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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Exodus 12:4 If the household is too small for a whole lamb, they are to share with the nearest neighbor based on the number of people, and apportion the lamb accordingly.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/exodus/12-4.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/3/02_Exo_12_04.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Exodus 12:4 - The First Passover" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="If the household is too small for a whole lamb, they are to share with the nearest neighbor based on the number of people, and apportion the lamb accordingly." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-LR4HSKRP2H"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-LR4HSKRP2H'); </script><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/exodus/12-4.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/exodus/12-4.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/exodus/">Exodus</a> > <a href="/exodus/12.htm">Chapter 12</a> > Verse 4</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad4.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/exodus/12-3.htm" title="Exodus 12:3">◄</a> Exodus 12:4 <a href="/exodus/12-5.htm" title="Exodus 12:5">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/exodus/12.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/exodus/12.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />If any household is too small for a whole lamb, they must share one with their nearest neighbor, having taken into account the number of people there are. You are to determine the amount of lamb needed in accordance with what each person will eat.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/exodus/12.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />If a family is too small to eat a whole animal, let them share with another family in the neighborhood. Divide the animal according to the size of each family and how much they can eat.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/exodus/12.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And if the household is too small for a lamb, then he and his nearest neighbor shall take according to the number of persons; according to what each can eat you shall make your count for the lamb.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/exodus/12.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />If the household is too small for a whole lamb, they are to share with the nearest neighbor based on the number of people, and apportion the lamb accordingly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/exodus/12.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And if the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbour next unto his house take <i>it</i> according to the number of the souls; every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/exodus/12.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And if the household is too small for the lamb, let him and his neighbor next to his house take <i>it</i> according to the number of the persons; according to each man’s need you shall make your count for the lamb.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/exodus/12.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now if the household is too small for a lamb, then he and his neighbor nearest to his house are to take one according to the number of persons <i>in them;</i> in proportion to what each one should eat, you are to divide the lamb.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/exodus/12.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Now if the household is too small for a lamb, then he and his neighbor nearest to his house are to take one according to the number of persons in them; according to what each man should eat, you are to divide the lamb.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/exodus/12.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />‘Now if the household is too small for a lamb, then he and his neighbor nearest to his house are to take one according to the number of persons <i>in them;</i> according to what each man should eat, you are to divide the lamb.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/exodus/12.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Now if the household is too small for a lamb, then he and his neighbor nearest to his house are to take one according to the number of persons <i>in them</i>; according to what each man should eat, you are to apportion the lamb.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/exodus/12.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Now if the household is too small for a lamb [to be consumed], let him and his next door neighbor take one according to the number of people [in the households]; according to what each man can eat, you are to divide the lamb.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/exodus/12.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />If the household is too small for a whole animal, that person and the neighbor nearest his house are to select one based on the combined number of people; you should apportion the animal according to what each will eat.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/exodus/12.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />If the household is too small for a whole animal, that person and the neighbor nearest his house are to select one based on the combined number of people; you should apportion the animal according to what each person will eat. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/exodus/12.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />and if the household be too little for a lamb, then shall he and his neighbor next unto his house take one according to the number of the souls; according to every man's eating ye shall make your count for the lamb.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/exodus/12.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />and if the household be too little for a lamb, then shall he and his neighbour next unto his house take one according to the number of the souls; according to every man's eating ye shall make your count for the lamb.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/exodus/12.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />A household may be too small to eat a whole animal. That household and the one next door can share one animal. Choose your animal based on the number of people and what each person can eat.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/exodus/12.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />If his family is too small to eat a whole animal, he and his next-door neighbor may share an animal, in proportion to the number of people and the amount that each person can eat. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/exodus/12.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />If a household is too small for a lamb, then it and its closest neighbor are to obtain one based on the number of individuals—dividing the lamb based on what each person can eat. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/exodus/12.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />If any household is too small for a lamb, the man and his next-door neighbor are to take a lamb according to the number of people--you will make your count for the lamb according to how much each one can eat.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/exodus/12.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />and if the household is too little for a lamb, then he and his neighbor next to his house shall take one according to the number of the souls; according to what everyone can eat you shall make your count for the lamb.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/exodus/12.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And if the household shall be too small for the lamb, let him and his neighbor next to his house take it according to the number of the souls; every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb.<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/exodus/12.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />If the household is too small for a whole lamb, they are to share with the nearest neighbor based on the number of people, and apportion the lamb accordingly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/exodus/12.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />and if the household is too little for a lamb, then he and his neighbor next to his house shall take one according to the number of the souls. You shall make your count for the lamb according to what everyone can eat. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/exodus/12.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And if the household is too few for a lamb, then he has taken, he and his neighbor who is near to his house, for the number of persons, each according to his eating you count for the lamb.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/exodus/12.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> '(And if the household be too few for a lamb, then hath he taken, he and his neighbour who is near unto his house, for the number of persons, each according to his eating ye do count for the lamb,)<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/exodus/12.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And if the house shall be little from being for a sheep, and he taking, and his neighbor drawing nigh his house according to the number of souls; each according to the mouth of his eating shall ye reckon for the sheep.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/exodus/12.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />But if the number be less than may suffice to eat the lamb, he shall take unto him his neighbour that joineth to his house, according to the number of souls which may be enough to eat the lamb. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/exodus/12.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />But if the number is less than may suffice to be able to consume the lamb, he shall accept his neighbor, who has been joined with his house according to the number of souls that may suffice to be able to eat the lamb.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/exodus/12.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />If a household is too small for a lamb, it along with its nearest neighbor will procure one, and apportion the lamb’s cost in proportion to the number of persons, according to what each household consumes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/exodus/12.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />If a household is too small for a whole lamb, it shall join its closest neighbor in obtaining one; the lamb shall be divided in proportion to the number of people who eat of it.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/exodus/12.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And if the household is too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbor next to his house take it according to the number of the persons; every man according to the portion of his eating shall make your count for the lamb.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/exodus/12.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And if the household is too small to bring out a lamb for it, he and his neighbor that is near to his house will take by the number of souls, each man according to his eating, you will count for a lamb.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/exodus/12.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />and if the household be too little for a lamb, then shall he and his neighbour next unto his house take one according to the number of the souls; according to every man's eating ye shall make your count for the lamb.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/exodus/12.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And if they be few in a household, so that there are not enough for the lamb, he shall take with himself his neighbour that lives near to him, - as to the number of souls, every one according to that which suffices him shall make a reckoning for the lamb.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/exodus/12-4.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kVae3PiKqhs?start=2712" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/exodus/12.htm">The First Passover</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">3</span>Tell the whole congregation of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man must select a lamb for his family, one per household. <span class="reftext">4</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/518.htm" title="518: wə·’im- (Conj) -- If. A primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!">If</a> <a href="/hebrew/1004.htm" title="1004: hab·ba·yiṯ (Art:: N-ms) -- A house. Probably from banah abbreviated; a house.">the household</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: mih·yōṯ (Prep-m:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4591.htm" title="4591: yim·‘aṭ (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; properly, to pare off, i.e. Lessen; intransitively, to be small or few.">is too small</a> <a href="/hebrew/7716.htm" title="7716: miś·śeh (Prep-m:: N-ms) -- Or sey; probably from sha'ah through the idea of pushing out to graze; a member of a flock, i.e. A sheep or goat.">for a whole lamb,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: hū (Pro-3ms) -- He, she, it. ">they are to</a> <a href="/hebrew/3947.htm" title="3947: wə·lā·qaḥ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3ms) -- To take. A primitive root; to take.">share with</a> <a href="/hebrew/7138.htm" title="7138: haq·qā·rōḇ (Art:: Adj-ms) -- Near. Or qarob; from qarab; near.">the nearest</a> <a href="/hebrew/7934.htm" title="7934: ū·šə·ḵê·nōw (Conj-w:: N-msc:: 3ms) -- Inhabitant, neighbor. From shakan; a resident; by extension, a fellow-citizen.">neighbor</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/1004.htm" title="1004: bê·ṯōw (N-msc:: 3ms) -- A house. Probably from banah abbreviated; a house."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4373.htm" title="4373: bə·miḵ·saṯ (Prep-b:: N-fsc) -- A computation. Feminine of mekec; an enumeration; by implication, a valuation.">based on the number</a> <a href="/hebrew/5315.htm" title="5315: nə·p̄ā·šōṯ (N-fp) -- From naphash; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. Animal of vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense.">of people,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3699.htm" title="3699: tā·ḵōs·sū (V-Qal-Imperf-2mp) -- To compute. A primitive root; to estimate.">and apportion</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7716.htm" title="7716: haś·śeh (Art:: N-ms) -- Or sey; probably from sha'ah through the idea of pushing out to graze; a member of a flock, i.e. A sheep or goat.">the lamb</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: ’îš (N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">accordingly.</a> <a href="/hebrew/6310.htm" title="6310: lə·p̄î (Prep-l:: N-msc) -- Mouth. From pa'ah; the mouth, whether literal or figurative; specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially according to."></a> <a href="/hebrew/400.htm" title="400: ’ā·ḵə·lōw (V-Qal-Inf:: 3ms) -- Food. From 'akal; food."></a> </span><span class="reftext">5</span>Your lamb must be an unblemished year-old male, and you may take it from the sheep or the goats.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/25-10.htm">Leviticus 25:10</a></span><br />So you are to consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty in the land for all its inhabitants. It shall be your Jubilee, when each of you is to return to his property and to his clan.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/9-10.htm">Numbers 9:10-14</a></span><br />“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. / 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; / 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. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/16-1.htm">Deuteronomy 16:1-8</a></span><br />Observe the month of Abib and celebrate the Passover to the LORD your God, because in the month of Abib the LORD your God brought you out of Egypt by night. / You are to offer to the LORD your God the Passover sacrifice from the herd or flock in the place the LORD will choose as a dwelling for His Name. / 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. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/30-17.htm">2 Chronicles 30:17-20</a></span><br />Since there were many in the assembly who had not consecrated themselves, the Levites were in charge of slaughtering the Passover lambs for every unclean person to consecrate the lambs to the LORD. / A large number of the people—many from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun—had not purified themselves, yet they ate the Passover, contrary to what was written. But Hezekiah interceded for them, saying, “May the LORD, who is good, provide atonement for everyone / who sets his heart on seeking God—the LORD, the God of his fathers—even if he is not cleansed according to the purification rules of the sanctuary.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/35-6.htm">2 Chronicles 35:6</a></span><br />Slaughter the Passover lambs, consecrate yourselves, and make preparations for your fellow countrymen to carry out the word of the LORD given by Moses.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/53-7.htm">Isaiah 53:7</a></span><br />He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so He did not open His mouth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/45-21.htm">Ezekiel 45:21</a></span><br />On the fourteenth day of the first month you are to observe the Passover, a feast of seven days, during which unleavened bread shall be eaten.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/26-17.htm">Matthew 26:17-19</a></span><br />On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?” / He answered, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him that the Teacher says, ‘My time is near. I will keep the Passover with My disciples at your house.’” / So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/14-12.htm">Mark 14:12-16</a></span><br />On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb was to be sacrificed, Jesus’ disciples asked Him, “Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?” / So He sent two of His disciples and told them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jug of water will meet you. Follow him, / and whichever house he enters, say to the owner, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is My guest room, where I may eat the Passover with My disciples?’ ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/22-7.htm">Luke 22:7-13</a></span><br />Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb was to be sacrificed. / Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover.” / “Where do You want us to prepare it?” they asked. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/1-29.htm">John 1:29</a></span><br />The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/19-36.htm">John 19:36</a></span><br />Now these things happened so that the Scripture would be fulfilled: “Not one of His bones will be broken.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/2-46.htm">Acts 2:46</a></span><br />With one accord they continued to meet daily in the temple courts and to break bread from house to house, sharing their meals with gladness and sincerity of heart,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/5-7.htm">1 Corinthians 5:7-8</a></span><br />Get rid of the old leaven, that you may be a new unleavened batch, as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. / Therefore let us keep the feast, not with the old bread, leavened with malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and of truth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/10-16.htm">1 Corinthians 10:16-17</a></span><br />Is not the cup of blessing that we bless a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? / Because there is one loaf, we who are many are one body; for we all partake of the one loaf.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And if the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbor next to his house take it according to the number of the souls; every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb.</p><p class="hdg">no reference </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/16-10.htm">Count</a> <a href="/romans/14-13.htm">Determine</a> <a href="/exodus/10-15.htm">Eat</a> <a href="/genesis/43-32.htm">Eating</a> <a href="/exodus/12-3.htm">House</a> <a href="/exodus/12-3.htm">Household</a> <a href="/exodus/10-24.htm">Little</a> <a href="/mark/1-38.htm">Nearest</a> <a href="/exodus/11-2.htm">Neighbor</a> <a href="/exodus/11-2.htm">Neighbour</a> <a href="/exodus/1-5.htm">Persons</a> <a href="/genesis/31-14.htm">Share</a> <a href="/exodus/9-9.htm">Small</a> <a href="/exodus/1-5.htm">Souls</a> <a href="/exodus/12-3.htm">Whole</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/exodus/30-12.htm">Count</a> <a href="/exodus/22-8.htm">Determine</a> <a href="/exodus/12-7.htm">Eat</a> <a href="/exodus/12-19.htm">Eating</a> <a href="/exodus/12-7.htm">House</a> <a href="/exodus/12-48.htm">Household</a> <a href="/exodus/16-18.htm">Little</a> <a href="/exodus/26-17.htm">Nearest</a> <a href="/exodus/18-16.htm">Neighbor</a> <a href="/exodus/18-16.htm">Neighbour</a> <a href="/exodus/16-16.htm">Persons</a> <a href="/exodus/18-22.htm">Share</a> <a href="/exodus/16-14.htm">Small</a> <a href="/exodus/30-15.htm">Souls</a> <a href="/exodus/12-6.htm">Whole</a><div class="vheading2">Exodus 12</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/12-1.htm">The beginning of the year is changed</a></span><br><span class="reftext">3. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/12-3.htm">The Passover is instituted</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/12-11.htm">The import of the rite of the Passover</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/12-15.htm">Unleavened bread</a></span><br><span class="reftext">29. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/12-29.htm">The firstborn are slain</a></span><br><span class="reftext">31. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/12-31.htm">The Israelites are driven out of the land</a></span><br><span class="reftext">37. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/12-37.htm">They come to Succoth</a></span><br><span class="reftext">41. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/12-41.htm">The time of their sojourning</a></span><br><span class="reftext">43. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/12-43.htm">The ordinance of the Passover</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/exodus/12.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/exodus/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/exodus/12.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>If the household is too small for a whole lamb,</b><br>In ancient Israel, families were often large, but there were instances where a household might not be able to consume an entire lamb. The Passover lamb was to be eaten entirely, with nothing left until morning, symbolizing the completeness of God's deliverance. This requirement ensured that the sacrifice was not wasted and that the community was involved in the observance. The lamb represents Christ, the Lamb of God, whose sacrifice is sufficient for all, yet must be personally appropriated.<p><b>they are to share with the nearest neighbor</b><br>This directive emphasizes community and fellowship, reflecting the communal nature of Israelite society. Sharing the lamb with a neighbor not only ensured that the commandment was fulfilled but also fostered unity and mutual support. This principle of sharing and community is echoed in the New Testament, where believers are encouraged to bear one another's burdens and share in the Lord's Supper.<p><b>based on the number of people,</b><br>The number of people determined the sharing of the lamb, ensuring that everyone had enough to eat. This practical approach highlights God's concern for order and provision. It also prefigures the inclusivity of the Gospel, where salvation through Christ is available to all, regardless of number or status.<p><b>and apportion the lamb accordingly.</b><br>The careful apportioning of the lamb underscores the importance of stewardship and responsibility in God's commands. Each person was to receive a portion, symbolizing the personal nature of salvation. This mirrors the New Testament teaching that each believer must personally partake in the sacrifice of Christ, the true Passover Lamb, for redemption.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The primary audience of the instructions given in <a href="/bsb/exodus/12.htm">Exodus 12</a>, preparing for the first Passover.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses_and_aaron.htm">Moses and Aaron</a></b><br>Leaders of the Israelites, who conveyed God's instructions regarding the Passover.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/e/egypt.htm">Egypt</a></b><br>The land where the Israelites were enslaved and from which they were about to be delivered.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/p/passover.htm">Passover</a></b><br>The event where God would "pass over" the houses of the Israelites, sparing them from the final plague.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/l/lamb.htm">Lamb</a></b><br>The sacrificial animal whose blood would be a sign for the Israelites' protection.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/c/community_and_sharing.htm">Community and Sharing</a></b><br>The instruction to share the lamb with neighbors highlights the importance of community and mutual support among God's people.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/stewardship_and_provision.htm">Stewardship and Provision</a></b><br>God's command to consider the number of people and the amount each will eat teaches us about responsible stewardship and ensuring provision for all.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/symbolism_of_the_lamb.htm">Symbolism of the Lamb</a></b><br>The lamb as a central element in the Passover points to Christ as the ultimate sacrificial Lamb, whose sacrifice brings deliverance.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/o/obedience_to_god's_instructions.htm">Obedience to God's Instructions</a></b><br>The Israelites' adherence to God's specific instructions demonstrates the importance of obedience in our walk with God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/i/inclusivity_in_worship.htm">Inclusivity in Worship</a></b><br>The sharing of the lamb ensures that no one is left out, teaching us about inclusivity in our worship and community life.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_exodus_12.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Exodus 12</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_are_imputed_and_imparted_righteousness.htm">Is Jesus considered the Passover Lamb?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_passover_commemorate.htm">What does Passover commemorate?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_do_bible_symbols_signify.htm">What do Bible symbols mean and represent?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_are_the_bible's_jewish_feasts.htm">What are the Jewish feasts and festivals in the Bible?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/exodus/12.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(4) <span class= "bld">If the household be too little for the lamb.</span>--There would be cases where the family would not be large enough to consume an entire lamb at a sitting. Where this was so, men were to club with their neighbours, either two small families joining together, or a large family drafting off some of its members to bring up the numbers of a small one. According to Josephus (<span class= "ital">Bell. Jud.,</span> vi. 9, ? 3), ten was the least number regarded as sufficient, while twenty was not considered too many.<p><span class= "bld">Every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb.</span>--Rather, <span class= "ital">shall ye count.</span> In determining the number for any given Paschal meal, ye shall "count men according to their eating," admitting more or fewer, as they are likely to consume less or more.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/exodus/12.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 4.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">If the household be too little for the lamb</span> - <span class="accented">i.e</span>., "too few to consume it at a sitting." Usage in course of time fixed the minimum number at ten. (Joseph. <span class="accented">Bell</span>. <span class="accented">Jud.</span> 6:9, § 3.) The whole family, men, women and children participated. The lamb was generally slain between the ninth hour (3 p.m.) and the eleventh (5 p.m.). <span class="cmt_word">Let him and his neighbour take it according to the number of the souls</span>. If there were a household of only five, which could not possibly consume the lamb, any large neighbouring family was to send five or six of its number, to make up the deficiency. <span class="cmt_word">Every man according to his eating</span>, etc. It is difficult to see what sense our translators intended. The real direction is that, in providing a proper number of guests, consideration should be had of the amount which they would be likely to eat. Children and the very aged were not to be reckoned as if they were men in the vigour of life. Translate - "Each man according to his eating shall ye count towards the lamb." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/exodus/12-4.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">If</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאִם־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’im-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_518.htm">Strong's 518: </a> </span><span class="str2">Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the household</span><br /><span class="heb">הַבַּיִת֮</span> <span class="translit">(hab·ba·yiṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1004.htm">Strong's 1004: </a> </span><span class="str2">A house</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is too</span><br /><span class="heb">לְפִ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(lə·p̄î)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6310.htm">Strong's 6310: </a> </span><span class="str2">The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">small</span><br /><span class="heb">יִמְעַ֣ט</span> <span class="translit">(yim·‘aṭ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4591.htm">Strong's 4591: </a> </span><span class="str2">To pare off, lessen, in, to be, small, few</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for a whole lamb,</span><br /><span class="heb">מִשֶּׂה֒</span> <span class="translit">(miś·śeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7716.htm">Strong's 7716: </a> </span><span class="str2">A member of a, flock, a sheep, goat</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they are to</span><br /><span class="heb">ה֗וּא</span> <span class="translit">(hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1931.htm">Strong's 1931: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, self, the same, this, that, as, are</span><br /><br /><span class="word">share with</span><br /><span class="heb">וְלָקַ֣ח</span> <span class="translit">(wə·lā·qaḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3947.htm">Strong's 3947: </a> </span><span class="str2">To take</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the nearest</span><br /><span class="heb">הַקָּרֹ֥ב</span> <span class="translit">(haq·qā·rōḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7138.htm">Strong's 7138: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near</span><br /><br /><span class="word">neighbor,</span><br /><span class="heb">וּשְׁכֵנ֛וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(ū·šə·ḵê·nōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7934.htm">Strong's 7934: </a> </span><span class="str2">A resident, a fellow-citizen</span><br /><br /><span class="word">based on the number</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּמִכְסַ֣ת</span> <span class="translit">(bə·miḵ·saṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4373.htm">Strong's 4373: </a> </span><span class="str2">An enumeration, a valuation</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of people,</span><br /><span class="heb">נְפָשֹׁ֑ת</span> <span class="translit">(nə·p̄ā·šōṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5315.htm">Strong's 5315: </a> </span><span class="str2">A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion </span><br /><br /><span class="word">and apportion</span><br /><span class="heb">תָּכֹ֖סּוּ</span> <span class="translit">(tā·ḵōs·sū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3699.htm">Strong's 3699: </a> </span><span class="str2">To estimate</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the lamb</span><br /><span class="heb">הַשֶּֽׂה׃</span> <span class="translit">(haś·śeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7716.htm">Strong's 7716: </a> </span><span class="str2">A member of a, flock, a sheep, goat</span><br /><br /><span class="word">accordingly.</span><br /><span class="heb">אִ֚ישׁ</span> <span class="translit">(’îš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> </span><span class="str2">A man as an individual, a male person</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/exodus/12-4.htm">Exodus 12:4 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/exodus/12-4.htm">Exodus 12:4 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/exodus/12-4.htm">Exodus 12:4 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/exodus/12-4.htm">Exodus 12:4 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/exodus/12-4.htm">Exodus 12:4 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/exodus/12-4.htm">Exodus 12:4 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/exodus/12-4.htm">Exodus 12:4 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/exodus/12-4.htm">Exodus 12:4 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/exodus/12-4.htm">Exodus 12:4 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/exodus/12-4.htm">Exodus 12:4 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/exodus/12-4.htm">OT Law: Exodus 12:4 And if the household is too little (Exo. Ex) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/exodus/12-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Exodus 12:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Exodus 12:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/exodus/12-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Exodus 12:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Exodus 12:5" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>