“And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it.”
Exodus 12:8 is part of the account of the institution of the Passover in the book of Exodus. The context of this verse takes place during the time when the Israelites were in bondage in Egypt under Pharaoh’s rule. God had sent Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt and to deliver them from slavery.
In preparation for their departure from Egypt, God instructed Moses to give specific instructions to the Israelites regarding the Passover feast. The Passover was a significant event that commemorated the final plague on Egypt when God struck down all the firstborn in the land, sparing the Israelites who had applied the blood of a lamb on their doorposts.
In Exodus 12:8, God provides instructions on how the Israelites were to eat the Passover lamb. They were to roast the lamb with fire and eat it along with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. This meal held deep symbolic meaning and served as a reminder of the events surrounding their liberation from slavery.
Roasting with fire: Roasting the lamb with fire symbolized the haste with which the Israelites were to leave Egypt. They were not to boil or eat the lamb raw, but rather roast it over fire. This cooking method also ensured that the lamb would be thoroughly cooked and ready to eat before their departure.
Unleavened bread: The Israelites were instructed to eat the Passover meal with unleavened bread. The removal of leaven (yeast) from their bread signified the need for haste in leaving Egypt. Leaven often represents sin or corruption in the Bible, and by consuming unleavened bread, the Israelites were symbolically purifying themselves for the journey ahead.
Bitter herbs: The inclusion of bitter herbs in the Passover meal served as a reminder of the bitterness of their slavery in Egypt. These herbs would have added a pungent and bitter taste, symbolizing the harshness of their bondage. The bitterness also contrasted with the sweetness of their liberation and the joy they would experience upon leaving Egypt.
Overall, Exodus 12:8 captures the specific instructions given to the Israelites regarding the preparation and consumption of the Passover meal. It highlights the urgency of their departure, the need for purification, and the remembrance of their bitter past as they prepared to embark on a journey toward freedom and the Promised Land.
It is important to note that the Passover meal and its significance extend beyond Exodus 12:8. The Passover is a recurring observance in Jewish tradition and holds great theological significance in Christianity as well, where it is often seen as a foreshadowing of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, whose blood brings salvation and deliverance from sin.
