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Exodus 12:23 - Divine protection through blood sign.

Exodus 12:23 - שמות 12:23

Hebrew Text

וְעָבַר יְהוָה לִנְגֹּף אֶת־מִצְרַיִם וְרָאָה אֶת־הַדָּם עַל־הַמַּשְׁקוֹף וְעַל שְׁתֵּי הַמְּזוּזֹת וּפָסַח יְהוָה עַל־הַפֶּתַח וְלֹא יִתֵּן הַמַּשְׁחִית לָבֹא אֶל־בָּתֵּיכֶם לִנְגֹּף׃

English Translation

For the Lord will pass through to smite Miżrayim; and when he sees the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the Lord will pass over the door, and will not allow the destroyer to come into your houses to smite you.

Transliteration

Ve'avar Adonai lingof et-Mitzrayim vera'a et-hadam al-hamashkof ve'al shtei hamezuzot ufasach Adonai al-hapetach velo yiten hamashchit lavo el-bateichem lingof.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְעָבַ֣ר יְהֹוָה֮ לִנְגֹּ֣ף אֶת־מִצְרַ֒יִם֒ וְרָאָ֤ה אֶת־הַדָּם֙ עַל־הַמַּשְׁק֔וֹף וְעַ֖ל שְׁתֵּ֣י הַמְּזוּזֹ֑ת וּפָסַ֤ח יְהֹוָה֙ עַל־הַפֶּ֔תַח וְלֹ֤א יִתֵּן֙ הַמַּשְׁחִ֔ית לָבֹ֥א אֶל־בָּתֵּיכֶ֖ם לִנְגֹּֽף׃
וְעָבַ֣ר יְהֹוָה֮ לִנְגֹּ֣ף אֶת־מִצְרַ֒יִם֒ וְרָאָ֤ה אֶת־הַדָּם֙ עַל־הַמַּשְׁק֔וֹף וְעַ֖ל שְׁתֵּ֣י הַמְּזוּזֹ֑ת וּפָסַ֤ח יְהֹוָה֙ עַל־הַפֶּ֔תַח וְלֹ֤א יִתֵּן֙ הַמַּשְׁחִ֔ית לָבֹ֥א אֶל־בָּתֵּיכֶ֖ם לִנְגֹּֽף׃

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Parasha Commentary

The Significance of the Blood on the Doorposts

This verse describes the final plague in Egypt—the death of the firstborn—and the protective sign of the blood on the doorposts that spared the Israelites. Rashi (on Shemot 12:23) explains that the blood served as a siman (sign) for Hashem to "pass over" the Israelite homes. The act of placing the blood demonstrated the Israelites' faith in Hashem's command, as they publicly distinguished themselves from the Egyptians.

The Role of the "Mashchit" (Destroyer)

The verse mentions that Hashem would not allow the mashchit (destroyer) to enter Jewish homes. The Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 17:5) teaches that the mashchit was a destructive angel assigned to carry out the plague. Rambam (Moreh Nevuchim 3:10) explains that such angels represent natural forces of destruction, but Hashem directly intervened to protect Bnei Yisrael.

The Dual Meaning of "Pesach" (Pass Over)

The term pasach (פָּסַח) has two interpretations:

  • Pass Over: Rashi (Shemot 12:13) explains that Hashem "skipped over" the Israelite homes, sparing them.
  • Protect: The Targum Onkelos translates it as ve-yichos (וְיֵיחוֹס), meaning "He had mercy," emphasizing divine protection.

The Symbolism of the Doorposts

The blood was placed on the lintel and two side posts (מזוזות), which later became associated with the mitzvah of mezuzah. The Mechilta (Bo 11) connects this act to future Jewish observance, as the doorposts symbolize the sanctity of the Jewish home. The blood represented both physical salvation and a spiritual commitment to Hashem.

The Contrast Between Egypt and Israel

The verse highlights the distinction between the Egyptians and Israelites. The Netziv (Ha'amek Davar, Shemot 12:23) notes that the blood was a public declaration of loyalty to Hashem, separating the Israelites from Egyptian idolatry. This act of faith was necessary for their redemption.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Pesachim 96a
The verse is discussed in the context of the Passover sacrifice and the protection it provided to the Israelites during the plague of the firstborn in Egypt.
📖 Mekhilta d'Rabbi Ishmael Bo, Parsha 7
The verse is cited in the Mekhilta, a tannaitic midrash on Exodus, in a discussion about the significance of the blood on the doorposts and lintel as a sign for God to pass over the Israelite homes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does the blood on the doorposts symbolize in Exodus 12:23?
A: The blood on the doorposts (מַשְׁקוֹף וּמְזוּזוֹת) served as a sign of faith and obedience to Hashem's command. According to Rashi, it distinguished Jewish homes from Egyptian ones, showing that the Israelites trusted in Hashem's protection during the Plague of the Firstborn. The blood was from the Korban Pesach (Paschal Lamb), symbolizing dedication to serving Hashem.
Q: Why did Hashem 'pass over' the Israelite homes?
A: Hashem 'passed over' (פָּסַח) the Israelite homes because of their faithfulness in following His commandments—specifically, marking their doorposts with the blood of the Korban Pesach. The Midrash explains that this act demonstrated their commitment to leaving Egyptian idolatry and embracing divine service, meriting protection from the plague.
Q: Who or what is 'the destroyer' (הַמַּשְׁחִית) mentioned in this verse?
A: The 'destroyer' refers to a heavenly agent of punishment sent to execute the Plague of the Firstborn. Ramban explains that while Hashem oversees judgment, He delegates certain actions to angels or forces of destruction. Here, the blood on the doorposts prevented the destroyer from entering, showing that divine protection follows obedience to mitzvot.
Q: How does this verse connect to the holiday of Passover (Pesach)?
A: This verse is the origin of the name 'Pesach' (Passover), as Hashem 'passed over' Jewish homes. The Talmud (Pesachim 96a) teaches that the Korban Pesach and the blood on the doorposts were the first national mitzvot given to Israel, marking their transition from slavery to freedom. Today, we commemorate this by retelling the story at the Seder.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Exodus 12:23 today?
A: The verse teaches that emunah (faith) requires action. The Israelites didn’t just pray for salvation—they actively marked their homes as a public declaration of loyalty to Hashem. The Chofetz Chaim notes that this reminds us to combine trust in Hashem with practical fulfillment of mitzvot, especially in times of challenge.