Deuteronomy 16:1-6

The Passover

1 Observe the month of Aviv and celebrate the Passover of the LORD your God, because in the month of Aviv he brought you out of Egypt by night.
2 Sacrifice as the Passover to the LORD your God an animal from your flock or herd at the place the LORD will choose as a dwelling for his Name.
3 Do not eat it with bread made with yeast, but for seven days eat unleavened bread, the bread of affliction, because you left Egypt in haste—so that all the days of your life you may remember the time of your departure from Egypt.
4 Let no yeast be found in your possession in all your land for seven days. Do not let any of the meat you sacrifice on the evening of the first day remain until morning.
5 You must not sacrifice the Passover in any town the LORD your God gives you
6 except in the place he will choose as a dwelling for his Name. There you must sacrifice the Passover in the evening, when the sun goes down, on the anniversary[a] of your departure from Egypt.

Deuteronomy 16:1-6 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO DEUTERONOMY 16

This chapter treats of the three grand yearly festivals, of the feast of passover, when, where, and what was to be sacrificed, how to be dressed, and in what manner to be eaten, De 16:1-8, of the feast of pentecost, when to begin it, where and how it was to be observed, De 16:9-12, and of the feast of tabernacles, when, where, and how long it was to be kept, De 16:13-15, which three times in the year all the males were to appear before the Lord, and not empty, De 16:16,17, an order is given for the appointment of judges in the land, to execute judgment, De 16:18-20, and the chapter is closed with a caution against planting groves, and setting up images, De 16:21,22.

Cross References 9

  • 1. S Exodus 12:2; Exodus 13:4
  • 2. S Exodus 12:11; 2 Kings 23:21; Matthew 26:17-29
  • 3. Deuteronomy 12:5,26
  • 4. Exodus 12:8,39; Exodus 34:18; 1 Corinthians 5:8
  • 5. S Exodus 12:11; Exodus 12:11,15,19
  • 6. Ex 13:3,6-7; Deuteronomy 4:9
  • 7. S Exodus 12:6
  • 8. S Exodus 12:8; Mark 14:12; Exodus 12:10; Exodus 34:25
  • 9. S Exodus 12:42; Exodus 12:6; Deuteronomy 12:5

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Or "down, at the time of day"
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