The first Passover, described in Exodus 12, has long stirred questions about divine justice, innocence, and the nature of God. Traditional English translations often depict Yahweh personally going from house to house, killing the firstborn unless He saw blood on the doorposts—then He would “pass over” that house. However, a closer look at the original Hebrew text reveals a different picture. It does not say that Yahweh killed anyone, nor does it imply He simply skipped over homes. Instead, the Hebrew points to a different reality—one that redefines the character and role of God in that moment.
By examining the grammar and cross-referencing other Scriptures, it becomes clear that the one doing the killing was not Yahweh, but the destroyer—the devil. Yahweh’s role was not passive but protective. He actively guarded those under the covering of the blood, standing between them and the destroyer like a mother bird shielding her young. This powerful image foreshadowed a greater truth: as Paul wrote, Christ is now our Passover. Just as Yahweh protected the Israelites, Jesus now stands guard over all who belong to him, defending us from the enemy who seeks to steal, kill, and destroy. In him, we are safe, secure, and surrounded by life-giving protection.