Bible Strands
Exodus 12:42
Because the LORD kept a vigil that night to bring them out of the land of Egypt, this same night is to be a vigil to the LORD, to be observed by all the Israelites for the generations to come.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — This verse operates as a declarative institution following the historical account of Israel’s departure at the conclusion of the four hundred and thirty years, functioning as a general command rather than a direct address to Moses and Aaron.
The words — The Hebrew לֵ֣יל (leil) paired with שִׁמֻּרִ֥ים (shi.mu.Rim) literally renders a “night of vigil(s)” or watched night. This phrasing explicitly ties the observance to Yahweh’s past action of bringing them out of Egypt.
The thread — The directive recurs as a permanent statute in Exodus 12:14, is anchored to the month of Abib in Deuteronomy 16:1, and is reinforced as a yearly obligation in Exodus 13:10.
Why it lands — The text requires Israel to mark the specific night of deliverance as a continuous, generational vigil. Readers must treat the command as a binding historical memorial rather than a symbolic or optional practice.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
It is a night to be much observed unto the Lord for bringing them out from the land of Egypt: this is that night of the Lord to be observed of all the children of Israel in their generations.
Cross-references
- Exodus 12:14 And this day will be a memorial for you, and you are to celebrate it as a feast to the LORD, as a permanent statute for the generations to come.
- Deuteronomy 16:1 Observe the month of Abib and celebrate the Passover to the LORD your God, because in the month of Abib the LORD your God brought you out of Egypt by night.
- Exodus 13:10 Therefore you shall keep this statute at the appointed time year after year.