Exodus 13:14 - It shall be, when your son asks you in time to come, saying, ‘What is this?’ that you shall tell him, ‘By strength of hand Yahweh brought us out from Egypt, from the house of bondage.
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What does "Exodus 13:14" mean?
This verse from Exodus 13:14 is a key instruction within the context of the Passover and the Exodus narrative. Let's break it down:
"It shall be, when your son asks you in time to come, saying, ‘What is this?’": This sets up a future scenario. It anticipates a time when the children of the Israelites will be curious about the religious practices or observances they are engaging in. The phrase "What is this?" is the specific question the child is expected to ask.
"that you shall tell him, ‘By strength of hand Yahweh brought us out from Egypt, from the house of bondage.’": This is the answer the parent is instructed to give. It's a concise summary of the Exodus event. Let's look closer:
"By strength of hand Yahweh": This emphasizes that it was God (Yahweh, often translated as the Lord) who powerfully delivered the Israelites. The "strength of hand" is a figure of speech indicating God's might and intervention.
"brought us out from Egypt": This identifies the place of oppression and enslavement.
"from the house of bondage": This reinforces the state of slavery the Israelites were in. Egypt was not just a place, but a system of forced labor and subjugation.
In essence, the verse mandates the transmission of the Exodus story from one generation to the next. It emphasizes the importance of parents teaching their children about their history and, most importantly, about God's role in delivering them from slavery. The question "What is this?" is a critical opening for parents to explain the meaning and significance of their religious practices and their identity as a people freed by God.
Key Takeaways:
Intergenerational transmission of faith and history: The verse highlights the crucial role of parents in educating their children about their religious heritage.
The Exodus as a foundational event: It underscores the importance of the Exodus story as the basis of Israel's identity and their relationship with God.
God's power and deliverance: It emphasizes that God was the agent of their freedom, acting with power to overcome oppression.
The obligation to remember: It implies a responsibility to remember the hardships of slavery and to be grateful for the freedom God provided.
This verse is part of a larger passage (Exodus 13:1-16) dealing with the consecration of the firstborn and the commandment to observe the Passover. These rituals serve as constant reminders of the Exodus and the covenant between God and Israel. The question-and-answer format ensures that the story will be told and retold, keeping the memory of the Exodus alive in each generation.
Exodus 13:14 - It shall be, when your son asks you in time to come, saying, ‘What is this?’ that you shall tell him, ‘By strength of hand Yahweh brought us out from Egypt, from the house of bondage.
What does "Exodus 13:14" mean?
This verse from Exodus 13:14 is a key instruction within the context of the Passover and the Exodus narrative. Let's break it down:
"It shall be, when your son asks you in time to come, saying, ‘What is this?’": This sets up a future scenario. It anticipates a time when the children of the Israelites will be curious about the religious practices or observances they are engaging in. The phrase "What is this?" is the specific question the child is expected to ask.
"that you shall tell him, ‘By strength of hand Yahweh brought us out from Egypt, from the house of bondage.’": This is the answer the parent is instructed to give. It's a concise summary of the Exodus event. Let's look closer:
"By strength of hand Yahweh": This emphasizes that it was God (Yahweh, often translated as the Lord) who powerfully delivered the Israelites. The "strength of hand" is a figure of speech indicating God's might and intervention.
"brought us out from Egypt": This identifies the place of oppression and enslavement.
"from the house of bondage": This reinforces the state of slavery the Israelites were in. Egypt was not just a place, but a system of forced labor and subjugation.
In essence, the verse mandates the transmission of the Exodus story from one generation to the next. It emphasizes the importance of parents teaching their children about their history and, most importantly, about God's role in delivering them from slavery. The question "What is this?" is a critical opening for parents to explain the meaning and significance of their religious practices and their identity as a people freed by God.
Key Takeaways:
Intergenerational transmission of faith and history: The verse highlights the crucial role of parents in educating their children about their religious heritage.
The Exodus as a foundational event: It underscores the importance of the Exodus story as the basis of Israel's identity and their relationship with God.
God's power and deliverance: It emphasizes that God was the agent of their freedom, acting with power to overcome oppression.
The obligation to remember: It implies a responsibility to remember the hardships of slavery and to be grateful for the freedom God provided.
This verse is part of a larger passage (Exodus 13:1-16) dealing with the consecration of the firstborn and the commandment to observe the Passover. These rituals serve as constant reminders of the Exodus and the covenant between God and Israel. The question-and-answer format ensures that the story will be told and retold, keeping the memory of the Exodus alive in each generation.