Bible Commentaries
Exodus 13

Verse 1

the LORD (Hebrew. Jehovah. spake. See note on Exodus 6:10 , and compare note on Exodus 3:7 .

Verse 2

Sanctify. Figure of speech Metonymy (of Subject). App-6 . = Declare that I will sanctify (or set apart), which Moses did in verses: Exodus 13:12 .

children = sons.

man . Hebrew. 'adam. App-14 .

There are two pairs of Phylacteries, so called (in Greek) from their use - a prayer-fillet or band worn to-day on forehead and hands during prayer. First pair here, Exodus 13:3-10 and Exodus 13:11-16 . Second pair in Deuteronomy 6:4-8 and Exo 11:13-2 . Compare the structures in Deuteronomy 6:4-9 .

Verse 3

leavened = fermented.

Verse 4

Abib = the month of green ears. Jewish tradition says that in this month Abram was called, Isaac was born, Israel delivered from Egypt, and Tabernacle reared up. The Talmud further says: "As in Nisan there had been redemption, so in Nisan there should be redemption" (Bab. fol. 11). John's preaching began and the Lord's death occurred in this month.

Verse 5

the LORD . Some codices, with Samaritan Pentateuch, The Targum of Jonathan ben Uzziel, and Septuagint, add "thy God".

Canaanites . The Perizzites and Girgashites not included in this list.

and. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton in this verse. ( App-6 .)

Verse 13

ass . Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Species), App-6 , "ass" put for all animals not offered in sacrifice.

redeem = ransom. Hebrew. padah = to redeem (from bondage, by power). First occurance. Not g'aal. See note on Exodus 6:6 .

Verse 15

man. Hebrew. 'adam. App-14 .

sacrifice . Hebrew zabach. See App-43 .

all . Ellipsis to be supplied "every [beast]".

Verse 16

token . See the Structure on p. 90.

Verse 17

God. Hebrew. Elohim . App-14 .

Verse 18

Red sea . Hebrew. Yam suph = weedy, or reedy. Eng. "Red" comes from the Greeks reading Edom (whose land it washed) as an appellative instead of a proper name (Esau or Edom = red, Genesis 25:25 ). Called "red "from Septuagint. Dried up fifty miles north of present shore. Will quite dry up at future Exodus. Isaiah 11:15 , Isaiah 11:16 ; Isaiah 19:5 .

harnessed = armed, as Joshua 1:14 . Jdg 7:11 . 1 Chronicles 7:21 ; or marshalled by fives, as in 2 Kings 1:9 . Isaiah 3:3 (the number of grace, see App-10 ). To this day five is an evil number in Egypt. Whichever is the meaning, both point to order and organization. They were an ordered "host" (Exodus 12:41 ), and not a disorderly rabble.

Verse 19

the bones of Joseph . Another evidence of order. Compare Genesis 50:25 . Joseph's faith exhibited 150 years before. Compare also Joshua 24:32 and Acts 7:15 , Acts 7:16 .

surely visit you . See Genesis 50:25 , and compare note on Genesis 26:28 .

Verse 21

the LORD went before them . Compare Exodus 14:19 with Exodus 32:34 , the Angel of Jehovah.

Verse 22

took not away . See note on Exodus 40:36-38 .