King James Version

What Does Exodus 12:17 Mean?

Exodus 12:17 in the King James Version says “And ye shall observe the feast of unleavened bread; for in this selfsame day have I brought your armies out of the land ... — study this verse from Exodus chapter 12 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And ye shall observe the feast of unleavened bread; for in this selfsame day have I brought your armies out of the land of Egypt: therefore shall ye observe this day in your generations by an ordinance for ever.

Exodus 12:17 · KJV


Context

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.

16

And in the first day there shall be an holy convocation, and in the seventh day there shall be an holy convocation to you; no manner of work shall be done in them, save that which every man must eat, that only may be done of you. man: Heb. soul

17

And ye shall observe the feast of unleavened bread; for in this selfsame day have I brought your armies out of the land of Egypt: therefore shall ye observe this day in your generations by an ordinance for ever.

18

In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at even, ye shall eat unleavened bread, until the one and twentieth day of the month at even.

19

Seven days shall there be no leaven found in your houses: for whosoever eateth that which is leavened, even that soul shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he be a stranger, or born in the land.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The emphasis 'this selfsame day have I brought your armies out' stresses divine timing and the fulfillment of God's word. 'Armies' (tziv'otaykem, צִבְאֹתֵיכֶם) presents Israel as organized regiments, not a disorganized mob. The perpetual observance 'by an ordinance for ever' ensures each generation personally identifies with the exodus through annual participation.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The exodus occurred exactly on the promised date. The term 'armies' anticipates Israel's organization in Numbers 1-2 and their conquest of Canaan as YHWH's military force.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does viewing yourself as part of God's 'army' affect your understanding of Christian purpose and spiritual warfare?
  2. What does God's precise timing in fulfilling promises teach about trusting His timetable for your life?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וּשְׁמַרְתֶּ֞ם1 of 19

And ye shall observe

H8104

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

אֶת2 of 19
H853

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

הַמַּצּוֹת֒3 of 19

the feast of unleavened bread

H4682

properly, sweetness; concretely, sweet (i.e., not soured or bittered with yeast); specifically, an unfermented cake or loaf, or (elliptically) the fes

כִּ֗י4 of 19
H3588

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

בְּעֶ֙צֶם֙5 of 19

for in this selfsame

H6106

a bone (as strong); by extension, the body; figuratively, the substance, i.e., (as pron.) selfsame

הַיּ֥וֹם6 of 19

day

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַזֶּ֔ה7 of 19
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

הוֹצֵ֥אתִי8 of 19

have I brought

H3318

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

אֶת9 of 19
H853

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

צִבְאֽוֹתֵיכֶ֖ם10 of 19

your armies

H6635

a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

מֵאֶ֣רֶץ11 of 19

out of the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

מִצְרָ֑יִם12 of 19

of Egypt

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

וּשְׁמַרְתֶּ֞ם13 of 19

And ye shall observe

H8104

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

אֶת14 of 19
H853

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

הַיּ֥וֹם15 of 19

day

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַזֶּ֛ה16 of 19
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

לְדֹרֹֽתֵיכֶ֖ם17 of 19

in your generations

H1755

properly, a revolution of time, i.e., an age or generation; also a dwelling

חֻקַּ֥ת18 of 19

by an ordinance

H2708

a statute

עוֹלָֽם׃19 of 19

for ever

H5769

properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial


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 12:17 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 12:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study