Exodus 12:27
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.
Exodus 12:27
This verse captures the moment of proclamation: the explanation of the Passover sacrifice as “the sacrifice of the LORD’s passover” and the experiencing of worship—“the people bowed the head and worshipped.” It marks a transition from ritual instruction to heartfelt reverence. The verb “bowed the head” signals submission, humility, and gratitude before the saving act. The content of the confession emphasizes God’s decisive intervention—judging the Egyptians and delivering Israel—showing the dual nature of salvation: judgment against oppressors and mercy for the chosen people.
Key themes include divine agency (the LORD’s stumbling of the Egyptians, deliverance of Israel), covenant faithfulness, and worship as response. Confession in worship anchors identity, aligning memory with praise and dependence on God’s saving power. The passage also foreshadows Christ as the Lamb and the ultimate deliverance, shaping New Testament understanding of salvation.
In contemporary life, this verse encourages transparent testimony when explaining faith and worship. When Romans or coworkers ask about your beliefs, you can articulate the core of your gratitude: God’s mercy and rescue, not merely ritual correctness. Practice humility before God in daily acts of worship—prayer, gratitude, service. Use stories of deliverance in conversations to invite others into wonder and trust in God’s saving work. Practically, nurture a worship posture that begins with acknowledgment of need and ends in devotion—humility that yields obedience.
Cross-References: Psalm 116:12-14; Luke 22:19; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; Revelation 5:9-10; Colossians 3:15-17