King James Version

What Does Exodus 13:3 Mean?

Exodus 13:3 in the King James Version says “And Moses said unto the people, Remember this day, in which ye came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by ... — study this verse from Exodus chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And Moses said unto the people, Remember this day, in which ye came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the LORD brought you out from this place: there shall no leavened bread be eaten. bondage: Heb. servants

Exodus 13:3 · KJV


Context

1

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

2

Sanctify unto me all the firstborn, whatsoever openeth the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and of beast: it is mine.

3

And Moses said unto the people, Remember this day, in which ye came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the LORD brought you out from this place: there shall no leavened bread be eaten. bondage: Heb. servants

4

This day came ye out in the month Abib.

5

And it shall be when the LORD shall bring thee into the land of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, which he sware unto thy fathers to give thee, a land flowing with milk and honey, that thou shalt keep this service in this month.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Moses' instruction to 'Remember this day, in which ye came out from Egypt' establishes perpetual commemoration. The description 'out of the house of bondage' (mibeyt avadim, מִבֵּית עֲבָדִים—from the house of slaves) identifies Egypt as bondage, not home. The emphasis 'by strength of hand the LORD brought you out' credits God alone for deliverance. Remembering prevents spiritual amnesia—forgetting bondage leads to returning to it.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This command to remember shapes Israel's entire liturgical calendar and national identity. Forgetting Egypt would mean forgetting God's saving character.

Reflection Questions

  1. What spiritual 'house of bondage' has Christ delivered you from that you must regularly remember?
  2. How does crediting God's 'strength of hand' rather than human effort preserve the gospel of grace?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר1 of 23

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

מֹשֶׁ֜ה2 of 23

And Moses

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

אֶל3 of 23
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הָעָ֗ם4 of 23

unto the people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

זָכ֞וֹר5 of 23

Remember

H2142

properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male

אֶת6 of 23
H853

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

הַיּ֤וֹם7 of 23

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

מִזֶּ֑ה8 of 23

this

H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

אֲשֶׁ֨ר9 of 23
H834

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

הוֹצִ֧יא10 of 23

brought you out

H3318

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

מִמִּצְרַ֙יִם֙11 of 23

from Egypt

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

מִבֵּ֣ית12 of 23

out of the house

H1004

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

עֲבָדִ֔ים13 of 23

of bondage

H5650

a servant

כִּ֚י14 of 23
H3588

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

בְּחֹ֣זֶק15 of 23

for by strength

H2392

power

יָ֔ד16 of 23

of hand

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

הוֹצִ֧יא17 of 23

brought you out

H3318

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

יְהוָֹ֛ה18 of 23

the LORD

H3068

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

אֶתְכֶ֖ם19 of 23
H853

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

מִזֶּ֑ה20 of 23

this

H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

וְלֹ֥א21 of 23
H3808

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

יֵֽאָכֵ֖ל22 of 23

be eaten

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

חָמֵֽץ׃23 of 23

from this place there shall no leavened bread

H2557

ferment, (figuratively) extortion


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 13:3 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 13:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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