Topical Encyclopedia The Passover-sacrifice, 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 event is foundational to both Jewish and Christian traditions, symbolizing redemption and divine intervention.Biblical Origin The institution of the Passover-sacrifice is detailed in the Book of Exodus. God commanded Moses and Aaron to instruct the Israelites to select a lamb without blemish on the tenth day of the first month, Nisan, and to keep it until the fourteenth day. On that evening, the lamb was to be slaughtered, and its blood applied to the doorposts and lintels of the houses where they ate it. This act served as a sign for the Lord to "pass over" the houses of the Israelites during the final plague—the death of the firstborn in Egypt (Exodus 12:1-13). Ritual and Symbolism The Passover-sacrifice was to be a male lamb, one year old, without defect, symbolizing purity and innocence. The lamb was to be roasted whole, not boiled or eaten raw, and consumed with unleavened bread and bitter herbs (Exodus 12:8-9). The unleavened bread, or matzah, represented the haste in which the Israelites fled Egypt, having no time to let their bread rise. The bitter herbs symbolized the bitterness of slavery. The blood of the lamb, applied to the doorposts, was a sign of faith and obedience, marking the homes of the Israelites as protected from the angel of death. This act of faith is echoed in the New Testament, where the Apostle Paul refers to Christ as "our Passover lamb" who has been sacrificed (1 Corinthians 5:7), drawing a parallel between the deliverance from Egypt and the salvation offered through Jesus Christ. Historical Observance The Passover-sacrifice was to be observed annually as a lasting ordinance (Exodus 12:14). It was a communal event, with families gathering to partake in the meal. If a household was too small to consume a whole lamb, they were to share with their nearest neighbor (Exodus 12:4). The sacrifice was to be performed at the place the Lord would choose, which later became the Temple in Jerusalem (Deuteronomy 16:5-6). During the time of the Second Temple, the Passover-sacrifice was a major pilgrimage festival, drawing Jews from all over the ancient world to Jerusalem. The lambs were slaughtered in the Temple, and the blood was sprinkled on the altar by the priests. Theological Significance For Christians, the Passover-sacrifice holds profound theological significance. It prefigures the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). The timing of Jesus' crucifixion during Passover week underscores this connection, as He is seen as the fulfillment of the Passover lamb, offering redemption and deliverance from sin. The Passover-sacrifice thus serves as a powerful symbol of God's deliverance and faithfulness, a reminder of the covenant relationship between God and His people, and a foreshadowing of the ultimate sacrifice made by Christ for the salvation of humanity. Library Easter Sunday 'In Remembrance of Me' Thesaurus Passover-sacrifice (1 Occurrence)Passover-sacrifice. Passovers, Passover-sacrifice. Past . Multi-Version Concordance Passover-sacrifice (1 Occurrence). ... /p/passover-sacrifice.htm - 6k Passovers (1 Occurrence) Select (13 Occurrences) Slaughter (121 Occurrences) Slay (189 Occurrences) Past (200 Occurrences) Flock (242 Occurrences) Unleavened (51 Occurrences) Resources If Jesus is our atonement, why did He die at Passover instead of the Day of Atonement? | GotQuestions.orgHow do the elements of the Passover Seder point to Christ? | GotQuestions.org What is the Passover Lamb? How is Jesus our Passover Lamb? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Passover-sacrifice (1 Occurrence)Exodus 12:21 Subtopics Related Terms |
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