Exodus 13:4

4 On this day in early spring, in the month of Abib, you have been set free.

Exodus 13:4 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 13:4

This day came ye out
Out of Egypt, on the fifteenth of Nisan, as the Targum of Jonathan: in the month Abib;
which signifies an ear of corn, because in this month barley was in the ear, see ( Exodus 9:31 ) , the Syriac version renders it, "in the month of flowers"; when the flowers were rising up out of the earth, being spring time, and a very fit time to travel in; and this is observed, not only because they might not know what month it was, in such a state of ignorance, as well as servitude, were they kept in Egypt; but as Jarchi also intimates, to point out to them the mercy and goodness of God to them, in bringing them out at such a seasonable time to travel in, when there were neither heat, nor cold, nor rain. This month answers to part of our March, and part of April.

Exodus 13:4 In-Context

2 “Dedicate to me every firstborn among the Israelites. The first offspring to be born, of both humans and animals, belongs to me.”

3 So Moses said to the people, “This is a day to remember forever—the day you left Egypt, the place of your slavery. Today the LORD has brought you out by the power of his mighty hand. (Remember, eat no food containing yeast.)

4 On this day in early spring, in the month of Abib, you have been set free.

5 You must celebrate this event in this month each year after the LORD brings you into the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Hivites, and Jebusites. (He swore to your ancestors that he would give you this land—a land flowing with milk and honey.)

6 For seven days the bread you eat must be made without yeast. Then on the seventh day, celebrate a feast to the LORD .

Footnotes

• [a]. Hebrew On this day in the month of Abib. This first month of the ancient Hebrew lunar calendar usually occurs within the months of March and April.