Skip to main content
    Old Testament
    Deliverance & Judgment

    The Passover — Firstborn Spared

    The blood of a spotless lamb on the doorposts spared every Israelite firstborn the night Egypt's firstborn died.

    The Passover — Firstborn Spared

    On the night of the tenth plague, every Israelite household killed a lamb without blemish and struck its blood on the doorposts. When the destroyer passed through Egypt at midnight, he passed over every blood-marked door. Egypt's firstborn died; Israel's were spared.

    Performed by

    God

    Location

    Egypt

    What Happened

    • 1Each household killed a lamb without blemish at twilight
    • 2Blood was struck on the lintel and the two doorposts
    • 3The family ate the lamb roasted, with unleavened bread and bitter herbs
    • 4At midnight the Lord smote the firstborn of Egypt
    • 5Wherever the blood was seen, the Lord passed over

    Key KJV Scriptures

    "And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt."
    "For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us."

    Spiritual Significance

    The Passover is the clearest Old Testament picture of the gospel: a spotless lamb dies in the place of those under judgment, and the blood is the sign of safety. Christ our Passover fulfills it forever.

    Lesson for Today

    It is the blood — not the household, the heritage, or the effort — that saves. Hide under the blood of the Lamb.

    Key People

    Moses
    Aaron
    The people of Israel

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is the Passover in the Bible?

    The Passover is the night God spared Israel's firstborn by the blood of the lamb on the doorposts (Exodus 12), and the yearly feast that commemorated it.

    How does Passover point to Jesus?

    Jesus is called 'our passover' (1 Corinthians 5:7) and 'the Lamb of God' (John 1:29). His shed blood spares all who trust Him from God's judgment.

    Where in the Bible is the miracle of The Passover — Firstborn Spared?

    The miracle of The Passover — Firstborn Spared is recorded in Exodus 12:13 (KJV), with additional references in 1 Corinthians 5:7.

    Who performed the miracle of The Passover — Firstborn Spared?

    Scripture records that God carried out this miracle at Egypt. Ultimately the power belonged to God, who alone does wondrous things (Psalm 72:18).

    Related Bible Miracles

    Angels, Demons & Spiritual Warfare

    Continue your study into the unseen battle Scripture describes:

    Quiz yourself on Bible miracles

    Free KJV quizzes on Jesus' miracles and the supernatural acts of God in Scripture.

    Related Reading

    Continue your study with related content from across our library: