{"id":2956,"date":"2022-04-05T23:34:21","date_gmt":"2022-04-06T03:34:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/utj.org\/viewpoints\/?p=2956"},"modified":"2026-03-01T10:27:10","modified_gmt":"2026-03-01T15:27:10","slug":"what-does-the-word-pesach-mean","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/utj.org\/viewpoints\/2022\/04\/what-does-the-word-pesach-mean\/","title":{"rendered":"What Does the Word Pesach (\u05e4\u05e1\u05d7) Mean?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Pesach (\u05e4\u05e1\u05d7) is commonly translated as \u201cPassover\u201d and taken to be a reference to God physically \u201cpassing over\u201d the Israelite houses during the slaying of the firstborn.<\/p>\n

Rabbi Saul Lieberman notes in Hellenism in Jewish Palestine<\/a>[1]<\/u><\/a> (page 51) that \u201cthe verb \u05e4\u05e1\u05d7 certainly means to step over, to skip, but from the Prophets the Rabbis proved that it also signified to protect, and their translation makes much better sense of Ex. 12:23.\u201d\u00a0 He notes that in the Septuagint the verb is translated as \u201cprotect\u201d in Ex. 12:13 and 12:27, but as \u201cpass by\u201d in Ex. 13:23.<\/p>\n

Professor Nachum Sarna in the JPS Torah Commentary on Exodus<\/a> (12:11) says that \u201cto have compassion\u201d is \u201c[t]he oldest, and apparently the most reliable\u201d understanding of the term, as compared to understandings of \u201cprotect\u201d or \u201cskip over.\u201d<\/p>\n

It seems to me that the understandings of \u201cprotect\u201d and \u201cto have compassion\u201d are relatively close to each other.\u00a0 Hebrew terms such as \u05d7\u05d5\u05e1 and \u05d7\u05d9\u05d9\u05e1, which we will see used below in comments and translations on the word \u05e4\u05e1\u05d7 )and, by the way, probably relate to the use of lettuce \u2013 \u05d7\u05e1\u05d4 – at the seder, see e.g. JPS comment on Ex. 12:8) can have both connotations of protection and compassion,[2]<\/a> and obviously compassion for an individual or group can manifest itself in the form of providing protection to that individual or group. Perhaps there is also little practical difference from the translation \u201cpass over,\u201d as God would have passed over the house out of compassion for and in order to protect the Israelites.\u00a0 Nonetheless, I think there is a significant difference in imagery at least between the \u201cpass over\u201d and \u201cprotect\u201d translations.\u00a0 In the \u201cpass over\u201d translation, God strikes the Egyptians and leaves the Israelites alone.\u00a0 With the \u201cprotect\u201d translation, it seems that God sends out a deadly force and then protects the Israelites from that force.<\/p>\n

Below is a selection of verses using the term \u05e4\u05e1\u05d7 as well as rabbinic texts supporting each translation, based on the footnotes to the JPS commentary on Exodus 12:11 and comments of Rabbi Lieberman.\u00a0 Texts are from Bar Ilan Responsa Version 24 unless otherwise noted.<\/p>\n

Note: <\/strong>Translations of Targum Yonatan are from J. W. Etheridge (London, 1862), \u00a0which is available on Sefaria<\/a>.\u00a0 Otherwise, the translations below are my own unless otherwise noted.\u00a0 My translations of Targum Onkelos were significantly assisted by the translation by Israel Drazin and Stanley M. Wagner<\/a> (Jerusalem, Gefen Publishing House, 2011).\u00a0 <\/em>The root \u05e4\u05e1\u05d7 and \u05d7\u05d5\u05e1 is often left deliberately untranslated.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

BIBLICAL VERSES<\/strong><\/p>\n

Exodus 12:11 \u05e9\u05de\u05d5\u05ea \u05e4\u05e8\u05e7 \u05d9\u05d1 \u05e4\u05e1\u05d5\u05e7 \u05d9\u05d0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u05d5\u05b0\u05db\u05b8\u05db\u05b8\u05d4 \u05ea\u05bc\u05b9\u05d0\u05db\u05b0\u05dc\u05d5\u05bc \u05d0\u05b9\u05ea\u05d5\u05b9 \u05de\u05b8\u05ea\u05b0\u05e0\u05b5\u05d9\u05db\u05b6\u05dd \u05d7\u05b2\u05d2\u05bb\u05e8\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05e0\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05dc\u05b5\u05d9\u05db\u05b6\u05dd \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05e8\u05b7\u05d2\u05b0\u05dc\u05b5\u05d9\u05db\u05b6\u05dd \u05d5\u05bc\u05de\u05b7\u05e7\u05bc\u05b6\u05dc\u05b0\u05db\u05b6\u05dd \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05d9\u05b6\u05d3\u05b0\u05db\u05b6\u05dd \u05d5\u05b7\u05d0\u05b2\u05db\u05b7\u05dc\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b6\u05dd \u05d0\u05b9\u05ea\u05d5\u05b9 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05d7\u05b4\u05e4\u05bc\u05b8\u05d6\u05d5\u05b9\u05df \u05e4\u05bc\u05b6\u05e1\u05b7\u05d7 \u05d4\u05d5\u05bc\u05d0 \u05dc\u05b7\u05d9\u05e7\u05b9\u05d5\u05b8\u05e7:<\/p>\n

Thus shall you eat it (the paschal offering): your belts tightened, your shoes on your feet, and your staffs in your hands; and you shall eat it hastily, it is a <\/em>\u05e4\u05e1\u05d7 to the Lord.<\/em><\/p>\n

The context in this verse does not provide any help in understanding the term \u05e4\u05e1\u05d7.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Exodus 12:13 \u05e9\u05de\u05d5\u05ea \u05e4\u05e8\u05e7 \u05d9\u05d1 \u05e4\u05e1\u05d5\u05e7 \u05d9\u05d2<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b8\u05d9\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d4\u05b7\u05d3\u05bc\u05b8\u05dd \u05dc\u05b8\u05db\u05b6\u05dd \u05dc\u05b0\u05d0\u05b9\u05ea \u05e2\u05b7\u05dc \u05d4\u05b7\u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u05ea\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05e8 \u05d0\u05b7\u05ea\u05bc\u05b6\u05dd \u05e9\u05c1\u05b8\u05dd \u05d5\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0\u05b4\u05d9\u05ea\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea \u05d4\u05b7\u05d3\u05bc\u05b8\u05dd \u05d5\u05bc\u05e4\u05b8\u05e1\u05b7\u05d7\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05e2\u05b2\u05dc\u05b5\u05db\u05b6\u05dd \u05d5\u05b0\u05dc\u05b9\u05d0 \u05d9\u05b4\u05d4\u05b0\u05d9\u05b6\u05d4 \u05d1\u05b8\u05db\u05b6\u05dd \u05e0\u05b6\u05d2\u05b6\u05e3 \u05dc\u05b0\u05de\u05b7\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05d7\u05b4\u05d9\u05ea \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05d4\u05b7\u05db\u05bc\u05b9\u05ea\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05d0\u05b6\u05e8\u05b6\u05e5 \u05de\u05b4\u05e6\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd:<\/p>\n

And the blood will be for you a sign for you upon the doors wherein you reside, and I will see the blood and <\/em>\u05e4\u05e1\u05d7 on you (alt: over you), so that you will not have a destroying plague when I strike the land of Egypt.<\/em><\/p>\n

Here, \u05e4\u05e1\u05d7 is something that God does to the Israelites.\u00a0 However, the verse is just as easily understood as God passing over the Israelites or God protecting or having mercy on the Israelites.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Exodus 12:23 \u05e9\u05de\u05d5\u05ea \u05e4\u05e8\u05e7 \u05d9\u05d1 \u05e4\u05e1\u05d5\u05e7 \u05db\u05d2<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u05d5\u05b0\u05e2\u05b8\u05d1\u05b7\u05e8 \u05d9\u05b0\u05e7\u05b9\u05d5\u05b8\u05e7 \u05dc\u05b4\u05e0\u05b0\u05d2\u05bc\u05b9\u05e3 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea \u05de\u05b4\u05e6\u05b0\u05e8\u05b7\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd \u05d5\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea \u05d4\u05b7\u05d3\u05bc\u05b8\u05dd \u05e2\u05b7\u05dc \u05d4\u05b7\u05de\u05bc\u05b7\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e7\u05d5\u05b9\u05e3 \u05d5\u05b0\u05e2\u05b7\u05dc \u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d4\u05b7\u05de\u05bc\u05b0\u05d6\u05d5\u05bc\u05d6\u05b9\u05ea \u05d5\u05bc\u05e4\u05b8\u05e1\u05b7\u05d7 \u05d9\u05b0\u05e7\u05b9\u05d5\u05b8\u05e7 \u05e2\u05b7\u05dc \u05d4\u05b7\u05e4\u05bc\u05b6\u05ea\u05b7\u05d7 \u05d5\u05b0\u05dc\u05b9\u05d0 \u05d9\u05b4\u05ea\u05bc\u05b5\u05df \u05d4\u05b7\u05de\u05bc\u05b7\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05d7\u05b4\u05d9\u05ea \u05dc\u05b8\u05d1\u05b9\u05d0 \u05d0\u05b6\u05dc \u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u05ea\u05bc\u05b5\u05d9\u05db\u05b6\u05dd \u05dc\u05b4\u05e0\u05b0\u05d2\u05bc\u05b9\u05e3:<\/p>\n

And the Lord will come through to smite Egypt and see the blood on the lintel and two doorposts, and the Lord will <\/em>\u05e4\u05e1\u05d7 on the door (alt: over the door) and not allow the destroyer to enter your houses to smite.<\/em><\/p>\n

It seems to me that protect (or perhaps take pity) works better here than \u201cpass over,\u201d as God seems to be doing something to the door that stops the plague from entering.\u00a0 Above we noted that R. Lieberman writes that the protection \u201cmakes much better sense\u201d in this context, though he also notes that the Septuagint, which translates \u05e4\u05e1\u05d7 in Ex. 12:13 and Ex. 12:27 as \u201cprotect\u201d here uses \u201cpass by.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Exodus 12:27 \u05e9\u05de\u05d5\u05ea \u05e4\u05e8\u05e7 \u05d9\u05d1 \u05e4\u05e1\u05d5\u05e7 \u05db\u05d6<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u05d5\u05b7\u05d0\u05b2\u05de\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b6\u05dd \u05d6\u05b6\u05d1\u05b7\u05d7 \u05e4\u05bc\u05b6\u05e1\u05b7\u05d7 \u05d4\u05d5\u05bc\u05d0 \u05dc\u05b7\u05d9\u05e7\u05b9\u05d5\u05b8\u05e7 \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05e8 \u05e4\u05bc\u05b8\u05e1\u05b7\u05d7 \u05e2\u05b7\u05dc \u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u05ea\u05bc\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d1\u05b0\u05e0\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d9\u05b4\u05e9\u05c2\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0\u05b5\u05dc \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05de\u05b4\u05e6\u05b0\u05e8\u05b7\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05e0\u05b8\u05d2\u05b0\u05e4\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea \u05de\u05b4\u05e6\u05b0\u05e8\u05b7\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b6\u05ea \u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u05ea\u05bc\u05b5\u05d9\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc \u05d4\u05b4\u05e6\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9\u05dc \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b4\u05e7\u05bc\u05b9\u05d3 \u05d4\u05b8\u05e2\u05b8\u05dd \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b7\u05d7\u05b2\u05d5\u05d5\u05bc:<\/p>\n

And you shall say: It is a <\/em>\u05e4\u05e1\u05d7 offering to the Lord, who <\/em>\u05e4\u05e1\u05d7ed on (alt: over) the houses of the Children of Israel in Egypt when [the Lord] plagued the Egyptians but saved our houses, and the nation bowed and prostrated.<\/em><\/p>\n

The context in this verse does not provide any help in understanding the term \u05e4\u05e1\u05d7.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

1 Kings 18:21 \u05de\u05dc\u05db\u05d9\u05dd \u05d0 \u05e4\u05e8\u05e7 \u05d9\u05d7 \u05e4\u05e1\u05d5\u05e7 \u05db\u05d0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b4\u05d2\u05bc\u05b7\u05e9\u05c1 \u05d0\u05b5\u05dc\u05b4\u05d9\u05bc\u05b8\u05d4\u05d5\u05bc \u05d0\u05b6\u05dc \u05db\u05bc\u05b8\u05dc \u05d4\u05b8\u05e2\u05b8\u05dd \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b9\u05d0\u05de\u05b6\u05e8 \u05e2\u05b7\u05d3 \u05de\u05b8\u05ea\u05b7\u05d9 \u05d0\u05b7\u05ea\u05bc\u05b6\u05dd \u05e4\u05bc\u05b9\u05e1\u05b0\u05d7\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05e2\u05b7\u05dc \u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d4\u05b7\u05e1\u05bc\u05b0\u05e2\u05b4\u05e4\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d0\u05b4\u05dd \u05d9\u05b0\u05e7\u05b9\u05d5\u05b8\u05e7 \u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05dc\u05b0\u05db\u05d5\u05bc \u05d0\u05b7\u05d7\u05b2\u05e8\u05b8\u05d9\u05d5 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b4\u05dd \u05d4\u05b7\u05d1\u05bc\u05b7\u05e2\u05b7\u05dc \u05dc\u05b0\u05db\u05d5\u05bc \u05d0\u05b7\u05d7\u05b2\u05e8\u05b8\u05d9\u05d5 \u05d5\u05b0\u05dc\u05b9\u05d0 \u05e2\u05b8\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc \u05d4\u05b8\u05e2\u05b8\u05dd \u05d0\u05b9\u05ea\u05d5\u05b9 \u05d3\u05bc\u05b8\u05d1\u05b8\u05e8:<\/p>\n

And Elijah approached the entire nation and said \u201cfor how long will you \u05e4\u05e1\u05d7 between two opinions, if [you will follow] the LORD your God, follow Him, and if [you will follow] Ba\u2019al, follow Him, but the people did not say a word to him.<\/em><\/p>\n

Here, \u05e4\u05e1\u05d7 must have some sense of “being on top of” and is often used to support the \u201cpass over\u201d translation.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Isaiah 31:5 \u05d9\u05e9\u05e2\u05d9\u05d4\u05d5 \u05e4\u05e8\u05e7 \u05dc\u05d0 \u05e4\u05e1\u05d5\u05e7 \u05d4<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u05db\u05bc\u05b0\u05e6\u05b4\u05e4\u05bc\u05b3\u05e8\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05e2\u05b8\u05e4\u05d5\u05b9\u05ea \u05db\u05bc\u05b5\u05df \u05d9\u05b8\u05d2\u05b5\u05df \u05d9\u05b0\u05e7\u05b9\u05d5\u05b8\u05e7 \u05e6\u05b0\u05d1\u05b8\u05d0\u05d5\u05b9\u05ea \u05e2\u05b7\u05dc \u05d9\u05b0\u05e8\u05d5\u05bc\u05e9\u05c1\u05b8\u05dc\u05b8\u05b4\u05dd \u05d2\u05bc\u05b8\u05e0\u05d5\u05b9\u05df \u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b4\u05e6\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9\u05dc \u05e4\u05bc\u05b8\u05e1\u05b9\u05d7\u05b7 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b4\u05de\u05b0\u05dc\u05b4\u05d9\u05d8:<\/p>\n

As birds hover,[3]<\/a> so will the Lord of Hosts protect Jerusalem; defend and save, \u05e4\u05bc\u05b8\u05e1\u05b9\u05d7\u05b7 and deliver.<\/em><\/p>\n

This verse is a significant source for the rabbis\u2019 understanding of the term \u05e4\u05e1\u05d7.\u00a0 Here, it cannot mean \u201cto pass over.\u201d Given the other verbs in the sentence, \u201cprotect\u201d is probably the best understanding of \u05e4\u05e1\u05d7 here, though \u201cbe compassionate toward\u201d could work as well.\u00a0 Note that Rashi on Ex. 12:13 (below in the section for texts supporting the translation \u201ccompassion\u201d uses this verse in support of translating \u05d5\u05e4\u05e1\u05d7\u05ea\u05d9 as \u05d5\u05d7\u05de\u05dc\u05ea\u05d9 (\u201cI will have compassion\u201d<\/em>).<\/p>\n

If we are interested in finding an understanding of \u05e4\u05e1\u05d7 that could fit both 1 Kings 18:21 and Isaiah 31:5, perhaps it is \u201chover over.\u201d\u00a0 Hence, in Kings hovering would serve as a metaphor for vacillating between two positions whereas in Isaiah 31:5 (and in our texts from Exodus 12) hovering would serve as a metaphor for providing protection.<\/p>\n

RABBINIC SOURCES SUPPORTING THE TRANSLATION \u201cCOMPASSION\u201d
\n<\/strong>(Per JPS footnote 30)<\/p>\n

JPS indicates that the following commentaries support the translation \u201ccompassion,\u201d though I think many of them could just as easily support the translation \u201cprotected,\u201d and, as noted above, I am not sure there is a great difference between these two meanings.<\/p>\n

Targum Yonatan to Ex. 12:11 \u05ea\u05e8\u05d2\u05d5\u05dd \u05d4\u05de\u05d9\u05d5\u05d7\u05e1 \u05dc\u05d9\u05d5\u05e0\u05ea\u05df – \u05ea\u05d5\u05e8\u05d4 \u05e9\u05de\u05d5\u05ea \u05e4\u05e8\u05e7 \u05d9\u05d1 \u05e4\u05e1\u05d5\u05e7 \u05d9\u05d0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u05d5\u05bc\u05db\u05b0\u05d3\u05b8\u05d0 \u05d4\u05b4\u05d9\u05dc\u05b0\u05db\u05b8\u05ea\u05b8\u05d0 \u05ea\u05b5\u05d9\u05db\u05b0\u05dc\u05d5\u05bc\u05df \u05d9\u05b8\u05ea\u05b5\u05d9\u05d4\u05bc \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05d6\u05b4\u05de\u05b0\u05e0\u05b8\u05d0 \u05d3\u05b8\u05d0 \u05d5\u05b0\u05dc\u05b8\u05d0 \u05dc\u05b0\u05d3\u05b8\u05e8\u05b7\u05d9\u05b8\u05d0 \u05d7\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05e6\u05b5\u05d9\u05db\u05d5\u05b9\u05df \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05d5\u05b9\u05df \u05de\u05b0\u05d6\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05d6\u05b4\u05d9\u05df \u05de\u05b0\u05e1\u05b7\u05e0\u05b5\u05d9\u05db\u05d5\u05b9\u05df \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05e8\u05b4\u05d9\u05d2\u05b0\u05dc\u05b5\u05d9\u05db\u05d5\u05b9\u05df \u05d5\u05b0\u05d7\u05d5\u05bc\u05d8\u05b0\u05e8\u05b5\u05d9\u05db\u05d5\u05b9\u05df \u05d1\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9\u05d3\u05b5\u05d9\u05db\u05d5\u05b9\u05df \u05d5\u05b0\u05ea\u05b5\u05d9\u05db\u05b0\u05dc\u05d5\u05bc\u05df \u05d9\u05b8\u05ea\u05b5\u05d9\u05d4\u05bc \u05d1\u05bc\u05b4\u05d1\u05b0\u05d4\u05b4\u05d9\u05dc\u05d5\u05bc \u05d3\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05db\u05b4\u05d9\u05e0\u05b7\u05ea \u05de\u05b8\u05d0\u05e8\u05b5\u05d9 \u05e2\u05b7\u05dc\u05b0\u05de\u05b8\u05d0 \u05de\u05b0\u05d8\u05d5\u05bc\u05dc \u05d3\u05bc\u05b0\u05d7\u05b7\u05d9\u05b0\u05d9\u05e1\u05b8\u05d0 \u05de\u05b4\u05df \u05e7\u05b3\u05d3\u05b8\u05dd \u05d9\u05b0\u05d9\u05b8 \u05dc\u05b0\u05db\u05d5\u05b9\u05df \u05d4\u05d5\u05bc\u05d0:<\/p>\n

And according to this manner you shall eat it, this time, but not in (other) generations: your loins shall be girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staves in your hands; and you shall eat in the fear of the majesty of the Lord of the World; because mercy hath been shown to you from before the Lord.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

Targum<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Biblical Text<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

And according to this manner you shall eat it, this time, but not in (other) generations: <\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/td>\n

\n

\u05d5\u05bc\u05db\u05b0\u05d3\u05b8\u05d0 \u05d4\u05b4\u05d9\u05dc\u05b0\u05db\u05b8\u05ea\u05b8\u05d0 \u05ea\u05b5\u05d9\u05db\u05b0\u05dc\u05d5\u05bc\u05df \u05d9\u05b8\u05ea\u05b5\u05d9\u05d4\u05bc \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05d6\u05b4\u05de\u05b0\u05e0\u05b8\u05d0 \u05d3\u05b8\u05d0 \u05d5\u05b0\u05dc\u05b8\u05d0 \u05dc\u05b0\u05d3\u05b8\u05e8\u05b7\u05d9\u05b8\u05d0<\/p>\n

\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u05d5\u05b0\u05db\u05b8\u05db\u05b8\u05d4 \u05ea\u05bc\u05b9\u05d0\u05db\u05b0\u05dc\u05d5\u05bc \u05d0\u05b9\u05ea\u05d5\u05b9<\/p>\n

 <\/td>\n

Thus shall you eat it (the paschal offering): <\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
your loins shall be girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staves in your hands;.<\/em><\/td>\n\n

\u05d7\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05e6\u05b5\u05d9\u05db\u05d5\u05b9\u05df \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05d5\u05b9\u05df \u05de\u05b0\u05d6\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05d6\u05b4\u05d9\u05df \u05de\u05b0\u05e1\u05b7\u05e0\u05b5\u05d9\u05db\u05d5\u05b9\u05df \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05e8\u05b4\u05d9\u05d2\u05b0\u05dc\u05b5\u05d9\u05db\u05d5\u05b9\u05df \u05d5\u05b0\u05d7\u05d5\u05bc\u05d8\u05b0\u05e8\u05b5\u05d9\u05db\u05d5\u05b9\u05df \u05d1\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9\u05d3\u05b5\u05d9\u05db\u05d5\u05b9\u05df<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u05de\u05b8\u05ea\u05b0\u05e0\u05b5\u05d9\u05db\u05b6\u05dd \u05d7\u05b2\u05d2\u05bb\u05e8\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05e0\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05dc\u05b5\u05d9\u05db\u05b6\u05dd \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05e8\u05b7\u05d2\u05b0\u05dc\u05b5\u05d9\u05db\u05b6\u05dd \u05d5\u05bc\u05de\u05b7\u05e7\u05bc\u05b6\u05dc\u05b0\u05db\u05b6\u05dd \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05d9\u05b6\u05d3\u05b0\u05db\u05b6\u05dd<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

your belts tightened, your shoes on your feet, and your staffs in your hands; <\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

and you shall eat in the fear of the majesty of the Lord of the World;\u00a0<\/em><\/td>\n\n

\u05d5\u05b0\u05ea\u05b5\u05d9\u05db\u05b0\u05dc\u05d5\u05bc\u05df \u05d9\u05b8\u05ea\u05b5\u05d9\u05d4\u05bc \u05d1\u05bc\u05b4\u05d1\u05b0\u05d4\u05b4\u05d9\u05dc\u05d5\u05bc \u05d3\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05db\u05b4\u05d9\u05e0\u05b7\u05ea \u05de\u05b8\u05d0\u05e8\u05b5\u05d9 \u05e2\u05b7\u05dc\u05b0\u05de\u05b8\u05d0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u05d5\u05b7\u05d0\u05b2\u05db\u05b7\u05dc\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b6\u05dd \u05d0\u05b9\u05ea\u05d5\u05b9 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05d7\u05b4\u05e4\u05bc\u05b8\u05d6\u05d5\u05b9\u05df<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

and you shall eat it hastily, <\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
because mercy hath been shown to you from before the Lord.<\/em><\/td>\n\n

\u05de\u05b0\u05d8\u05d5\u05bc\u05dc \u05d3\u05bc\u05b0\u05d7\u05b7\u05d9\u05b0\u05d9\u05e1\u05b8\u05d0 \u05de\u05b4\u05df \u05e7\u05b3\u05d3\u05b8\u05dd \u05d9\u05b0\u05d9\u05b8 \u05dc\u05b0\u05db\u05d5\u05b9\u05df \u05d4\u05d5\u05bc\u05d0:<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u05e4\u05bc\u05b6\u05e1\u05b7\u05d7 \u05d4\u05d5\u05bc\u05d0 \u05dc\u05b7\u05d9\u05e7\u05b9\u05d5\u05b8\u05e7:<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

it is a <\/em>\u05e4\u05e1\u05d7 to the Lord.<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>The word \u05e4\u05e1\u05d7 is translated into Aramaic as \u05d7\u05d9\u05d9\u05e1 (here translated by Etheridge into English as \u201cmercy\u201d), which generally means to be compassionate\/merciful toward, though perhaps this also could be rendered \u201cbecause it is the Lord\u2019s protection for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Although it is not of particular significance to our study, it is also interesting that \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05d7\u05b4\u05e4\u05bc\u05b8\u05d6\u05d5\u05b9\u05df is translated as awe of God rather than haste.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Targum Yonatan to Ex. 12:13 \u05ea\u05e8\u05d2\u05d5\u05dd \u05d4\u05de\u05d9\u05d5\u05d7\u05e1 \u05dc\u05d9\u05d5\u05e0\u05ea\u05df – \u05ea\u05d5\u05e8\u05d4 \u05e9\u05de\u05d5\u05ea \u05e4\u05e8\u05e7 \u05d9\u05d1 \u05e4\u05e1\u05d5\u05e7 \u05d9\u05d2<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u05d5\u05b4\u05d9\u05d4\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d3\u05bc\u05b7\u05dd \u05e0\u05b4\u05db\u05b0\u05e1\u05b7\u05ea \u05e4\u05bc\u05b4\u05e1\u05b0\u05d7\u05b8\u05d0 \u05d5\u05bc\u05d2\u05b0\u05d6\u05b5\u05e8\u05b7\u05ea \u05de\u05b0\u05d4\u05d5\u05bc\u05dc\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b8\u05d0 \u05de\u05b0\u05e2\u05b7\u05e8\u05b7\u05d1 \u05dc\u05b0\u05db\u05d5\u05b9\u05df \u05dc\u05b0\u05de\u05b6\u05e2\u05b1\u05d1\u05b7\u05d3 \u05de\u05b4\u05e0\u05bc\u05b5\u05d9\u05d4\u05bc \u05d0\u05b8\u05ea \u05e2\u05b7\u05dc \u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u05ea\u05bc\u05b7\u05d9\u05b8\u05d0 \u05d3\u05bc\u05b0\u05d0\u05b7\u05ea\u05bc\u05d5\u05bc\u05df \u05e9\u05c1\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05d9\u05b8\u05df \u05ea\u05bc\u05b7\u05de\u05bc\u05b8\u05df \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b6\u05d7\u05b1\u05de\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d9\u05b7\u05ea \u05d6\u05b0\u05db\u05d5\u05bc\u05ea \u05d3\u05bc\u05b0\u05de\u05b8\u05d0 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b5\u05d9\u05d7\u05d5\u05bc\u05e1 \u05e2\u05b2\u05dc\u05b5\u05d9\u05db\u05d5\u05b9\u05df \u05d5\u05b0\u05dc\u05b8\u05d0 \u05d9\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05dc\u05d5\u05b9\u05d8 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05db\u05d5\u05b9\u05df \u05de\u05b7\u05dc\u05b0\u05d0\u05b8\u05da\u05b0 \u05de\u05d5\u05b9\u05ea\u05b8\u05d0 \u05d3\u05bc\u05b0\u05d0\u05b4\u05ea\u05b0\u05d9\u05b7\u05d4\u05b7\u05d1 \u05dc\u05b5\u05d9\u05d4\u05bc \u05e8\u05b0\u05e9\u05c1\u05d5\u05bc\u05ea\u05b8\u05d0 \u05dc\u05b4\u05de\u05b0\u05d7\u05b7\u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05dc\u05b8\u05d0 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05de\u05b4\u05e7\u05b0\u05d8\u05b0\u05dc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05d0\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05e2\u05b8\u05d0 \u05d3\u05bc\u05b0\u05de\u05b4\u05e6\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd:<\/p>\n

And the blood of the paschal oblation, (like) the matter of circumcision, shall be a bail for you, to become a sign upon the houses where you dwell; and I will look upon the worth of the blood, and will spare you; and the angel of death, to whom is given the power to destroy, shall have no dominion over you in the slaughter of the Mizraee.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

Targum<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Biblical Text<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

And the blood of the paschal oblation, (like) the matter of circumcision, shall be a bail for you, to become a sign upon the houses where you dwell;.<\/em><\/td>\n\n

\u05d5\u05b4\u05d9\u05d4\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d3\u05bc\u05b7\u05dd \u05e0\u05b4\u05db\u05b0\u05e1\u05b7\u05ea \u05e4\u05bc\u05b4\u05e1\u05b0\u05d7\u05b8\u05d0 \u05d5\u05bc\u05d2\u05b0\u05d6\u05b5\u05e8\u05b7\u05ea \u05de\u05b0\u05d4\u05d5\u05bc\u05dc\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b8\u05d0 \u05de\u05b0\u05e2\u05b7\u05e8\u05b7\u05d1 \u05dc\u05b0\u05db\u05d5\u05b9\u05df \u05dc\u05b0\u05de\u05b6\u05e2\u05b1\u05d1\u05b7\u05d3 \u05de\u05b4\u05e0\u05bc\u05b5\u05d9\u05d4\u05bc \u05d0\u05b8\u05ea \u05e2\u05b7\u05dc \u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u05ea\u05bc\u05b7\u05d9\u05b8\u05d0 \u05d3\u05bc\u05b0\u05d0\u05b7\u05ea\u05bc\u05d5\u05bc\u05df \u05e9\u05c1\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05d9\u05b8\u05df \u05ea\u05bc\u05b7\u05de\u05bc\u05b8\u05df<\/p>\n

\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b8\u05d9\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d4\u05b7\u05d3\u05bc\u05b8\u05dd \u05dc\u05b8\u05db\u05b6\u05dd \u05dc\u05b0\u05d0\u05b9\u05ea \u05e2\u05b7\u05dc \u05d4\u05b7\u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u05ea\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05e8 \u05d0\u05b7\u05ea\u05bc\u05b6\u05dd \u05e9\u05c1\u05b8\u05dd<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

And the blood will be for you a sign for you upon the doors wherein you reside, <\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

and I will look upon the worth of the blood, <\/em><\/td>\n\n

\u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b6\u05d7\u05b1\u05de\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d9\u05b7\u05ea \u05d6\u05b0\u05db\u05d5\u05bc\u05ea \u05d3\u05bc\u05b0\u05de\u05b8\u05d0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u05d5\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0\u05b4\u05d9\u05ea\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea \u05d4\u05b7\u05d3\u05bc\u05b8\u05dd<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

and I will see the blood <\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
and will spare you; e<\/em><\/td>\n\n

\u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b5\u05d9\u05d7\u05d5\u05bc\u05e1 \u05e2\u05b2\u05dc\u05b5\u05d9\u05db\u05d5\u05b9\u05df<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u05d5\u05bc\u05e4\u05b8\u05e1\u05b7\u05d7\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05e2\u05b2\u05dc\u05b5\u05db\u05b6\u05dd<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

and <\/em>\u05e4\u05e1\u05d7 on you (alt: over you), <\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
and the angel of death, to whom is given the power to destroy, shall have no dominion over you in the slaughter of the Mizrae<\/em><\/td>\n\n

\u05d5\u05b0\u05dc\u05b8\u05d0 \u05d9\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05dc\u05d5\u05b9\u05d8 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05db\u05d5\u05b9\u05df \u05de\u05b7\u05dc\u05b0\u05d0\u05b8\u05da\u05b0 \u05de\u05d5\u05b9\u05ea\u05b8\u05d0 \u05d3\u05bc\u05b0\u05d0\u05b4\u05ea\u05b0\u05d9\u05b7\u05d4\u05b7\u05d1 \u05dc\u05b5\u05d9\u05d4\u05bc \u05e8\u05b0\u05e9\u05c1\u05d5\u05bc\u05ea\u05b8\u05d0 \u05dc\u05b4\u05de\u05b0\u05d7\u05b7\u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05dc\u05b8\u05d0 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05de\u05b4\u05e7\u05b0\u05d8\u05b0\u05dc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05d0\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05e2\u05b8\u05d0 \u05d3\u05bc\u05b0\u05de\u05b4\u05e6\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd:<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\u05d5\u05b0\u05dc\u05b9\u05d0 \u05d9\u05b4\u05d4\u05b0\u05d9\u05b6\u05d4 \u05d1\u05b8\u05db\u05b6\u05dd \u05e0\u05b6\u05d2\u05b6\u05e3 \u05dc\u05b0\u05de\u05b7\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05d7\u05b4\u05d9\u05ea \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05d4\u05b7\u05db\u05bc\u05b9\u05ea\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05d0\u05b6\u05e8\u05b6\u05e5 \u05de\u05b4\u05e6\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd:<\/td>\nso that you will not have a destroying plague when I strike the land of Egypt.<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\u00a0<\/em>Here, the phrase \u201cand \u05e4\u05e1\u05d7 on you (or over you)\u201d is translated again using the root \u05d7\u05d5\u05e1, which JPS takes (I think correctly) to be best translated as \u201chave mercy,\u201d but it also supports the idea of God actively protecting Israel (as Etheridge\u2019s translation suggests with the rendering \u201cwill spare you\u201d).<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Targum Yonatan to Ex. 12:27 \u05ea\u05e8\u05d2\u05d5\u05dd \u05d4\u05de\u05d9\u05d5\u05d7\u05e1 \u05dc\u05d9\u05d5\u05e0\u05ea\u05df – \u05ea\u05d5\u05e8\u05d4 \u05e9\u05de\u05d5\u05ea \u05e4\u05e8\u05e7 \u05d9\u05d1 \u05e4\u05e1\u05d5\u05e7 \u05db\u05d6<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u05d5\u05b0\u05ea\u05b5\u05d9\u05de\u05b0\u05e8\u05d5\u05bc\u05df \u05e0\u05b4\u05db\u05b0\u05e1\u05b7\u05ea \u05d7\u05b7\u05d9\u05b0\u05d9\u05e1\u05b8\u05d0 \u05d4\u05d5\u05bc\u05d0 \u05e7\u05b3\u05d3\u05b8\u05dd \u05d9\u05b0\u05d9\u05b8 \u05d3\u05b0\u05d7\u05b7\u05e1 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05de\u05b5\u05d9\u05de\u05b0\u05e8\u05b5\u05d9\u05d4\u05bc \u05e2\u05b7\u05dc \u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u05ea\u05bc\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05e0\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d9\u05b4\u05e9\u05c2\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0\u05b5\u05dc \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05de\u05b4\u05e6\u05b0\u05e8\u05b7\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05d7\u05b7\u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05dc\u05d5\u05bc\u05ea\u05b5\u05d9\u05d4\u05bc \u05d9\u05b7\u05ea \u05de\u05b4\u05e6\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d9\u05b7\u05ea \u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u05ea\u05bc\u05b8\u05e0\u05b8\u05d0 \u05e9\u05c1\u05b5\u05d9\u05d6\u05b4\u05d9\u05d1 \u05d5\u05b0\u05db\u05b7\u05d3 \u05e9\u05c1\u05b8\u05de\u05b0\u05e2\u05d5\u05bc \u05d1\u05bc\u05b5\u05d9\u05ea \u05d9\u05b4\u05e9\u05c2\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0\u05b5\u05dc \u05d9\u05b7\u05ea \u05e4\u05bc\u05b4\u05ea\u05b0\u05d2\u05b8\u05de\u05b8\u05d0 \u05d4\u05b8\u05d3\u05b5\u05d9\u05df \u05de\u05b4\u05e4\u05bc\u05d5\u05bc\u05dd \u05de\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05d4 \u05d2\u05bc\u05b8\u05d7\u05b0\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc \u05d5\u05bc\u05e1\u05b0\u05d2\u05b4\u05d9\u05d3\u05d5\u05bc:<\/p>\n

You shall say, It is the sacrifice of mercy before the Lord, who had mercy in His Word upon the houses of the sons of Israel in Mizraim, when He destroyed the Mizraee, and spared our houses. And when the house of Israel heard this word from the mouth of Mosheh, they bowed and worshipped.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Targum<\/td>\nBiblical Text<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
You shall say, It is the sacrifice of mercy before the Lord,.<\/em><\/td>\n\n

\u05d5\u05b0\u05ea\u05b5\u05d9\u05de\u05b0\u05e8\u05d5\u05bc\u05df \u05e0\u05b4\u05db\u05b0\u05e1\u05b7\u05ea \u05d7\u05b7\u05d9\u05b0\u05d9\u05e1\u05b8\u05d0 \u05d4\u05d5\u05bc\u05d0 \u05e7\u05b3\u05d3\u05b8\u05dd \u05d9\u05b0\u05d9\u05b8<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u05d5\u05b7\u05d0\u05b2\u05de\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b6\u05dd \u05d6\u05b6\u05d1\u05b7\u05d7 \u05e4\u05bc\u05b6\u05e1\u05b7\u05d7 \u05d4\u05d5\u05bc\u05d0 \u05dc\u05b7\u05d9\u05e7\u05b9\u05d5\u05b8\u05e7<\/p>\n

\n<\/td>\n

And you shall say: It is a <\/em>\u05e4\u05e1\u05d7 offering to the Lord, <\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

who had mercy in His Word upon the houses of the sons of Israel in Mizraim, <\/em><\/td>\n\n

\u05d3\u05b0\u05d7\u05b7\u05e1 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05de\u05b5\u05d9\u05de\u05b0\u05e8\u05b5\u05d9\u05d4\u05bc \u05e2\u05b7\u05dc \u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u05ea\u05bc\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05e0\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d9\u05b4\u05e9\u05c2\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0\u05b5\u05dc \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05de\u05b4\u05e6\u05b0\u05e8\u05b7\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05e8 \u05e4\u05bc\u05b8\u05e1\u05b7\u05d7 \u05e2\u05b7\u05dc \u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u05ea\u05bc\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d1\u05b0\u05e0\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d9\u05b4\u05e9\u05c2\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0\u05b5\u05dc \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05de\u05b4\u05e6\u05b0\u05e8\u05b7\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

who <\/em>\u05e4\u05e1\u05d7ed on (alt: over) the houses of the Children of Israel in Egypt<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
when He destroyed the Mizraee, <\/em><\/td>\n\n

\u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05d7\u05b7\u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05dc\u05d5\u05bc\u05ea\u05b5\u05d9\u05d4\u05bc \u05d9\u05b7\u05ea \u05de\u05b4\u05e6\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0\u05b5\u05d9<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05e0\u05b8\u05d2\u05b0\u05e4\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea \u05de\u05b4\u05e6\u05b0\u05e8\u05b7\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

when [the Lord] plagued the Egyptians <\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
and spared our houses. <\/em><\/td>\n\n

\u05d5\u05b0\u05d9\u05b7\u05ea \u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u05ea\u05bc\u05b8\u05e0\u05b8\u05d0 \u05e9\u05c1\u05b5\u05d9\u05d6\u05b4\u05d9\u05d1<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b6\u05ea \u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u05ea\u05bc\u05b5\u05d9\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc \u05d4\u05b4\u05e6\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9\u05dc<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

but saved our houses, <\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
And when the house of Israel heard this word from the mouth of Mosheh, they bowed and worshipped.<\/em><\/td>\n\n

\u05d5\u05b0\u05db\u05b7\u05d3 \u05e9\u05c1\u05b8\u05de\u05b0\u05e2\u05d5\u05bc \u05d1\u05bc\u05b5\u05d9\u05ea \u05d9\u05b4\u05e9\u05c2\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0\u05b5\u05dc \u05d9\u05b7\u05ea \u05e4\u05bc\u05b4\u05ea\u05b0\u05d2\u05b8\u05de\u05b8\u05d0 \u05d4\u05b8\u05d3\u05b5\u05d9\u05df \u05de\u05b4\u05e4\u05bc\u05d5\u05bc\u05dd \u05de\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05d4 \u05d2\u05bc\u05b8\u05d7\u05b0\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc \u05d5\u05bc\u05e1\u05b0\u05d2\u05b4\u05d9\u05d3\u05d5\u05bc:<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b4\u05e7\u05bc\u05b9\u05d3 \u05d4\u05b8\u05e2\u05b8\u05dd \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b7\u05d7\u05b2\u05d5\u05d5\u05bc:<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

and the nation bowed and prostrated.<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

The paschal offering is translated as the \u201coffering of \u05d7\u05d9\u05d9\u05e1\u201d (here translated by Etheridge to English as \u201cthe sacrifice of mercy\u201d), and God\u2019s \u05e4\u05e1\u05d7ing of the Israelites\u2019 houses is translated as \u05d7\u05e1 (here translated to English as \u201chad mercy\u201d).\u00a0 I would think one could understand \u05e0\u05db\u05e1\u05ea \u05d7\u05d9\u05d9\u05e1\u05d0 as \u201coffering of protection\u201d (i.e. an offering commemorating God\u2019s protection of the Israelites\u201d) and \u05d3\u05d7\u05e1 as \u201cwho protected,\u201d so that this translation probably isn\u2019t strong support for the translation \u201cmercy\u201d as opposed to \u201cprotect.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Targum Onkelos to Ex. 12:13 \u05ea\u05e8\u05d2\u05d5\u05dd \u05d0\u05d5\u05e0\u05e7\u05dc\u05d5\u05e1 \u05e9\u05de\u05d5\u05ea \u05e4\u05e8\u05e7 \u05d9\u05d1 \u05e4\u05e1\u05d5\u05e7 \u05d9\u05d2<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u05d5\u05d9\u05d4\u05d9 \u05d3\u05de\u05d0 \u05dc\u05db\u05d5\u05df \u05dc\u05d0\u05ea \u05e2\u05dc \u05d1\u05ea\u05d9\u05d0 \u05d3\u05d0\u05ea\u05d5\u05df \u05ea\u05de\u05df \u05d5\u05d0\u05d7\u05d6\u05d9 \u05d9\u05ea \u05d3\u05de\u05d0 \u05d5\u05d0\u05d7\u05d5\u05e1 \u05e2\u05dc\u05d9\u05db\u05d5\u05df \u05d5\u05dc\u05d0 \u05d9\u05d4\u05d9 \u05d1\u05db\u05d5\u05df \u05de\u05d5\u05ea\u05d0 \u05dc\u05d7\u05d1\u05dc\u05d0 \u05d1\u05de\u05e7\u05d8\u05dc\u05d9 \u05d1\u05d0\u05e8\u05e2\u05d0 \u05d3\u05de\u05e6\u05e8\u05d9\u05dd:<\/p>\n

And the blood will be a sign for you on your houses wherein you are, and I will see the blood and I will <\/em>\u05d7\u05d5\u05e1 on you and there will not be a destructive death within you as I kill in the land of Egypt.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Targum<\/td>\nBiblical Text<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
And the blood will be a sign for you on your houses wherein you are, <\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/td>\n

\u05d5\u05d9\u05d4\u05d9 \u05d3\u05de\u05d0 \u05dc\u05db\u05d5\u05df \u05dc\u05d0\u05ea \u05e2\u05dc \u05d1\u05ea\u05d9\u05d0 \u05d3\u05d0\u05ea\u05d5\u05df \u05ea\u05de\u05df<\/td>\n\u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b8\u05d9\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d4\u05b7\u05d3\u05bc\u05b8\u05dd \u05dc\u05b8\u05db\u05b6\u05dd \u05dc\u05b0\u05d0\u05b9\u05ea \u05e2\u05b7\u05dc \u05d4\u05b7\u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u05ea\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05e8 \u05d0\u05b7\u05ea\u05bc\u05b6\u05dd \u05e9\u05c1\u05b8\u05dd<\/td>\nAnd the blood will be for you a sign for you upon the doors wherein you reside, <\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

and I will see the blood.<\/em><\/td>\n\u05d5\u05d0\u05d7\u05d6\u05d9 \u05d9\u05ea \u05d3\u05de\u05d0<\/td>\n\u05d5\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0\u05b4\u05d9\u05ea\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea \u05d4\u05b7\u05d3\u05bc\u05b8\u05dd<\/td>\nand I will see the blood <\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
and I will <\/em>\u05d7\u05d5\u05e1<\/em><\/strong> on you <\/em><\/td>\n\u05d5\u05d0\u05d7\u05d5\u05e1 \u05e2\u05dc\u05d9\u05db\u05d5\u05df<\/td>\n\u05d5\u05bc\u05e4\u05b8\u05e1\u05b7\u05d7\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05e2\u05b2\u05dc\u05b5\u05db\u05b6\u05dd<\/td>\nand <\/em>\u05e4\u05e1\u05d7 on you (alt: over you), <\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
and there will not be a destructive death within you as I kill in the land of Egypt.<\/em><\/td>\n\u05d5\u05dc\u05d0 \u05d9\u05d4\u05d9 \u05d1\u05db\u05d5\u05df \u05de\u05d5\u05ea\u05d0 \u05dc\u05d7\u05d1\u05dc\u05d0 \u05d1\u05de\u05e7\u05d8\u05dc\u05d9 \u05d1\u05d0\u05e8\u05e2\u05d0 \u05d3\u05de\u05e6\u05e8\u05d9\u05dd:<\/td>\n\u05d5\u05b0\u05dc\u05b9\u05d0 \u05d9\u05b4\u05d4\u05b0\u05d9\u05b6\u05d4 \u05d1\u05b8\u05db\u05b6\u05dd \u05e0\u05b6\u05d2\u05b6\u05e3 \u05dc\u05b0\u05de\u05b7\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05d7\u05b4\u05d9\u05ea \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05d4\u05b7\u05db\u05bc\u05b9\u05ea\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05d0\u05b6\u05e8\u05b6\u05e5 \u05de\u05b4\u05e6\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd:<\/td>\nso that you will not have a destroying plague when I strike the land of Egypt.<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

The term \u05d5\u05e4\u05e1\u05d7\u05ea\u05d9 is translated \u201cI will \u05d7\u05d5\u05e1 on you,\u201d which I think can easily be taken to connote either compassion or protection.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Targum Onkelos to Ex. 12:23 \u05ea\u05e8\u05d2\u05d5\u05dd \u05d0\u05d5\u05e0\u05e7\u05dc\u05d5\u05e1 \u05e9\u05de\u05d5\u05ea \u05e4\u05e8\u05e7 \u05d9\u05d1 \u05e4\u05e1\u05d5\u05e7 \u05db\u05d2<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u05d5\u05d9\u05ea\u05d2\u05dc\u05d9 \u05d9\u05d9 \u05dc\u05de\u05de\u05d7\u05d9 \u05d9\u05ea \u05de\u05e6\u05e8\u05d0\u05d9 \u05d5\u05d9\u05d7\u05d6\u05d9 \u05d9\u05ea \u05d3\u05de\u05d0 \u05e2\u05dc \u05e9\u05e7\u05e4\u05d0 \u05d5\u05e2\u05dc \u05ea\u05e8\u05d9\u05df \u05e1\u05e4\u05d9\u05d0 \u05d5\u05d9\u05d9\u05d7\u05d5\u05e1 \u05d9\u05d9 \u05e2\u05dc \u05ea\u05e8\u05e2\u05d0 \u05d5\u05dc\u05d0 \u05d9\u05e9\u05d1\u05d5\u05e7 \u05de\u05d7\u05d1\u05dc\u05d0 \u05dc\u05de\u05d9\u05e2\u05dc \u05dc\u05d1\u05ea\u05d9\u05db\u05d5\u05df \u05dc\u05de\u05de\u05d7\u05d9:<\/p>\n

And God will come to strike Egypt and see the blood on the lintel and two doorposts and will \u05d7\u05d5\u05e1 on your door and not allow the destroyer to enter your houses to destroy.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Targum<\/td>\nBiblical Text<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
And God will come to strike Egypt <\/em><\/td>\n\n

\u05d5\u05d9\u05ea\u05d2\u05dc\u05d9 \u05d9\u05d9 \u05dc\u05de\u05de\u05d7\u05d9 \u05d9\u05ea \u05de\u05e6\u05e8\u05d0\u05d9<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\u05d5\u05b0\u05e2\u05b8\u05d1\u05b7\u05e8 \u05d9\u05b0\u05e7\u05b9\u05d5\u05b8\u05e7 \u05dc\u05b4\u05e0\u05b0\u05d2\u05bc\u05b9\u05e3 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea \u05de\u05b4\u05e6\u05b0\u05e8\u05b7\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd<\/td>\nAnd the Lord will come through to smite Egypt <\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
and see the blood on the lintel and two doorposts.<\/em><\/td>\n\n

\u05d5\u05d9\u05d7\u05d6\u05d9 \u05d9\u05ea \u05d3\u05de\u05d0 \u05e2\u05dc \u05e9\u05e7\u05e4\u05d0 \u05d5\u05e2\u05dc \u05ea\u05e8\u05d9\u05df \u05e1\u05e4\u05d9\u05d0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\u05d5\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea \u05d4\u05b7\u05d3\u05bc\u05b8\u05dd \u05e2\u05b7\u05dc \u05d4\u05b7\u05de\u05bc\u05b7\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e7\u05d5\u05b9\u05e3 \u05d5\u05b0\u05e2\u05b7\u05dc \u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d4\u05b7\u05de\u05bc\u05b0\u05d6\u05d5\u05bc\u05d6\u05b9\u05ea<\/td>\nand see the blood on the lintel and two doorposts, <\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
and will <\/em>\u05d7\u05d5\u05e1<\/em><\/strong> on your door <\/em><\/td>\n\n

\u05d5\u05d9\u05d9\u05d7\u05d5\u05e1 \u05d9\u05d9 \u05e2\u05dc \u05ea\u05e8\u05e2\u05d0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\u05d5\u05bc\u05e4\u05b8\u05e1\u05b7\u05d7 \u05d9\u05b0\u05e7\u05b9\u05d5\u05b8\u05e7 \u05e2\u05b7\u05dc \u05d4\u05b7\u05e4\u05bc\u05b6\u05ea\u05b7\u05d7<\/td>\nand the Lord will <\/em>\u05e4\u05e1\u05d7 on the door (alt: over the door) <\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
and not allow the destroyer to enter your houses to destroy.<\/em><\/td>\n\n

\u05d5\u05dc\u05d0 \u05d9\u05e9\u05d1\u05d5\u05e7 \u05de\u05d7\u05d1\u05dc\u05d0 \u05dc\u05de\u05d9\u05e2\u05dc \u05dc\u05d1\u05ea\u05d9\u05db\u05d5\u05df \u05dc\u05de\u05de\u05d7\u05d9:<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\u05d5\u05b0\u05dc\u05b9\u05d0 \u05d9\u05b4\u05ea\u05bc\u05b5\u05df \u05d4\u05b7\u05de\u05bc\u05b7\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05d7\u05b4\u05d9\u05ea \u05dc\u05b8\u05d1\u05b9\u05d0 \u05d0\u05b6\u05dc \u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u05ea\u05bc\u05b5\u05d9\u05db\u05b6\u05dd \u05dc\u05b4\u05e0\u05b0\u05d2\u05bc\u05b9\u05e3:<\/td>\nand not allow the destroyer to enter your houses to smite.<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Targum Onkelos to Ex. 12:27 \u05ea\u05e8\u05d2\u05d5\u05dd \u05d0\u05d5\u05e0\u05e7\u05dc\u05d5\u05e1 \u05e9\u05de\u05d5\u05ea \u05e4\u05e8\u05e7 \u05d9\u05d1 \u05e4\u05e1\u05d5\u05e7 \u05db\u05d6<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u05d5\u05ea\u05d9\u05de\u05e8\u05d5\u05df \u05d3\u05d9\u05d1\u05d7 \u05d7\u05d9\u05e1 \u05d4\u05d5\u05d0 \u05e7\u05d3\u05dd \u05d9\u05d9 \u05d3\u05d7\u05e1 \u05e2\u05dc \u05d1\u05ea\u05d9 \u05d1\u05e0\u05d9 \u05d9\u05e9\u05e8\u05d0\u05dc \u05d1\u05de\u05e6\u05e8\u05d9\u05dd \u05db\u05d3 \u05de\u05d7\u05d0 \u05d9\u05ea \u05de\u05e6\u05e8\u05d0\u05d9 \u05d5\u05d9\u05ea \u05d1\u05ea\u05e0\u05d0 \u05e9\u05d9\u05d6\u05d9\u05d1 \u05d5\u05db\u05e8\u05e2 \u05e2\u05de\u05d0 \u05d5\u05e1\u05d2\u05d9\u05d3\u05d5:<\/p>\n

And you will say: It is a \u05d7\u05d9\u05e1 offering before the Lord who <\/em>\u05d7\u05e1<\/em>ed on the houses of the Children of Israel in Egypt when [the Lord] destroyed the Egyptians but spared our houses and the nation bowed and worshiped.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Targum<\/td>\nBiblical Text<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
And you will say: It is a \u05d7\u05d9\u05e1 offering before the Lord <\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/td>\n

\n

\u05d5\u05ea\u05d9\u05de\u05e8\u05d5\u05df \u05d3\u05d9\u05d1\u05d7 \u05d7\u05d9\u05e1 \u05d4\u05d5\u05d0 \u05e7\u05d3\u05dd \u05d9\u05d9<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\u05d5\u05b7\u05d0\u05b2\u05de\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b6\u05dd \u05d6\u05b6\u05d1\u05b7\u05d7 \u05e4\u05bc\u05b6\u05e1\u05b7\u05d7 \u05d4\u05d5\u05bc\u05d0 \u05dc\u05b7\u05d9\u05e7\u05b9\u05d5\u05b8\u05e7<\/p>\n

 <\/td>\n

And you shall say: It is a <\/em>\u05e4\u05e1\u05d7 offering to the Lord, <\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

who <\/em>\u05d7\u05e1<\/em><\/strong>ed on the houses of the Children of Israel in Egypt<\/em><\/td>\n\n

\u05d3\u05d7\u05e1 \u05e2\u05dc \u05d1\u05ea\u05d9 \u05d1\u05e0\u05d9 \u05d9\u05e9\u05e8\u05d0\u05dc \u05d1\u05de\u05e6\u05e8\u05d9\u05dd<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05e8 \u05e4\u05bc\u05b8\u05e1\u05b7\u05d7 \u05e2\u05b7\u05dc \u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u05ea\u05bc\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d1\u05b0\u05e0\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d9\u05b4\u05e9\u05c2\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0\u05b5\u05dc \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05de\u05b4\u05e6\u05b0\u05e8\u05b7\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd<\/td>\nwho <\/em>\u05e4\u05e1\u05d7ed on (alt: over) the houses of the Children of Israel in Egypt<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
when [the Lord] destroyed the Egyptians <\/em><\/td>\n\n

\u05db\u05d3 \u05de\u05d7\u05d0 \u05d9\u05ea \u05de\u05e6\u05e8\u05d0\u05d9<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05e0\u05b8\u05d2\u05b0\u05e4\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea \u05de\u05b4\u05e6\u05b0\u05e8\u05b7\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd<\/td>\nwhen [the Lord] plagued the Egyptians <\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
but spared our houses <\/em><\/td>\n\n

\u05d5\u05d9\u05ea \u05d1\u05ea\u05e0\u05d0 \u05e9\u05d9\u05d6\u05d9\u05d1<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b6\u05ea \u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u05ea\u05bc\u05b5\u05d9\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc \u05d4\u05b4\u05e6\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9\u05dc<\/td>\nbut saved our houses, <\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
and the nation bowed and worshiped.<\/em><\/td>\n\n

\u05d5\u05db\u05e8\u05e2 \u05e2\u05de\u05d0 \u05d5\u05e1\u05d2\u05d9\u05d3\u05d5:<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b4\u05e7\u05bc\u05b9\u05d3 \u05d4\u05b8\u05e2\u05b8\u05dd \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b7\u05d7\u05b2\u05d5\u05d5\u05bc:<\/td>\nand the nation bowed and prostrated.<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Mehilta Bo 7 (commenting on Ex.12:13) \u05de\u05db\u05d9\u05dc\u05ea\u05d0 \u05d3\u05e8\u05d1\u05d9 \u05d9\u05e9\u05de\u05e2\u05d0\u05dc \u05d1\u05d0 – \u05de\u05e1\u05db\u05ea\u05d0 \u05d3\u05e4\u05e1\u05d7\u05d0 \u05e4\u05e8\u05e9\u05d4 \u05d6<\/strong><\/p>\n

NB: The text in the ellipses is the comment of Rabbi Josiah and is reproduced below among texts supporting the translation \u201cpassed over.\u201d Part of the preceding section of this midrash is also below with the texts supporting the \u201cprotect\u201d translation.<\/p>\n

\u05d5\u05e4\u05e1\u05d7\u05ea\u05d9 \u05e2\u05dc\u05d9\u05db\u05dd<\/strong>. … \u05e8\u05d1\u05d9 \u05d9\u05d5\u05e0\u05ea\u05df \u05d0\u05d5\u05de\u05e8 \u05d5\u05e4\u05e1\u05d7\u05ea\u05d9 \u05e2\u05dc\u05d9\u05db\u05dd \u05e2\u05dc\u05d9\u05db\u05dd \u05d0\u05e0\u05d9 \u05d7\u05e1 \u05d5\u05d0\u05e0\u05d9 \u05d0\u05d9\u05e0\u05d9 \u05d7\u05e1 \u05e2\u05dc \u05d4\u05de\u05e6\u05e8\u05d9\u05dd …<\/p>\n

And I will \u2026 \u05e4\u05e1\u05d7 on you (alt: over you)<\/em><\/strong>: \u2026 Rabbi Yonatan says: \u201cI will <\/em>\u05e4\u05e1\u05d7 on you\u201d means \u201cI will <\/em>\u05d7\u05e1 on you but will not <\/em>\u05d7\u05e1 on the Egyptians \u2026 <\/em><\/p>\n

I think the \u05d7\u05e1 here might be slightly more easily understood as \u201chave mercy.\u201d\u00a0 There would be little reason for God to say that God would not protect the Egyptians, who were the target of the attack, whereas it would make sense for God to say that God would not have mercy on the Egyptians during the attack.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Saadia Gaon Exodus 12 (selections) \u05e1\u05e2\u05d3\u05d9\u05d4 \u05d2\u05d0\u05d5\u05df \u05e9\u05de\u05d5\u05ea \u05e4\u05e8\u05e7 \u05d9\u05d1<\/strong><\/p>\n

Note: The Hebrew text was typed by me from the \u05ea\u05d5\u05e8\u05ea \u05d7\u05d9\u05d9\u05dd text as it was not in my Bar Ilan program.\u00a0 JPS footnote 30 references Saadia on 12:11 but I didn\u2019t find any relevant material there.<\/p>\n

(\u05d9\u05d2) \u05d5\u05e8\u05d0\u05d9\u05ea\u05d9 \u05d5\u05db\u05d5’<\/strong>,<\/strong> \u05d5\u05d0\u05e8\u05d0\u05e0\u05d5 \u05d5\u05d0\u05e8\u05d7\u05dd \u05e2\u05dc\u05d9\u05d4\u05dd.<\/p>\n

(\u05db\u05d2) \u00a0\u05d5\u05e4\u05e1\u05d7 \u05d4’ \u05e2\u05dc \u05d4\u05e4\u05ea\u05d7,<\/strong> \u05d5\u05d9\u05e8\u05d7\u05dd \u05d4’ \u05e2\u05dc \u05de\u05d9 \u05e9\u05d1\u05ea\u05d5\u05db\u05d5.<\/p>\n

(\u05db\u05d6) \u05d6\u05d1\u05d7 \u05e4\u05e1\u05d7, <\/strong>\u05d6\u05d1\u05d7 \u05d7\u05de\u05dc\u05d4.<\/p>\n

(13) And I will see<\/strong> [the blood] etc.<\/strong>, And I will see it and have mercy on them.<\/em><\/p>\n

(14) And the Lord will <\/strong><\/em>\u05e4\u05e1\u05d7 on the door (alt: over the door)<\/em><\/strong>, and the LORD will have mercy on whoever is inside [the door].<\/em><\/p>\n

(15) A \u05e4\u05e1\u05d7 offering \u2013 <\/strong>An offering of compassion.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Rashi Exodus 12:13 \u05e8\u05e9”\u05d9 \u05e9\u05de\u05d5\u05ea \u05e4\u05e8\u05e7 \u05d9\u05d1 \u05e4\u05e1\u05d5\u05e7 \u05d9\u05d2<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u05d5\u05e4\u05e1\u05d7\u05ea\u05d9<\/strong> – \u05d5\u05d7\u05de\u05dc\u05ea\u05d9, \u05d5\u05d3\u05d5\u05de\u05d4 \u05dc\u05d5 (\u05d9\u05e9\u05e2\u05d9\u05d4\u05d5 \u05dc\u05d0 \u05d4) \u05e4\u05e1\u05d5\u05d7 \u05d5\u05d4\u05de\u05dc\u05d9\u05d8.<\/p>\n

And I will – <\/em><\/strong>\u05e4\u05e1\u05d7<\/em><\/strong> I will have mercy, similarly (Isaiah 31:5)[4]<\/a> \u201c\u05e4\u05bc\u05b8\u05e1\u05b9\u05d7\u05b7<\/em> and deliver.\u201d\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n

Note the balance of this Rashi is found below with the texts supporting the \u201cpass over\u201d translation, which Rashi prefers.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ibn Ezra Exodus 12:27 \u05d0\u05d1\u05df \u05e2\u05d6\u05e8\u05d0 \u05e9\u05de\u05d5\u05ea \u05e4\u05e8\u05e7 \u05d9\u05d1<\/strong> \u05e4\u05e1\u05d5\u05e7 \u05db\u05d6<\/strong><\/p>\n

Note that JPS footnote 30 references Ibn Ezra 12:1, but I could not find anything relevant there.<\/p>\n

(\u05db\u05d6) \u05d5\u05d0\u05de\u05e8\u05ea\u05dd \u05d6\u05d1\u05d7 \u05e4\u05e1\u05d7<\/strong> \u05de\u05e6\u05d0\u05e0\u05d5 \u05e4\u05e1\u05d5\u05d7 \u05d5\u05d4\u05de\u05dc\u05d9\u05d8 (\u05d9\u05e9\u05e2\u05d9’ \u05dc\u05d0, \u05d4). \u05d5\u05d4\u05d8\u05e2\u05dd \u05db\u05de\u05d5 \u05d7\u05de\u05dc\u05d4. \u05d5\u05d1\u05e2\u05d1\u05d5\u05e8 \u05e9\u05d4\u05e9\u05dd \u05d7\u05de\u05dc \u05e2\u05dc \u05d1\u05db\u05d5\u05e8\u05d9 \u05d9\u05e9\u05e8\u05d0\u05dc \u05d1\u05e2\u05d1\u05d5\u05e8 \u05d3\u05dd \u05d4\u05e9\u05d4, \u05e0\u05e7\u05e8\u05d0 \u05d4\u05e9\u05d4 \u05e4\u05e1\u05d7, \u05db\u05de\u05d5 \u05d5\u05e9\u05d7\u05d8\u05d5 \u05d4\u05e4\u05e1\u05d7 (\u05e9\u05de\u05d5\u05ea \u05d9\u05d1 \u05db\u05d0). \u05d5\u05d4\u05d2\u05d0\u05d5\u05df \u05d0\u05de\u05e8, \u05e9\u05d4\u05d5\u05d0 \u05de\u05d2\u05d6\u05e8\u05ea \u05e4\u05e1\u05d7, \u05db\u05d9 \u05d4\u05e4\u05e1\u05d7 \u05d9\u05e9\u05e2\u05df \u05e2\u05dc \u05e8\u05d2\u05dc\u05d5 \u05d4\u05ea\u05de\u05d9\u05de\u05d4, \u05d5\u05d4\u05de\u05e9\u05d7\u05d9\u05ea \u05db\u05df \u05e2\u05e9\u05d4 \u05e9\u05d4\u05e9\u05d7\u05d9\u05ea \u05d1\u05db\u05d5\u05e8\u05d9 \u05d1\u05d9\u05ea \u05d4\u05de\u05e6\u05e8\u05d9\u05dd, \u05d5\u05e4\u05e1\u05d7 \u05e2\u05dc \u05d1\u05d9\u05ea \u05e9\u05db\u05e0\u05d5 \u05d4\u05e2\u05d1\u05e8\u05d9 \u05d5\u05dc\u05d0 \u05d4\u05e9\u05d7\u05d9\u05ea\u05d5, \u05d5\u05db\u05de\u05d5\u05d4\u05d5 \u05e2\u05d3 \u05de\u05ea\u05d9 \u05d0\u05ea\u05dd \u05e4\u05d5\u05e1\u05d7\u05d9\u05dd (\u05de”\u05d0 \u05d9\u05d7, \u05db\u05d0):<\/p>\n

And you shall say: It is a <\/em><\/strong>\u05e4\u05e1\u05d7 offering <\/em><\/strong>we find \u201c<\/em>\u05e4\u05bc\u05b8\u05e1\u05b9\u05d7\u05b7 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b4\u05de\u05b0\u05dc\u05b4\u05d9\u05d8<\/em> (<\/em>\u05e4\u05bc\u05b8\u05e1\u05b9\u05d7\u05b7<\/em> and deliver)\u201d (Isaiah 31:5).\u00a0 The meaning is like \u05d7\u05de\u05dc\u05d4 (compassion).\u00a0 And since God was compassionate towards the firstborn of Israel because of the blood of the lamb, the lamb is called \u05e4\u05e1\u05d7, as in \u201cthey shall slaughter the \u05e4\u05e1\u05d7.\u201d (Ex. 12:21) But the Gaon said that it is from \u05e4\u05e1\u05d7 [meaning lame], because [an animal which is] lame relies on its good leg, and the destroyer did so in that the [the destroyer] killed the first born of Egypt and skipped over the Jewish neighbor\u2019s house, similar to \u201cfor how long will you [be] jumping (\u05e4\u05d5\u05e1\u05d7\u05d9\u05dd) [between two opinions]\u201d (1 Kings 18:21).<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Note JPS Footnote 30 also references Ibn Janah but I don\u2019t have easy access to that.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

RABBINIC SOURCES SUPPORTING THE TRANSLATION \u201cPROTECT\u201d
\n<\/strong>(Per JPS footnote 31 and R. Lieberman)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Tosefta Sotah 4:5 \u05ea\u05d5\u05e1\u05e4\u05ea\u05d0 \u05de\u05e1\u05db\u05ea \u05e1\u05d5\u05d8\u05d4 (\u05dc\u05d9\u05d1\u05e8\u05de\u05df) \u05e4\u05e8\u05e7 \u05d3 \u05d4\u05dc\u05db\u05d4 \u05d4<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u05d1\u05d0\u05d1\u05e8\u05d4\u05dd \u05de\u05d4\u05d5 \u05d0\u05d5\u05de’ \u05d5\u05d4\u05d5\u05d0 \u05e2\u05d5\u05de\u05d3 \u05e2\u05dc\u05d9\u05d4\u05dd \u05d5\u05d2\u05d5’ \u05d0\u05e3 \u05d4\u05de\u05e7\u05d5\u05dd \u05d1\u05e8\u05d5\u05da \u05d4\u05d5\u05d0 \u05d4\u05d2\u05d9\u05df \u05d0\u05ea \u05d1\u05e0\u05d9\u05d5 \u05d1\u05de\u05e6\u05e8\u05d9\u05dd \u05e9\u05e0’ \u05d5\u05e4\u05e1\u05d7 \u05d4’ \u05e2\u05dc \u05d4\u05e4\u05ea\u05d7.<\/p>\n

With regard to Abraham, what does it say, \u201che stood over them, etc.\u201d (Gen. 18:8<\/a>), so too the Omnipresent Blessed is He protected his (Abraham\u2019s) children in Egypt, as it says, \u201cthe Lord will <\/em>\u05e4\u05e1\u05d7 on the door\u201d (Ex. 12:13)<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Septuagint to v. 13 and 17<\/strong><\/p>\n

I lack the relevant skills to analyze Septuagint text, but Rabbi Lieberman notes that in the Septuagint the verb \u05e4\u05e1\u05d7 is translated as \u201cprotect\u201d in Ex. 12:13 and 12:27.\u00a0 A translation of the Septuagint by Sir Lancelot Charles Lee Brenton (1851) can be found at https:\/\/biblehub.com\/sep\/exodus\/12.htm<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Note JPS mentions Symmachus with regard to the \u201cprotect\u201d translation.\u00a0 I don\u2019t have access to that text (nor the ability to read it in the original), but R. Lieberman translates Symmachus as saying \u201c[The word] fase\u1e25<\/em> means defence.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Targum Yonatan to Ex. 12:23 \u05ea\u05e8\u05d2\u05d5\u05dd \u05d4\u05de\u05d9\u05d5\u05d7\u05e1 \u05dc\u05d9\u05d5\u05e0\u05ea\u05df – \u05ea\u05d5\u05e8\u05d4 \u05e9\u05de\u05d5\u05ea \u05e4\u05e8\u05e7 \u05d9\u05d1 \u05e4\u05e1\u05d5\u05e7 \u05db\u05d2<\/strong><\/p>\n

(\u05db\u05d2) \u05d5\u05b0\u05d9\u05b4\u05ea\u05b0\u05d2\u05bc\u05b0\u05dc\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d9\u05b0\u05e7\u05b8\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0 \u05d3\u05b7\u05d9\u05b0\u05d9\u05b8 \u05dc\u05b0\u05de\u05b4\u05d9\u05de\u05b0\u05d7\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d9\u05b7\u05ea \u05de\u05b4\u05e6\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d9\u05b6\u05d7\u05b1\u05de\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d9\u05b7\u05ea \u05d0\u05b7\u05d3\u05b0\u05de\u05b8\u05d0 \u05d3\u05b0\u05e2\u05b7\u05dc \u05d0\u05b4\u05e1\u05b0\u05e7\u05d5\u05b9\u05e4\u05b8\u05d0 \u05d5\u05b0\u05e2\u05b7\u05dc \u05ea\u05bc\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b5\u05d9\u05df \u05e1\u05b4\u05d9\u05e4\u05b7\u05d9\u05b8\u05d0 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d9\u05b8\u05d2\u05b4\u05d9\u05df \u05de\u05b5\u05d9\u05de\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0 \u05d3\u05b7\u05d9\u05b0\u05d9\u05b8 \u05e2\u05b7\u05dc \u05ea\u05bc\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05e2\u05b8\u05d0 \u05d5\u05b0\u05dc\u05b8\u05d0 \u05d9\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05d1\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05e7 \u05de\u05b7\u05dc\u05b0\u05d0\u05b8\u05db\u05b8\u05d0 \u05de\u05b0\u05d7\u05b7\u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05dc\u05b8\u05d0 \u05dc\u05b0\u05de\u05b5\u05d9\u05e2\u05d5\u05b9\u05dc \u05dc\u05b0\u05d1\u05b8\u05ea\u05bc\u05b5\u05d9\u05db\u05d5\u05b9\u05df \u05dc\u05b0\u05de\u05b4\u05d9\u05de\u05b0\u05d7\u05b5\u05d9:<\/p>\n

And the presence of God will come to strike Egypt and will see the blood on the lintel and the two doorposts and God\u2019s word will protect the door and not allow the destroying angel to enter your houses to destroy.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Targum<\/td>\nBiblical Text<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
And the presence of God will come to strike Egypt <\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/td>\n

\n

\u05d5\u05b0\u05d9\u05b4\u05ea\u05b0\u05d2\u05bc\u05b0\u05dc\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d9\u05b0\u05e7\u05b8\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0 \u05d3\u05b7\u05d9\u05b0\u05d9\u05b8 \u05dc\u05b0\u05de\u05b4\u05d9\u05de\u05b0\u05d7\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d9\u05b7\u05ea \u05de\u05b4\u05e6\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0\u05b5\u05d9<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\u05d5\u05b0\u05e2\u05b8\u05d1\u05b7\u05e8 \u05d9\u05b0\u05e7\u05b9\u05d5\u05b8\u05e7 \u05dc\u05b4\u05e0\u05b0\u05d2\u05bc\u05b9\u05e3 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea \u05de\u05b4\u05e6\u05b0\u05e8\u05b7\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd<\/td>\nAnd the Lord will come through to smite Egypt <\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
and will see the blood on the lintel and the two doorposts <\/em><\/td>\n\n

\u05d5\u05b0\u05d9\u05b6\u05d7\u05b1\u05de\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d9\u05b7\u05ea \u05d0\u05b7\u05d3\u05b0\u05de\u05b8\u05d0 \u05d3\u05b0\u05e2\u05b7\u05dc \u05d0\u05b4\u05e1\u05b0\u05e7\u05d5\u05b9\u05e4\u05b8\u05d0 \u05d5\u05b0\u05e2\u05b7\u05dc \u05ea\u05bc\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b5\u05d9\u05df \u05e1\u05b4\u05d9\u05e4\u05b7\u05d9\u05b8\u05d0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\u05d5\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea \u05d4\u05b7\u05d3\u05bc\u05b8\u05dd \u05e2\u05b7\u05dc \u05d4\u05b7\u05de\u05bc\u05b7\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e7\u05d5\u05b9\u05e3 \u05d5\u05b0\u05e2\u05b7\u05dc \u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d4\u05b7\u05de\u05bc\u05b0\u05d6\u05d5\u05bc\u05d6\u05b9\u05ea<\/td>\nand see the blood on the lintel and two doorposts, <\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
and God\u2019s word will protect the door <\/em><\/td>\n\n

\u05d5\u05b0\u05d9\u05b8\u05d2\u05b4\u05d9\u05df \u05de\u05b5\u05d9\u05de\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0 \u05d3\u05b7\u05d9\u05b0\u05d9\u05b8 \u05e2\u05b7\u05dc \u05ea\u05bc\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05e2\u05b8\u05d0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\u05d5\u05bc\u05e4\u05b8\u05e1\u05b7\u05d7 \u05d9\u05b0\u05e7\u05b9\u05d5\u05b8\u05e7 \u05e2\u05b7\u05dc \u05d4\u05b7\u05e4\u05bc\u05b6\u05ea\u05b7\u05d7<\/td>\nand the Lord will <\/em>\u05e4\u05e1\u05d7 on the door (alt: over the door) <\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
and not allow the destroying angel to enter your houses to destroy.<\/em><\/td>\n\n

\u05d5\u05b0\u05dc\u05b8\u05d0 \u05d9\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05d1\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05e7 \u05de\u05b7\u05dc\u05b0\u05d0\u05b8\u05db\u05b8\u05d0 \u05de\u05b0\u05d7\u05b7\u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05dc\u05b8\u05d0 \u05dc\u05b0\u05de\u05b5\u05d9\u05e2\u05d5\u05b9\u05dc \u05dc\u05b0\u05d1\u05b8\u05ea\u05bc\u05b5\u05d9\u05db\u05d5\u05b9\u05df \u05dc\u05b0\u05de\u05b4\u05d9\u05de\u05b0\u05d7\u05b5\u05d9:<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\u05d5\u05b0\u05dc\u05b9\u05d0 \u05d9\u05b4\u05ea\u05bc\u05b5\u05df \u05d4\u05b7\u05de\u05bc\u05b7\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05d7\u05b4\u05d9\u05ea \u05dc\u05b8\u05d1\u05b9\u05d0 \u05d0\u05b6\u05dc \u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u05ea\u05bc\u05b5\u05d9\u05db\u05b6\u05dd \u05dc\u05b4\u05e0\u05b0\u05d2\u05bc\u05b9\u05e3:<\/td>\nand not allow the destroyer to enter your houses to smite.<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Mehilta Bo 7 (commenting on Ex.12:13) \u05de\u05db\u05d9\u05dc\u05ea\u05d0 \u05d3\u05e8\u05d1\u05d9 \u05d9\u05e9\u05de\u05e2\u05d0\u05dc \u05d1\u05d0 – \u05de\u05e1\u05db\u05ea\u05d0 \u05d3\u05e4\u05e1\u05d7\u05d0 \u05e4\u05e8\u05e9\u05d4 \u05d6<\/strong><\/p>\n

NB: Portions of the next section of this text are quoted above in support of the translation \u201ccompassion\u201d and below in support of the \u201cskip over\u201d translation.<\/p>\n

\u05d5\u05e8\u05d0\u05d9\u05ea\u05d9 \u05d0\u05ea \u05d4\u05d3\u05dd.<\/strong> \u05d4\u05d9\u05d4 \u05e8’ \u05d9\u05e9\u05de\u05e2\u05d0\u05dc \u05d0\u05d5\u05de\u05e8 \u05d5\u05d4\u05dc\u05d0 \u05d4\u05db\u05dc \u05d2\u05dc\u05d5\u05d9 \u05dc\u05e4\u05e0\u05d9\u05d5 … \u05d5\u05de\u05d4 \u05ea”\u05dc \u05d5\u05e8\u05d0\u05d9\u05ea\u05d9 \u05d0\u05ea \u05d4\u05d3\u05dd. \u05d0\u05dc\u05d0 \u05d1\u05e9\u05db\u05e8 \u05de\u05e6\u05d5\u05d4 \u05e9\u05d0\u05ea\u05dd \u05e2\u05d5\u05e9\u05d9\u05dd \u05d0\u05e0\u05d9 \u05e0\u05d2\u05dc\u05d4 \u05d5\u05d7\u05e1 \u05e2\u05dc\u05d9\u05db\u05dd \u05e9\u05e0\u05d0\u05de\u05e8 \u05d5\u05e4\u05e1\u05d7\u05ea\u05d9 \u05e2\u05dc\u05d9\u05db\u05dd. \u05d0\u05d9\u05df \u05e4\u05e1\u05d9\u05d7\u05d4 \u05d0\u05dc\u05d0 \u05d7\u05d9\u05d9\u05e1 \u05e9\u05e0\u05d0\u05de\u05e8 \u05db\u05e6\u05e4\u05e8\u05d9\u05dd \u05e2\u05e4\u05d5\u05ea \u05db\u05df \u05d9\u05d2\u05df \u05d9\u05d9’ \u05e6\u05d1\u05d0\u05d5\u05ea \u05e2\u05dc \u05d9\u05e8\u05d5\u05e9\u05dc\u05dd \u05d2\u05e0\u05d5\u05df \u05d5\u05d4\u05e6\u05d9\u05dc \u05e4\u05e1\u05d5\u05d7 \u05d5\u05d4\u05de\u05dc\u05d9\u05d8 (\u05d9\u05e9\u05e2\u05d9\u05d4 \u05dc\u05d0 \u05d4):<\/p>\n

And I will see the blood.\u00a0 <\/em><\/strong>Rabbi Yishmael says: Isn\u2019t everything revealed before Him?\u00a0 \u2026 what does \u201cAnd I will see the blood\u201d teach?\u00a0 [It teaches that God said that] as reward for the commandment that you fulfill I will come and \u05d7\u05e1 you, as it says \u201cand <\/em>\u05e4\u05e1\u05d7 on you (alt: over you).\u201d \u05e4\u05e1\u05d7ing means \u05d7\u05d9\u05d9\u05e1, as it says, \u201cAs birds hover, so will the Lord of Hosts protect Jerusalem; defend and save, <\/em>\u05e4\u05bc\u05b8\u05e1\u05b9\u05d7\u05b7<\/em> and deliver\u201d (Isaiah 31:5).<\/em><\/p>\n

JPS and R. Lieberman both understand this comment to support understanding \u05e4\u05e1\u05d7 as \u201cprotect,\u201d which I think is the better understanding of \u05e4\u05e1\u05d7 in Isaiah 31:5.\u00a0 However, note that Rashi on Ex. 12:13 (above in the section for texts supporting the translation \u201ccompassion\u201d), presumably taking his queue from this passage, references Isaiah 31:5 in support of translating \u05d5\u05e4\u05e1\u05d7\u05ea\u05d9 as \u05d5\u05d7\u05de\u05dc\u05ea\u05d9 (\u201cI will have compassion\u201d<\/em>).<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Rabbi Saul Lieberman <\/strong>Hellenism in Jewish Palestine<\/strong><\/a> p. 50-51 <\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

SOURCES SUPPORTING THE TRANSLATION \u201cSKIP OVER\u201d
\n<\/strong>(Per JPS footnote 32)<\/p>\n

JPS notes Jubilees 49:2-4 as supporting \u201cskip over.\u201d\u00a0 I\u2019m not sure I see anything in Jubilees strongly pointing toward this translation.\u00a0 Text is available at https:\/\/www.sefaria.org\/Book_of_Jubilees.49<\/a>.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Septuagint to v. 23<\/strong><\/p>\n

I lack the relevant knowledge to break down Septuagint text, but Rabbi Lieberman notes that in the Septuagint the verb \u05e4\u05e1\u05d7 is translated as \u201cpass by\u201d in Ex. 12:23.\u00a0 A translation of the Septuagint by Sir Lancelot Charles Lee Brenton (1851) can be found at https:\/\/biblehub.com\/sep\/exodus\/12.htm<\/a>.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joseph. Ant. 2.14.6<\/strong><\/p>\n

Text from https:\/\/www.sefaria.org\/The_Antiquities_of_the_Jews.2.14.6?ven=The_Antiquities_of_the_Jews,_translated_by_William_Whiston,_1825&lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2026 Whence it is that we do still offer this sacrifice in like manner to this day, and call this festival Pascha which signifies the feast of the passover; because on that day God passed us over, and sent the plague upon the Egyptians; for the destruction of the first-born came upon the Egyptians that night, so that many of the Egyptians who lived near the king’s palace, persuaded Pharaoh to let the Hebrews go. \u2026 <\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

JPS mentions Aquila to Ex. 12:11 and 12:27 with regard to the \u201cpass over\u201d translation.\u00a0 I don\u2019t have access to that text (nor the ability to read it in the original), but R. Lieberman notes that Aquila translates \u05e4\u05e1\u05d7 in these verses as \u201cskipping over.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Mehilta Bo 7 (commenting on Ex.12:13) \u05de\u05db\u05d9\u05dc\u05ea\u05d0 \u05d3\u05e8\u05d1\u05d9 \u05d9\u05e9\u05de\u05e2\u05d0\u05dc \u05d1\u05d0 – \u05de\u05e1\u05db\u05ea\u05d0 \u05d3\u05e4\u05e1\u05d7\u05d0 \u05e4\u05e8\u05e9\u05d4 \u05d6<\/strong><\/p>\n

NB: The remainder of this comment, which quotes Rabbi Yonantan is found above in the section of texts supporting the translation \u201ccompassion.\u201d\u00a0 \u00a0Part of the preceding section of this text is above in the section of texts supporting the translation of \u201cprotect.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u05d5\u05e4\u05e1\u05d7\u05ea\u05d9 \u05e2\u05dc\u05d9\u05db\u05dd.<\/strong> \u05e8’ \u05d9\u05d0\u05e9\u05d9\u05d4 \u05d0\u05d5\u05de\u05e8 \u05d0\u05dc \u05ea\u05e7\u05e8\u05d9 \u05d5\u05e4\u05e1\u05d7\u05ea\u05d9 \u05d0\u05dc\u05d0 \u05d5\u05e4\u05e1\u05e2\u05ea\u05d9 \u05e9\u05d4\u05d1”\u05d4 \u05de\u05d3\u05dc\u05d2 \u05e2\u05dc \u05d1\u05ea\u05d9 \u05d1\u05e0\u05d9\u05d5 \u05d1\u05de\u05e6\u05e8\u05d9\u05dd \u05e9\u05e0\u05d0\u05de\u05e8 \u05e7\u05d5\u05dc \u05d3\u05d5\u05d3\u05d9 \u05d4\u05e0\u05d4 \u05d6\u05d4 \u05d1\u05d0 \u05de\u05d3\u05dc\u05d2 \u05e2\u05dc \u05d4\u05d4\u05e8\u05d9\u05dd (\u05e9\u05d4”\u05e9 =\u05e9\u05d9\u05e8 \u05d4\u05e9\u05d9\u05e8\u05d9\u05dd= \u05d1 \u05d7) \u05d5\u05d0\u05d5\u05de\u05e8 \u05d4\u05e0\u05d4 \u05d6\u05d4 \u05e2\u05d5\u05de\u05d3 \u05d0\u05d7\u05e8 \u05db\u05ea\u05dc\u05e0\u05d5 \u05d5\u05d2\u05d5\u05de\u05e8. …<\/p>\n

And I will \u2026 \u05e4\u05e1\u05d7 on you (alt: over you).\u00a0 <\/em><\/strong>Rabbi Josiah says: Do not read this as \u05d5\u05e4\u05e1\u05d7\u05ea\u05d9 (and I will \u05e4\u05e1\u05d7) but rather \u05d5\u05e4\u05e1\u05e2\u05ea\u05d9 (and I will step[5]<\/a>), for the Blessed Holy One skips over the houses of His children [living] among the Egyptians, as it says, \u201cMy beloved\u2019s voice approaches, skipping on the mountains\u201d (Song of Songs 2:8), and it says, \u201cHere he stands behind our wall.\u201d (Song of Songs 2:9).<\/em><\/p>\n

Rashi Exodus 12:13 \u05e8\u05e9”\u05d9 \u05e9\u05de\u05d5\u05ea \u05e4\u05e8\u05e7 \u05d9\u05d1 \u05e4\u05e1\u05d5\u05e7 \u05d9\u05d2<\/strong><\/p>\n

Note the beginning of this Rashi is found above with the texts supporting the \u201ccompassion\u201d translation.<\/p>\n

\u05d5\u05e4\u05e1\u05d7\u05ea\u05d9<\/strong> – … \u05d5\u05d0\u05e0\u05d9 \u05d0\u05d5\u05de\u05e8 \u05db\u05dc \u05e4\u05e1\u05d9\u05d7\u05d4 \u05dc\u05e9\u05d5\u05df \u05d3\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2 \u05d5\u05e7\u05e4\u05d9\u05e6\u05d4. \u05d5\u05e4\u05e1\u05d7\u05ea\u05d9 \u05de\u05d3\u05dc\u05d2 \u05d4\u05d9\u05d4 \u05de\u05d1\u05ea\u05d9 \u05d9\u05e9\u05e8\u05d0\u05dc \u05dc\u05d1\u05ea\u05d9 \u05de\u05e6\u05e8\u05d9\u05dd, \u05e9\u05d4\u05d9\u05d5 \u05e9\u05e8\u05d5\u05d9\u05dd \u05d6\u05d4 \u05d1\u05ea\u05d5\u05da \u05d6\u05d4, \u05d5\u05db\u05df (\u05de\u05dc\u05db\u05d9\u05dd \u05d0’ \u05d9\u05d7 \u05db\u05d0) \u05e4\u05d5\u05e1\u05d7\u05d9\u05dd \u05e2\u05dc \u05e9\u05ea\u05d9 \u05d4\u05e1\u05e2\u05d9\u05e4\u05d9\u05dd, \u05d5\u05db\u05df \u05db\u05dc \u05d4\u05e4\u05e1\u05d7\u05d9\u05dd \u05d4\u05d5\u05dc\u05db\u05d9\u05dd \u05db\u05e7\u05d5\u05e4\u05e6\u05d9\u05dd, \u05d5\u05db\u05df (\u05d9\u05e9\u05e2\u05d9\u05d4\u05d5 \u05dc\u05d0 \u05d4) \u05e4\u05e1\u05d5\u05d7 \u05d5\u05d4\u05de\u05dc\u05d9\u05d8, \u05de\u05d3\u05dc\u05d2\u05d5 \u05d5\u05de\u05de\u05dc\u05d8\u05d5 \u05de\u05d1\u05d9\u05df \u05d4\u05de\u05d5\u05de\u05ea\u05d9\u05dd:<\/p>\n

And I will – <\/em><\/strong>\u05e4\u05e1\u05d7<\/em><\/strong> \u2026 <\/em>But I say that any \u05e4\u05e1\u05d7ing is the language of skipping and jumping. [So that] \u05d5\u05e4\u05e1\u05d7\u05ea\u05d9 \u00a0[means] [God] skipped from the houses of Israel to the houses of Egypt, for they were intermingled with each other, and so too [is the meaning of the term in 1 Kings 18:21) \u201c<\/em>\u05e4\u05d5\u05e1\u05d7\u05d9\u05dd \u05e2\u05dc \u05e9\u05ea\u05d9 \u05d4\u05e1\u05e2\u05d9\u05e4\u05d9\u05dd (= jumping between two opinions)\u201d and so too all people who are lame walk as jumpers, and so too (Isaiah 31:5)[6]<\/a> \u201c\u05e4\u05bc\u05b8\u05e1\u05b9\u05d7\u05b7<\/em> and deliver\u201d [means] means (God) makes (Jerusalem?) skip and escape from among those who are being killed.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

JPS also mentions that the \u201cpass over\u201d translation is supported by Rashbam[7]<\/a> (See on \u00a0Ex. 12:11<\/a>), Bekhor Shor[8]<\/a>, Joseph Kimhi, and Radak.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

CONCLUSION<\/strong><\/p>\n

Regardless of the exact translation of the verb, \u05e4\u05e1\u05d7 reminds us of God\u2019s compassion for us and protection of us.\u00a0 The Tosefta referenced above tells us that we merited God\u2019s \u05e4\u05e1\u05d7 at the slaying of the first born because our ancestor Abraham protected his visitors.\u00a0 Just as we see ourselves as personally having been saved from Egypt (Mishnah Pesahim 10:5<\/a>, which is recited at the seder), so may we see ourselves as responsible for continuing this virtuous cycle by having compassion for and acting to protect all who are in need of that compassion and protection.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

FOOTNOTES<\/strong><\/p>\n

[1]<\/a> A selection of text from R. Lieberman is below in the section titled \u201cRabbinic Sources Supporting the Translation \u2018Protect.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

[2]<\/a> Jastrow translates the term \u201c\u05d7\u05d5\u05e1\u201d as \u201c[to bend over, have affection for (v. Jon. IV, 10),] to protect, spare, have consideration for (with \u05e2\u05dc)\u201d.<\/p>\n

[3]<\/a> R. Lieberman translates this phrase as “As birds hovering.” Brown, Driver, and Briggs<\/a> (BDB) under \u05e2\u05d5\u05e3 translate \u05e2\u05b8\u05e4\u05d5\u05b9\u05ea in this verse as \u201chover<\/em> (projectingly).\u201d The JPS Tanakh<\/a> (1985) translates “Like the birds that fly.\u201d It seems to me that the BDB translation fits best with the comparison that God \u201c\u05d9\u05b8\u05d2\u05b5\u05df (will protect)\u201d Israel.\u00a0 Thank you to my teacher Hakham Isaac Sassoon<\/a> for noting that my original translation (\u201cAs the birds that fly\u201d) was different from R. Lieberman\u2019s translation and suggesting an explanation of my chosen translation.<\/em><\/p>\n

[4]<\/a> See full verse of Isaiah 31:5 above.<\/p>\n

[5]<\/a> In the \u05e4\u05e1\u05e2 entry, Jastrow renders \u201cread not, and I will pass, but I will step over (leap, skip), the Lord skipped over.\u201d<\/p>\n

[6]<\/a> See full verse of Isaiah 31:5 above.<\/p>\n

[7]<\/a> \u05e8\u05e9\u05d1”\u05dd \u05e9\u05de\u05d5\u05ea \u05e4\u05e8\u05e7 \u05d9\u05d1 \u05e4\u05e1\u05d5\u05e7 \u05d9\u05d0<\/p>\n

(\u05d9\u05d0) \u05e4\u05e1\u05d7 \u05d4\u05d5\u05d0 \u05dc\u05d9”\u05d9 – \u05e9\u05d4\u05de\u05dc\u05d0\u05da \u05d9\u05d3\u05dc\u05d2 \u05d5\u05d9\u05e0\u05d9\u05d7 \u05d1\u05d9\u05ea \u05d9\u05e9\u05e8\u05d0\u05dc \u05dc\u05d4\u05db\u05d5\u05ea \u05d1\u05db\u05d5\u05e8\u05d5\u05ea \u05e9\u05d1\u05d1\u05ea\u05d9 \u05d4\u05d2\u05d5\u05d9\u05dd:<\/p>\n

Translation available on Sefaria at https:\/\/www.sefaria.org\/Rashbam_on_Exodus.12.11.1?ven=Eliyahu_Munk,_HaChut_Hameshulash&vhe=Rashbam_on_Torah_–_Daat&lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en<\/a>.<\/p>\n

[8]<\/a> \u05d1\u05db\u05d5\u05e8 \u05e9\u05d5\u05e8 \u05e9\u05de\u05d5\u05ea \u05e4\u05e8\u05e7 \u05d9\u05d1 (selections)<\/p>\n

(\u05d9\u05d0) \u05e4\u05e1\u05d7 \u05d4\u05d5\u05d0: \u05dc\u05e9\u05d5\u05df \u05d3\u05d9\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2 \u05d5\u05de\u05d4\u05d9\u05e8\u05d5\u05ea.<\/p>\n

(\u05d9\u05d2) \u05d5\u05e4\u05e1\u05d7\u05ea\u05d9 [\u05e2\u05dc\u05d9\u05db\u05dd]: \u05dc\u05e9\u05d5\u05df \u05d3\u05d9\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2, \u05db\u05de\u05d5 “\u05d5\u05e4\u05e1\u05e2\u05ea\u05d9 \u05e2\u05dc\u05d9\u05db\u05dd”, \u05d5\u05db\u05df “\u05e2\u05d3 \u05de\u05ea\u05d9 \u05d0\u05ea\u05dd \u05e4\u05d5\u05e1\u05d7\u05d9\u05dd”, \u05d5\u05d0\u05d5\u05ea\u05d9\u05d5\u05ea \u05d4\u05d2\u05e8\u05d5\u05df \u05de\u05ea\u05d7\u05dc\u05e4\u05d5\u05ea.<\/p>\n\n

<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Pesach (\u05e4\u05e1\u05d7) is commonly translated as \u201cPassover\u201d and taken to be a reference to God physically \u201cpassing over\u201d the Israelite houses during the slaying of the firstborn. Rabbi Saul Lieberman notes in Hellenism in Jewish Palestine[1] (page 51) that \u201cthe verb \u05e4\u05e1\u05d7 certainly means to step over, to skip, but from the Prophets the Rabbis Continue Reading »<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":2958,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[134,138,77],"tags":[],"coauthors":[89],"class_list":["post-2956","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-holidays-2","category-passover","category-torah-talmud"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/utj.org\/viewpoints\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2956","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/utj.org\/viewpoints\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/utj.org\/viewpoints\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/utj.org\/viewpoints\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/13"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/utj.org\/viewpoints\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2956"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/utj.org\/viewpoints\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2956\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4291,"href":"https:\/\/utj.org\/viewpoints\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2956\/revisions\/4291"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/utj.org\/viewpoints\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2958"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/utj.org\/viewpoints\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2956"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/utj.org\/viewpoints\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2956"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/utj.org\/viewpoints\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2956"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/utj.org\/viewpoints\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=2956"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}