The Second Passover

(Exodus 12:1–13)

In the first month of the second year after [Israel] had come out of the land of Egypt, the LORD spoke to Moses in the Wilderness of Sinai: 2 “The Israelites are to observe the Passover at its appointed time. 3 You are to observe it at the appointed time, at twilight on the fourteenth day of this month, in accordance with its statutes and ordinances.”

4 

So Moses told the Israelites to observe the Passover, 5 and they [did so] in the Wilderness of Sinai, at twilight on the fourteenth day of the first month. The Israelites did everything just as the LORD had commanded Moses.

6 

But there were some men who were unclean due to a dead body so they could not observe the Passover on that day. And they came before Moses and Aaron that same day 7 and said to [Moses],“We are unclean because of a dead body but why should we be excluded from presenting the LORD’s offering with the other Israelites at the appointed time?”

8 

“Wait here until I find out what the LORD commands concerning you,” Moses replied

9 

Then the LORD said to Moses 10 “Tell the Israelites‘When any one of you or your descendants is unclean because of a dead body, or is away on a journey, he may still observe the Passover to the LORD. 11 Such people are to observe it at twilight on the fourteenth day of the second month. They are to eat [the lamb], together with unleavened bread and bitter herbs; 12 they may not leave any of it until morning or break any of its bones. They must observe the Passover according to all its statutes.

13 

But [if] a man who is ceremonially clean [and] is not on a journey still fails to observe the Passover, he must be cut off from his people, because he did not present the LORD’s offering at its appointed time. That man will bear the consequences of his sin.

14 

If a foreigner dwelling among you wants to observe the Passover to the LORD, he is to do so according to the Passover statute and its ordinances. You are to apply the same statute to both the foreigner and the native of the land.’ ”

15