Bible Chapter Summary
Exodus 13 Summary
Consecration, Exodus Laws, and God's Guidance
The LORD commands Moses to consecrate all firstborn of man and beast to Him, and Moses instructs the people to commemorate their deliverance from Egypt by observing the Feast of Unleavened Bread for seven days each year in the month of Abib. The law of the firstborn is elaborated: firstling males of livestock are set apart for the LORD, firstlings of donkeys are to be redeemed with a lamb or else killed, and firstborn sons are to be redeemed — all as a perpetual memorial of the LORD's mighty deliverance and His slaying of Egypt's firstborn. Rather than leading Israel by the shorter coastal route through Philistine territory, God directed them through the wilderness toward the Red Sea, lest they lose heart at the prospect of war; Moses carried Joseph's bones in fulfillment of Joseph's oath, and the LORD guided the people continually by a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.
Key themes
Key verses
Exodus 13:2
“Sanctify unto me all the firstborn, whatsoever openeth the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and of beast: it is mine.”
Exodus 13:9
“And it shall be for a sign unto thee upon thine hand, and for a memorial between thine eyes, that the LORD's law may be in thy mouth: for with a strong hand hath the LORD brought thee out of Egypt.”
Exodus 13:13
“And every firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb; and if thou wilt not redeem it, then thou shalt break his neck: and all the firstborn of man among thy children shalt thou redeem.”
Exodus 13:21
“And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night:”
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