Exodus 12:6 Meaning and Explanation
“And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The lamb is kept from the tenth until the fourteenth day, when the entire assembly kills it at evening.
The Context of Exodus 12:6
Israel keeps the lamb for four days, then slaughters it on the fourteenth day at evening.
What Does Exodus 12:6 Mean?
The four-day wait between selecting and killing the lamb allows time for reflection and preparation. Families live daily with the selected lamb in their homes, creating anticipation and deepening their awareness of what is about to happen. This extended preparation emphasizes that deliverance is not sudden or arbitrary, but comes according to God's plan and timing.
On the fourteenth day, the whole congregation participates in killing the lambs at evening. This corporate action unites Israel in a single moment of obedience. The timing at evening marks the transition from day to night, from the old life under bondage to the new life God will grant.
Frequently Asked Questions About Exodus 12:6
What does Exodus 12:6 mean?
The lamb is kept from the tenth until the fourteenth day, when the entire assembly kills it at evening.
What is the context of Exodus 12:6?
Israel keeps the lamb for four days, then slaughters it on the fourteenth day at evening.