Exodus 12:11

III. THE PASCHAL BLOOD. PASSOVER.

11. Thus shall ye eat it.

As the first Passover was eaten in the last hours of their stay in Egypt, they must have been all ready to leave, waiting for the final word. Usually they sat or reclined upon the table, but now they were to stand on their feet. Their feet were always bare within the house, but now they were to be shod for the rough desert roads. Their long garments were usually loose as they sat at meals, but now they were to be girded up closely for. long journey. Each was to have his traveling staff in hand, and to eat in haste.-- F. H. Newhall.

Loins girded.

The usage of the Arabs, who do not generally use trousers, analogous to the practice described in the Bible by "girding up the loins," consists in drawing up the skirts of the vest and fastening them to the girdle, so as to leave the leg and knee unembarassed when in motion. An Arab's dress consists generally of. coarse shirt and. woolen mantle.