Feast
of Matzah: 14th or 15th Commencement?
By
Isaac Aluochier
All scriptural quotations, unless otherwise stated, are from the Hebrew Names Version of the World English Bible, available at http://www.ebible.org/bible/hnv/
REVELATION OF PESACH AND FEAST OF MATZAH TO YISRAEL
YAH'SHUAH'S LAST PESACH BEFORE HIS DEATH
Is Yahweh's Pesach to be killed on the 14th day of the first month, and eaten on the 14th day of the first month, or is it to be eaten on the 15th day of the first month? Is the feast of matzah (unleavened bread) to run from the 14th day to the 20th day of the first month, or from the 15th day to the 21st day of the first month?
REVELATION OF PESACH AND FEAST OF MATZAH TO YISRAEL
12:1Yahweh
spoke to Moshe and Aharon in the land of Mitzrayim, saying, 12:2"This month shall be to you the
beginning of months. It shall be the first month of the year to you. 12:3Speak to all the congregation of Yisra'el,
saying, 'On the tenth day of this month, they shall take to them every man a
lamb, according to their fathers' houses, a lamb for a household; 12:4and if the household be 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 everyone can eat you shall make your
count for the lamb. 12:5Your lamb
shall be without blemish, a male a year old. You shall take it from the sheep,
or from the goats: 12:6and you shall
keep it until the fourteenth day of the same month; and the whole assembly of
the congregation of Yisra'el shall kill it at evening. 12:7They shall take same of the blood, and put
it on the two side-posts and on the lintel, on the houses in which they shall
eat it. 12:8They shall eat the flesh
in that night, roasted with fire, and matzah. They shall eat it with bitter
herbs. 12:9Don't eat it raw, nor
boiled at all with water, but roasted with fire; with its head, its legs and
its inner parts. 12:10You shall let
nothing of it remain until the morning; but that which remains of it until the
morning you shall burn with fire. 12:11This
is how you shall eat it: with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and
your staff in your hand; and you shall eat it in haste: it is Yahweh's Pesach. 12:12For I will go through the
12:15Seven
days shall you eat matzah; even the first day you shall put away yeast out of your
houses, for whoever eats leavened bread from the first day until the seventh
day, that soul shall be cut off from Yisra'el. 12:16In
the first day there shall be to you a holy convocation, and in the seventh day
a holy convocation; no manner of work shall be done in them, except that which
every man must eat, that only may be done by you. 12:17You
shall observe the feast of matzah; for in this same day have I brought your
hosts out of the
12:21Then
Moshe called for all the Zakenim of Yisra'el, and said to them, "Draw out,
and take you lambs according to your families, and kill the Pesach. 12:22You shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip
it in the blood that is in the basin, and strike the lintel and the two
side-posts with the blood that is in the basin; and none of you shall go out of
the door of his house until the morning. 12:23For
Yahweh will pass through to strike the Mitzrim; and when he sees the blood on
the lintel, and on the two side-posts, Yahweh will pass over the door, and will
not allow the destroyer to come in to your houses to strike you. 12:24You shall observe this thing for an
ordinance to you and to your sons forever. 12:25It
shall happen when you have come to the land which Yahweh will give you,
according as he has promised, that you shall keep this service. 12:26It will happen, when your children ask
you, 'What do you mean by this service?' 12:27that
you shall say, 'It is the sacrifice of Yahweh's Pesach, who passed over the
houses of the children of Yisra'el in Mitzrayim, when he struck the Mitzrim,
and spared our houses.'"
The people bowed their heads and worshipped. 12:28The children of Yisra'el went and did so;
as Yahweh had commanded Moshe and Aharon, so they did.
12:29It
happened at midnight, that Yahweh struck all the firstborn in the
12:33The
Mitzrim were urgent with the people, to send them out of the land in haste, for
they said, "We are all dead men." 12:34The
people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneading-troughs being
bound up in their clothes on their shoulders. 12:35The
children of Yisra'el did according to the word of Moshe; and they asked of the
Mitzrim jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and clothing. 12:36Yahweh gave the people favor in the sight
of the Mitzrim, so that they let them have what they asked. They despoiled the
Mitzrim.
12:37The
children of Yisra'el journeyed from Ra`meses to Sukkot, about six hundred
thousand on foot who were men, besides children. 12:38A
mixed multitude went up also with them, with flocks, herds, and even very much
cattle. 12:39They baked unleavened
cakes of the dough which they brought forth out of Mitzrayim; for it wasn't
leavened, because they were thrust out of Mitzrayim, and couldn't wait, neither
had they prepared for themselves any food. 12:40Now
the time that the children of Yisra'el lived in Mitzrayim was four hundred
thirty years. 12:41It happened at
the end of four hundred thirty years, even the same day it happened, that all
the hosts of Yahweh went out from the
12:43Yahweh
said to Moshe and Aharon, "This is the ordinance of the Pesach. There
shall no foreigner eat of it, 12:44but
every man's servant who is bought for money, when you have circumcised him,
then shall he eat of it. 12:45A
sojourner and a hired servant shall not eat of it. 12:46In one house shall it be eaten; you shall not carry
forth anything of the flesh abroad out of the house; neither shall you break a
bone of it. 12:47All the
congregation of Yisra'el shall keep it. 12:48When
a stranger shall sojourn with you, and will keep the Pesach to Yahweh, let all
his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall
be as one who is born in the land: but no uncircumcised person shall eat of it.
12:49One law shall be to him who is
born at home, and to the stranger who sojourns among you." 12:50Thus did all the children of Yisra'el. As
Yahweh commanded Moshe and Aharon, so they did. 12:51It
happened the same day, that Yahweh brought the children of Yisra'el out of the
13:1Yahweh
spoke to Moshe, saying, 13:2"Sanctify
to me all of the firstborn, whatever opens the womb among the children of
Yisra'el, both of man and of animal. It is mine."
13:3Moshe
said to the people, "Remember this day, in which you came out from
Mitzrayim, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand Yahweh brought
you out from this place. No leavened bread shall be eaten. 13:4This day you go forth in the month Aviv. 13:5It shall be, when Yahweh shall bring you
into the land of the Kana`ani, and the Chittite, and the Amori, and the Chivvi,
and the Yevusi, which he swore to your fathers to give you, a land flowing with
milk and honey, that you shall keep this service in this month. 13:6Seven days you shall eat matzah, and in the
seventh day shall be a feast to Yahweh. 13:7Unleavened
bread shall be eaten throughout the seven days; and no leavened bread shall be
seen with you, neither shall there be yeast seen with you, in all your borders.
13:8You shall tell your son in that
day, saying, 'It is because of that which Yahweh did for me when I came forth
out of Mitzrayim.' 13:9It shall be
for a sign to you on your hand, and for a memorial between your eyes, that the
law of Yahweh may be in your mouth; for with a strong hand Yahweh has brought
you out of Mitzrayim. 13:10You shall
therefore keep this ordinance in its season from year to year.
Lambs To Be Killed On The 14th Day
12:6 shows that the lambs were to be kept UNTIL the 14th day of the first month, and to be killed at evening. The lambs were NOT to be kept BEYOND the 14th day of the first month. The evening in which the lambs were to be killed therefore had to have been that of the 14th day of the first month. WHEN is the evening of the 14th day of the first month?
Roasted Lambs Eaten On Night Following Evening Of
The 14th Day
12:8 shows that the flesh of the roasted lambs was to be eaten on the night following the evening of the 14th day of the first month. Is this night that of the 14th day or that of the 15th day?
If this night is that of the 14th day, then the evening of the 14th day mentioned in 12:6 must be that at the commencement of the 14th day. If this night is that of the 15th day, then the evening of the 14th day mentioned in 12:6 must be that at the end of the 14th day.
Matzah To Be Eaten With Roasted Lambs
12:8 also shows that MATZAH is to be eaten with the roasted flesh of the lamb on the night following the evening of the 14th day of the first month.
Firstborn Of Mitzrayim Struck On The Night Pesach
Was Eaten
12:12 shows that the night that Yahweh's Pesach was eaten was also the night
that Yahweh struck the firstborn in all the
Day Pesach Is Eaten Is A Feast To Yahweh
12:14 shows that the day INCLUDING the night of the eating of Yahweh's Pesach, that commemorating Yahweh's slaughter of the firstborn of Mitzrayim, is a memorial to the children of Yisrael. It is to be kept a FEAST to Yahweh throughout the generations of the children of Yisrael by an ordinance forever. Is this day the 14th of the first month, or the 15th of the first month?
No Leavened Bread To Be Eaten For Seven Days
12:15 shows that matzah is to be eaten for SEVEN days, with no leavened bread being eaten over these seven days.
Holy Convocations To Be Held On The First And
Seventh Days For Eating Matzah
12:16 shows that HOLY CONVOCATIONS are to be held on the FIRST and SEVENTH of these seven days for the eating of matzah, on which leavened bread is not to be eaten.
Feast Of Matzah Commemorates Deliverance Of Yisrael
Out Of Mitzrayim
12:17 shows that the feast of matzah, and specifically its FIRST day of
seven, commemorates the day when Yahweh brought out the hosts of the children
of Yisrael out of the
Matzah To Be Eaten For Seven Days
12:18 shows that matzah is to be eaten over a PERIOD of seven days, from the evening of 14th day until the evening of the 21st day. Are these evenings marking, respectively, the beginning or the end of the 14th and 21st days?
Yisrael Delivered Out Of Mitzrayim On Night
They Ate Pesach
12:29 shows that it was at MIDNIGHT that Yahweh struck all the firstborn of the land of Mitzrayim. Was this midnight on the 14th day or on the 15th day of the first month?
12:42 INDICATES that Yahweh brought out the hosts of Yisrael out of the land of Mitzrayim BY NIGHT! In other words, after the slaughter of the firstborn of the Mitzrim, the children of Yisrael left Mitzrayim by night - the very same night of the slaughter! Was this night the 14th day of the first month or the 15th day?
12:51, 43-51 shows that Yahweh brought out the hosts of Yisrael out of Mitzrayim the SAME DAY that they ate Yahweh's Pesach! Therefore, if they ate Yahweh's Pesach on the 14th day of the first month, they came out of Mitzrayim on the 14th day. Likewise, if they ate it on the 15th day of the first month, they came out on the 15th day. On which day did they eat Yahweh's Pesach - the 14th day or the 15th day?
Yahweh's Pesach Eaten On First Day Of The Feast
Of Matzah
13:3 shows that no leavened bread is to be eaten on the day commemorating the departure out of the land of Mitzrayim, indicating that this day of departure out of the land of Mitzrayim was the FIRST of the seven days of matzah! In other words, the day that Yahweh's Pesach is eaten is the first of the seven days of the feast of matzah!
23:1Yahweh
spoke to Moshe, saying, 23:2Speak to
the children of Yisra'el, and tell them, The set feasts of Yahweh, which you
shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are my set feasts. 23:3Six days shall work be done: but on the
seventh day is a Shabbat of solemn rest, a holy convocation; you shall do no
manner of work: it is a Shabbat to Yahweh in all your dwellings. 23:4These are the set feasts of Yahweh, even holy
convocations, which you shall proclaim in their appointed season. 23:5In the first month, on the fourteenth day
of the month at even, is Yahweh's Pesach. 23:6On
the fifteenth day of the same month is the feast of matzah to Yahweh: seven
days you shall eat matzah. 23:7In
the first day you shall have a holy convocation: you shall do no servile work. 23:8But you shall offer an offering made by
fire to Yahweh seven days: in the seventh day is a holy convocation; you shall
do no servile work. 23:9Yahweh spoke
to Moshe, saying, 23:10Speak to the
children of Yisra'el, and tell them, When you are come into the land which I
give to you, and shall reap the harvest of it, then you shall bring the sheaf
of the first-fruits of your harvest to the Kohen: 23:11and
he shall wave the sheaf before Yahweh, to be accepted for you: on the next day
after the Shabbat the Kohen shall wave it. 23:12In
the day when you wave the sheaf, you shall offer a he-lamb without blemish a
year old for a burnt offering to Yahweh. 23:13The
meal-offering of it shall be two tenth parts of an efah of fine flour mingled
with oil, an offering made by fire to Yahweh for a sweet savor; and the
drink-offering of it shall be of wine, the fourth part of a hin. 23:14You shall eat neither bread, nor parched
grain, nor fresh ears, until this same day, until you have brought the offering
of your Mighty One: it is a statute forever throughout your generations in all
your dwellings. 23:15You shall count
to you from the next day after the Shabbat, from the day that you brought the
sheaf of the wave-offering; seven Shabbatot shall there be complete: 23:16even to the next day after the seventh
Shabbat shall you number fifty days; and you shall offer a new meal-offering to
Yahweh. 23:17You shall bring out of
your habitations two wave-loaves of two tenth parts of an efah: they shall be
of fine flour, they shall be baked with yeast, for first-fruits to Yahweh. 23:18You shall present with the bread seven
lambs without blemish a year old, and one young bull, and two rams: they shall
be a burnt offering to Yahweh, with their meal-offering, and their
drink-offerings, even an offering made by fire, of a sweet savor to Yahweh. 23:19You shall offer one male goat for a
sin-offering, and two he-lambs a year old for a sacrifice of peace-offerings. 23:20The Kohen shall wave them with the bread
of the first-fruits for a wave-offering before Yahweh, with the two lambs: they
shall be holy to Yahweh for the Kohen. 23:21You
shall make proclamation on the same day; there shall be a holy convocation to
you; you shall do no servile work: it is a statute forever in all your
dwellings throughout your generations. 23:22When
you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not wholly reap the corners of
your field, neither shall you gather the gleaning of your harvest: you shall
leave them for the poor, and for the sojourner: I am Yahweh your Mighty One. 23:23Yahweh spoke to Moshe, saying, 23:24Speak to the children of Yisra'el, saying,
In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, shall be a solemn rest to
you, a memorial of blowing of shofarot, a holy convocation. 23:25You shall do no servile work; and you
shall offer an offering made by fire to Yahweh. 23:26Yahweh
spoke to Moshe, saying, 23:27However
on the tenth day of this seventh month is the day of atonement: it shall be a
holy convocation to you, and you shall afflict your souls; and you shall offer
an offering made by fire to Yahweh. 23:28You
shall do no manner of work in that same day; for it is a day of atonement, to
make atonement for you before Yahweh your Mighty One. 23:29For whatever soul it be who shall not be
afflicted in that same day; he shall be cut off from his people. 23:30Whatever soul it be who does any manner of
work in that same day, that soul will I destroy from among his people. 23:31You shall do no manner of work: it is a
statute forever throughout your generations in all your dwellings. 23:32It shall be to you a Shabbat of solemn
rest, and you shall afflict your souls: in the ninth day of the month at even,
from even to even, shall you keep your Shabbat. 23:33Yahweh
spoke to Moshe, saying, 23:34Speak
to the children of Yisra'el, saying, On the fifteenth day of this seventh month
is the feast of booths for seven days to Yahweh. 23:35On
the first day shall be a holy convocation: you shall do no servile work. 23:36Seven days you shall offer an offering
made by fire to Yahweh: on the eighth day shall be a holy convocation to you;
and you shall offer an offering made by fire to Yahweh: it is a solemn
assembly; you shall do no servile work. 23:37These
are the set feasts of Yahweh, which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations,
to offer an offering made by fire to Yahweh, a burnt offering, and a
meal-offering, a sacrifice, and drink-offerings, each on its own day; 23:38besides the Shabbatot of Yahweh, and
besides your gifts, and besides all your vows, and besides all your
freewill-offerings, which you give to Yahweh. 23:39However
on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you have gathered in the fruits
of the land, you shall keep the feast of Yahweh seven days: on the first day
shall be a solemn rest, and on the eighth day shall be a solemn rest. 23:40You shall take you on the first day the
fruit of goodly trees, branches of palm-trees, and boughs of thick trees, and
willows of the brook; and you shall rejoice before Yahweh your Mighty One seven
days. 23:41You shall keep it a feast
to Yahweh seven days in the year: it is a statute forever throughout your
generations; you shall keep it in the seventh month. 23:42You shall dwell in booths seven days; all
who are home-born in Yisra'el shall dwell in booths; 23:43that your generations may know that I made
the children of Yisra'el to dwell in booths, when I brought them out of the
land of Mitzrayim: I am Yahweh your Mighty One. 23:44Moshe
declared to the children of Yisra'el the set feasts of Yahweh.
Feast Of Matzah Commences On The 15th
Day Of The First Month
23:5 - Is Yahweh's Pesach at the beginning of the 14th day of the first month, or at the end of the 14th day?
23:6 SPECIFICALLY states that the 15th day of the first month is the feast of matzah. It does not say that the 14th day of the first month is the feast of matzah, but the 15th day. This INDICATES that the feast of matzah, the feast spanning seven days, COMMENCES on the 15th day of the first month, and not on the 14th day. If so, then Yahweh's Pesach is killed on the evening of the 14th day of the first month that is at the END of the 14th day, rather than at the beginning of the 14th day!
23:6-7 INDICATES that the first day of the seven days of the feast of matzah is on the 15th day, on which a holy convocation is held.
23:8 indicates that the seventh day, drawing from the comments immediately above, is the 21st day of the month, on which a holy convocation is held.
Day Of Atonement On The 10th Day Of The
Seventh Month
23:27 CLEARLY shows that the 10th day of the seventh month is the day of atonement, on which the children of Yisrael were to afflict their souls and hold a holy convocation.
Definition Of Commencement And Ending Of Day Of
Atonement
23:32 CLEARLY DEFINES the 10th day of the seventh month, commencing in the 9th day of the month at even, from even to even. Meaning from even on the 9th day of the month to even on the 10th day of the month. IMPLYING that even on the 9th day of the month is the evening of the END of the 9th day!
Feast Of Booths Commences On The 15th
Day Of The Seventh Month
23:34 states that the 15th day of the seventh month is the feast of booths for seven days to Yahweh.
23:35 shows that on the first day of the seven days of the feast of booths is a holy convocation.
23:36 shows that on the eighth day, that is on the day after the seven days of the feast of booths, is another holy convocation, separate from the feast of booths.
23:39 reiterates that the 15th day of the seventh month is the commencement of the feast of booths, with the 8th day, that is on the 22nd day of the seventh month, being a holy convocation.
Counting Of Days On The Seventh Month The Same As
Counting Of Days On The First Month
With respect to the feast of booths it is noted that it is generally accepted that this feast runs from the 15th day to the 21st day of the seventh month. With the 22nd day of the seventh month being a separate day on which a holy convocation is held, a day separate from the seven days of the feast of booths. In like manner, as 23:6 has described the 15th day of the first month as the feast of matzah, the feast of matzah likewise commences on the 15th day of the first month, and likewise runs for seven day, culminating on the 21st day of the first month! If the feast of matzah runs from the 14th day of the first month until the 20th day of the first month, as some proponents say, then they should likewise say that the feast of booths runs from the 14th day of the seventh month until the 20th day of the seventh month. But if they accept that the feast of booths runs from the 15th day of the seventh month to the 21st day of the seventh month, they should likewise accept that the feast of matzah runs from the 15th day of the first month to the 21st day of the first month!
Questions Regarding Timing Of Pesach And
Feast Of Matzah Answered
The witness of Vayikra 23 facilitates the answering of the questions raised in the coverage of Shemot 12 and 13. Shemot 12:18 states that the feast of matzah runs from the evening of the 14th day to the evening of the 21st day. Vayikra 23 shows that the feast of matzah commences on the 15th day and ends on the 21st day. Therefore the evening of the 14th day of Shemot 12:18 is the END of the 14th day. Likewise the evening of the 21st day of Shemot 12:18 is the END of the 21st day. The CONSISTENCY of the both Shemot 12 and Vayikra 23 is therefore preserved, showing a duration of seven days for the feast of matzah.
It is therefore the case that Yahweh's Pesach is killed on the evening of the 14th day of the first month, within the 14th day of the first month, and subsequently eaten with matzah on the night of the 15th day of the first month. This night of the 15th day of the first month marks the commencement of the feast of matzah, and is also the commemoration of the night that Yahweh delivered the hosts of Yisrael out of the land of Mitzrayim. The same night that he slaughtered the firstborn of the land of Mitzrayim!
Further Confirmation Regarding Timing Of
Pesach And Feast Of Matzah
28:16In
the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, is Yahweh's Pesach. 28:17On the fifteenth day of this month shall
be a feast: seven days shall matzah be eaten. 28:18In
the first day shall be a holy convocation: you shall do no servile work; 28:19but you shall offer an offering made by
fire, a burnt offering to Yahweh: two young bulls, and one ram, and seven
he-lambs a year old; they shall be to you without blemish; 28:20and their meal-offering, fine flour
mingled with oil: three tenth parts shall you offer for a bull, and two tenth
parts for the ram; 28:21a tenth part
shall you offer for every lamb of the seven lambs; 28:22and one male goat for a sin-offering, to make atonement
for you. 28:23You shall offer these
besides the burnt offering of the morning, which is for a continual burnt
offering. 28:24After this manner you
shall offer daily, for seven days, the food of the offering made by fire, of a
sweet savor to Yahweh: it shall be offered besides the continual burnt
offering, and the drink-offering of it. 28:25On
the seventh day you shall have a holy convocation: you shall do no servile
work.
28:17 repeats the comments in Vayikra 23, that the 15th day of the first month is commencement of the seven-day feast of matzah. The feast of matzah therefore runs from the 15th day to the 21st day of the first month of the year.
Confirmation Of Date Yisrael Journeyed From
Rameses
33:1These
are the journeys of the children of Yisra'el, when they went forth out of the
land of Mitzrayim by their hosts under the hand of Moshe and Aharon. 33:2Moshe wrote their goings out according to
their journeys by the commandment of Yahweh: and these are their journeys
according to their goings out. 33:3They
journeyed from Ra`meses in the first month, on the fifteenth day of the first
month; on the next day after the Pesach the children of Yisra'el went out with
a high hand in the sight of all the Mitzrim, 33:4while
the Mitzrim were burying all their firstborn, whom Yahweh had struck among
them: on their mighty ones also Yahweh executed judgments.
33:3 CLEARLY states that the children of Yisrael left Rameses in Mitzrayim on the 15th day of the first month, in the sight of all the Mitzrim, the day after Yahweh's Pesach. Shemot 12:17, earlier covered, shows that the first day of the seven days of the feast of matzah commemorates the day that Yahweh brought the hosts of Yisrael out of the land of Mitzrayim. It is therefore clear that the first day of the feast of matzah is the 15th day of the first month, and NOT the 14th day of the first month.
Confirmation Of Timing For Sacrificing
Yahweh's Pesach
16:1Observe
the month of Aviv, and keep the Pesach to Yahweh your Mighty One; for in the
month of Aviv Yahweh your Mighty One brought you forth out of Mitzrayim by
night. 16:2You shall sacrifice the
Pesach to Yahweh your Mighty One, of the flock and the herd, in the place which
Yahweh shall choose, to cause his name to dwell there. 16:3You shall eat no leavened bread with it;
seven days shall you eat matzah therewith, even the bread of affliction; for
you came forth out of the land of Mitzrayim in haste: that you may remember the
day when you came forth out of the land of Mitzrayim all the days of your life.
16:4There shall be no yeast seen
with you in all your borders seven days; neither shall any of the flesh, which
you sacrifice the first day at even, remain all night until the morning. 16:5You may not sacrifice the Pesach within any
of your gates, which Yahweh your Mighty One gives you; 16:6but at the place which Yahweh your Mighty
One shall choose, to cause his name to dwell in, there you shall sacrifice the
Pesach at even, at the going down of the sun, at the season that you came forth
out of Mitzrayim. 16:7You shall
roast and eat it in the place which Yahweh your Mighty One shall choose: and you
shall turn in the morning, and go to your tents. 16:8Six
days you shall eat matzah; and on the seventh day shall be a solemn assembly to
Yahweh your Mighty One; you shall do no work therein.
In addition to these verses confirming what has already been observed in Shemot 12 and 13, Vayikra 23, and Bamidbar 28 and 33, an additional detail is given in 16:6.
16:6 shows that Yahweh's Pesach is sacrificed on the 14th day of the first month "at even, at the going down of the sun". This time, before the end of the 14th day of the first month, is WHEN Yahweh's Pesach is to be sacrificed and subsequently roasted according to commandment. It is then eaten with matzah on the subsequent night of the 15th day, being already the commencement of the feast of matzah.
The Terms "Pesach" And "Matzah"
Used Interchangeably
45:21In
the first month, in the fourteenth day of the month, you shall have the Pesach,
a feast of seven days; matzah shall be eaten. 45:22On
that day shall the prince prepare for himself and for all the people of the
land a bull for a sin-offering. 45:23The
seven days of the feast he shall prepare a burnt offering to Yahweh, seven
bulls and seven rams without blemish daily the seven days; and a male goat
daily for a sin-offering. 45:24He
shall prepare a meal-offering, an efah for a bull, and an efah for a ram, and a
hin of oil to an efah. 45:25In the
seventh month, in the fifteenth day of the month, in the feast, shall he do the
like the seven days; according to the sin-offering, according to the burnt
offering, and according to the meal-offering, and according to the oil.
45:21 shows that the term "Pesach" can also be applied to the seven-day feast of matzah, when matzah is eaten for seven days. Nevertheless, it should be noted as already covered in the scriptures above, that Yahweh's Pesach is sacrificed on the 14th day of the first month "at even, at the going down of the sun". It is then eaten with matzah on the 15th day, on the night of the 15th day, which commences the seven days for the eating of matzah. Therefore the seven days for eating matzah referred in Yechezkel 45:21 are from the 15th day to the 21st day, and NOT from the 14th day to the 20th day!
Returned Captives Of Yisrael Kept Yahweh's
Pesach And Feast Of Matzah According To Commandment
6:19The
children of the captivity kept the Pesach on the fourteenth day of the first
month. 6:20For the Kohanim and the
Levites had purified themselves together; all of them were pure: and they
killed the Pesach for all the children of the captivity, and for their brothers
the Kohanim, and for themselves. 6:21The
children of Yisra'el who had come again out of the captivity, and all such as
had separated themselves to them from the filthiness of the nations of the
land, to seek Yahweh, the Mighty One of Yisra'el, ate, 6:22and kept the feast of matzah seven days
with joy: for Yahweh had made them joyful, and had turned the heart of the king
of Ashshur to them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the house of the
Mighty One, the Mighty One of Yisra'el.
The returned captives of Yisrael kept both Yahweh's Pesach and the feast of matzah according to commandment.
Second Month Pesach And Feast Of Matzah Observance
In Chizkiyahu's Time
30:1Chizkiyahu
sent to all Yisra'el and Yahudah, and wrote letters also to Efrayim and
Menashshe, that they should come to the house of Yahweh at Yerushalayim, to
keep the Pesach to Yahweh, the Mighty One of Yisra'el. 30:2For the king had taken counsel, and his
princes, and all the assembly in Yerushalayim, to keep the Pesach in the second
month. 30:3For they could not keep
it at that time, because the Kohanim had not sanctified themselves in
sufficient number, neither had the people gathered themselves together to
Yerushalayim. 30:4The thing was
right in the eyes of the king and of all the assembly. 30:5So they established a decree to make
proclamation throughout all Yisra'el, from Be'er-Sheva even to Dan, that they
should come to keep the Pesach to Yahweh, the Mighty One of Yisra'el, at Yerushalayim:
for they had not kept it in great numbers in such sort as it is written. 30:6So the posts went with the letters from the
king and his princes throughout all Yisra'el and Yahudah, and according to the
commandment of the king, saying, You children of Yisra'el, turn again to
Yahweh, the Mighty One of Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yisra'el, that he may return
to the remnant that have escaped of you out of the hand of the kings of
Ashshur. 30:7Don't be you like your
fathers, and like your brothers, who trespassed against Yahweh, the Mighty One
of their fathers, so that he gave them up to desolation, as you see. 30:8Now don't you be stiff-necked, as your
fathers were; but yield yourselves to Yahweh, and enter into his sanctuary,
which he has sanctified forever, and serve Yahweh your Mighty One, that his
fierce anger may turn away from you. 30:9For
if you turn again to Yahweh, your brothers and your children shall find
compassion before those who led them captive, and shall come again into this
land: for Yahweh your Mighty One is gracious and merciful, and will not turn
away his face from you, if you return to him. 30:10So
the posts passed from city to city through the country of Efrayim and
Menashshe, even to Zevulun: but they laughed them to scorn, and mocked them. 30:11Nevertheless certain men of Asher and
Menashshe and of Zevulun humbled themselves, and came to Yerushalayim. 30:12Also on Yahudah came the hand of the
Mighty One to give them one heart, to do the commandment of the king and of the
princes by the word of Yahweh. 30:13There
assembled at Yerushalayim much people to keep the feast of matzah in the second
month, a very great assembly. 30:14They
arose and took away the altars that were in Yerushalayim, and all the altars
for incense took they away, and cast them into the brook Kidron. 30:15Then they killed the Pesach on the
fourteenth day of the second month: and the Kohanim and the Levites were
ashamed, and sanctified themselves, and brought burnt offerings into the house
of Yahweh. 30:16They stood in their
place after their order, according to the law of Moshe the man of the Mighty
One: the Kohanim sprinkled the blood which they received of the hand of the
Levites. 30:17For there were many in
the assembly who had not sanctified themselves: therefore the Levites had the
charge of killing the Pesachim for everyone who was not clean, to sanctify them
to Yahweh. 30:18For a multitude of
the people, even many of Efrayim and Menashshe, Yissakhar and Zevulun, had not
cleansed themselves, yet did they eat the Pesach otherwise than it is written.
For Chizkiyahu had prayed for them, saying, The good Yahweh pardon everyone 30:19who sets his heart to seek the Mighty One,
Yahweh, the Mighty One of his fathers, though not cleansed according to the
purification of the sanctuary. 30:20Yahweh
listened to Chizkiyahu, and healed the people. 30:21The
children of Yisra'el who were present at Yerushalayim kept the feast of matzah
seven days with great gladness; and the Levites and the Kohanim praised Yahweh
day by day, singing with loud instruments to Yahweh. 30:22Chizkiyahu spoke comfortably to all the
Levites who had good understanding in the service of Yahweh. So they ate
throughout the feast for the seven days, offering sacrifices of
peace-offerings, and making confession to Yahweh, the Mighty One of their
fathers. 30:23The whole assembly
took counsel to keep other seven days; and they kept other seven days with
gladness. 30:24For Chizkiyahu king
of Yahudah did give to the assembly for offerings one thousand bulls and seven
thousand sheep; and the princes gave to the assembly a thousand bulls and ten
thousand sheep: and a great number of Kohanim sanctified themselves. 30:25All the assembly of Yahudah, with the
Kohanim and the Levites, and all the assembly who came out of Yisra'el, and the
sojourners who came out of the land of Yisra'el, and who lived in Yahudah,
rejoiced. 30:26So there was great
joy in Yerushalayim; for since the time of Shelomo the son of David king of
Yisra'el there was not the like in Yerushalayim. 30:27Then
the Kohanim the Levites arose and blessed the people: and their voice was
heard, and their prayer came up to his holy habitation, even to Heaven.
31:1Now
when all this was finished, all Yisra'el who were present went out to the
cities of Yahudah, and broke in pieces the pillars, and hewed down the Asherim,
and broke down the high places and the altars out of all Yahudah and Binyamin,
in Efrayim also and Menashshe, until they had destroyed them all. Then all the
children of Yisra'el returned, every man to his possession, into their own
cities.
The children of Yahudah, and some of Yisrael, kept the Pesach and the feast of matzah in the second month of the year largely according to Yahweh's commandment.
Pesach Observance In Yoshiyahu's Time
35:1Yoshiyahu
kept a Pesach to Yahweh in Yerushalayim: and they killed the Pesach on the
fourteenth day of the first month. 35:2He
set the Kohanim in their offices, and encouraged them to the service of the
house of Yahweh. 35:3He said to the
Levites who taught all Yisra'el, who were holy to Yahweh, Put the holy ark in
the house which Shelomo the son of David king of Yisra'el did build; there
shall no more be a burden on your shoulders: now serve Yahweh your Mighty One,
and his people Yisra'el. 35:4Prepare
yourselves after your fathers' houses by your courses, according to the writing
of David king of Yisra'el, and according to the writing of Shelomo his son. 35:5Stand in the holy place according to the
divisions of the fathers' houses of your brothers the children of the people,
and let there be for each a portion of a fathers' house of the Levites. 35:6Kill the Pesach, and sanctify yourselves,
and prepare for your brothers, to do according to the word of Yahweh by Moshe. 35:7Yoshiyahu gave to the children of the
people, of the flock, lambs and kids, all of them for the Pesach offerings, to
all who were present, to the number of thirty thousand, and three thousand
bulls: these were of the king's substance. 35:8His
princes gave for a freewill- offering to the people, to the Kohanim, and to the
Levites. Chilkiyah and Zekharyah and Yechi'el, the rulers of the house of the
Mighty One, gave to the Kohanim for the Pesach offerings two thousand and six
hundred small cattle, and three hundred oxen. 35:9Kananyahu
also, and Shemayahu and Netan'el, his brothers, and Chashavyah and Ye`i'el and
Yozavad, the chiefs of the Levites, gave to the Levites for the Pesach
offerings five thousand small cattle, and five hundred oxen. 35:10So the service was prepared, and the Kohanim
stood in their place, and the Levites by their courses, according to the king's
commandment. 35:11They killed the
Pesach, and the Kohanim sprinkled the blood which they received of their hand,
and the Levites flayed them. 35:12They
removed the burnt offerings, that they might give them according to the
divisions of the fathers' houses of the children of the people, to offer to
Yahweh, as it is written in the book of Moshe. So did they with the oxen. 35:13They roasted the Pesach with fire
according to the ordinance: and the holy offerings boiled they in pots, and in
caldrons, and in pans, and carried them quickly to all the children of the
people. 35:14Afterward they prepared
for themselves, and for the Kohanim, because the Kohanim the sons of Aharon were
busied in offering the burnt offerings and the fat until night: therefore the
Levites prepared for themselves, and for the Kohanim the sons of Aharon. 35:15The singers the sons of Asaf were in their
place, according to the commandment of David, and Asaf, and Heman, and Yedutun
the king's seer; and the porters were at every gate: they didn't need to depart
from their service; for their brothers the Levites prepared for them. 35:16So all the service of Yahweh was prepared
the same day, to keep the Pesach, and to offer burnt-offerings on the altar of
Yahweh, according to the commandment of king Yoshiyahu. 35:17The children of Yisra'el who were present
kept the Pesach at that time, and the feast of matzah seven days. 35:18There was no Pesach like that kept in
Yisra'el from the days of Shemu'el the prophet; neither did any of the kings of
Yisra'el keep such a Pesach as Yoshiyahu kept, and the Kohanim, and the
Levites, and all Yahudah and Yisra'el who were present, and the inhabitants of
Yerushalayim. 35:19In the eighteenth
year of the reign of Yoshiyahu was this Pesach kept.
It should be noted that this most notable of Yahweh's Pesachs kept in Yerushalayim was observed according to the commandment of Yahweh by Moshe.
Yahweh's Pesach Killed And Prepared Well Before
Night
It should also be noted that it was the Levites who both killed the tens of thousands of Pesach offerings for the people, and also for themselves and the Kohanim. Their brethren the Kohanim had been busy with the bull offerings and their fat UNTIL NIGHT, as 35:14 shows. Implying that the Pesach service commences on the 14th day of the first month well before the night of the 15th day, when the Kohanim completed their bull offerings and subsequently ate the Pesach sacrifice, eating it together with matzah, according to the commandment of Yahweh by Moshe.
It should also be evident that the numerous tens of thousands of Pesach offerings were killed over a period of time likely spanning more than 30 to 45 minutes, the period of dusk, showing that the Pesach sacrificing could not have commenced after sunset. Rather, following the commandment of Yahweh by Moshe, the Pesach sacrificing commenced "at even, at the going down of the sun". This was well before the sun had set, and was FIRMLY on the 14th day of the first month, and before the 15th day of the first month.
It should therefore be clear that this historical and scriptural evidence shows that Yahweh's Pesach was killed on the 14th day of the first month, and eaten with matzah on the 15th day of the first month. The feast of matzah commenced with the eating of Yahweh's Pesach on the 15th day of the first month, until the end of the 21st day of the first month.
YAH'SHUAH'S LAST PESACH BEFORE HIS DEATH
26:17Now
on the first day of matzah, the disciples came to Yah'shuah, saying to him,
"Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Pesach?"
26:18He
said, "Go into the city to a certain person, and
tell him, 'The Teacher says, "My time is at hand. I will keep the Pesach
at your house with my disciples."'"
26:19The
disciples did as Yah'shuah commanded them, and they prepared the Pesach. 26:20Now when evening had come, he was
reclining at the table with the twelve disciples. 26:21As
they were eating, he said, "Most assuredly I tell
you, that one of you will betray me."
26:22They
were exceedingly sorrowful, and each began to ask him, "It isn't me, is
it, Master?"
26:23He
answered, "He who dipped his hand with me in the
dish, the same will betray me. 26:24The Son of Man goes, even as it is written of him, but woe to
that man through whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would be better for that
man if he had not been born."
26:25Yahudah,
who betrayed him, answered, "It isn't me, is it, Rabbi?"
He said to him, "So
you have said."
26:26As
they were eating, Yah'shuah took bread, gave thanks for it, and broke it. He
gave to the disciples, and said, "Take, eat; this
is my body." 26:27He
took the cup, gave thanks, and gave to them, saying, "Drink
all of it, 26:28for this is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out
for many for the remission of sins. 26:29But I tell you that I will not drink of this fruit of the
vine from now on, until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father's
kingdom." 26:30When they
had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
The Terms "Pesach" And "Matzah"
Used Interchangeably
26:17 uses the terms "Pesach" and "matzah" interchangeably. Strictly speaking, according to Yahweh's command by Moshe, Yahweh's Pesach is killed on the 14th day of the first month, and eaten on the 15th day of the first month. The 15th day of the first month is the first day of the seven-day feast of matzah, culminating at the end of the 21st day of the first month. Speaking loosely, the entire eight-day period, can be termed the days of matzah. With the first of these days being the day of Preparation, including the killing of Yahweh's Pesach, and the remaining seven days being those for eating Yahweh's Pesach on the first of the seven, and eating matzah on all the remaining seven days.
Therefore, the day for preparing the Pesach was the 14th day of the first month, the day Yah'shuah's disciples were speaking with him.
Pesach Eaten By Yah'shuah NOT Killed At Dusk
Now, some allege that Yahweh's Pesach is killed on the 14th day of the first month at dusk, immediately after the end of the 13th day and the commencement of the 14th day. If this was so then both Yah'shuah's disciples and Yah'shuah should have been ready by the beginning of the 14th day to both kill the Pesach, roast it, and eat it immediately subsequently. But this account in Mattityahu clearly shows that they were not ready to do so at the time they were speaking. In fact, the 14th day of the first month had already arrived, and Yah'shuah's disciples were still asking him where he wanted them to prepare the Pesach! They certainly were not ready to both kill and roast Yahweh's Pesach on dusk on the 14th day of the first month, immediately after the end of the 13th day. The theory that Yahweh's Pesach was killed and roasted at dusk on the 14th day, immediately after the end of the 13th day, therefore appears to be dubious!
26:17-20 shows that the disciples prepared the Pesach BEFORE evening had come, for it was when evening had come, AFTER the Pesach had been prepared, that Yah'shuah was reclining at table with his disciples! The Pesach was therefore, presumably, prepared according to Yahweh's commandment by Moshe, killed "at even, at the going down of the sun", which was well before evening had come at sunset!
The Yahudim Sought To Kill Yah'shuah Outside The
Feast Of Matzah Period
14:1It
was now two days before the feast of the Pesach and the matzah, and the chief
Kohanim and the Sofrim sought how they might take him with subtlety, and kill
him. 14:2For they said, "Not
during the feast, because there might be a riot of the people."
It is noted that the chief Kohanim and the Sofrim sought to kill Yah'shuah outside the period of the feast of matzah, lest there be a riot among the people.
14:12On
the first day of matzah, when they sacrificed the Pesach, his disciples asked
him, "Where do you want us to go and make ready that you may eat the
Pesach?"
14:13He
sent two of his disciples, and said to them, "Go
into the city, and there will meet you a man carrying a pitcher of water.
Follow him, 14:14and wherever he enters in, tell the master of the house, 'The
Teacher says, "Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Pesach with my
disciples?"' 14:15He will himself show you a large upper room furnished and
ready. Make ready for us there." 14:16His disciples went out, and came into the city, and found things
as he had said to them, and they prepared the Pesach.
14:17When it was evening he came with the twelve. 14:18As they sat and
were eating, Yah'shuah said, "Most assuredly I tell you, one of you will
betray me -- he who eats with me."
14:19They
began to be sorrowful, and to ask him one by one, "Surely not I?" And
another said, "Surely not I?"
14:20He
answered them, "It is one of the twelve, he who
dips with me in the dish. 14:21For the Son of Man goes, even as it is written about him, but
woe to that man through whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would be better for
that man if he had not been born."
14:22As
they were eating, Yah'shuah took bread, and when he had blessed, he broke it,
and gave to them, and said, "Take, eat. This is my
body." 14:23He took the
cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave to them. They all drank of it. 14:24He said to them, "This
is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many. 14:25Most assuredly I
tell you, I will no more drink of the fruit of the vine, until that day when I
drink it anew in the kingdom of the Mighty One." 14:26When they had sung a hymn, they went out
to the Mount of Olives.
This account of Mark parallels that of Mattityahu already covered above.
Yah'shuah's Disciples Did Not Know Where To
Prepare The Pesach When The Day Arrived
To reiterate, 14:12 shows that when the day for sacrificing the Pesach had arrived, the disciples did not even then know where it was that Yah'shuah wanted them to go and make ready for him to eat the Pesach. Thus showing that the Pesach was NOT sacrificed at dusk, between the 30 to 45 minute period of dusk. For if it was to be sacrificed during this period, the disciples would have known where it was that Yah'shuah had wanted to eat the Pesach, and would have largely been ready to so prepare the Pesach during this very limited period of time! But that they were not so ready discounts the theory that the Pesach was killed at dusk on the 14th day of the first month, immediately after the 13th day of the first month!
According to Yahweh's command by Moshe, as attested to by the scriptural and historical example of the Pesach kept by Yoshiyahu as shown in 2 Divre Hayamim 35, Yahweh's Pesach was killed on the 14th day of the first month "at even, at the going down of the sun". This was late on the 14th day, before its ending, and before the beginning of the 15th day of the first month, on which the fully prepared Pesach was eaten with matzah, the 15th day being the first of the seven days for eating matzah.
14:13 shows that at the time that Yah'shuah was conversing with his disciples, they were OUTSIDE the city of Yerushalayim. His disciples therefore had to go into the city of Yerushalayim and find the place for preparing Yahweh's Pesach for Yah'shuah and his disciples, and then subsequently prepare it. These were activities that, in all likelihood, took more than the 30 to 45 minute period of dusk on the 14th day, immediately after the end of the 13th day. It should therefore be clear that Yahweh's Pesach was killed on the 14th day by Yah'shuah's disciples "at even, at the going down of the sun", before the ending of the 14th day and the beginning of the 15th day.
Yah'shuah And His Disciples Ate The Pesach On The
15th Day Of The First Month
14:17-18 shows that it was not until it was evening, after the end of the 14th day and the beginning of the 15th day, that Yah'shuah and his disciples came to the prepared room and sat and subsequently ate the Pesach. The Pesach was therefore prepared BEFORE the evening, and was eaten when it was evening, after the sun had set, and the 15th day of the first month had commenced.
It should be noted that the word for "evening" in 14:17 is No. 3798 in the Greek Dictionary of the New Testament in Strong's Exhaustive Concordance:
opsios, op'-see-os; from 3796; late; fem. (as noun) afternoon (early eve) or nightfall (later eve):- even (-ing, [-tide]).
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance, Greek Dictionary of the New Testament, No. 3796:
opse, op-she'; from the same as 3694 (through the idea of backwardness); (adv.) late in the day; by extens. after the close of the day:- (at) even, in the end.
Seeing that opsios can mean both afternoon (early evening) or nightfall (later evening) - "between the two evenings" of afternoon and nightfall, it should be evident when Yah'shuah disciples sacrificed Yahweh's Pesach. Seeing that Yahweh's Pesach is to be sacrificed "at even, at the going down of the sun", and also "between the two evenings", it should be evident that it is sacrificed in the afternoon and eaten after the second evening of nightfall! Therefore, when Yah'shuah and his disciples came to the prepared room and sat and subsequently ate the Pesach, it was at the later evening at nightfall that they did so. Usage of opsios in Mark therefore appears to affirm what has already been seen from the various scriptural citations above in Shemot, Vayikra, Bamidbar and Devarim. The practice of Yah'shuah and his disciples is therefore seen to have been consistent with the instructions Yahweh gave Moshe for Yisrael!
The Terms "Feast Of Matzah" And
"Pesach" Used Interchangeably
22:1Now
the feast of matzah drew near, which is called the Pesach.
22:1 shows that the terms "feast of matzah" and "Pesach" were in common usage used interchangeably.
22:7The
day of matzah came, on which the Pesach must be sacrificed. 22:8He sent Kefa and Yahchanan, saying, "Go and prepare the Pesach for us, that we may
eat."
22:9They
said to him, "Where do you want us to prepare?"
22:10He
said to them, "Behold, when you have entered into
the city, a man carrying a pitcher of water will meet you. Follow him into the
house which he enters. 22:11Tell the master of the house, 'The Teacher says to you,
"Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Pesach with my
disciples?"' 22:12He will show you a large, furnished upper room. Make
preparations there."
22:13They
went, found things as he had told them, and they prepared the Pesach. 22:14When the hour had come, he sat down with
the twelve apostles. 22:15He said to
them, "I have earnestly desired to eat this Pesach
with you before I suffer, 22:16for I tell you, I will no longer by any means eat of it until
it is fulfilled in the kingdom of the Mighty One." 22:17He received a cup, and when he had given
thanks, he said, "Take this, and share it among
yourselves, 22:18for I tell you, I will not drink at all again from the fruit
of the vine, until the kingdom of the Mighty One comes." 22:19He took bread, and when he had given
thanks, he broke it, and gave to them, saying, "This
is my body which is given for you. Do this in memory of me." 22:20He took the cup in like manner after
supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in
my blood, that which is poured out for you. 22:21But behold, the hand of him who
betrays me is with me on the table. 22:22The Son of Man indeed goes, as it has been determined, but
woe to that man through whom he is betrayed!"
22:23They
began to question among themselves, which of them it was that would do this
thing. 22:24There arose also a
contention among them, which of them was considered to be greatest. 22:25He said to them, "The
kings of the Goyim master it over them, and those who have authority over them
are called 'benefactors.' 22:26But not so with you. But one who is the greater among you,
let him become as the lesser, and one who is governing, as one who serves. 22:27For who is
greater, one who sits at the table, or one who serves? Isn't it he who sits at
the table? But I am in the midst of you as one who serves. 22:28But you are those
who have continued with me in my temptations. 22:29I appoint to you a
kingdom, even as my Father appointed to me, 22:30that you may eat and drink at
my table in my kingdom. You will sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of
Yisra'el."
22:31The
Master said, "Shim`on, Shim`on, behold, Hasatan
asked to have you, that he might sift you as wheat, 22:32but I prayed for
you, that your faith wouldn't fail. You, when once you have turned again,
establish your brothers."
22:33He
said to him, "Master, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to
death!"
22:34He
said, "I tell you, Kefa, the rooster will by no
means crow today, before you deny that you know me three times."
22:35He said to them, "When I sent you out without purse, and
wallet, and shoes, did you lack anything?"
They said, "Nothing."
22:36Then
he said to them, "But now, whoever has a purse,
let him take it, and likewise a wallet. Whoever has none, let him sell his
cloak, and buy a sword. 22:37For I tell you that this which is written must still be
fulfilled in me: 'He was counted with the lawless.' For that which concerns me
has an end."
22:38They
said, "Master, behold, here are two swords."
He said to them, "That
is enough."
This account in Luke parallels the two accounts already covered above by Mattityahu and Mark.
Kefa And Yahchanan Prepared The Pesach Well Before
"The Hour Had Come" For Eating It
22:8 notes that it was Kefa and Yahchanan whom Yah'shuah instructed to prepare the Pesach for them all to eat.
22:13-14 notes that Kefa and Yahchanan prepared the Pesach well before "the hour had come" for eating it. In other words, the Pesach was prepared on the 14th day of the first month, and eaten on the 15th day of the first month.
The Yahudim Had Their Own Pesach
6:4Now
the Pesach, the feast of the Yahudim, was at hand.
Yahchanan terms the Pesach "the feast of the Yahudim". Nevertheless, we had earlier seen that it was Yahweh who gave commandment to Yisrael by Moshe to observe his Pesach. That Yahchanan has termed a Pesach as the feast of the Yahudim INDICATES that the Yahudim were observing THEIR OWN Pesach that was quite DISTINCT from Yahweh's Pesach!
11:55Now
the Pesach of the Yahudim was at hand. Many went up to Yerushalayim out of the
country before the Pesach, to purify themselves.
That Yahchanan uses the phrase "the Pesach of the Yahudim" INDICATES that this "Pesach of the Yahudim" was quite DISTINCT from Yahweh's Pesach!
Yah'shuah And His Disciples Ate Yahweh's
Pesach Before The "Pesach Of The Yahudim"
13:1Now
before the feast of the Pesach, Yah'shuah knowing that his time had come that
he would depart out of this world to his Father, having loved his own who were
in the world, he loved them to the end. 13:2After
supper, the devil having already put into the heart of Yahudah from K'riot,
Shim`on's son, to betray him
It should be noted that the Pesach that Yahchanan speaks of here in 13:1 is that of the Yahudim, as he had twice already explained as shown in the scriptures above. Therefore, when Yah'shuah and his disciples had eaten Yahweh's Pesach - "supper", it was still before the feast of the Yahudim's Pesach! For the accounts in Mattityahu, Mark and Luke clearly show that the meal that Yah'shuah ate on the night before he was killed was indeed Yahweh's Pesach!
It should therefore be clear that Yahweh's Pesach, that Yah'shuah ate with his disciples, was indeed DIFFERENT from "the Pesach of the Yahudim". Yah'shuah and his disciples had eaten Yahweh's Pesach BEFORE the Yahudim had killed their Pesach! The "Pesach of the Yahudim" therefore cannot be used as definitive for assessing the validity of practices pertaining to Yahweh's Pesach!
18:28They
led Yah'shuah therefore from Kayafa into the Praetorium. It was early, and they
themselves didn't enter into the Praetorium, that they might not be defiled,
but might eat the Pesach.
This verse further shows that the Yahudim's Pesach was indeed different from Yahweh's Pesach that Yah'shuah and his disciples ate the previous night. The Yahudim were eating their Pesach one day after Yah'shuah had eaten Yahweh's Pesach!
19:14Now
it was the Preparation of the Pesach, at about the sixth hour. He said to the
Yahudim, "Behold, your King!"
The preparation of Yahweh's Pesach, as prepared by Kefa and Yahchanan, had already been completed the previous day, and eaten on the previous night. The Yahudim's Preparation of their Pesach was one day after that of Yahweh's Pesach!
From the scriptural analysis above, it is EVIDENTLY CLEAR that Yahweh's Pesach is sacrificed on the 14th day of the first month of the year, the month Aviv. It is killed "at even, at the going down of the sun", late on the 14th day, prior to the 15th day. On the 15th day is the first day of the seven-day feast of matzah. On the 15th day, after sunset ending the 14th day and commencing the 15th day, Yahweh's Pesach is eaten, together with matzah!
Historical and scriptural evidence from the days of Yoshiyahu king of Yahudah, as shown in 2 Divre Hayamim 35, shows that Yahweh's Pesach was indeed killed on the 14th day of the first month, and eaten on the 15th day of the month.
Additional historical and scriptural evidence from the accounts of Mattityahu, Mark, Luke and Yahchanan clearly shows that the Pesach Yah'shuah ate immediately prior to his death was NOT killed at dusk on the 14th day of the first month. It was killed on the 14th day of the first month "at even, at the going down of the sun", well before the evening, marked by sunset. At evening, marked by sunset, marking the end of the 14th day and the beginning of the 15th day, Yah'shuah and his disciples ate Yahweh's Pesach, according to Yahweh's commandment by Moshe.
Yah'shuah and his disciples observed Yahweh's Pesach on the year of Yah'shuah's death one day before the Yahudim observed their own Pesach. It is therefore evident that during the time of Yah'shuah the Yahudim did not observe Yahweh's Pesach, observing instead their own Pesach according to rules not in harmony with Yahweh's commandment by Moshe. The practice of the Yahudim during Yah'shuah's time is therefore not definitive for purposes of assessing the correct manner to observe Yahweh's Pesach.
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© 1998, Isaac Aluochier, All rights reserved. Published by Servants of Yahweh, P O Box 44848, Nairobi, 00100, Kenya. E-mail: servantsofyahweh@serveyahweh.org. Permission is hereby GRANTED to reproduce this and other publications in the Servants of Yahweh web site, http://www.serveyahweh.org, unless otherwise stated.