And when in time to come your son asks you, ‘What does this mean?’ you shall say to him, ‘By a strong hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt, from the house of slavery.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The phrase "in time to come" is a bit of a understatement; the Hebrew actually says "tomorrow." This subtle word choice highlights how immediately this question and its answer were meant to become part of Israel's ongoing family life, not a distant historical lesson. It emphasizes that the awe-inspiring power of God's deliverance was to be a living, breathing reality passed down daily.
And when in time to come your son asks you, ‘What does this mean?’ you shall say to him, ‘By a strong hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt, from the house of slavery.
English Standard Version (ESV)
As Israel prepares to commemorate the Passover and the consecration of their firstborn sons, God instructs Moses to establish a tradition of remembrance. This means parents will need to explain the significance of these rituals to their children, ensuring the story of their miraculous liberation from slavery in Egypt is passed down through generations. The question about the meaning of the practice naturally leads to recounting God's powerful intervention and the immense debt of gratitude owed to Him.
You've just experienced something incredible, something life-altering. How do you make sure it's never forgotten?
This verse introduces a crucial element of Israelite worship: teaching the next generation.
A Question of Curiosity
God anticipates the natural human response to something unusual or significant. When the rituals of the Passover and the dedication of the firstborn are performed, the children will wonder, 'What is this?' This isn't just about satisfying childish curiosity; it's about creating a pathway for understanding.
The Parent's Role
The responsibility to answer falls on the parents. They are instructed to explain that these traditions are not arbitrary rules but powerful reminders of God's mighty intervention. The 'what' of the ritual leads to the 'why' of their history and God's faithfulness.
Teaching Through Story
The answer provided – 'By a strong hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt, from the house of slavery' – is the core message. It's a concise, powerful summary of the Exodus event. This sets the stage for parents to elaborate, sharing the full story of God's deliverance and building a foundation of faith for their children.
When we talk about God's power, what kind of image comes to mind?
The phrase 'by a strong hand' is more than just a poetic description; it's a profound statement about God's active, powerful, and decisive intervention in human history.
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Power Over Oppression
'A strong hand' signifies immense power and control. In the context of Egypt, it was the hand that struck down the firstborn, shattered the idols of Egypt (Exodus 12:12), and ultimately compelled Pharaoh to let the Israelites go. It speaks of a power that overcomes the most stubborn resistance.
Deliverance from Bondage
This power wasn't exercised for its own sake. It was specifically directed towards liberation: 'brought us out of Egypt, from the house of slavery.' The 'strong hand' represents God's commitment to freeing His people from oppressive conditions and establishing them as His own.
A Foundation for Faith
Remembering God's 'strong hand' in the Exodus was meant to be the bedrock of Israel's faith. It demonstrated that God is not distant or indifferent but is actively involved in delivering and caring for His people. This foundational act of strength would fuel their trust in Him for future challenges.
Understand the original words
yad chazaqah · Hebrew Noun phrase
A metaphor for God's sovereign, irresistible, and sovereign power in history, especially regarding the deliverance of His people from oppression.
ebed · Hebrew Noun
A state of forced labor and lack of autonomy; in biblical theology, it serves as a powerful type of humanity's bondage to sin and Satan before God's redemptive work.
This verse highlights the importance of passing down the story of God's mighty acts of deliverance from generation to generation, ensuring the memory of the Exodus remains a cornerstone of Israelite identity and faith.
c. 1446 BC— this verse
Exodus from Egypt
The Israelites, after 400 years of slavery, are dramatically liberated from Egypt by the powerful hand of the LORD under Moses' leadership. This marks the foundational event of their nationhood and covenant relationship with God.
c. 1446 BC
The Passover Observed
The first Passover is celebrated the night before the Exodus, commemorating the LORD's passing over the houses of the Israelites when He struck down the firstborn of Egypt. This event serves as a perpetual reminder of God's judgment and deliverance.
c. 1446 BC
Israelites March Out of Egypt
Following the Passover and the death of the Egyptian firstborn, Pharaoh finally allows the Israelites to leave Egypt. They gather at Succoth, preparing for their journey into the wilderness.
c. 1446 BC
Conquest of Canaan Begins
After 40 years of wandering in the desert, the Israelites, now a new generation, enter and begin conquering the Promised Land. They face various nations, including the Philistines, whom God strategically kept them from encountering initially.
This passage echoes the command to explain God's actions to children, emphasizing the importance of passing down the teachings and statutes God has given.
Psalm 78:3-7This Psalm is a poetic retelling of the Exodus, specifically instructing future generations to remember and recount God's mighty deeds and commands, just as Exodus 13:14 instructs parents to do.
Joshua 4:6When the Israelites crossed the Jordan, they set up memorial stones so that future generations would ask about their meaning, providing an opportunity to teach them about God's powerful intervention in leading them into the promised land, mirroring the son's question in Exodus.
Romans 12:1Paul urges believers to present their bodies as living sacrifices, drawing a parallel to the consecration of the firstborn in Exodus, highlighting how God's redemptive acts should inspire our complete devotion.
cambridgeExodus 13:14: "And it shall be when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying, What is this? that thou shalt say unto him, By strength of hand the LORD brought us out from Egypt, from the house of bondage:"
14 . in time to come ] Heb. to-morrow : so Genesis 30:33 , Deuteronomy 6:20 , Joshua 4:6 ; Joshua 4:21 ; Joshua 22:24 ; Joshua 22:27-28 †. By strength of hand , &c.] See on v. 3. 14–15 . The children to be instructed (as in v. 8) on the meaning of the observance: it is a memorial of the de…
gillExodus 13:14: "And it shall be when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying, What is this? that thou shalt say unto him, By strength of hand the LORD brought us out from Egypt, from the house of bondage:"
And it shall be when thy son asketh thee in time to come,.... Or "on the morrow" (h), the day following such a separation of the firstborn of clean creatures, or such a redemption of the firstborn of unclean ones, and of man, or in any later time: saying, what is this? what is the meaning…
The phrase "in time to come" is a bit of a understatement; the Hebrew actually says "tomorrow." This subtle word choice highlights how immediately this question and its answer were meant to become part of Israel's ongoing family life, not a distant historical lesson. It emphasizes that the awe-inspiring power of God's deliverance was to be a living, breathing reality passed down daily.
As Israel prepares to commemorate the Passover and the consecration of their firstborn sons, God instructs Moses to establish a tradition of remembrance. This means parents will need to explain the significance of these rituals to their children, ensuring the story of their miraculous liberation from slavery in Egypt is passed down through generations. The question about the meaning of the practice naturally leads to recounting God's powerful intervention and the immense debt of gratitude owed to Him.
As Israel prepares to commemorate the Passover and the consecration of their firstborn sons, God instructs Moses to establish a tradition of remembrance. This means parents will need to explain the significance of these rituals to their children, ensuring the story of their miraculous liberation from slavery in Egypt is passed down through generations. The question about the meaning of the practice naturally leads to recounting God's powerful intervention and the immense debt of gratitude owed to Him.
"And when in time to come your son asks you, ‘What does this mean?’ you shall say to him, ‘By a strong hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt, from the house of slavery." — The phrase "in time to come" is a bit of a understatement; the Hebrew actually says "tomorrow." This subtle word choice highlights how immediately this question and its answer were meant to become pa…
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Last reviewed October 2026