Observed on the fourteenth of Nisan, the Passover recalls how the blood of the lamb protected Israelite homes from judgment in Egypt's tenth plague, marking the start of their redemption from bondage. Known as Pesach, this spring feast serves as the Old Testament's foundational redemption event and points to Christ as our Passover Lamb whose sacrifice delivers from sin. Jesus connected it to the new covenant during the Last Supper, showing its ultimate meaning in his atoning death.
The Passover lamb saves Israel from the final plague and becomes central to their identity.
BibleProject is the author and owner of this content. To find more BibleProject resources, visit bibleproject.com. Bible Navigator is not affiliated with BibleProject.
Details
Category
Spring Feasts
Hebrew Name
Pesach
Timing
14th of Nisan (March/April)
Calendar
Nisan (1st month), 14th
Season
Spring
Observance
Slaughter of a lamb, application of blood, eating roasted lamb with unleavened bread and bitter herbs, retelling the Exodus story.
Significance
The foundational redemption event of the Old Testament. The lamb's blood provided protection from judgment.
New Testament Fulfillment
Jesus was crucified on Passover as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. The Last Supper was a Passover meal.
A1nd the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying,
2 This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you.3 Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house:4 And if the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbour next unto his house take it according to the number of the souls; every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb.5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats:6 And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening.7 And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it.8 And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it.9 Eat not of it raw, nor sodden at all with water, but roast with fire; his head with his legs, and with the purtenance thereof.10 And ye shall let nothing of it remain until the morning; and that which remaineth of it until the morning ye shall burn with fire.11 And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the LORDโs passover.12 For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD.13 And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.14 And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.
A14nd when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him.
15 And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer:16 For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.17 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves:18 For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.
1nd the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying,
7urge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:
29he next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.