King James Version

What Does Exodus 12:13 Mean?

Exodus 12:13 in the King James Version says “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, ...” — study this verse from Exodus chapter 12 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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. to destroy: Heb. for a destruction”

Exodus 12:13 · KJV

Context

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 LORD'S 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. gods: or, princes

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. to destroy: Heb. for a destruction

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.

15

Seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread; even the first day ye shall put away leaven out of your houses: for whosoever eateth leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that soul shall be cut off from Israel.

Read Exodus 12 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The blood serves as an 'oth' (אוֹת)—a sign or token—but critically, it's a sign 'to you,' not primarily to God. While God sees it ('when I see the blood'), its function is to assure believers they are protected. The Hebrew 'pasachti' (פָּסַחְתִּי) means 'I will pass over, skip over, spare.' The 'plague to destroy' (negef l'mashchit) would not touch blood-marked homes. This establishes the substitutionary principle: judgment satisfied by blood.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This night marked the culmination of ten plagues that demonstrated YHWH's supremacy over Egypt and its gods. The blood sign distinguished believing Israelites from unbelieving Egyptians.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Christ's blood serve as your assurance of protection from divine judgment?
  2. What does it mean that the blood is a sign 'to you' rather than primarily informing God of something He doesn't know?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וְהָיָה֩1 of 22
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

הַדָּ֔ם2 of 22

“And the blood”

H1818

blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe

לָכֶ֜ם3 of 22
H0
לְאֹ֗ת4 of 22

“shall be to you for a token”

H226

a signal (literally or figuratively), as a flag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, evidence, etc

עַ֤ל5 of 22
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הַבָּתִּים֙6 of 22

“upon the houses”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

אֲשֶׁ֣ר7 of 22
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

אַתֶּ֣ם8 of 22
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

שָׁ֔ם9 of 22
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

וְרָאִ֙יתִי֙10 of 22

“where ye are and when I see”

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

אֶת11 of 22
H853

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

הַדָּ֔ם12 of 22

“And the blood”

H1818

blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe

וּפָֽסַחְתִּ֖י13 of 22

“I will pass”

H6452

to hop, i.e., (figuratively) skip over (or spare); by implication, to hesitate; also (literally) to limp, to dance

עֲלֵכֶ֑ם14 of 22
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

וְלֹֽא15 of 22
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יִֽהְיֶ֨ה16 of 22
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

בָכֶ֥ם17 of 22
H0
נֶ֙גֶף֙18 of 22

“over you and the plague”

H5063

a trip (of the foot); figuratively, an infliction (of disease)

לְמַשְׁחִ֔ית19 of 22

“shall not be upon you to destroy”

H4889

destructive, i.e., (as noun) destruction, literally (specifically a snare) or figuratively (corruption)

בְּהַכֹּתִ֖י20 of 22

“you when I smite”

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

בְּאֶ֥רֶץ21 of 22

“the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

מִצְרָֽיִם׃22 of 22

“of Egypt”

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

Study Guide

Historical Context

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

Theological Significance

Exodus 12:13 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 Exodus 12:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Hebrews 11:28Exodus 12:231 John 1:7Genesis 17:11Joshua 2:121 Thessalonians 1:10

Places in This Verse

EgyptRegion · Modern: Ain Shams · 30.13°N, 31.31°E658 verses across 33 books
View all places in Exodus 12 →

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