Exodus 12:46 - It must be eaten in one house. You shall not carry any of the meat outside of the house. Do not break any of its bones.

Generated Verse: Exodus 12:46

What does "Exodus 12:46" mean?


Exodus 12:46 is part of the instructions for observing the Passover. Let's break down each part of the verse:

"It must be eaten in one house." This emphasizes the communal nature of the Passover meal. The entire group observing the Passover in that particular house must consume the lamb there. The Passover was a family/community event, and everyone partaking had to do so together in the designated location.

"You shall not carry any of the meat outside of the house." This reinforces the idea of the meal being contained within the house. Once brought into the house for the Passover, no meat was to leave. This could be interpreted as:

Preventing desecration: Keeping the consecrated lamb separate from the outside world, preventing it from being treated as regular food.
Emphasis on unity: The entire lamb was to be consumed within the community of the house, strengthening their shared experience and solidarity.
Preventing sharing outside the group: The Passover was specifically for those who had accepted God's covenant and followed his instructions. Sharing it outside that group would be against the established rules.

"Do not break any of its bones." This instruction is quite specific. The most common interpretations include:

Maintaining the integrity of the sacrifice: The lamb was to be presented to God as a whole and unblemished offering. Breaking the bones would mar its perfection.
Symbolism: Some see this as a foreshadowing of Jesus Christ, the "Lamb of God," whose bones were not broken on the cross (John 19:36). This is a Christian interpretation that recognizes the connection between the Passover lamb and the sacrifice of Christ.
Practical Consideration: Given the timeframe to consume the lamb, and the large groups involved, avoiding breaking bones likely helped ensure everyone received their share of the meat.

In Summary:

The verse in Exodus 12:46 emphasizes the communal, contained, and reverent nature of the Passover meal. It highlights the importance of keeping the sacrifice whole and consuming it together as a united household. These instructions served to create a specific ritual experience that would remind the Israelites of their deliverance from slavery and their covenant with God.