Bible Strands
Exodus 12:44
But any slave who has been purchased may eat of it, after you have circumcised him.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The LORD speaks to Moses and Aaron while instituting the Passover, defining the boundaries of who may partake in the meal.
The words — מִקְנַת כָּסֶף (miknat kesef) literally means "purchased with silver," and וּמַלְתָּה (u./mal.Tah) translates to "and you will circumcise."
The thread — The requirement to circumcise purchased males before eating appears in Genesis 17:23, where Abraham extends the covenant sign to his household, and aligns with the earlier command in Genesis 17:12.
Why it lands — The text states that a purchased slave may eat the Passover only after being circumcised, making covenant inclusion a strict prerequisite for participation.
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
But every man’s servant that is bought for money, when thou hast circumcised him, then shall he eat thereof.
Cross-references
- Genesis 17:12 Generation after generation, every male must be circumcised when he is eight days old, including those born in your household and those purchased from a foreigner—even those who are not your offspring.
- Genesis 17:23 On that very day Abraham took his son Ishmael and all those born in his household or purchased with his money—every male among the members of Abraham’s household—and he circumcised them, just as God had told him.