Exodus 12:3 - Clarke's commentary and critical notes on the Bible

Bible Comments

Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In 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: In the tenth day of this month - In after times they began their preparation on the thirteenth day or day before the Passover, which was not celebrated till the fourteenth day, see Exodus 12:6 : but on the present occasion, as this was their first passover, they probably required more time to get ready in; as a state of very great confusion must have prevailed at this time. Mr. Ainsworth remarks that on this day the Israelites did afterwards go through Jordan into the land of Canaan; Joshua 4:19. And Christ, our Paschal Lamb, on this day entered Jerusalem, riding on an ass; the people bearing palm branches, and crying, Hosanna, John 12:1, John 12:12, John 12:13, etc.: and in him this type was truly fulfilled.

A lamb - The original word שה seh signifies the young of sheep and of goats, and may be indifferently translated either lamb or kid. See Exodus 12:5.

A lamb for a house - The whole host of Israel was divided into twelve tribes, these tribes into families, the families into houses, and the houses into particular persons; Numbers 1, Joshua 7:14 - Ainsworth.

Exodus 12:3

3 Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb,a according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house: