Event Old Testament
The Passover and the exodus
Also known as The exodus from Egypt, The first Passover
On the night God struck down the firstborn of Egypt, every Israelite household sheltered behind the blood of a lamb on its doorframe, and God passed over them. Pharaoh released the people, and when his army pursued them God parted the sea so Israel crossed on dry ground.
Why it matters. The Passover lamb, the blood that protects, and the rescue from slavery become the Bible's central picture of salvation. Jesus kept His last meal as a Passover, and Paul calls Him our Passover lamb.
- Primary passages
- Dates
- 1450 to 1250 BC (approximate) (disputed confidence, Early (15th century) and late (13th century) exodus schemes)
The early scheme reads 1 Kings 6:1's 480 years from the exodus to Solomon's temple literally; the late scheme reads Exodus 1:11 as placing the oppression under Rameses II. The range spans both.
- Witnesses
Chronology confidence: disputed
The date is disputed between an early scheme (about 1446 BC, reading the 480 years of 1 Kings 6:1 literally) and a late scheme (13th century BC, reading Exodus 1:11's store city Rameses as pointing to the reign of Rameses II). Responsible scholars hold each; FaithGraph records the range and does not choose.
- Last reviewed
- 2026-08-30 by the FaithGraph team
Connections
The covenant with Abraham precedes The Passover and the exodus
Explicit in ScriptureHigh confidenceGenesis 15 already foresees the descendants' servitude and rescue, and Exodus opens with the family in Egypt generations later.
The Passover and the exodus precedes The covenant at Sinai
Explicit in ScriptureHigh confidenceIsrael reaches the wilderness of Sinai in the third month after leaving Egypt.
Evidence:The Passover and the exodus symbolizes Jesus
Historic Christian readingHigh confidenceThe New Testament repeatedly presents Jesus in Passover terms: John the Baptist calls Him the Lamb of God, Paul calls Him our Passover lamb, Jesus dies at Passover, and Luke calls His coming death an exodus. Christians have read the whole event as a pattern of the redemption He accomplished.
Other responsible views
- Pattern, not prediction: The exodus narrative is history, not prophecy about Jesus. The correspondence is drawn by the New Testament writers looking back, which is why this is labeled a historic Christian reading rather than explicit fulfillment.
Moses participates in The Passover and the exodus
Explicit in ScriptureHigh confidenceMoses gives the Passover instructions, confronts Pharaoh, and stretches out his hand over the sea.
The Passover and the exodus occurs at Egypt
Explicit in ScriptureHigh confidenceThe Passover night and the departure take place in the land of Egypt.
Evidence:The Passover and the exodus develops the theme Passover
Explicit in ScriptureHigh confidenceThe first Passover is instituted on this night as a permanent feast.
Evidence:The Passover and the exodus develops the theme Sacrifice and atonement
Explicit in ScriptureHigh confidenceA lamb without blemish is slaughtered and its blood shields the household from judgment.
Evidence: