Exodus 13:8
New International Version
On that day tell your son, ‘I do this because of what the LORD did for me when I came out of Egypt.’

New Living Translation
“On the seventh day you must explain to your children, ‘I am celebrating what the LORD did for me when I left Egypt.’

English Standard Version
You shall tell your son on that day, ‘It is because of what the LORD did for me when I came out of Egypt.’

Berean Standard Bible
And on that day you are to explain to your son, ‘This is because of what the LORD did for me when I came out of Egypt.’

Berean Literal Bible
And you shall declare to your son in that day, saying, ‘It is because of what YHWH did for me in my going out from Egypt.’

King James Bible
And thou shalt shew thy son in that day, saying, This is done because of that which the LORD did unto me when I came forth out of Egypt.

New King James Version
And you shall tell your son in that day, saying, ‘This is done because of what the LORD did for me when I came up from Egypt.’

New American Standard Bible
And you shall tell your son on that day, saying, ‘It is because of what the LORD did for me when I came out of Egypt.’

NASB 1995
“You shall tell your son on that day, saying, ‘It is because of what the LORD did for me when I came out of Egypt.’

NASB 1977
“And you shall tell your son on that day, saying, ‘It is because of what the LORD did for me when I came out of Egypt.’

Legacy Standard Bible
And you shall tell your son on that day, saying, ‘It is because of what Yahweh did for me when I came out of Egypt.’

Amplified Bible
You shall explain this to your son on that day, saying, ‘It is because of what the LORD did for me when I came out of Egypt.’

Berean Annotated Bible
And on that day you are to explain to your son, ‘This is because of what the LORD {YHWH} did for me when I came out of Egypt (land of bondage).

Christian Standard Bible
On that day explain to your son, ‘This is because of what the LORD did for me when I came out of Egypt.’

Holman Christian Standard Bible
On that day explain to your son, ‘This is because of what the LORD did for me when I came out of Egypt.’

American Standard Version
And thou shalt tell thy son in that day, saying, It is because of that which Jehovah did for me when I came forth out of Egypt.

Contemporary English Version
Then on the seventh day you must explain to your children that you do this because the LORD brought you out of Egypt.

English Revised Version
And thou shalt tell thy son in that day, saying, It is because of that which the LORD did for me when I came forth out of Egypt.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
On that day tell your children, 'We do this because of what the LORD did for us when we left Egypt.'

Good News Translation
When the festival begins, explain to your sons that you do all this because of what the LORD did for you when you left Egypt.

International Standard Version
And you are to tell your child on that day, 'This is because of what the LORD did for me when I came out of Egypt.'

NET Bible
You are to tell your son on that day, 'It is because of what the LORD did for me when I came out of Egypt.'

New Heart English Bible
You shall tell your son in that day, saying, 'It is because of that which the LORD did for me when I came forth out of Egypt.'

Webster's Bible Translation
And thou shalt show thy son in that day, saying, This is done because of that which the LORD did to me when I came forth out of Egypt.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
And on that day you are to explain to your son, ‘This is because of what the LORD did for me when I came out of Egypt.’

World English Bible
You shall tell your son in that day, saying, ‘It is because of that which Yahweh did for me when I came out of Egypt.’
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And you have declared to your son in that day, saying, [It is] because of what YHWH did to me, in my going out from Egypt,

Berean Literal Bible
And you shall declare to your son in that day, saying, ‘It is because of what YHWH did for me in my going out from Egypt.’

Young's Literal Translation
And thou hast declared to thy son in that day, saying, 'It is because of what Jehovah did to me, in my going out from Egypt,

Smith's Literal Translation
And announce to thy son in this day, saying, For this Jehovah did to me in my coming out of Egypt.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And thou shalt tell thy son in that day, saying: This is what the Lord did to me when I came forth out of Egypt.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And you will explain to your son in that day, saying: ‘This is what the Lord did for me when I was taken away from Egypt.’

New American Bible
And on that day you will explain to your son, ‘This is because of what the LORD did for me when I came out of Egypt.’

New Revised Standard Version
You shall tell your child on that day, ‘It is because of what the LORD did for me when I came out of Egypt.’
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And you shall tell your son on that day, This is done because of what my God did for me when I came forth out of Egypt.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And you shall tell your children in that day: “Because my God did this for me when I came out from Egypt.”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And thou shalt tell thy son in that day, saying: It is because of that which the LORD did for me when I came forth out of Egypt.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And thou shalt tell thy son in that day, saying, Therefore the Lord dealt thus with me, as I was going out of Egypt.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Dedication of the Firstborn
7Unleavened bread shall be eaten during those seven days. Nothing leavened may be found among you, nor shall leaven be found anywhere within your borders. 8And on that day you are to explain to your son, ‘This is because of what the LORD did for me when I came out of Egypt.’ 9It shall be a sign for you on your hand and a reminder on your forehead that the Law of the LORD is to be on your lips. For with a mighty hand the LORD brought you out of Egypt.…

Cross References
And on that day

Exodus 12:14
And this day will be a memorial for you, and you are to celebrate it as a feast to the LORD, as a permanent statute for the generations to come.

Exodus 12:17
So you are to keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread, for on this very day I brought your divisions out of the land of Egypt. You must keep this day as a permanent statute for the generations to come.

Deuteronomy 16:3
You must not eat leavened bread with it; for seven days you are to eat with it unleavened bread, the bread of affliction, because you left the land of Egypt in haste—so that you may remember for the rest of your life the day you left the land of Egypt.
you are to explain to your son,

Exodus 12:26-27
When your children ask you, ‘What does this service mean to you?’ / you are to reply, ‘It is the Passover sacrifice to the LORD, who passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt when He struck down the Egyptians and spared our homes.’” Then the people bowed down and worshiped.

Joshua 4:6-7
to serve as a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’ / you are to tell them, ‘The waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters were cut off.’ Therefore these stones will be a memorial to the Israelites forever.”

Psalm 78:4-7
We will not hide them from their children but will declare to the next generation the praises of the LORD and His might and the wonders He has performed. / For He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which He commanded our fathers to teach to their children, / that the coming generation would know them—even children yet to be born—to arise and tell their own children …
‘This is because of what the LORD did for me

Deuteronomy 26:8-10
Then the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with great terror, signs, and wonders. / And He brought us to this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey. / And now, behold, I have brought the firstfruits of the land that You, O LORD, have given me.” Then you are to place the basket before the LORD your God and bow down before Him.

Joshua 24:5-7
Then I sent Moses and Aaron, and I afflicted the Egyptians by what I did there, and afterward I brought you out. / When I brought your fathers out of Egypt and you reached the Red Sea, the Egyptians pursued them with chariots and horsemen as far as the Red Sea. / So your fathers cried out to the LORD, and He put darkness between you and the Egyptians, over whom He brought the sea and engulfed them. Your very eyes saw what I did to the Egyptians. Then you lived in the wilderness for a long time.

Psalm 136:10-12
He struck down the firstborn of Egypt His loving devotion endures forever. / and brought Israel out from among them His loving devotion endures forever. / with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. His loving devotion endures forever.
when I came out of Egypt.’

Exodus 20:2
“I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.

Deuteronomy 5:15
Remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and that the LORD your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. That is why the LORD your God has commanded you to keep the Sabbath day.

Psalm 114:1
When Israel departed from Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of foreign tongue,
Deuteronomy 6:20-25
In the future, when your son asks, “What is the meaning of the decrees and statutes and ordinances that the LORD our God has commanded you?” / then you are to tell him, “We were slaves of Pharaoh in Egypt, but the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand. / Before our eyes the LORD inflicted great and devastating signs and wonders on Egypt, on Pharaoh, and on all his household. …

Deuteronomy 4:9-10
Only be on your guard and diligently watch yourselves, so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen, and so that they do not slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and grandchildren. / The day you stood before the LORD your God at Horeb, the LORD said to me, “Gather the people before Me to hear My words, so that they may learn to fear Me all the days they live on the earth, and that they may teach them to their children.”

Deuteronomy 11:19
Teach them to your children, speaking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

Psalm 105:1-5
Give thanks to the LORD, call upon His name; make known His deeds among the nations. / Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; tell of all His wonders. / Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice. …


Treasury of Scripture

And you shall show your son in that day, saying, This is done because of that which the LORD did to me when I came forth out of Egypt.

Exodus 13:14
And it shall be when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying, What is this? that thou shalt say unto him, By strength of hand the LORD brought us out from Egypt, from the house of bondage:

Exodus 12:26,27
And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto you, What mean ye by this service? …

Deuteronomy 4:9,10
Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons' sons; …

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Exodus 13
1. The firstborn are sanctified to God
3. The memorial of the Passover is commanded
11. The firstborn of man and beast are set apart
17. The Israelites go out of Egypt, and carry Joseph's bones with them.
20. They come to Etham
21. God guides them by a pillar of a cloud, and a pillar of fire












And on that day
This phrase refers to the specific time during the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which follows the Passover. The "day" is significant as it marks the commemoration of Israel's deliverance from Egypt. It is a time set apart for remembrance and teaching, emphasizing the importance of passing down faith and history to the next generation.

you are to explain to your son
The act of explaining to one's son highlights the importance of oral tradition in ancient Israelite culture. It underscores the responsibility of parents to educate their children about God's acts and commandments. This practice ensures that the knowledge of God's deliverance and covenant is preserved through generations, aligning with Deuteronomy 6:7, which instructs parents to teach God's laws diligently to their children.

‘This is because of what the LORD did for me
This personalizes the historical event, making it a personal testimony of God's intervention. It emphasizes the individual's connection to the collective experience of the Israelites. The phrase "what the LORD did for me" serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness and power, encouraging personal reflection on God's role in one's life. It also foreshadows the personal relationship believers are to have with God through Jesus Christ, who delivers from the bondage of sin.

when I came out of Egypt.’
The exodus from Egypt is a foundational event in Israel's history, symbolizing liberation and the beginning of a covenant relationship with God. It is a type of Christ's redemptive work, as Jesus is seen as the ultimate deliverer who leads believers out of spiritual bondage. The historical exodus is supported by various archaeological findings, such as evidence of Semitic presence in Egypt and the possible routes of the exodus. This phrase serves as a reminder of God's power to save and His faithfulness to His promises, as seen in other scriptures like Isaiah 43:16-17 and 1 Corinthians 10:1-4, which draw parallels between the exodus and the Christian experience.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant God of Israel, who delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt.

2. Moses
The leader chosen by God to bring the Israelites out of Egypt.

3. The Israelites
The descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who were enslaved in Egypt and delivered by God.

4. Egypt
The land where the Israelites were enslaved and from which they were delivered.

5. The Passover
The event commemorating the LORD's deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt, marked by the sacrifice of a lamb and the sparing of the firstborn.
Teaching Points
Importance of Remembrance
The act of explaining to the next generation serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness and mighty works.

Role of Parents in Spiritual Education
Parents are tasked with the responsibility of teaching their children about God's deliverance and His commandments.

Personal Testimony
Sharing personal experiences of God's deliverance can strengthen faith and encourage others.

Symbolism of Deliverance
The physical deliverance from Egypt symbolizes the spiritual deliverance from sin through Christ.

Faith and Obedience
The Israelites' obedience in observing the Passover was an act of faith, which is a model for Christian living.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Exodus 13:8?

2. How can we explain Exodus 13:8's significance to our children today?

3. What does Exodus 13:8 teach about remembering God's deliverance in our lives?

4. How does Exodus 13:8 connect to Jesus' role as our Passover Lamb?

5. In what ways can we "tell your son" about God's works in our lives?

6. How can we incorporate the lessons of Exodus 13:8 into our daily routines?

7. How does Exodus 13:8 emphasize the importance of remembering God's deliverance from Egypt?

8. What role does storytelling play in passing down faith according to Exodus 13:8?

9. How does Exodus 13:8 connect to the broader theme of redemption in the Bible?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Exodus 13?

11. Exodus 7—Overall: Why do no independent ancient records outside the Bible confirm these miraculous plagues?

12. Deuteronomy 5:2–3 says the covenant was made with the present generation, yet other passages imply it was made with their ancestors; how do we reconcile this?

13. Why does Jude 1:5 say Jesus saved a people out of Egypt, contradicting the standard Old Testament account?

14. If God created humans with free will, why does He harden Pharaoh's heart (Exodus 9:12)?
What Does Exodus 13:8 Mean
And on that day

- The phrase anchors the instruction to a specific, recurring moment—the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Exodus 13:6-7).

- Scripture repeatedly links remembrance to a date: “This day will be a memorial for you; you are to celebrate it as a feast to the LORD” (Exodus 12:14).

- By fixing the remembrance to one calendar day, God guarantees that every generation looks back to the same historical event, much like the weekly Sabbath memorializes creation (Exodus 20:11).

- The precision underscores God’s faithfulness in time and history (Joshua 4:6-7).


you are to explain to your son

- God places the responsibility for theological education squarely on parents. “These words I command you today are to be upon your hearts. And you shall teach them diligently to your children” (Deuteronomy 6:6-7).

- Passing on truth is not optional; it is woven into the rhythm of daily life (Psalm 78:4-7).

- The verb “explain” calls for clear, story-shaped instruction, not vague spiritual chatter—mirroring Paul’s charge, “Fathers, do not provoke your children, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4).

- Bullet-point approach for families:

• Tell the story.

• Tie the story to God’s character.

• Show how the story shapes today’s obedience.


‘This is because of what the LORD did for me

- The explanation centers on God’s action, not Israel’s merit—“It was not by their sword that they took the land…but it was Your right hand” (Psalm 44:3).

- Personal testimony fuels faith: “Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy” (Psalm 107:2).

- Each generation must own the rescue personally—notice the first-person “for me,” echoed later in the Passover liturgy (Exodus 12:26-27).

- This keeps the gospel narrative living and active, much like Paul’s “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst” (1 Timothy 1:15).


when I came out of Egypt.

- Egypt is literal and historical; God delivered Israel with “a mighty hand and an outstretched arm” (Deuteronomy 5:15).

- The exodus foreshadows a greater redemption through Christ (1 Corinthians 5:7; Luke 9:31).

- Remembering Egypt guards against relapse into bondage: “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out…you shall have no other gods before Me” (Exodus 20:2-3).

- The concrete event proves God’s power to save, encouraging ongoing trust (Jude 5).


summary

Exodus 13:8 calls every believer to anchor remembrance in a specific day, to teach the next generation plainly, to spotlight God’s personal rescue, and to ground faith in the literal, historic exodus. Remembering breeds gratitude, gratitude fuels obedience, and obedience keeps the story alive until the final deliverance in Christ.

Verse 8. - And thou shalt shew thy son. Repeated from Exodus 12:26, 27.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
And on that
הַה֖וּא (ha·hū)
Article | Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

day
בַּיּ֥וֹם (bay·yō·wm)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3117: A day

you are to explain
וְהִגַּדְתָּ֣ (wə·hig·gaḏ·tā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 5046: To be conspicuous

to your son,
לְבִנְךָ֔ (lə·ḇin·ḵā)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 1121: A son

‘This is because of
בַּעֲב֣וּר (ba·‘ă·ḇūr)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5668: Crossed, transit, on account of, in order that

what
זֶ֗ה (zeh)
Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

the LORD
יְהוָה֙ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

did
עָשָׂ֤ה (‘ā·śāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

for me
לִ֔י (lî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's Hebrew

when I came out
בְּצֵאתִ֖י (bə·ṣê·ṯî)
Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | first person common singular
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

of Egypt.’
מִמִּצְרָֽיִם׃ (mim·miṣ·rā·yim)
Preposition-m | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4714: Egypt -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their country in Northwest Africa


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OT Law: Exodus 13:8 You shall tell your son in that (Exo. Ex)
Exodus 13:7
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