The verse doesn't just say foreigners can join, it emphasizes they become "as a native of the land." This means participating in the Passover wasn't just about following a rule, but about being fully integrated into God's covenant family, sharing the same rights and belonging, with circumcision being the vital sign of that commitment.
If a stranger shall sojourn with you and would keep the Passover to the LORD, let all his males be circumcised. Then he may come near and keep it; he shall be as a native of the land. But no uncircumcised person shall eat of it.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Right after laying out the rules for Israelites observing Passover, this verse addresses foreigners living among them. It specifies that any non-Israelite male who wants to participate in the Passover feast must first be circumcised, bringing him into covenant with God and treating him as if he were a native-born Israelite. This establishes a clear boundary for who can share in this sacred meal, emphasizing that inclusion requires a commitment to God's covenant sign.
The Passover was a pivotal moment for Israel, marking their liberation. But who was allowed to join in this sacred meal?
God's command here clarifies that even 'strangers'—foreigners living among the Israelites—could participate in the Passover.
A Deeper Kind of 'Stranger'
The Condition for Inclusion
This shows an early, remarkable openness in God's covenant community, extending privileges to those who were willing to identify with Israel's God and His ways.
The requirement of circumcision for the sojourner might seem harsh, but it carried profound meaning for inclusion.
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Circumcision was more than a physical act; it was the visible sign of entering into a covenant relationship with God.
A Sign of Belonging
A Commitment Required
The Passover rules extended to foreigners, but the outcome was remarkable equality.
This passage reveals a powerful principle of divine justice and inclusion: 'one law' for all who were part of God's covenant community.
Breaking Down Barriers
A Foretaste of Grace
Understand the original words
pe saḥ · Hebrew Noun
The annual feast instituted to commemorate God's deliverance of Israel from Egyptian slavery, where the blood of a lamb was marked on doorposts to spare the firstborn. It serves as a foundational typology for the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the true Passover Lamb.
mûl · Hebrew Verb
The covenant sign given to Abraham and his descendants, symbolizing the setting apart of a person as belonging to the covenant community. In the Old Testament, it was the physical requirement for participation in the covenant rites, pointing toward the need for spiritual cleansing and heart-faith.
gēr · Hebrew Noun
A foreigner residing in the land of Israel who is not of the Abrahamic line by birth. The law provided specific stipulations for their inclusion into the community of faith, emphasizing that salvation and relationship with God are open to all who adhere to His covenant requirements.
This verse reveals that from the very beginning of Israel's national life, God intended for inclusion, not just exclusion. While the Passover was rooted in Israel's unique redemption, the command extended a path for foreigners to participate fully, provided they embraced the sign of God's covenant: circumcision.
c. 1446 BC
Exodus from Egypt
The Israelites, after centuries of slavery, were miraculously freed from Egyptian bondage by God's power.
c. 1446 BC
Institution of the Passover
As they prepared to leave Egypt, God instituted the Passover meal to commemorate their liberation and protect them from the final plague.
c. 1446 BC— this verse
The Mixed Multitude Joins Israel
Alongside the Israelites, a diverse group of non-Israelites also left Egypt, becoming part of the departing host.
c. 1446 BC
Regulations for Passover Participation
Specific rules were given for who could partake in the Passover, including requirements for male circumcision for any foreigners residing with the Israelites.
c. 1446 BC
Journey to Mount Sinai
The Israelites, now a mixed nation, began their journey through the wilderness towards Mount Sinai.
c. 1445 BC
Giving of the Law at Sinai
At Mount Sinai, God gave the Israelites His law, establishing the framework for their national and religious life.
This passage establishes circumcision as the sign of God's covenant with Abraham and his descendants, making it a prerequisite for belonging to God's people, just as it is for participating in the Passover here.
Leviticus 19:34This verse commands Israelites to love the sojourner as themselves, showing that the 'stranger' who followed God's laws, like keeping the Passover after circumcision, was to be fully integrated and treated with dignity.
1 Corinthians 5:7-8Paul directly applies the imagery of Passover and unleavened bread to the Christian life, calling believers to 'cleanse out the leaven' and celebrate with the 'bread of sincerity and truth,' highlighting the spiritual transformation required to partake in Christ's sacrifice.
Galatians 3:28This verse echoes the principle in Exodus 12:48 by stating that in Christ, there is no distinction between Jew and Gentile, male and female, for all are one, mirroring how the circumcised 'stranger' was treated as a native in God's sight.
cambridgeExodus 12:48: "And when a stranger shall sojourn with thee, and will keep the passover to the LORD, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as one that is born in the land: for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof."
48 . The ‘stranger,’ or, better, sojourner , Heb. gêr , i.e. the protected foreigner , if he is circumcised, may keep the Passover. The gêr was like the Arab jâr , i.e. ‘a man of another tribe or district, who coming to sojourn…
clarkeExodus 12:48: "And when a stranger shall sojourn with thee, and will keep the passover to the LORD, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as one that is born in the land: for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof."
And when a stranger - will keep the passover, etc. - Let all who sojourn among you, and who desire to partake of this sacred ordinance, not only be circumcised themselves, but all the males of their families likewise, that they…
The verse doesn't just say foreigners can join, it emphasizes they become "as a native of the land." This means participating in the Passover wasn't just about following a rule, but about being fully integrated into God's covenant family, sharing the same rights and belonging, with circumcision being the vital sign of that commitment.
Right after laying out the rules for Israelites observing Passover, this verse addresses foreigners living among them. It specifies that any non-Israelite male who wants to participate in the Passover feast must first be circumcised, bringing him into covenant with God and treating him as if he were a native-born Israelite. This establishes a clear boundary for who can share in this sacred meal, emphasizing that inclusion requires a commitment to God's covenant sign.
Right after laying out the rules for Israelites observing Passover, this verse addresses foreigners living among them. It specifies that any non-Israelite male who wants to participate in the Passover feast must first be circumcised, bringing him into covenant with God and treating him as if he were a native-born Israelite. This establishes a clear boundary for who can share in this sacred meal, emphasizing that inclusion requires a commitment to God's covenant sign.
"If a stranger shall sojourn with you and would keep the Passover to the LORD, let all his males be circumcised. Then he may come near and keep it; he shall be as a native of the land. But no uncircumcised person shall eat of it." — The verse doesn't just say foreigners can join, it emphasizes they become "as a native of the land." This means participating in the Passover wasn't just about following a rule, but about being fully…
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Last reviewed October 2026
