ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for Exodus 13

Ex. 13:2 In addition to the yearly sacrifice of the Passover (see 12:1–13), Israel is also called to consecrate to the Lord all the firstborn in Israel, whether animal or human. The instructions for how and why this is to be done are given in 13:11–16. This reminds Israel that their firstborn sons were spared (v. 15). “Consecrate” means “make holy by giving to God.” Thus the firstborn of sacrificial animals, such as sheep and cattle, had to be sacrificed. However, firstborn donkeys and humans had to be redeemed: a lamb was offered in sacrifice instead of them (vv. 12–13).

Ex. 13:3 The repeated statement that the Lord brought his people out by a strong hand (also vv. 9, 14, 16) is the reason Israel is called to be faithful in keeping both the Feast of Unleavened Bread (vv. 3, 9) and the consecration of all the firstborn (vv. 14, 16). The statement also seems to be intended to encourage Israel to fear the Lord instead of the nations who inhabit the land of Canaan (see vv. 5, 11).

Ex. 13:6–7 These instructions relate to the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which begins with the celebration of Passover and is observed for seven days (see 12:14–20).

Ex. 13:9 The Lord’s rules should govern Israel so fully that they would be obvious, like marks on your hand and between your eyes (also v. 16). that the law of the Lord may be in your mouth. They are to remind themselves and their children about the Lord’s rules (Deut. 6:7).

Ex. 13:11–16 set apart to the Lord all that first opens the womb (v. 12). Every firstborn was regarded as belonging to the Lord. And when in time to come your son asks you, “What does this mean?” you shall say . . . (vv. 14–15). Parents were to explain to their children why they did the things that the Lord asked of them.

Ex. 13:17 Although the Lord has clearly shown that he can bring his people victoriously through the land of the Philistines, he mercifully chooses to take them on another route that will not lead to immediate armed conflict. However, this route will result in Israel being hemmed in between the Red Sea and Pharaoh’s army of chariots (see 14:5–9).

Ex. 13:18 toward the Red Sea. Here and in other accounts of the crossing of the sea, the water is referred to as Yam Sup (see also 15:4; Deut. 11:4; Ps. 106:7, 9, 22). Some modern scholars interpret Yam Sup as “Sea of Reeds/Papyrus.” Because papyrus does not grow along the Red Sea/Gulf of Suez, some scholars have concluded that the Yam Sup is one of the marshy lakes in the area north of the Red Sea. They think the Israelites crossed a marshy area of a lake rather than a large body of water such as the Red Sea. Other scholars disagree, proposing that sup is related to a word that means “end.” So yam sup would refer to the sea at the end of the land of Egypt (that is, the Red Sea). Every certain reference to yam sup in the Bible refers to the Red Sea or its northern extensions in the Gulfs of Aqaba and Suez (e.g., 1 Kings 9:26; Jer. 49:21). This suggests that the name Yam Sup is best understood to denote the Red Sea/Gulf of Suez and, therefore, the Israelites crossed this major body of water when they fled Egypt.

Ex. 13:19 Taking the bones of Joseph to Canaan fulfilled his last wishes (Gen. 50:24–25) and reaffirmed that God had kept his promises.

Ex. 13:21–22 Throughout the events of Exodus, cloud and fire signify God’s presence (3:2; 16:10; 19:18; 40:38).