Definition and Origin:
Passover, known as "Pesach" in Hebrew, is one of the most significant feasts in the Jewish calendar, commemorating the Israelites' deliverance from slavery in Egypt. The term "Passover" originates from the Hebrew word "pesach," meaning "to pass over," referring to the event where the Lord passed over the houses of the Israelites during the tenth plague, sparing their firstborn while striking down the firstborn of Egypt (Exodus 12:13).

Biblical Institution:
The institution of Passover is detailed in Exodus 12. 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 slaughter it on the fourteenth day at twilight. The blood of the lamb was to be applied to the doorposts and lintels of their homes as a sign for the Lord to pass over them during the plague of the firstborn (Exodus 12:3-7). The Israelites were to eat the lamb roasted with unleavened bread and bitter herbs, with their loins girded, sandals on their feet, and staff in hand, ready for departure (Exodus 12:8-11).

Observance and Regulations:
Passover marks the beginning of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, a seven-day festival during which no leavened bread is to be consumed (Exodus 12:15-20). The first and seventh days are to be observed as holy convocations, with no work to be done except for the preparation of food (Exodus 12:16). The Passover lamb is to be eaten in one house, and none of its bones are to be broken (Exodus 12:46).

Historical Celebrations:
Throughout Israel's history, Passover was celebrated as a reminder of God's deliverance. Notable celebrations include the observance under King Hezekiah, who restored the Passover after a period of neglect (2 Chronicles 30:1-27), and the grand celebration under King Josiah, which was unparalleled since the days of the judges (2 Kings 23:21-23).

Passover in the New Testament:
Passover holds significant typological importance in the New Testament, where Jesus Christ is identified as the ultimate Passover Lamb. The Apostle Paul writes, "For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed" (1 Corinthians 5:7). 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 22:14-20).

Theological Significance:
Passover is a profound symbol of redemption and deliverance. It prefigures the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ, who delivers believers from the bondage of sin. The blood of the Passover lamb, which protected the Israelites from death, foreshadows the atoning blood of Christ, which offers eternal life to all who believe (John 1:29).

Modern Observance:
While Passover is primarily a Jewish festival, its themes of redemption and deliverance resonate deeply within Christianity. Many Christians reflect on the Passover during Holy Week, particularly in the context of the Last Supper and the crucifixion of Jesus. The celebration of Easter, which follows Passover, commemorates the resurrection of Christ, the fulfillment of the promise of new life and deliverance.

The Chronology
... The first is presented by the three Passovers distinctly mentioned in the Gospel
of John (ii.13; vi.4; xii.1). The last of these is plainly identical with the ...
/.../rhees/the life of jesus of nazareth/iv the chronology.htm

Chronology of the Life of Christ
... But, as it is not possible to allow that more than four Passovers occurred during
the public career of Jesus, we are bound to the view that his career extended ...
/.../ramsay/was christ born in bethlehem/chapter 10 chronology of the.htm

He Division of the Land.
... For besides the rites of that dispensation, which the Holy Scripture doth openly
and evidently fix to that land, such as Sacrifices, Passovers, the Priesthood ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 1 he division of.htm

Way-Marks in John's Narrative.
... The action of the story swirls largely, too, about the great national feasts, the
Passovers, the Tabernacles or harvest-home feast of the autumn, and one ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/way-marks in johns narrative.htm

Introductory Essay.
... there is to-day as little agreement as ever in regard to the length of our Lord's
ministry; ie, whether the Evangelist John refers to three or four passovers. ...
/.../augustine/our lords sermon on the mount/introductory essay 2.htm

The Cleansing of the Temple.
... There is no account that John the Baptist ever went to Jerusalem, but the Savior
attended all the passovers but one during his ministry. ...
/.../the new testament commentary vol iii john/the cleansing of the temple.htm

Jesus at Bethesda.
... John names two more passovers after this that the Savior attended, making, with
this, four after his ministry began, and five including the one when he was ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/jesus at bethesda.htm

The Paschal Supper - the Institution of the Lord's Supper.
... And of the three Passovers since His Public Ministry had begun, at the first His
Twelve Apostles had not been gathered, [5637] so that He could not have ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter x the paschal supper.htm

Jesus Heals on the Sabbath Day and Defends his Act.
... that it was not the Passover, present several arguments, which we note and answer
as follows: 1. Since John gives the name of other Passovers, he would have ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xxxvii jesus heals on the.htm

On the Keeping of Easter.
... do not possess the truth in this Easter question; for, in their blindness and
repugnance to all improvements, they frequently celebrate two passovers in the ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/on the keeping of easter.htm

Passovers (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Passovers (1 Occurrence). 2 Chronicles 30:17
For there were many in the assembly who had not sanctified ...
/p/passovers.htm - 6k

Passover-sacrifice (1 Occurrence)
Passover-sacrifice. Passovers, Passover-sacrifice. Past . Multi-Version
Concordance ... Passovers, Passover-sacrifice. Past . Reference Bible.
/p/passover-sacrifice.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

Killing (41 Occurrences)
... 30:17 For there were many in the assembly who had not sanctified themselves: therefore
the Levites were in charge of killing the Passovers for everyone who was ...
/k/killing.htm - 19k

Ceremonially (38 Occurrences)
... 30:17 For there were many in the assembly who had not sanctified themselves: therefore
the Levites were in charge of killing the Passovers for everyone who was ...
/c/ceremonially.htm - 18k

Mary (50 Occurrences)
... Jesus being born in 6 BC, this took place in 5 BC, and as Herod died in 4 BC, Joseph
may have missed only one of the Passovers (compare Luke 2:41) by his ...
/m/mary.htm - 72k

Sanctify (91 Occurrences)
... 30:17 For there were many in the assembly who had not sanctified themselves: therefore
the Levites were in charge of killing the Passovers for everyone who was ...
/s/sanctify.htm - 36k

Sanctified (105 Occurrences)
... 30:17 For there were many in the assembly who had not sanctified themselves: therefore
the Levites were in charge of killing the Passovers for everyone who was ...
/s/sanctified.htm - 40k

Chronology
... But the Gospel of John mentions explicitly three Passovers (John 2:23; John 6:4;
John 11:55) and probably implies a fourth (John 5:1), thus necessitating a ...
/c/chronology.htm - 74k

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