Exodus – Chapter 13

Old Testament22 Verses

Chapter Summary

Chapter 13 of Exodus begins: "And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:" The chapter centers on Moses, Pharaoh and Joseph. Across its 22 verses, two threads run through the text: family and covenant relationships and God feeding His people. Read slowly, this chapter rewards the kind of prayerful attention the Church calls lectio divina.

1And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:

2Sanctify unto me every firstborn that openeth the womb among the children of Israel, as well of men as of beasts: for they are all mine.

3And Moses said to the people: Remember this day in which you came forth out of Egypt, and out of the house of bondage, for with a strong hand hath the Lord brought you forth out of this place: that you eat no leavened bread.

4This day you go forth in the month of new corn.

5And when the Lord shall have brought thee into the land of the Chanaanite, and the Hethite, and the Amorrhite, and the Hevite, and the Jebusite, which he swore to thy fathers that he would give thee, a land that floweth with milk and honey, thou shalt celebrate this manner of sacred rites in this month.

6Seven days shalt thou eat unleavened bread: and on the seventh day shall be the solemnity of the Lord.

7Unleavened bread shall you eat seven days: there shall not be seen any thing leavened with thee, nor in all thy coasts.

8And thou shalt tell thy son in that day, saying: This is what the Lord did to me when I came forth out of Egypt.

9And it shall be as a sign in thy hand, and as a memorial before thy eyes; and that the law of the Lord be always in thy mouth, for with a strong hand the Lord hath brought thee out of the land of Egypt.

10Thou shalt keep this observance at the set time from days to days.

11And when the Lord shall have brought thee into the land of the Chanaanite, as he swore to thee and thy fathers, and shall give it thee:

12Thou shalt set apart all that openeth the womb for the Lord, and all that is first brought forth of thy cattle: whatsoever thou shalt have of the male sex, thou shalt consecrate to the Lord.

13The firstborn of an ass thou shalt change for a sheep: and if thou do not redeem it, thou shalt kill it. And every firstborn of men thou shalt redeem with a price.

14And when thy son shall ask thee to morrow, saying: What is this? thou shalt answer him: With a strong hand did the Lord bring us forth out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

15For when Pharao was hardened, and would not let us go, the Lord slew every firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of man to the firstborn of beasts: therefore I sacrifice to the Lord all that openeth the womb of the male sex, and all the firstborn of my sons I redeem.

16And it shall be as a sign in thy hand, and as a thing hung between thy eyes, for a remembrance: because the Lord hath brought us forth out of Egypt by a strong hand.

17And when Pharao had sent out the people, the Lord led them not by the way of the land of the Philistines, which is near; thinking lest perhaps they would repent, if they should see wars arise against them, and would return into Egypt.

18But he led them about by the way of the desert, which is by the Red Sea: and the children of Israel went up armed out of the land of Egypt.

19And Moses took Joseph's bones with him: because he had adjured the children of Israel, saying: God shall visit you, carry out my bones from hence with you.

20And marching from Socoth, they encamped in Etham, in the utmost coasts of the wilderness.

21And the Lord went before them to shew the way, by day in a pillar of a cloud, and by night in a pillar of fire; that he might be the guide of their journey at both times.

22There never failed the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, before the people.

Important Verses in Exodus 13

And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:

Exodus 13:1

Seven days shalt thou eat unleavened bread: and on the seventh day shall be the solemnity of the Lord.

Exodus 13:6

And it shall be as a sign in thy hand, and as a memorial before thy eyes; and that the law of the Lord be always in thy mouth, for with a strong hand the Lord hath brought thee out of the land of Egypt.

Exodus 13:9

Thou shalt set apart all that openeth the womb for the Lord, and all that is first brought forth of thy cattle: whatsoever thou shalt have of the male sex, thou shalt consecrate to the Lord.

Exodus 13:12

Historical Context

As a Old Testament book, Exodus was written with israel in every generation, commanded to remember the Passover as a perpetual memorial in view. Chapter 13 of 40 belongs to the early movement of the book, where the narrative or argument is still unfolding. It is a legal and cultic instruction given to Israel regarding worship, holiness, and daily life with 22 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. Moses, Pharaoh and Joseph appear at the center of the events recorded here. It opens with the line: "And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:" It concludes: "There never failed the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, before the people. " In terms of historical background, Exodus recounts the defining event of the Old Testament: God's liberation of Israel from slavery in Egypt under Pharaoh, most likely Ramesses II. Scholarly and ecclesial tradition places the composition of Exodus around Describes events of the 13th century BC; reached final written form between the 10th and 5th centuries BC.

Who Wrote It

Traditionally attributed to Moses, with later inspired editing

When It Was Written

Describes events of the 13th century BC; reached final written form between the 10th and 5th centuries BC

Catholic Commentary

At the literal level, Exodus 13 delivers commandments and ritual instructions given under the old covenant. A pivotal line is verse 1: "And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:" The passage repeatedly touches on family and covenant relationships.

Catholic exegesis reads Exodus 13 within the unity of Scripture and Tradition. the Church sees the Exodus as prefiguring Baptism and the Eucharist (CIC 1221, 1363). St. Athanasius and other Fathers of the Church saw in texts like this a preparation for or reflection of Christ, the center of revelation (CIC 1265).

Applied to the life of faith, the passage supports the Church's conviction that God delivers His people from slavery. Whether read privately or heard in the liturgy, Exodus 13 calls for a response of faith, repentance, and charity.

Main Teachings

  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • From the manna to the Last Supper, God feeds His people — fully in the Eucharist.
  • God's presence casts out fear; His command 'Be not afraid' echoes throughout salvation history.

People in This Chapter

Moses3 mentionsPharaoh2 mentionsJoseph1 mention

Reflection for Today

Catholic exegesis approaches Exodus Chapter 13 with reverence, seeking both the literal sense and the spiritual meaning ordered to Christ.

Catholic theology recognizes that liberation, law, and worship is not an abstract idea but a reality encountered in prayer, sacraments, and charity. This chapter contributes to that vision by stressing the call to holiness in ordinary life.

May your reading of Exodus Chapter 13 become true lectio divina: read the words, meditate on their meaning, respond in prayer, and rest in God's presence. Ask the Holy Spirit to show how God delivers His people from slavery applies to your life today.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Exodus Chapter 13 about?

Exodus 13 contains 22 verses. It opens with "And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:" and closes with "There never failed the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, before the people. ". The book as a whole is narrative, law, and liturgical instruction.

What is a key verse in Exodus 13?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:" It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Exodus Chapter 13?

This chapter mentions Moses, Pharaoh, Joseph.

Who wrote Exodus and when?

Traditionally attributed to Moses, with later inspired editing. Describes events of the 13th century BC; reached final written form between the 10th and 5th centuries BC.

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