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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 12:26 When your children ask you, 'What does this service mean to you?'</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/exodus/12-26.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/8/02_Exo_12_26.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Exodus 12:26 - The Feast of Unleavened Bread" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="When your children ask you, 'What does this service mean to you?'" /><script type="application/javascript" 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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="/ad6.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/12-25.htm" title="Exodus 12:25">◄</a> Exodus 12:26 <a href="/exodus/12-27.htm" title="Exodus 12:27">►</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 />And when your children ask you, &#8216What does this ceremony mean to you?&#8217<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/exodus/12.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Then your children will ask, ‘What does this ceremony mean?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/exodus/12.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And when your children say to you, ‘What do you mean by this service?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/exodus/12.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />When your children ask you, ‘What does this service mean to you?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/exodus/12.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto you, What mean ye by this service?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/exodus/12.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And it shall be, when your children say to you, ‘What do you mean by this service?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/exodus/12.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And when your children say to you, ‘What does this rite mean to you?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/exodus/12.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220And when your children say to you, &#8216What does this rite mean to you?&#8217<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/exodus/12.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“And it will come about when your children will say to you, ‘What does this rite mean to you?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/exodus/12.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And it will be when your children say to you, ‘What is the meaning of this <i>new</i> slavery to you?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/exodus/12.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />When your children say to you, ‘What does this service mean to you?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/exodus/12.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />When your children ask you, ‘What does this ceremony mean to you? ’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/exodus/12.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />When your children ask you, &#8216What does this ritual mean to you?&#8217<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/exodus/12.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto you, What mean ye by this service?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/exodus/12.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Your children will ask you, "What are we celebrating?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/exodus/12.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto you, What mean ye by this service?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/exodus/12.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />When your children ask you what this ceremony means to you,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/exodus/12.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />When your children ask you, 'What does this ritual mean?' <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/exodus/12.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />And when your children say to you, 'What does this ritual mean?'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/exodus/12.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />When your children ask you, 'What does this ceremony mean to you?'--<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/exodus/12.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />It will happen, when your children ask you, 'What do you mean by this service?'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/exodus/12.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say to you, What mean you by this service?<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/exodus/12.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />When your children ask you, ‘What does this service mean to you?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/exodus/12.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />It will happen, when your children ask you, ‘What do you mean by this service?’ <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/exodus/12.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and it has come to pass, when your sons say to you, What [is] this service you have?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/exodus/12.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and it hath come to pass when your sons say unto you, What is this service ye have?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/exodus/12.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And it shall be when your sons shall say to you, What this service to you?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/exodus/12.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And when your children shall say to you: What is the meaning of this service? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/exodus/12.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And when your sons will say to you, ‘What is the meaning of this religious observance?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/exodus/12.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />When your children ask you, ‘What does this rite of yours mean?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/exodus/12.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />And when your children ask you, ‘What do you mean by this observance?’<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/exodus/12.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And it shall come to pass when your children shall say to you, What is the meaning of this service?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/exodus/12.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And it will be when your children will say to you, ‘What is this service?’<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/exodus/12.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto you: What mean ye by this service?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/exodus/12.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And it shall come to pass, if your sons say to you, What is this service?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/exodus/12-26.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=2945" 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 Feast of Unleavened Bread</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">25</span>When you enter the land that the LORD will give you as He promised, you are to keep this service. <span class="reftext">26</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: wə·hā·yāh (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3ms) -- 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/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">When</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: bə·nê·ḵem (N-mpc:: 2mp) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">your children</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: yō·mə·rū (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">ask you,</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ă·lê·ḵem (Prep:: 2mp) -- To, into, towards. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: māh (Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">‘What</a> <a href="/hebrew/5656.htm" title="5656: hā·‘ă·ḇō·ḏāh (Art:: N-fs) -- Labor, service. Or mabowdah; from abad; work of any kind.">does this service</a> <a href="/hebrew/2063.htm" title="2063: haz·zōṯ (Art:: Pro-fs) -- Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that. Irregular feminine of zeh; this.">mean</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·ḵem (Prep:: 2mp) -- ">to you?’</a> </span><span class="reftext">27</span>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.…<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="/deuteronomy/6-20.htm">Deuteronomy 6:20-25</a></span><br />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. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/4-6.htm">Joshua 4:6-7</a></span><br />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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/4-21.htm">Joshua 4:21-24</a></span><br />Then Joshua said to the Israelites, “In the future, when your children ask their fathers, ‘What is the meaning of these stones?’ / you are to tell them, ‘Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.’ / For the LORD your God dried up the waters of the Jordan before you until you had crossed over, just as He did to the Red Sea, which He dried up before us until we had crossed over. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/78-3.htm">Psalm 78:3-6</a></span><br />that we have heard and known and our fathers have relayed to us. / 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, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/105-43.htm">Psalm 105:43-45</a></span><br />He brought forth His people with rejoicing, His chosen with shouts of joy. / He gave them the lands of the nations, that they might inherit the fruit of others’ labor, / that they might keep His statutes and obey His laws. Hallelujah!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/145-4.htm">Psalm 145:4-7</a></span><br />One generation will commend Your works to the next, and will proclaim Your mighty acts— / the glorious splendor of Your majesty. And I will meditate on Your wondrous works. / They will proclaim the power of Your awesome deeds, and I will declare Your greatness. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/38-19.htm">Isaiah 38:19</a></span><br />The living, only the living, can thank You, as I do today; fathers will tell their children about Your faithfulness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joel/1-3.htm">Joel 1:3</a></span><br />Tell it to your children; let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/13-8.htm">Exodus 13:8-9</a></span><br />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.’ / It 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/13-14.htm">Exodus 13:14-16</a></span><br />In the future, when your son asks you, ‘What does this mean?’ you are to tell him, ‘With a mighty hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. / And when Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, the LORD killed every firstborn in the land of Egypt, both of man and beast. This is why I sacrifice to the LORD the firstborn male of every womb, but I redeem all the firstborn of my sons.’ / So it shall serve as a sign on your hand and a symbol on your forehead, for with a mighty hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/4-9.htm">Deuteronomy 4:9-10</a></span><br />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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/11-19.htm">Deuteronomy 11:19</a></span><br />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.<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="/hebrews/11-28.htm">Hebrews 11:28</a></span><br />By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch Israel’s own firstborn.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/22-19.htm">Luke 22:19-20</a></span><br />And He took the bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body, given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” / In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is poured out for you.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say to you, What mean you by this service?</p><p class="hdg">your children</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/13-8.htm">Exodus 13:8,9,14,15</a></b></br> And thou shalt shew thy son in that day, saying, <i>This is done</i> because of that <i>which</i> the LORD did unto me when I came forth out of Egypt… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/6-7.htm">Deuteronomy 6:7</a></b></br> And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/11-19.htm">Deuteronomy 11:19</a></b></br> And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/exodus/12-25.htm">Act</a> <a href="/exodus/12-25.htm">Ceremony</a> <a href="/exodus/12-24.htm">Children</a> <a href="/exodus/2-14.htm">Mean</a> <a href="/exodus/9-16.htm">Reason</a> <a href="/exodus/12-25.htm">Rite</a> <a href="/exodus/12-25.htm">Service</a> <a href="/exodus/3-13.htm">What</a> <a href="/exodus/12-25.htm">Worship</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/exodus/21-14.htm">Act</a> <a href="/exodus/13-5.htm">Ceremony</a> <a href="/exodus/12-27.htm">Children</a> <a href="/exodus/13-14.htm">Mean</a> <a href="/exodus/13-14.htm">Reason</a> <a href="/john/7-22.htm">Rite</a> <a href="/exodus/13-5.htm">Service</a> <a href="/exodus/13-14.htm">What</a> <a href="/exodus/12-31.htm">Worship</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'; 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In the ancient Near Eastern context, oral tradition was a primary means of education. The question from children signifies curiosity and a desire to understand their heritage, which is a common theme in the Bible (<a href="/deuteronomy/6-20.htm">Deuteronomy 6:20</a>). It underscores the role of parents as spiritual educators, a principle echoed in <a href="/proverbs/22-6.htm">Proverbs 22:6</a>.<p><b>‘What does this service mean to you?’</b><br>The "service" refers to the Passover, a pivotal event in Israel's history commemorating their deliverance from Egyptian bondage. This question invites reflection on the significance of the Passover, which is both a historical remembrance and a spiritual symbol. The Passover lamb is a type of Christ, as seen in <a href="/1_corinthians/5-7.htm">1 Corinthians 5:7</a>, where Paul refers to Jesus as "our Passover lamb." The inquiry encourages a personal connection to the ritual, ensuring that the observance is not merely a tradition but a meaningful act of worship. This aligns with the broader biblical theme of remembrance and the importance of understanding God's redemptive acts (<a href="/psalms/78-4.htm">Psalm 78:4-7</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>The leader chosen by God to deliver the Israelites from Egyptian bondage. He is the one who conveys God's instructions regarding the Passover to the Israelites.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The descendants of Jacob, who are enslaved in Egypt and are the recipients of God's deliverance through the Passover event.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/e/egypt.htm">Egypt</a></b><br>The land where the Israelites are enslaved. It is the setting for the plagues and the eventual Exodus.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/p/passover.htm">Passover</a></b><br>The event where God "passed over" the houses of the Israelites marked with lamb's blood, sparing them from the plague of the firstborn.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/c/children.htm">Children</a></b><br>The future generations of Israelites who will inquire about the significance of the Passover, prompting the retelling of God's deliverance.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/i/importance_of_remembrance.htm">Importance of Remembrance</a></b><br>The Passover serves as a perpetual reminder of God's deliverance. It is crucial to remember and recount God's faithfulness in our lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/role_of_parents_in_spiritual_education.htm">Role of Parents in Spiritual Education</a></b><br>Parents are tasked with the responsibility of teaching their children about God's works and commandments, ensuring the faith is passed down through generations.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/symbolism_and_fulfillment.htm">Symbolism and Fulfillment</a></b><br>The Passover is a foreshadowing of Christ's sacrifice. Understanding the Old Testament symbols enriches our comprehension of the New Testament fulfillment.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/e/engaging_the_next_generation.htm">Engaging the Next Generation</a></b><br>Encourage curiosity and questions from children about faith and traditions. This engagement is vital for their spiritual growth and understanding.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/living_out_our_faith.htm">Living Out Our Faith</a></b><br>Just as the Israelites were to live in a way that prompted questions from their children, our lives should reflect our faith in a way that invites inquiry and discussion.<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/is_god_our_father.htm">Is God our Father?</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's_the_purpose_of_a_seder.htm">What is the purpose of a Passover Seder?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_meditate_on_god's_law_with_low_literacy.htm">If Psalm 1:2 calls for constant meditation on God’s law, how was this even possible in ancient societies with low literacy rates or in modern times with busy lifestyles? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/exodus/12.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 26.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">When your children shall say unto you, what mean ye by this service</span>. Apparently, Moses adds these injunctions by his own sole authority. He assumes that curiosity will be aroused by the strange and peculiar features of the Paschal ceremony, and that each generation in succession will wish to know its meaning and origin. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/exodus/12-26.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">When</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּֽי־</span> <span class="translit">(kî-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">your children</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּנֵיכֶ֑ם</span> <span class="translit">(bə·nê·ḵem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><br /><span class="word">ask you,</span><br /><span class="heb">יֹאמְר֥וּ</span> <span class="translit">(yō·mə·rū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">‘What</span><br /><span class="heb">מָ֛ה</span> <span class="translit">(māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> </span><span class="str2">What?, what!, indefinitely what</span><br /><br /><span class="word">does this service</span><br /><span class="heb">הָעֲבֹדָ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(hā·‘ă·ḇō·ḏāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5656.htm">Strong's 5656: </a> </span><span class="str2">Work of any kind</span><br /><br /><span class="word">mean</span><br /><span class="heb">הַזֹּ֖את</span> <span class="translit">(haz·zōṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Pronoun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2063.htm">Strong's 2063: </a> </span><span class="str2">Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that, </span><br /><br /><span class="word">to you?’</span><br /><span class="heb">לָכֶֽם׃</span> <span class="translit">(lā·ḵem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/exodus/12-26.htm">Exodus 12:26 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/exodus/12-26.htm">Exodus 12:26 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/exodus/12-26.htm">Exodus 12:26 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/exodus/12-26.htm">Exodus 12:26 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/exodus/12-26.htm">Exodus 12:26 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/exodus/12-26.htm">Exodus 12:26 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/exodus/12-26.htm">Exodus 12:26 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/exodus/12-26.htm">Exodus 12:26 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/exodus/12-26.htm">Exodus 12:26 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/exodus/12-26.htm">Exodus 12:26 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/exodus/12-26.htm">OT Law: Exodus 12:26 It will happen when your children ask (Exo. Ex) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/exodus/12-25.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Exodus 12:25"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Exodus 12:25" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/exodus/12-27.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Exodus 12:27"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Exodus 12:27" /></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>