as the resting-place ...
/e/establish.htm - 39k

Passover-lambs (1 Occurrence)
Passover-lambs. Passover, Passover-lambs. Passover-offering . Multi-Version
Concordance ... (DBY). Passover, Passover-lambs. Passover-offering . Reference
/p/passover-lambs.htm - 6k

Passover-offerings (4 Occurrences)
Passover-offerings. Passover-offering, Passover-offerings. Passovers . ... (See
JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT). Passover-offering, Passover-offerings. Passovers . ...
/p/passover-offerings.htm - 8k

Sunset (18 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 16:6 but at the place which the LORD thy God shall choose to cause His
name to dwell in, there thou shalt sacrifice the passover-offering at even ...
/s/sunset.htm - 11k

Striping (1 Occurrence)
... 2 Chronicles 35:11 and they slaughter the passover-offering, and the priests sprinkle
out of their hand, and the Levites are striping; (YLT). ...
/s/striping.htm - 6k

Resting-place (211 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 16:2 The Passoveroffering, from your flock or your herd, is to be given
to the Lord your God in the place marked out by him as the resting-place ...
/r/resting-place.htm - 39k

Sanctify (91 Occurrences)
... 2 Chronicles 30:15 and they slaughter the passover-offering on the fourteenth of
the second month, and the priests and the Levites have been ashamed, and ...
/s/sanctify.htm - 36k

What was the firstfruits offering? Should Christians give a firstfruits offering today? | GotQuestions.org

If Jesus is our atonement, why did He die at Passover instead of the Day of Atonement? | GotQuestions.org

What is a burnt offering? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus