Take a bunch of hyssop, dip it into the blood in the basin and put some of the blood on the top and on both sides of the door frame. Not one of you shall go out the door of his house until morning. When the LORD goes through the land to strike down the Egyptians, he will see the blood on the top and sides of the door frame and will pass over that doorway, and he will not permit the destroyer to enter your houses and strike you down.
-Exodus 12:21-23
Points of Interest:
The Blood of the Lamb:
Throughout ancient history, it was common practice for just about all religions to require animal and other sacrifices as a way to "appease the gods". Old Testament Judaism was no different.One of the most important sacrifices was the lamb, sacrificed to redeem a first-born child who was the rightful property of God due to the Passover.
This image of the blood of the unblemished lamb protecting a person from the angel of death is one of the strongest Christ-images in the Bible. In fact, it was during the observance of the passover in Jerusalem, almost 1500 years later, that Jesus was killed.
Christians believe that it is the sacrificial blood of Christ that atones for their sins and spares them ultimate and eternal death. His blood is represented in the wine of the communion ceremony.
It is also because of Passover that the traditional bread for the communion ceremony is unleavened bread.
Phylacteries:
You may have noticed that Ultra Orthodox Jews will sometimes tie a small black box to their foreheads and their left arm.
The tradition seems to have originated sometime between 600 and 400 BC with Exodus 13:9 as the "proof text".
The following verses of the Bible are traditionally written on small pieces of paper and placed in the boxes:
Exodus 13:1-10
Exodus 13: 11-16
Deuteronomy 6:4-9
Deuteronomy 11:13-21
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