There are two main popular understandings:
• According to the Hasidic Jewish view (System B) the Passover lamb was killed during the afternoon of Abib 14 and the Passover supper took place after sundown on Abib 15.
Abib 14 is a preparation day and not a High Sabbath. Abib 15-21 is the 7-day Festival of Unleavened Bread. Abib 15 and 21 are High Sabbath days. There are 8 days of eating unleavened bread.
• Among the Sacred Name groups of today, most hold to the Modern Hybrid view (System G) whereby, at the Exodus, the Passover lamb was killed at the start of Abib 14 after sundown and the Passover supper eaten that night.
Like the Hasidic Jews holding to System B, they consider Abib 14 to be a preparation day and not a High Sabbath. Abib 15-21 is the 7-day Festival of Unleavened Bread. Abib 15 and 21 are High Sabbath days. There are 8 days of eating unleavened bread.
For the seeker of truth, we are only left with the following possibilities.
1. One system is right.
2. Both systems are wrong.
If you have a strange suspicion that the second answer is more correct, then it is suggested that you read on.
This investigation sets forth the reasoning that when the original instructions for the Passover are read with an unbiased mind the solution for the true practice of the Festival of Passover and Unleavened Bread can be attained.
Not only should the reader have an unbiased mind toward any predetermined conclusions but he or she will have to apply the same type of investigative techniques as a detective would in order to solve a crime.
The truth of the matter is that most people are not trained in such investigative techniques. Nevertheless, we can proceed with our investigation because we have the assistance of the Yahu Ranger who is pretty good at cracking a lot of unsolved puzzles.
As we proceed, the Ranger will present facts from the book of Exodus thereby allowing the reader to utilize biblical forensics while assembling the pieces of evidence to unravel the days of Passover and Unleavened Bread.
Here is how it will work. The relevant verses will be given in three ways—English, Hebrew Masoretic Text (BHS), and the Greek Septuagint (LXX). We will utilize all three when necessary to help us during our investigation.
There will be emphasis given with all caps along with hot links to the associated definitions contained in the Hebrew and Greek lexicons. Other notations will be explained as we go along.
After each relevant verse, the Ranger will explain the forensics employed to elicit the true facts. As you will notice, some verses are self explanatory and will need no comment. When necessary we will employ other scriptures to define certain terms that need further clarification.
One other thing. Erase any preconceived thoughts about Passover, and proceed as if you are hearing the instructions from Yahweh for the first time as Moses and Aaron did during the Exodus.
Looks like this is going to be interesting so we best begin our interrogation of the book of Exodus.
Exodus 12:1
And Yahweh spoke unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying,
BHS – וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהוָה֙ אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֣ה וְאֶֽל־אַהֲרֹ֔ן בְּאֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרַ֖יִם לֵאמֹֽר׃
LXX – Εἶπεν δὲ Κύριος πρὸς Μωυσῆν καὶ Ἀαρὼν ἐν γῇ Αἰγύπτου λέγων
Exodus 12:2
This month [is] to you the beginning of months: it [is] the first month of the year to you.
BHS – הַחֹ֧דֶשׁ הַזֶּ֛ה לָכֶ֖ם רֹ֣אשׁ חֳדָשִׁ֑ים רִאשֹׁ֥ון הוּא֙ לָכֶ֔ם לְחָדְשֵׁ֖י הַשָּׁנָֽה׃
LXX – Ο μὴν οὗτος ὑμῖν ἀρχὴ μηνῶν, πρῶτός ἐστιν ὑμῖν ἐν τοῖς μησὶν τοῦ ἐνιαυτοῦ.
The facts indicate that Yahweh is speaking to Moses and Aaron on Abib 1 of the New Year.
Exodus 12:3
Speak you to all the congregation of Israel, saying, ON the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house:
BHS – דַּבְּר֗וּ אֶֽל־כָּל־עֲדַ֤ת יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר בֶּעָשֹׂ֖ר לַחֹ֣דֶשׁ הַזֶּ֑ה וְיִקְח֣וּ לָהֶ֗ם אִ֛ישׁ שֶׂ֥ה לְבֵית־אָבֹ֖ת שֶׂ֥ה לַבָּֽיִת׃
LXX – λάλησον πρὸς πᾶσαν συναγωγὴν υἱῶν Ἰσραὴλ λέγων Τῇ δεκάτῃ τοῦ μηνὸς τούτου λαβέτωσαν ἕκαστος πρόβατον κατ᾿ οἴκους πατριῶν, ἕκαστος πρόβατον κατ᾿ οἰκίαν.
The word “ON” is being emphasized to indicate that the Hebrew is quite specific as to when the lamb is being taken. On the tenth day of the month. The Hebrew be is an “inseparable preposition.” See hot link.
Exodus 12:4
And if the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbour next unto his house take it according to the number of persons; every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb.
BHS – וְאִם־יִמְעַ֣ט הַבַּיִת֮ מִהְיֹ֣ת מִשֶּׂה֒ וְלָקַ֣ח ה֗וּא וּשְׁכֵנֹ֛ו הַקָּרֹ֥ב אֶל־בֵּיתֹ֖ו בְּמִכְסַ֣ת נְפָשֹׁ֑ת אִ֚ישׁ לְפִ֣י אָכְלֹ֔ו תָּכֹ֖סּוּ עַל־הַשֶּֽׂה׃
LXX – ἐὰν δὲ ὀλιγοστοὶ ὦσιν οἱ ἐν τῇ οἰκίᾳ ὥστε μὴ εἶναι ἱκανοὺς εἰς πρόβατον, συλλήμψεται μεθ᾿ ἑαυτοῦ τὸν γείτονα τὸν πλησίον αὐτοῦ· κατὰ ἀριθμὸν ψυχῶν ἕκαστος τὸ ἀρκοῦν αὐτῷ συναριθμήσεται εἰς πρόβατον.
Exodus 12:5
Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: you shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats:
BHS – שֶׂ֥ה תָמִ֛ים זָכָ֥ר בֶּן־שָׁנָ֖ה יִהְיֶ֣ה לָכֶ֑ם מִן־הַכְּבָשִׂ֥ים וּמִן־הָעִזִּ֖ים תִּקָּֽחוּ׃
LXX – πρόβατον τέλειον ἄρσεν ἐνιαύσιον ἔσται ὑμῖν· ἀπὸ τῶν ἀρνῶν καὶ τῶν ἐρίφων λήμψεσθε.
Exodus 12:6
And you shall keep it up UNTIL the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it BYN HA-ARABIM (BETWEEN THE EVENINGS).
BHS – וְהָיָ֤ה לָכֶם֙ לְמִשְׁמֶ֔רֶת עַ֣ד אַרְבָּעָ֥ה עָשָׂ֛ר יֹ֖ום לַחֹ֣דֶשׁ הַזֶּ֑ה וְשָׁחֲט֣וּ אֹתֹ֗ו כֹּ֛ל קְהַ֥ל עֲדַֽת־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל בֵּ֥ין הָעַרְבָּֽיִם׃
LXX – καὶ ἔσται ὑμῖν διατετηρημένον ἕως τῆς τεσσαρεσκαιδεκάτης τοῦ μηνὸς τούτου, καὶ σφάξουσιν αὐτὸ πᾶν τὸ πλῆθος συναγωγῆς υἱῶν Ἰσραὴλ πρὸς ἑσπέραν.
The lamb shall be kept AD (UNTIL) Abib 14 (see definition of the Hebrew and Greek words per the hotlinks). The Hebrew word AD can be inclusive or exclusive depending on context. The exclusive meaning would have the lamb sacrificed at the beginning of Abib 14 at sundown. System B makes AD to mean inclusive, therefore the lamb could be kept alive well after sunset of Abib 14. The lamb is to be killed BETWEEN THE EVENINGS. The Hebrew phrase BYN HA-ARABIM means either “just after sunset” (System G) or “the late afternoon” (System B). Refer to the hot links for the Hebrew and Greek words and their definitions. It will become evident what meaning is correct and therefore, at what time the Passover lamb was killed as we proceed.
Exodus 12:7
And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it.
BHS – וְלָֽקְחוּ֙ מִן־הַדָּ֔ם וְנָֽתְנ֛וּ עַל־שְׁתֵּ֥י הַמְּזוּזֹ֖ת וְעַל־הַמַּשְׁקֹ֑וף עַ֚ל הַבָּ֣תִּ֔ים אֲשֶׁר־יֹאכְל֥וּ אֹתֹ֖ו בָּהֶֽם׃
LXX – καὶ λήμψονται ἀπὸ τοῦ αἵματος, καὶ θήσουσιν ἐπὶ τῶν δύο σταθμῶν καὶ ἐπὶ τὴν φλιὰν ἐν τοῖς οἴκοις ἐν οἷς ἐὰν φάγωσιν αὐτὰ ἐν αὐτοῖς.
Exodus 12:8
And they shall eat the flesh IN THIS NIGHT, roast with fire, and UNLEAVENED BREAD; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it.
BHS – וְאָכְל֥וּ אֶת־הַבָּשָׂ֖ר בַּלַּ֣יְלָה הַזֶּ֑ה צְלִי־אֵ֣שׁ וּמַצֹּ֔ות עַל־מְרֹרִ֖ים יֹאכְלֻֽהוּ׃
LXX – καὶ φάγονται τὰ κρέα τῇ νυκτὶ ταύτῃ ὀπτὰ πυρί, καὶ ἄζυμα ἐπὶ πικρίδων ἔδονται.
We now have conclusive proof of the meaning of byn ha-arabim as being the period of time just after sunset and before dark at the beginning of the day. The flesh is to be eaten IN THIS NIGHT. THIS NIGHT has to occur on the same day as when the lamb was killed byn ha-arabim. Scriptures have already established that this day was Abib 14. If one were to kill the lamb during the afternoon of Abib 14 then the night would occur on Abib 15 in direct conflict with the instructions from Scriptures. The flesh was to be eaten IN THIS NIGHT of Abib 14. Importantly, one begins to eat UNLEAVENED BREAD with “it” (the Passover lamb) at the start of Abib 14!
Exodus 12:9
Do not eat any of it raw or boiled with water, but roasted, its head with its legs and its inner parts.
BHS – אַל־תֹּאכְל֤וּ מִמֶּ֙נּוּ֙ נָ֔א וּבָשֵׁ֥ל מְבֻשָּׁ֖ל בַּמָּ֑יִם כִּ֣י אִם־צְלִי־אֵ֔שׁ רֹאשֹׁ֥ו עַל־כְּרָעָ֖יו וְעַל־קִרְבֹּֽו׃
LXX – οὐκ ἔδεσθε ἀπ᾿ αὐτῶν ὠμὸν οὐδὲ ἡψημένον ἐν
Exodus 12:10
And you shall let none of it remain UNTIL MORNING, anything that remains UNTIL MORNING you shall burn.
BHS – וְלֹא־תֹותִ֥ירוּ מִמֶּ֖נּוּ עַד־בֹּ֑קֶר וְהַנֹּתָ֥ר מִמֶּ֛נּוּ עַד־בֹּ֖קֶר בָּאֵ֥שׁ תִּשְׂרֹֽפוּ׃
LXX – οὐκ ἀπολείψεται ἀπ᾿ αὐτοῦ ἕως πρωί, καὶ ὀστοῦν οὐ συντρίψεται ἀπ᾿ αὐτοῦ· τὰ δὲ καταλιπόμενα ἀπ᾿ αὐτοῦ ἕως πρωὶ ἐν πυρὶ κατακαύσετε.
More proof that byn ha-arabim is the beginning of the day just after sunset. After eating the flesh “THIS NIGHT” of Abib 14, whatever remained ad baqar (until morning) was to be burned. The Hebrew word baqar means early morning before sunrise (see link). Also see the Greek term proi (see link).
Exodus 12:11
In this manner you shall eat it: your loins girded, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and you shall eat it in haste. It is Yahweh’s passover.
BHS – וְכָכָה֮ תֹּאכְל֣וּ אֹתֹו֒ מָתְנֵיכֶ֣ם חֲגֻרִ֔ים נַֽעֲלֵיכֶם֙ בְּרַגְלֵיכֶ֔ם וּמַקֶּלְכֶ֖ם בְּיֶדְכֶ֑ם וַאֲכַלְתֶּ֤ם אֹתֹו֙ בְּחִפָּזֹ֔ון פֶּ֥סַח ה֖וּא לַיהוָֽה׃
LXX – οὕτως δὲ φάγεσθε αὐτό· αἱ ὀσφύες ὑμῶν περιεζωσμέναι, καὶ τὰ ὑποδήματα ἐν τοῖς ποσὶν ὑμῶν, καὶ αἱ βακτηρίαι ἐν ταῖς χερσὶν ὑμῶν, καὶ ἔδεσθε αὐτὸ μετὰ σπουδῆς· πάσχα ἐστὶν Κυρίῳ.
The instructions are to eat the Passover meal in haste, being prepared to travel. The Israelites knew they were not permitted to leave their location because of their being slaves to the government of Egypt. Therefore there would be an expectation that sometime shortly after the Passover meal there would be a change of status for the Israelites, allowing them freedom to travel from their location in Goshen.
Exodus 12:12
For I will pass through the land of Egypt THIS NIGHT, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the eloahi of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am Yahweh.
BHS – וְעָבַרְתִּ֣י בְאֶֽרֶץ־מִצְרַיִם֮ בַּלַּ֣יְלָה הַזֶּה֒ וְהִכֵּיתִ֤י כָל־בְּכֹור֙ בְּאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרַ֔יִם מֵאָדָ֖ם וְעַד־בְּהֵמָ֑ה וּבְכָל־אֱלֹהֵ֥י מִצְרַ֛יִם אֶֽעֱשֶׂ֥ה שְׁפָטִ֖ים אֲנִ֥י יְהוָֽה׃
LXX – καὶ ἐλεύσομαι ἐν γῇ Αἰγύπτῳ ἐν τῇ νυκτὶ ταύτῃ, καὶ πατάξω πᾶν πρωτότοκον ἐν γῇ Αἰγύπτῳ ἀπὸ ἀνθρώπου ἕως κτήνους, καὶ ἐν πᾶσιν τοῖς θεοῖς τῶν Αἰγυπτίων ποιήσω τὴν ἐκδίκησιν· ἐγὼ Κύριος.
THIS NIGHT all the firstborn of Egypt will be killed by Yahweh. THIS NIGHT has to occur on same day as when the Passover meal was eaten, Abib 14. The Hebrew and Greek words agree regarding THIS NIGHT (see links).
Exodus 12:13
And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where you are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.
BHS – וְהָיָה֩ הַדָּ֨ם לָכֶ֜ם לְאֹ֗ת עַ֤ל הַבָּתִּים֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אַתֶּ֣ם שָׁ֔ם וְרָאִ֙יתִי֙ אֶת־הַדָּ֔ם וּפָסַחְתִּ֖י עֲלֵכֶ֑ם וְלֹֽא־יִֽהְיֶ֨ה בָכֶ֥ם נֶ֙גֶף֙ לְמַשְׁחִ֔ית בְּהַכֹּתִ֖י בְּאֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרָֽיִם׃
LXX – καὶ ἔσται τὸ αἷμα ὑμῖν ἐν σημείῳ ἐπὶ τῶν οἰκιῶν ἐν αἷς ὑμεῖς ἐστὲ ἐκεῖ· καὶ ὄψομαι τὸ αἷμα, καὶ σκεπάσω ὑμᾶς, καὶ οὐκ ἔσται ἐν ὑμῖν πληγὴ τοῦ ἐκτριβῆναι ὅταν παίω ἐν γῇ Αἰγύπτῳ.
Yahweh will not afflict the houses smeared with blood. Yahweh will also be the one smiting and destroying the land of Egypt.
Exodus 12:14
THIS DAY shall be for you a memorial day, and YOU SHALL KEEP IT AS A KHAG (FESTIVAL) to Yahweh; throughout your generations you shall observe it an ordinance for a world-age lasting time.
BHS – וְהָיָה֩ הַיֹּ֨ום הַזֶּ֤ה לָכֶם֙ לְזִכָּרֹ֔ון וְחַגֹּתֶ֥ם אֹתֹ֖ו חַ֣ג לַֽיהוָ֑ה לְדֹרֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם חֻקַּ֥ת עֹולָ֖ם תְּחָגֻּֽהוּ׃
LXX – καὶ ἔσται ἡ ἡμέρα ὑμῖν αὕτη μνημόσυνον, καὶ ἑορτάσετε αὐτὴν ἑορτὴν Κυρίῳ εἰς πάσας τὰς γενεὰς ὑμῶν· νόμιμον αἰώνιον ἑορτάσετε αὐτήν.
Notice that most English translators have added the word “as” to the verse which is not in the original texts. THIS DAY, Abib 14, is not only a memorial day but is also a KHAG (FESTIVAL DAY). See links to Hebrew and Greek words. The Festival of Passover is an ordinance or statute to be kept and observed for a world-age lasting time.
Be sure to continue with the second installment of our Exodus investigation titled: 31. Passover – Exodus Interrogated II.