Exodus 12:21
New International Version
Then Moses summoned all the elders of Israel and said to them, “Go at once and select the animals for your families and slaughter the Passover lamb.

New Living Translation
Then Moses called all the elders of Israel together and said to them, “Go, pick out a lamb or young goat for each of your families, and slaughter the Passover animal.

English Standard Version
Then Moses called all the elders of Israel and said to them, “Go and select lambs for yourselves according to your clans, and kill the Passover lamb.

Berean Standard Bible
Then Moses summoned all the elders of Israel and told them, “Go at once and select for yourselves a lamb for each family, and slaughter the Passover lamb.

King James Bible
Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said unto them, Draw out and take you a lamb according to your families, and kill the passover.

New King James Version
Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel and said to them, “Pick out and take lambs for yourselves according to your families, and kill the Passover lamb.

New American Standard Bible
Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel and said to them, “Go and take for yourselves lambs according to your families, and slaughter the Passover lamb.

NASB 1995
Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel and said to them, “Go and take for yourselves lambs according to your families, and slay the Passover lamb.

NASB 1977
Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said to them, “Go and take for yourselves lambs according to your families, and slay the Passover lamb.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel and said to them, “Bring out and take for yourselves lambs according to your families and slaughter the Passover lamb.

Amplified Bible
Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel and said to them, “Go and take a lamb for yourselves according to [the size of] your families and slaughter the Passover lamb.

Christian Standard Bible
Then Moses summoned all the elders of Israel and said to them, “Go, select an animal from the flock according to your families, and slaughter the Passover animal.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then Moses summoned all the elders of Israel and said to them, “Go, select an animal from the flock according to your families, and slaughter the Passover animal.

American Standard Version
Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said unto them, Draw out, and take you lambs according to your families, and kill the passover.

Contemporary English Version
Moses called the leaders of Israel together and said: Each family is to pick out a sheep and kill it for Passover.

English Revised Version
Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said unto them, Draw out, and take you lambs according to your families, and kill the passover.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then Moses called for all the leaders of Israel. He said to them, "Pick out a lamb or a young goat for your families, and kill the Passover animal.

Good News Translation
Moses called for all the leaders of Israel and said to them, "Each of you is to choose a lamb or a young goat and kill it, so that your families can celebrate Passover.

International Standard Version
Then Moses summoned all the elders of Israel and told them, "Choose sheep for your families, and slaughter the Passover lamb.

Majority Standard Bible
Then Moses summoned all the elders of Israel and told them, ?Go at once and select for yourselves a lamb for each family, and slaughter the Passover lamb.

NET Bible
Then Moses summoned all the elders of Israel, and told them, "Go and select for yourselves a lamb or young goat for your families, and kill the Passover animals.

New Heart English Bible
Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said to them, "Draw out, and take lambs according to your families, and kill the Passover lamb.

Webster's Bible Translation
Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said to them, Draw out, and take you a lamb, according to your families, and kill the passover.

World English Bible
Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said to them, “Draw out, and take lambs according to your families, and kill the Passover.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Moses calls for all [the] elderly of Israel and says to them, “Draw out and take for yourselves [from] the flock, for your families, and slaughter the Passover-sacrifice;

Young's Literal Translation
And Moses calleth for all the elders of Israel, and saith unto them, 'Draw out and take for yourselves from the flock, for your families, and slaughter the passover-sacrifice;

Smith's Literal Translation
And Moses will call for all the old men of Israel and he will say to them, Draw out and take to yourselves a sheep according to your tribes, and slaughter the passing over.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Moses called all the ancients of the children of Israel, and said to them: Go take a lamb by your families, and sacrifice the Phase.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then Moses called all the elders of the sons of Israel, and he said to them: “Go, taking an animal by your families, and sacrifice the Passover.

New American Bible
Moses summoned all the elders of Israel and said to them, “Go and procure lambs for your families, and slaughter the Passover victims.

New Revised Standard Version
Then Moses called all the elders of Israel and said to them, “Go, select lambs for your families, and slaughter the passover lamb.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then Moses called all the eiders of the children of Israel and said to them, Hasten, take lambs for yourselves according to your families and kill the passover lamb.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Moshe called all the Elders of the children of Israel and he said to them, “Quickly take to yourselves lambs for your generations and kill the Passover.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said unto them: 'Draw out, and take you lambs according to your families, and kill the passover lamb.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Moses called all the elders of the children of Israel, and said to them, Go away and take to yourselves a lamb according to your kindreds, and slay the passover.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Feast of Unleavened Bread
20You are not to eat anything leavened; eat unleavened bread in all your homes.” 21Then Moses summoned all the elders of Israel and told them, “Go at once and select for yourselves a lamb for each family, and slaughter the Passover lamb. 22Take a cluster of hyssop, dip it into the blood in the basin, and brush the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe. None of you shall go out the door of his house until morning.…

Cross References
Hebrews 11:28
By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch Israel’s own firstborn.

1 Corinthians 5:7
Get rid of the old leaven, that you may be a new unleavened batch, as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.

John 1:29
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

Matthew 26:17-19
On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?” / He answered, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him that the Teacher says, ‘My time is near. I will keep the Passover with My disciples at your house.’” / So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover.

Mark 14:12-16
On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb was to be sacrificed, Jesus’ disciples asked Him, “Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?” / So He sent two of His disciples and told them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jug of water will meet you. Follow him, / and whichever house he enters, say to the owner, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is My guest room, where I may eat the Passover with My disciples?’ ...

Luke 22:7-13
Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb was to be sacrificed. / Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover.” / “Where do You want us to prepare it?” they asked. ...

1 Peter 1:19
but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot.

Revelation 5:6
Then I saw a Lamb who appeared to have been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which represent the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.

Revelation 7:14
“Sir,” I answered, “you know.” So he replied, “These are the ones who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

Romans 3:25
God presented Him as an atoning sacrifice in His blood through faith, in order to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance He had passed over the sins committed beforehand.

Leviticus 23:5
The Passover to the LORD begins at twilight on the fourteenth day of the first month.

Numbers 9:2-5
“The Israelites are to observe the Passover at its appointed time. / You are to observe it at the appointed time, at twilight on the fourteenth day of this month, in accordance with its statutes and ordinances.” / So Moses told the Israelites to observe the Passover, ...

Deuteronomy 16:1-8
Observe the month of Abib and celebrate the Passover to the LORD your God, because in the month of Abib the LORD your God brought you out of Egypt by night. / You are to offer to the LORD your God the Passover sacrifice from the herd or flock in the place the LORD will choose as a dwelling for His Name. / You must not eat leavened bread with it; for seven days you are to eat with it unleavened bread, the bread of affliction, because you left the land of Egypt in haste—so that you may remember for the rest of your life the day you left the land of Egypt. ...

Joshua 5:10-11
On the evening of the fourteenth day of the month, while the Israelites were camped at Gilgal on the plains of Jericho, they kept the Passover. / The day after the Passover, on that very day, they ate unleavened bread and roasted grain from the produce of the land.

2 Chronicles 30:1-5
Then Hezekiah sent word throughout all Israel and Judah, and he also wrote letters to Ephraim and Manasseh inviting them to come to the house of the LORD in Jerusalem to keep the Passover of the LORD, the God of Israel. / For the king and his officials and the whole assembly in Jerusalem had decided to keep the Passover in the second month, / since they had been unable to keep it at the regular time, because not enough priests had consecrated themselves and the people had not been gathered in Jerusalem. ...


Treasury of Scripture

Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said to them, Draw out and take you a lamb according to your families, and kill the passover.

elders

Exodus 3:16
Go, and gather the elders of Israel together, and say unto them, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, appeared unto me, saying, I have surely visited you, and seen that which is done to you in Egypt:

Exodus 17:5
And the LORD said unto Moses, Go on before the people, and take with thee of the elders of Israel; and thy rod, wherewith thou smotest the river, take in thine hand, and go.

Exodus 19:7
And Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before their faces all these words which the LORD commanded him.

and take

Exodus 12:3
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:

Numbers 9:2-5
Let the children of Israel also keep the passover at his appointed season…

Joshua 5:10
And the children of Israel encamped in Gilgal, and kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the month at even in the plains of Jericho.

lamb, or kid

Exodus 12:3
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:

the passover.

1 Corinthians 5:7
Purge 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:

Jump to Previous
Animals Chiefs Draw Elders Families Israel Kill Lambs Marked Moses Once Passover Seize Select Slaughter Slay Summoned Yourselves
Jump to Next
Animals Chiefs Draw Elders Families Israel Kill Lambs Marked Moses Once Passover Seize Select Slaughter Slay Summoned Yourselves
Exodus 12
1. The beginning of the year is changed
3. The Passover is instituted
11. The import of the rite of the Passover
15. Unleavened bread
29. The firstborn are slain
31. The Israelites are driven out of the land
37. They come to Succoth
41. The time of their sojourning
43. The ordinance of the Passover














Then Moses summoned all the elders of Israel
Moses, as the leader appointed by God, calls upon the elders, who are the representatives and leaders of the tribes of Israel. This reflects the hierarchical structure of ancient Israelite society, where elders held positions of authority and were responsible for communicating and implementing God's commands. The summoning of the elders signifies the importance of the message and the need for immediate action. This gathering also highlights the communal aspect of the Passover, as the elders would relay the instructions to their respective families.

and told them, “Go at once and select for yourselves a lamb for each family,
The urgency in "Go at once" underscores the immediacy of the situation, as the Israelites were on the brink of the final plague and their subsequent exodus from Egypt. The instruction to "select for yourselves a lamb" emphasizes personal responsibility and the necessity for each family to participate in the Passover. The lamb, a common domestic animal, was to be without blemish, symbolizing purity and foreshadowing Christ as the sinless Lamb of God (John 1:29). The selection of a lamb for each family ensures that the act of sacrifice and the ensuing meal are intimate and personal, reinforcing the covenant relationship between God and His people.

and slaughter the Passover lamb.
The act of slaughtering the lamb is central to the Passover ritual, marking the beginning of the Israelites' deliverance from bondage. This sacrifice is a type of Christ's sacrificial death, as He is referred to as "our Passover lamb" (1 Corinthians 5:7). The blood of the lamb, which would be applied to the doorposts, served as a sign for the Lord to "pass over" the houses of the Israelites, sparing them from the plague of the firstborn. This act of faith and obedience is a precursor to the New Covenant, where believers are saved through the blood of Christ. The Passover lamb thus becomes a powerful symbol of redemption and divine protection.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to lead His people out of Egypt. In this verse, Moses acts as a mediator between God and the people, conveying God's instructions for the Passover.

2. Elders of Israel
These are the leaders or representatives of the Israelite community. Moses addresses them to ensure that the instructions for the Passover are communicated and implemented throughout the community.

3. Passover Lamb
A central element of the Passover celebration, symbolizing the sacrifice that would protect the Israelites from the final plague. The lamb is a foreshadowing of Christ, the Lamb of God.

4. Israel
The nation chosen by God, currently enslaved in Egypt. This event marks a pivotal moment in their history, as it leads to their liberation.

5. Egypt
The land where the Israelites are enslaved. The Passover is the final act of God's judgment on Egypt, leading to the Exodus.
Teaching Points
Obedience to God's Instructions
The elders were instructed to select and slaughter a lamb. This teaches the importance of following God's commands precisely, as they are given for our protection and deliverance.

Leadership and Responsibility
Moses and the elders had the responsibility to lead and instruct the people. This highlights the role of spiritual leaders in guiding their communities according to God's word.

Symbolism of the Lamb
The Passover lamb is a powerful symbol of sacrifice and redemption. Reflect on how Christ, our Passover lamb, has provided ultimate deliverance from sin.

Community and Family Worship
The instruction was for each family to select a lamb, emphasizing the role of family and community in worship and obedience to God.

Faith in Action
The act of slaughtering the lamb and applying its blood required faith in God's promise of protection. This encourages us to act in faith, trusting in God's provision and salvation.THE FIRST PASSOVER KEPT.

(21) Moses called for all the elders.--He had been directed to "speak unto all the congregation" (Exodus 12:3), but understood the direction as allowing him to do so mediately, through the elders.

Draw out.--Some understand this intransitively--"Withdraw, and take," i.e., go, and take; others transitively--"Withdraw a lamb from the flock."

According to your families--i.e., with reference to the number of your families, but not necessarily one for each. (See Exodus 12:4.)

Verse 21-28. - THE FIRST PASSOVER. Having received the Divine directions as to the new rite, if not with all the fulness ultimately given them, yet with sufficient fulness for the immediate purpose, Moses proceeded to communicate the Divine Will to the people under his protection. Having already aroused the jealousy and hatred of Pharaoh, he could not summon a general assembly of the people, but he ventured to call a meeting of the elders, or heads of principal families, and through them communicated the orders which he had received to the entire nation. We find, in the directions which he gave, two small points which are not comprised in the record of God's words to him.

1. The designation of the "hyssop," as the instrument, by which the blood was to be placed on the side-posts and lintel (ver. 22); and,

2. The injunction not to quit the house "until the morning." These points may have been contained in the original directions, though omitted from the record for brevity; or they may have been added by Moses of his own authority. On the other hand, several very main points of the original directions are not repeated in the injunctions given to the elders, though there can be no doubt that they were communicated. Verse 21. - Draw out - i.e., "Withdraw from the flock." (See ver. 3.) A lamb. The word used is generic, and would not exclude the offering of a goat.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then Moses
מֹשֶׁ֛ה (mō·šeh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4872: Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver

summoned
וַיִּקְרָ֥א (way·yiq·rā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7121: To call, proclaim, read

all
לְכָל־ (lə·ḵāl)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the elders
זִקְנֵ֥י (ziq·nê)
Adjective - masculine plural construct
Strong's 2205: Old

of Israel
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

and told
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

them,
אֲלֵהֶ֑ם (’ă·lê·hem)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

“Go at once
מִֽשְׁכ֗וּ (miš·ḵū)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 4900: To draw, drag

and select
וּקְח֨וּ (ū·qə·ḥū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 3947: To take

for yourselves
לָכֶ֥ם (lā·ḵem)
Preposition | second person masculine plural
Strong's Hebrew

a lamb
צֹ֛אן (ṣōn)
Noun - common singular
Strong's 6629: Small cattle, sheep and goats, flock

for each family,
לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתֵיכֶ֖ם (lə·miš·pə·ḥō·ṯê·ḵem)
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine plural construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 4940: A family, circle of relatives, a class, a species, sort, a tribe, people

and slaughter
וְשַׁחֲט֥וּ (wə·ša·ḥă·ṭū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 7819: To slaughter, beat

the Passover lamb.
הַפָּֽסַח׃ (hap·pā·saḥ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6453: A pretermission, exemption, Passover


Links
Exodus 12:21 NIV
Exodus 12:21 NLT
Exodus 12:21 ESV
Exodus 12:21 NASB
Exodus 12:21 KJV

Exodus 12:21 BibleApps.com
Exodus 12:21 Biblia Paralela
Exodus 12:21 Chinese Bible
Exodus 12:21 French Bible
Exodus 12:21 Catholic Bible

OT Law: Exodus 12:21 Then Moses called for all the elders (Exo. Ex)
Exodus 12:20
Top of Page
Top of Page