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John Calvin on Exodus 12:14

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Exodus12:14

14. And this day shall be unto you. This is spoken of its annual celebration, which was as well a monument of their exodus as a symbol of their future deliverance. As to its being called a rite, or ordinance for ever, (edictum soeculi,) I admit that by this expression perpetuity is meant, but only such as would exist until the renovation of the Church; and the same explanation will apply to circumcision, as well as to the whole ceremonial of the Law; for although by Christ’s coming it was abolished as concerns its use, yet did it only then attain its true solidity; and therefore the difference between ourselves and the ancient people detracts nothing from this perpetual statute; just in the same way as the new Covenant does not destroy the old in substance, but only in form. A little further on, where he says, “save that which every man must eat, that only may be done of you,” verse 18; the meaning is, that they must cease from every work, except the preparation of their day’s food; and this exception is expressly made, that they may not permit themselves to violate their sacred festivals by other business.

Exodus 12:24-27, 43-49

24. And ye shall observe this thing for an ordinance to thee and to thy sons for ever,

24. Observabitis itaque rem istam, (vel verbum istud,) in statutum tibi et filiis tuis usque in saeculum.

25. And it shall come to pass, when ye be come to the land which the Lord will give you, according as he hath promised, that ye shall keep this service.

25. Et erit quum intraveritis terram quam dabit Jehova vobis, ut pollicitus est, tunc observabitis hunc cultum.

26. And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto you, What mean ye by this service?

26. Erit autem quum dixerint vobis filii vestri, Quis est cultus iste vobis?

27. That ye shall say, It is the sacrifice of the Lord’s passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses. And the people bowed the head, and worshipped.

27. Tunc dicetis, Est sacrificium Pesah Jehovae, qui transiliit domos filiorum Israel in Aegypto quando percussit Aegyptios, et domos nostras eruit.

43. And the Lord said unto Moses and Aaron, This is the ordinance of the passover; There shall no stranger eat thereof:

43. Et dixit Jehova ad Mosen et Aharon, Statutum Pesah: Nullus alienigena comedet ex eo.

44. But every man’s servant that is bought for money, when thou hast circumcised him, then shall he eat thereof.

44. Sed onmis servus viri pecunia emptus, postquam ipsum circunciderit, comedet ex eo.

45. A foreigner and an hired servant shall not eat thereof.

45. Advena et mercenarius non comedet ex eo.

46. In one house shall it be eaten: thou shalt not carry forth ought of the flesh abroad out of the house; neither shall ye break a bone thereof.

46. In eadem domo comedetur: non efferes extra domum foras e, carne, et os non confringetis ex eo.

47. All the congregation of Israel shall keep it.

47. Universus coetus Israel facient ipsum, (vel, mactabunt.)

48. And when a stranger shall sojourn with thee, and will keep the passover to the Lord, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as one that is born in the land: for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof.

48. Quod si inquilinus apud to peregrinetur, ut faciat Pesah Jehovae, circuncidetur ei omnis masculus, et tunc accedat ad faciendum illud, eritque sicut indigena terrae; nullus autem incircuncisus veseatur ex eo.

49. One law shall be to him that is home-born, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you.

49. Lex una erit indigenae et peregrino, qui peregrinatur in medio vestri.

John Calvin, Commentaries, Exodus 12:14. Public domain.

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