PESACH (פֶּסַח) – PASSOVER

1. PESACH (פֶּסַח) – PASSOVER
2. Meaning of Pesach

Hebrew: פֶּסַח (Pesach)

Root meaning: “to pass over, spare, protect.”

Definition:
Pesach is the Biblical festival commemorating Israel’s deliverance from slavery in Egypt through the blood of the lamb (שֶׂה – seh).

2. Biblical Foundation

Primary Scriptures:

• Exodus 12 – Institution of Pesach
• Leviticus 23:4–5 – Appointed times
• Deuteronomy 16:1–8 – Instructions for Israel
• 1 Corinthians 5:7 – Messiah as Passover Lamb

Key Elements:

• Lamb (שֶׂה – Seh)
• Blood (דָּם – Dam)
• Doorposts (מְזוּזוֹת – Mezuzot)
• Passing Over (פָּסַח – Pasach)
• Redemption (גְּאֻלָּה – Ge’ulah)

3. The Pesach Lamb (שֶׂה הַפֶּסַח – Seh HaPesach)

Requirements:

1. Without blemish — Tamim (תָּמִים)
2. Male lamb — Seh zakhar (שֶׂה זָכָר)
3. One year old — maturity
4. Examined for 4 days — symbol of testing
5. Killed “between the evenings” — Bein ha’arbayim (בֵּין הָעַרְבָּיִם)

Spiritual Meaning:

• Innocence
• Purity
• Substitution
• Sacrifice
• Redemption

4. Blood (דָּם – Dam): Atoning Power

The blood placed on the doorposts brought divine protection.

Key principle:

When Elohim sees the blood, judgment passes over.

Blood symbolizes:

• Atonement — Kippur (כיפוּר)
• Protection — Magen (מָגֵן)
• Covenant — Berit (בְּרִית)

5. The Passover Night (לֵיל הַסֵּדֶר – Leil HaSeder)

Events of the Original Pesach:

1. Judgments on Egypt
2. Instruction to sacrifice the lamb
3. Placing blood on doorposts
4. Eating in haste
5. Angel of Judgment “passing over”
6. Israel leaving Egypt (מִצְרַיִם – Mitzrayim)

Mitzrayim also means “narrow place,” representing bondage.

6. Four Cups of Passover (אַרְבַּע כֹּסוֹת – Arba Kosot)

1. Cup of Sanctification – Kiddush (קידוש)
2. Cup of Deliverance – Hatzalah (הצלה)
3. Cup of Redemption – Ge’ulah (גְּאֻלָּה)
4. Cup of Praise – Hallel (הלל)

7. Messianic Fulfillment in Yahshua (ישוע המשיח – Yahshua HaMashiach)

“Behold, the Lamb of Elohim.” — John 1:29

Yahshua fulfills every element of Pesach:

Key Truth:

Messiah is our Pesach Lamb.
— 1 Corinthians 5:7

8. Symbolism of Pesach
9. Redemption – גְּאֻלָּה (Ge’ulah)

Deliverance from:

• Slavery
• Bondage
• Sin
• Darkness

1. Freedom – חֵרוּת (Cherut)

True freedom comes through obedience and covenant.

1. New Beginning – רֵאשִׁית (Re’shit)

Pesach marks the beginning of the Biblical calendar (Exodus 12:2).

1. Substitution – תַּחַת (Tachat)

A life given for a life — atoning sacrifice.

9. Pesach and the Other Festivals

Pesach is the first of the seven Biblical feasts.
The next feast, Unleavened Bread, begins immediately.
Pesach is the doorway into:

• Sanctification
• Holiness
• Redemption
• Covenant relationship

10. Why Followers of Yahshua Still Honor Pesach

1. It is Yahweh’s appointed feast (מוֹעֵד – Mo’ed).
2. Yahshua Himself celebrated it.
3. Early believers observed it (Acts 18:21; 20:6).
4. It teaches redemption and holiness.
5. It is a shadow revealing Messiah (Colossians 2:16–17).
6. It prepares the heart for spiritual freedom.

11. Spiritual Lessons from Pesach
12. Salvation through the Blood

Only the blood of the lamb saved Israel — only Yahshua’s blood saves us.

2. Leave Egypt (worldliness)

We must come out of spiritual Mitzrayim (bondage).

3. No leaven (sin) must remain

Pesach leads us to holiness (see Unleavened Bread).

4. Redemption is a gift

Israel did nothing to earn deliverance; grace (חֶסֶד – Chesed) provided it.

5. Redemption leads to covenant

Pesach → Sinai (Torah) → Covenant → Freedom.

12. Prophetic Foreshadowing

Pesach points to:

• First coming of Messiah
• Cross
• Salvation plan
• The final judgment
• The marriage supper of the Lamb

13. Key Hebrew Words for Deeper Study

14. Summary Statement

Pesach (Passover) is the eternal festival of redemption, revealing the Lamb of Elohim, whose blood brings salvation, freedom, covenant, and new life. It is the foundation of the entire plan of Yahweh for His people.