Numbers 28-29

A yearly holy day set apart for the Israelites to observe the Exodus from Egypt, particularly the passing over of the Israelite firstborn males when the firstborn of Egypt were struck down in the last of ten plagues.

A sacred observance in Judaism that commemorates the climactic 10th plague in the book of Exodus, when Yahweh punishes Egypt by killing all the firstborn but “passes over” the firstborn of Israel (Exod 12:12–13), resulting in the Israelites’ deliverance from slavery in Egypt

Passover is celebrated on the 14th day of the first month Abib (later called Nisan).

God punished Egypt but spared the firstborn of Israel, as long as the Israelites properly followed Moses’ instructions.

On the night of the plague, the Israelites were instructed to stay in their homes after slaughtering a lamb and placing its blood on the lintel and doorposts of their houses (Exod 12:7, 21–22).

The blood was to be a sign that distinguished the Israelites and separated them from the intended victims of the plague (Exod 12:13, 23).

Since the people were to be ready to depart Egypt at a moment’s notice, they were to eat the lamb quickly, dressed to travel and with staff in hand

Despite the stated importance for Israel to observe Passover “as a lasting statute” for all future generations (e.g., Exod 12:14; compare Lev 23:5; Num 9:1–5; 28:16), the biblical narrative makes a point of emphasizing how unusual observance of the Passover actually was throughout Israel’s history

2 Chron 35:18-19 No Passover like it had been kept in Israel since the days of Samuel the prophet. None of the kings of Israel had kept such a Passover as was kept by Josiah, and the priests and the Levites, and all Judah and Israel who were present, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem. 19 In the eighteenth year of the reign of Josiah this Passover was kept.

The instructions immediately relevant for passover

• selecting a lamb, an unblemished male, for sacrifice—typically one per family—on the 10th of the month (Exod 12:3–5);

• sacrificing the lamb at twilight on the 14th of the month (Exod 12:6);

• putting the blood of the lamb on the doorposts and lintel of the house (Exod 12:7);

• roasting the lamb with fire, not eating it raw or boiling it (Exod 12:8–9);

• eating the roasted lamb with unleavened bread (מַצּוֹת, matstsoth) on bitter herbs (מְרֹרִים, merorim) (Exod 12:8);

• eating all of the lamb that night and burning any leftovers (Exod 12:10);

• eating the meal in haste, ready to leave home at a moment’s notice (Exod 12:11).

V. Feast of Weeks Offerings vs. 26-31

VI. Feast of Trumpets Offerings vs. 1-6

VII. Day of Atonement offerings vs. 7-11

VIII. Feast of Booths offerings vs. 8-40

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