King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 16:1 Mean?

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 · King James Version

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.

Read Deuteronomy 16 full chapter

Commentaries4 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
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).

KJV Study — Public Domain

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?
KS
Written by KJV Study Commentary • Biblical Commentary

Compare 4 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
שָׁמוֹר֙
1 of 16

“Observe”

H8104
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
אֶת
2 of 16
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בְּחֹ֣דֶשׁ
3 of 16

“for in the month”

H2320
the new moon; by implication, a month
הָֽאָבִ֗יב
4 of 16

“of Abib”

H24
green, i.e., a young ear of grain; hence, the name of the month abib or nisan
וְעָשִׂ֣יתָ
5 of 16

“and keep”

H6213
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
פֶּ֔סַח
6 of 16

“the passover”

H6453
a pretermission, i.e., exemption; used only techically of the jewish passover (the festival or the victim)
יְהוָ֧ה
7 of 16

“the LORD”

H3068
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֶ֛יךָ
8 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
כִּ֞י
9 of 16
H3588
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
בְּחֹ֣דֶשׁ
10 of 16

“for in the month”

H2320
the new moon; by implication, a month
הָֽאָבִ֗יב
11 of 16

“of Abib”

H24
green, i.e., a young ear of grain; hence, the name of the month abib or nisan
הוֹצִ֨יאֲךָ֜
12 of 16

“brought thee forth”

H3318
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
יְהוָ֧ה
13 of 16

“the LORD”

H3068
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֶ֛יךָ
14 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
מִמִּצְרַ֖יִם
15 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

Exodus 34:18Exodus 12:2-20Exodus 13:4Numbers 28:16Leviticus 23:5Exodus 23:15

Places in This Verse

EgyptRegion · Modern: Ain Shams · 30.13°N, 31.31°E658 verses across 33 books
View all places in Deuteronomy 16 →

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