At even. — Hebrew, between the two evenings. (See Note on Exodus 12:6.)
According to all the rites of it, and according to all the ceremonies thereof. — Better, according to all the statutes and ordinances thereof. It is obvious that some of the directions concerning the Egyptian Passover could not be observed in the wilderness. The reference must, therefore, be to those statutes and ordinances respecting the Passover which were of permanent obligation. (Comp. Numbers 9:12, where the ordinance respecting the time of observance is necessarily excluded.) Some of these are found in Exodus 12, whilst others of a later date are recorded in Leviticus 17 and Deuteronomy 16. It has been objected that three priests (for Nadab and Abihu were dead) could not sprinkle the blood of the large number of lambs which must have been slain. It must be remembered, however, (1) that there is no express injunction respecting the sprinkling of the blood on this occasion; and (2) that the priests were probably assisted at this time in the performance of some of their duties — as we are expressly informed that they were at the Passovers celebrated by Hezekiah and by Josiah (2 Chronicles 30:16; 2 Chronicles 35:11) — by the Levites.