LAWS ABOUT FIRSTBORN AND MAZZOTH: EXODUS 13:1 F. P. LAW OF FIRSTBORN. Here all are sacred to Yahweh; in J (Exodus 13:12 f., Exodus 34:19 f.) and E (Exodus 22:29 f.) all males, the ass to be redeemed with a lamb; in D male firstlings of herd and flock, to constitute a sacrificial feast for the owner... [ Continue Reading ]
ROUTE OF THE EXODUS (Exodus 13:17 E, Exodus 13:20 P). The religious insight of the writer (God led the people) is sounder than his knowledge of history: the Philistines-' presence cannot have been the reason for avoiding the usual and shortest route, the N. or coast road, for they were immigrants of... [ Continue Reading ]
EXODUS 13:21 F. J. The Guiding Pillar. Faith in the Divine guidance (_cf._ Exodus 13:17 * E) is by J expressed in symbolic form. On a wilderness journey everyone needs a guide. By night and day the unsleeping keeper of Israel leads them with His pillar of fiery cloud. E, who connects guidance with t... [ Continue Reading ]