Did Israel leave at Nighttime?

[Cyberseeker]

The Israelites set out from Rameses on the fifteenth day of the first month, the day after the Passover. They marched out boldly in full view of all the Egyptians, who were burying all their firstborn. (Numbers 33:3)

As we know, Passover is on the 14th day of Abib (Nisan) and the first Passover was in Egypt the day before all Israel were released from slavery. They marched out on the 15th. We also know that the Egyptian firstborn were killed by the angel at midnight of the 14th day. (Exodus 12:29)

Now, we are told that the Hebrew day is measured from sunset to sunset so the morning after would still be the 14th day, right? The fifteenth day wouldn’t begin for another twelve hours when sunset arrived again.

So, my question is this: Did the Israelites wait in Egypt for approx. 18 hours (midnight till next sunset) before they left? And, if so, did they all march out at nighttime?

Or is there another explanation?

 

[inhopeofglory]

The short answer is: yes, and yes.

 

[stovebolts]

Hello Cyberseeker.

According to Rashi and The Ramban, thus traditional jewish thought on interpretation of Exodus 12:6, the passover lamb would have been slaughtered on the evening of the 14th(moments before the 15th began), it would then be eaten hours later on the 15th (vs 7 which states nite). Remember, the Jewish day starts at sunset, and evening is before sunset. Thus, the passover lamb slaughtered on the evening of the 14th, eaten the night of the 15th.

A few more hours later and we come to midnight the 15th, those without the blood of the lamb on their doorposts lost their first born. By morning of the 15th (4th watch @ 3 hrs per watch or 3rd watch at 4 hrs per watch ex 14:6) Isreal was being driven out by the Egyptians.

 

[Cyberseeker]

The short answer is: yes, and yes.

So, :gah within a short time of leaving they were marching in the dark? Did the 'pillar of fire for light' start up on the same day they left? (or later?)

 

[stovebolts]

Hi again,


Net Bible Ex. 13:21 Now the Lord was going before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them in the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel day or night. 13:22 He did not remove the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night from before the people.

Well, I suppose that depends on if the sun was out, or if it was dark. The 3rd watch in early Jewish time could be either light out or dark out depending on if it's the beginning or end of the watch.

I suppose it would help if I knew why your interested?

Here is how I view the event in modern time keeping, not to be mistaken for Jewish time keeping.

5:45 PM. Lamb slaughtered.
7 - 8:30 pm Lamb eaten
Midnight, first born slain
2 am - 6 am Isreal driven out of Egypt.

 

[Cyberseeker]

According to Rashi and The Ramban, thus traditional jewish thought on interpretation of Exodus 12:6, the passover lamb would have been slaughtered on the evening of the 14th(moments before the 15th began), it would then be eaten hours later on the 15th (vs 7 which states nite). Remember, the Jewish day starts at sunset, and evening is before sunset. Thus, the passover lamb slaughtered on the evening of the 14th, eaten the night of the 15th.

Thanks for taking the trouble to present a credible explanation. If this is the case, it makes more sense of the Exodus account which depicts the Israelites being rushed out of the country so quick that they did not have time to bake bread.

Can I ask one more question? When Jesus and his disciples ate the passover, was it on the 15th day, the lamb having been killed a few hours before on the 14th?