Exodus 12:5
Exodus 12:5 in Multiple Translations
Your lamb must be an unblemished year-old male, and you may take it from the sheep or the goats.
Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats:
Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male a year old: ye shall take it from the sheep, or from the goats:
Let your lamb be without a mark, a male in its first year: you may take it from among the sheep or the goats:
Your lamb must be a year-old male without any defects, and you can take it either from the sheep or the goats.
Your lambe shalbe without blemish, a male of a yeere olde: ye shall take it of the lambes, or of the kiddes.
a lamb, a perfect one, a male, a son of a year, let be to you; from the sheep or from the goats ye do take [it].
Your lamb shall be without defect, a male a year old. You shall take it from the sheep or from the goats.
Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it from the sheep or from the goats:
And it shall be a lamb without blemish, a male, of one year: according to which rite also you shall take a kid.
The lambs or goats that you choose must be males, one-year-old, and they must not have any defects.
Berean Amplified Bible — Exodus 12:5
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Exodus 12:5 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Hebrew Word Reference — Exodus 12:5
Study Notes — Exodus 12:5
- Context
- Cross References
- Exodus 12:5 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Exodus 12:5
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 12:5
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Exodus 12:5
- Trapp's Commentary on Exodus 12:5
- Ellicott's Commentary on Exodus 12:5
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Exodus 12:5
- Cambridge Bible on Exodus 12:5
- Barnes' Notes on Exodus 12:5
- Whedon's Commentary on Exodus 12:5
- Sermons on Exodus 12:5
Context — The First Passover
5Your lamb must be an unblemished year-old male, and you may take it from the sheep or the goats.
6You must keep it until the fourteenth day of the month, when the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel will slaughter the animals at twilight. 7They are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the lambs.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Peter 1:18–19 | For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life you inherited from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot. |
| 2 | Hebrews 9:13–14 | For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that their bodies are clean, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, purify our consciences from works of death, so that we may serve the living God! |
| 3 | Malachi 1:14 | “But cursed is the deceiver who has an acceptable male in his flock and vows to give it, but sacrifices a defective animal to the Lord. For I am a great King,” says the LORD of Hosts, “and My name is to be feared among the nations. |
| 4 | Deuteronomy 17:1 | You shall not sacrifice to the LORD your God an ox or a sheep with any defect or serious flaw, for that is detestable to the LORD your God. |
| 5 | Malachi 1:7–8 | By presenting defiled food on My altar. But you ask, ‘How have we defiled You ?’ By saying that the table of the LORD is contemptible. When you offer blind animals for sacrifice, is it not wrong? And when you present the lame and sick ones, is it not wrong? Try offering them to your governor! Would he be pleased with you or show you favor?” asks the LORD of Hosts. |
| 6 | Hebrews 7:26 | Such a high priest truly befits us—One who is holy, innocent, undefiled, set apart from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. |
| 7 | Leviticus 23:12 | On the day you wave the sheaf, you shall offer a year-old lamb without blemish as a burnt offering to the LORD, |
| 8 | Leviticus 1:10 | If, however, one’s offering is a burnt offering from the flock—from the sheep or goats—he is to present an unblemished male. |
| 9 | Leviticus 22:18–24 | “Speak to Aaron and his sons and all the Israelites and tell them, ‘Any man of the house of Israel or any foreign resident who presents a gift for a burnt offering to the LORD, whether to fulfill a vow or as a freewill offering, must offer an unblemished male from the cattle, sheep, or goats in order for it to be accepted on your behalf. You must not present anything with a defect, because it will not be accepted on your behalf. When a man presents a peace offering to the LORD from the herd or flock to fulfill a vow or as a freewill offering, it must be without blemish or defect to be acceptable. You are not to present to the LORD any animal that is blind, injured, or maimed, or anything with a running sore, a festering rash, or a scab; you must not put any of these on the altar as an offering made by fire to the LORD. You may present as a freewill offering an ox or sheep that has a deformed or stunted limb, but it is not acceptable in fulfillment of a vow. You are not to present to the LORD an animal whose testicles are bruised, crushed, torn, or cut; you are not to sacrifice them in your land. |
| 10 | Leviticus 1:3 | If one’s offering is a burnt offering from the herd, he is to present an unblemished male. He must bring it to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting for its acceptance before the LORD. |
Exodus 12:5 Summary
This verse means that when the Israelites were getting ready to leave Egypt, God told them to pick a perfect, one-year-old male lamb to sacrifice. This lamb had to be without any defects, which is like how Jesus was perfect and without sin (Hebrews 4:15). God wanted the Israelites to understand that their salvation would come from a perfect sacrifice, and this lamb was a symbol of that. By following God's instructions carefully, the Israelites could trust in His plan to save them, just as we can trust in Jesus Christ for our salvation today (John 1:29).
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did God specify that the lamb had to be a year-old male?
This requirement emphasizes the importance of purity and perfection, as seen in Exodus 12:5, and points forward to the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who was without blemish (1 Peter 1:19).
Can I apply the principle of selecting an unblemished lamb to my everyday life?
Yes, just as the Israelites were to select an unblemished lamb, we are called to strive for holiness and purity in our own lives, as encouraged in Leviticus 11:44-45 and 1 Thessalonians 4:7.
Why were both sheep and goats acceptable for the lamb?
The fact that God allowed either sheep or goats, as stated in Exodus 12:5, shows His provision and flexibility, while still maintaining the requirement for an unblemished male, highlighting His attention to detail and care for His people.
How does this verse relate to the broader theme of redemption in the Bible?
The requirement for an unblemished lamb in Exodus 12:5 foreshadows the ultimate redemption through Jesus Christ, who is described as a lamb without blemish in 1 Peter 1:19, and underscores the idea that salvation comes through the perfect sacrifice of a sinless Savior.
Reflection Questions
- What does the requirement for an unblemished lamb reveal about God's character and expectations for His people?
- In what ways can I reflect the purity and perfection of Christ in my own life, just as the Israelites were to select a perfect lamb?
- How does the concept of an unblemished lamb relate to the idea of being 'set apart' for God's purposes, as seen in Leviticus 20:26?
- What role does faith play in trusting God's instructions, even when they seem specific or unusual, like the requirement for a year-old male lamb?
Gill's Exposition on Exodus 12:5
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 12:5
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Exodus 12:5
Trapp's Commentary on Exodus 12:5
Ellicott's Commentary on Exodus 12:5
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Exodus 12:5
Cambridge Bible on Exodus 12:5
Barnes' Notes on Exodus 12:5
Whedon's Commentary on Exodus 12:5
Sermons on Exodus 12:5
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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(Exodus) Exodus 12:5-8 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the preacher shares his experiences as a young preacher in Middle Tennessee. He talks about how he used to hold meetings in country churches during the summer and h |
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The Lord's Supper by Jacob Prasch | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of Jesus' final moments before his crucifixion. Jesus prioritized spending time with his disciples and discussing important ma |
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Unsearchable Riches of Christ - Part 3 by T. Austin-Sparks | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the concept of balance and completeness in relation to God's possession and redemption. Using the parables of the lost son, lost sheep, and lo |
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The Christian Mindset - Part 4 by Art Katz | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the clash between Greek and Hebrew ideologies, secular and sacred thinking, and the worldly mind versus the spiritual mind. The sermon focuse |
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Gospel Meetings s.h.c.- 11 Rahab the Harlot by Stan Ford | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes that God is speaking, saving, and satisfying in our lives. He highlights the importance of listening and trusting in God's voice. The preach |
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Gospel Meetings s.h.c.- 06 Who Is on the Lord's Side by Stan Ford | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of making a personal decision to be on the Lord's side. He challenges the audience to think about their relationship with God |
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1 Peter 1:19 by John Gill | John Gill emphasizes the significance of the precious blood of Christ as the ultimate price for redemption, highlighting its innocence and divine nature. He explains that Christ's |






