King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 16:1 Mean?

Deuteronomy 16:1 in the King James Version says “Observe the month of Abib, and keep the passover unto the LORD thy God: for in the month of Abib the LORD thy God brough... — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Observe the month of Abib, and keep the passover unto the LORD thy God: for in the month of Abib the LORD thy God brought thee forth out of Egypt by night.

Deuteronomy 16:1 · KJV


Context

1

Observe the month of Abib, and keep the passover unto the LORD thy God: for in the month of Abib the LORD thy God brought thee forth out of Egypt by night.

2

Thou shalt therefore sacrifice the passover unto the LORD thy God, of the flock and the herd, in the place which the LORD shall choose to place his name there.

3

Thou shalt eat no leavened bread with it; seven days shalt thou eat unleavened bread therewith, even the bread of affliction; for thou camest forth out of the land of Egypt in haste: that thou mayest remember the day when thou camest forth out of the land of Egypt all the days of thy life.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Observe the month of Abib, and keep the passover unto the LORD thy God: for in the month of Abib the LORD thy God brought thee forth out of Egypt by night. The Passover memorial commanded perpetual remembrance of exodus deliverance. Israel must continually recall God's redemptive act that constituted them as His covenant people.

The month of Abib (later called Nisan) occurred in spring, timing the festival to commemorate actual historical deliverance. The specificity grounds Passover in real history, not mythical sacred time. God acts in actual space and time to redeem His people.

The phrase brought thee forth...by night recalls the dramatic midnight exodus when death passed over Israelite homes marked with lamb's blood while striking Egyptian firstborn. This foundational deliverance established Israel's identity as redeemed people.

Reformed theology sees Passover as supreme Old Testament type of Christ's atoning sacrifice. As the Passover lamb's blood protected from death, Christ's blood delivers from divine judgment. Paul declares, Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us (1 Corinthians 5:7).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Passover became central to Jewish religious identity, observed annually from the exodus through the present day. Jesus celebrated Passover with His disciples at the Last Supper, transforming it into the Lord's Supper which Christians observe as memorial of His sacrifice.

The connection between Passover and Christ's crucifixion is chronologically precise - Jesus died during Passover week as the ultimate Passover Lamb.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why does God command perpetual memorial of the exodus deliverance?
  2. How does Passover's historical specificity differ from pagan mythical celebrations?
  3. In what ways does the Passover lamb prefigure Christ's atoning sacrifice?
  4. What does transformation of Passover into the Lord's Supper teach about Old and New Covenant relationship?
  5. How should regular memorial of redemption shape Christian identity and worship?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
שָׁמוֹר֙1 of 16

Observe

H8104

properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc

אֶת2 of 16
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

בְּחֹ֣דֶשׁ3 of 16

for in the month

H2320

the new moon; by implication, a month

הָֽאָבִ֗יב4 of 16

of Abib

H24

green, i.e., a young ear of grain; hence, the name of the month abib or nisan

וְעָשִׂ֣יתָ5 of 16

and keep

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

פֶּ֔סַח6 of 16

the passover

H6453

a pretermission, i.e., exemption; used only techically of the jewish passover (the festival or the victim)

יְהוָ֧ה7 of 16

the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֱלֹהֶ֛יךָ8 of 16

thy God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

כִּ֞י9 of 16
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

בְּחֹ֣דֶשׁ10 of 16

for in the month

H2320

the new moon; by implication, a month

הָֽאָבִ֗יב11 of 16

of Abib

H24

green, i.e., a young ear of grain; hence, the name of the month abib or nisan

הוֹצִ֨יאֲךָ֜12 of 16

brought thee forth

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

יְהוָ֧ה13 of 16

the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֱלֹהֶ֛יךָ14 of 16

thy God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

מִמִּצְרַ֖יִם15 of 16

out of Egypt

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

לָֽיְלָה׃16 of 16

by night

H3915

properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Deuteronomy. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Deuteronomy 16:1 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Deuteronomy 16:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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