Exodus 12:49 - One law shall be to him who is born at home, and to the stranger who lives as a foreigner among you.”
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Exodus 12:49" mean?
Exodus 12:49, "One law shall be to him who is born at home, and to the stranger who lives as a foreigner among you," means that the same laws and regulations applied equally to native-born Israelites and to foreigners who resided permanently within their community. Specifically in the context of Exodus 12, it's referring to the laws surrounding the Passover sacrifice.
Here's a breakdown of the key aspects:
"One law": This emphasizes equality and impartiality under the law. It meant that everyone was subject to the same rules and consequences, regardless of their origin or status.
"Him who is born at home": This refers to native-born Israelites.
"The stranger who lives as a foreigner among you": This refers to resident aliens or sojourners - people who were not born into the Israelite nation but lived amongst them, accepting their laws and customs. These weren't simply temporary visitors, but individuals who had chosen to integrate into Israelite society. They were often called "ger" in Hebrew, and their status was distinct from enemy aliens or temporary travelers.
Implications and Context:
Inclusivity and Justice: The verse demonstrates a commitment to justice and inclusivity. It recognizes the inherent value of all people living within the Israelite community, regardless of their origin. It suggests a departure from the more common ancient practice of treating foreigners as having fewer rights.
Religious Participation: In the context of Exodus 12, this applied directly to the Passover observance. A foreigner who wanted to participate in the Passover (a central religious ritual) had to be circumcised (as specified earlier in the chapter) and then could partake of the sacrifice, just like a native Israelite.
Social Cohesion: By applying the same laws to both groups, it fostered social cohesion and integration. It helped to create a unified community, even though its members came from different backgrounds.
Moral Imperative: This verse reflects a broader moral imperative within the Hebrew Bible to treat foreigners with kindness and justice, remembering that the Israelites themselves were once strangers in the land of Egypt (Exodus 22:21; Deuteronomy 10:19).
Important Considerations:
This equality applied primarily to those who were integrated into the community and followed its religious and social norms. It didn't necessarily extend to all foreigners who might have been passing through the land.
While the verse emphasizes equality under the law, it's important to acknowledge that the social and economic realities of the time may not have always perfectly reflected this ideal.
Exodus 12:49 - One law shall be to him who is born at home, and to the stranger who lives as a foreigner among you.”
What does "Exodus 12:49" mean?
Exodus 12:49, "One law shall be to him who is born at home, and to the stranger who lives as a foreigner among you," means that the same laws and regulations applied equally to native-born Israelites and to foreigners who resided permanently within their community. Specifically in the context of Exodus 12, it's referring to the laws surrounding the Passover sacrifice.
Here's a breakdown of the key aspects:
"One law": This emphasizes equality and impartiality under the law. It meant that everyone was subject to the same rules and consequences, regardless of their origin or status.
"Him who is born at home": This refers to native-born Israelites.
"The stranger who lives as a foreigner among you": This refers to resident aliens or sojourners - people who were not born into the Israelite nation but lived amongst them, accepting their laws and customs. These weren't simply temporary visitors, but individuals who had chosen to integrate into Israelite society. They were often called "ger" in Hebrew, and their status was distinct from enemy aliens or temporary travelers.
Implications and Context:
Inclusivity and Justice: The verse demonstrates a commitment to justice and inclusivity. It recognizes the inherent value of all people living within the Israelite community, regardless of their origin. It suggests a departure from the more common ancient practice of treating foreigners as having fewer rights.
Religious Participation: In the context of Exodus 12, this applied directly to the Passover observance. A foreigner who wanted to participate in the Passover (a central religious ritual) had to be circumcised (as specified earlier in the chapter) and then could partake of the sacrifice, just like a native Israelite.
Social Cohesion: By applying the same laws to both groups, it fostered social cohesion and integration. It helped to create a unified community, even though its members came from different backgrounds.
Moral Imperative: This verse reflects a broader moral imperative within the Hebrew Bible to treat foreigners with kindness and justice, remembering that the Israelites themselves were once strangers in the land of Egypt (Exodus 22:21; Deuteronomy 10:19).
Important Considerations:
This equality applied primarily to those who were integrated into the community and followed its religious and social norms. It didn't necessarily extend to all foreigners who might have been passing through the land.
While the verse emphasizes equality under the law, it's important to acknowledge that the social and economic realities of the time may not have always perfectly reflected this ideal.