Exodus 12:22

Ye shall take a bunch of hyssop— This herb was to be used in the cleansing of the leprous person and the leprous house, as well as on other occasions. See Leviticus 14:6; Leviticus 7:38. Numbers 6:18. In allusion to this, David, praying for purification from the leprosy of sin, says, purge me with hyssop, Psalms 51:7. Le Clerc is of opinion, that it is used as emblematical of purification; for it is a cathartic herb: and Parkhurst observes, that it has its name in the Hebrew, from its detersive and purgative qualities. Porphyry observes, that the Egyptians attributed a cleansing quality to the hyssop; whence their priests did not eat bread, unless it was cut together with hyssop. Some have thought, that the hyssop is emblematical of that faith, by which the purifying blood of Christ is applied to the heart, Hebrews 11:28. Acts 15:9.

None of you shall go out at the door of his house— This was a command peculiar to the first passover, and seems to have been designed to signify to the Egyptians, that Jehovah alone was the dreadful agent of their calamities; and that none of the people were at all concerned with Him, or appointed by Him, as instruments of inflicting them. See Isaiah 63:3.

REFLECTIONS.—Moses enjoins, and Israel humbly obeys. The lamb is killed, the lintels sprinkled with blood. No man must go out, lest he die. Note; The soul which trusts on any other hope than the blood of sprinkling, perishes with the Egyptians.

Their children too hereafter must be taught the meaning of the ordinance. When children ask, (and it is pleasing indeed to see them inquisitive in matters relating to God,) we should take delight to speak to them about the dear Lamb which was slain, and his amazing love to mankind, but especially to his faithful people.