Topical Bible: The Feast of the Passover: Sacrifices During

Bible > Topical > The Feast of the Passover

◄ The Feast of the Passover: Sacrifices During ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

The Feast of the Passover, also known simply as Passover, is one of the most significant and ancient festivals in the Jewish calendar, commemorating the Israelites' deliverance from slavery in Egypt. The observance of Passover is rich with symbolism and ritual, particularly concerning the sacrifices that were commanded by God as part of the celebration.

Biblical Foundation

The institution of the Passover is detailed in the Book of Exodus. God commanded Moses and Aaron to instruct the Israelites on the observance of this feast as a perpetual ordinance. The central element of the Passover was the sacrifice of a lamb, which held profound theological significance. Exodus 12:3-6 states, "Tell the whole congregation of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man must select a lamb for his family, one per household... You must care for it until the fourteenth day of the month, when the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel will slaughter the animals at twilight."

The Passover Lamb

The Passover lamb was to be without blemish, a male a year old, symbolizing purity and innocence. This requirement is emphasized in Exodus 12:5 : "Your lamb must be an unblemished male, a year old. You may take it from the sheep or the goats." The lamb's blood was to be applied to the doorposts and lintels of the houses, serving as a sign for the Lord to "pass over" those homes during the final plague on Egypt, the death of the firstborn (Exodus 12:7, 13).

Sacrificial Rituals

The sacrificial rituals during Passover were precise and deeply symbolic. The lamb was to be roasted whole, not boiled or eaten raw, and consumed entirely on the night of Passover. Any remains were to be burned by morning (Exodus 12:8-10). This act of consuming the lamb in haste, with loins girded, sandals on feet, and staff in hand, symbolized readiness for the imminent deliverance from bondage (Exodus 12:11).

The Role of the Priests

In later years, as the Israelites settled in the Promised Land and the Temple was established, the role of the priests became central in the Passover sacrifices. The priests were responsible for overseeing the sacrificial process, ensuring that the rituals were conducted according to the Law. The Levites assisted in the preparation and distribution of the sacrificial meat, as seen in 2 Chronicles 35:11-14 , where King Josiah's observance of the Passover is described in detail.

Symbolism and Fulfillment

The Passover sacrifice is rich with typological significance, pointing forward to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God. The Apostle Paul draws this connection in 1 Corinthians 5:7 , stating, "For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed." The unblemished lamb of Passover prefigures Christ's sinless life, and His sacrificial death fulfills the deliverance foreshadowed by the original Passover event.

Continued Observance

The observance of Passover, with its sacrificial elements, continued throughout the history of Israel, even into the New Testament period. Jesus Himself celebrated Passover with His disciples, instituting the Lord's Supper during the meal, as recorded in the Gospels (e.g., Luke 22:7-20). This connection underscores the continuity and fulfillment of the Passover sacrifice in the person and work of Christ.

The Feast of the Passover, with its sacrificial rites, remains a profound testament to God's redemptive plan, woven throughout the fabric of biblical history and culminating in the New Covenant.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Leviticus 23:8
But you shall offer an offering made by fire to the LORD seven days: in the seventh day is an holy convocation: you shall do no servile work therein.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Numbers 28:19-24
But you shall offer a sacrifice made by fire for a burnt offering to the LORD; two young bullocks, and one ram, and seven lambs of the first year: they shall be to you without blemish:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Another Heresy, that of the Sabbatians, is Originated by the ...
... and several others, offered the sacrifices after the ... Pepuzites and Phrygians, celebrate
the Passover according to ... the time of observing the feast according to ...
/.../chapter xviii another heresy that of.htm

The Purifying of the Temple.
... DURING the feast of the Passover Jesus appeared ... For the convenience of the Jews from
a distance who wished to offer sacrifices, booths had been erected in ...
/.../section 117 the purifying of.htm

What Injunctions Caesar Gave when He was Come Within the City. The ...
... So these high priests, upon the coming of that feast which is called the Passover,
when they slay their sacrifices, from the ninth hour till the ...
/.../chapter 9 what injunctions caesar.htm

The Building of the Golden House.
... And there were sacrifices offered morning and evening each day, on the Sabbath ... at
the three great feasts of the year"the feast of the passover, the feast ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xxvi the building of.htm

The Cleansing of the Temple.
... entered by the High Priest once a year, at the feast of the ... These were for the
sacrifices. It is stated that at the passover 200,000 paschal lambs were required ...
/.../the new testament commentary vol iii john/the cleansing of the temple.htm

At the Feast of Tabernacles - First Discourse in the Temple
... not during the winter for the Passover, nor yet ... the smoke of the burning, smouldering
sacrifices rose in ... well might Israel designate the Feast of Tabernacles ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter vi at the feast.htm

On Feast Days and Fast Days.
... of the temple, a taker away of sacrifices, an enemy ... therefore fast on the days of
the passover, beginning from ... day of the week, and celebrate the feast of the ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec iii on feast days and.htm

Chronology of the Life of Christ.
... p. 209) strangely defends the Dionysian era, but sacrifices the date ... by Tischendorf
(ed. viii.), favors the view that the feast was the Passover,the great ...
/.../history of the christian church volume i/section 16 chronology of the.htm

Hezekiah
... the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the ... promises met abundant fulfillment
during the reformation ... together for the celebration of the Passover feast. ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 28 hezekiah.htm

Leviticus
... Laws concerning priests and sacrifices (xxi., xxii.). ... in the year, beginning with
spring"the passover, regarded as preliminary to the feast of unleavened ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/leviticus.htm