All things bear record · Exodus

Exodus 13

4 witnesses of Christ here.

Firstborn

Sanctify unto me all the firstborn, whatsoever openeth the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and of beast: it is mine. Exodus 13:2

Every firstborn in Israel belonged to the LORD. Mary and Joseph obeyed this law when they presented the baby Jesus at the temple; He is the Firstborn of the Father, fully given to God.

VerifiedProphecy or typeAn ordinance that points to Him

How we know: a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it · the chapter heading names Him · a traditional type, cited

  • quoted by Luke 2:22-23 — 'As it is written in the law of the LORD, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord' — at Jesus' presentation.
  • a type of what is in Colossians 1:15 — Christ is 'the firstborn of every creature.'
  • a type of what is in D&C 93:21 — 'I was in the beginning with the Father, and am the Firstborn.'

Redeemed with a lamb

That thou shalt set apart unto the LORD all that openeth the matrix, and every firstling that cometh of a beast which thou hast; the males shall be the LORD’s. Exodus 13:12–16

A firstborn could be bought back, or redeemed, by offering a lamb in its place, and the LORD redeemed Israel from bondage. It pictures Christ, our Redeemer, who paid the price for us as the Lamb.

VerifiedProphecy or typeAn ordinance that points to Him

How we know: the verse itself names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it · another scripture interprets it of Him

  • a type of what is in 1 Peter 1:18-19 — 'ye were not redeemed with corruptible things... But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb.'
  • interpreted by Moses 5:5-7 — Church footnote 12b: offering the firstlings 'is a similitude of the sacrifice of the Only Begotten of the Father.'
  • the same event in Exodus 12:29 — v. 15 retells the night 'the LORD slew all the firstborn in the land of Egypt' (Church footnote 15a).

The God who led Israel out

And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt: Exodus 13:17–18

God chose Israel's route so they would not turn back at the first sight of war. Latter-day Saint scripture says the one who led Israel out of Egypt was the Lord their Redeemer, the premortal Christ.

VerifiedJehovah — the LORDA divine name

How we know: a footnote points to Him · another scripture interprets it of Him

  • interpreted by 1 Nephi 17:30 — 'the Lord their God, their Redeemer, going before them, leading them.'
  • interpreted by D&C 136:22 — The Lord speaks: 'I am he who led the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt.'

Jehovah in the pillar of cloud and fire

And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night: Exodus 13:21–22

Jehovah Himself went before Israel, visible as a cloud by day and fire by night, leading and giving light. Nephi calls this Lord their Redeemer, and Paul, writing of Israel under the cloud, says Christ was with them in the wilderness.

VerifiedProphecy or typeHe appears

How we know: another scripture interprets it of Him · a footnote points to Him · the chapter heading names Him

  • interpreted by 1 Nephi 17:30 — 'the Lord their God, their Redeemer, going before them, leading them by day and giving light unto them by night.'
  • alluded to by 1 Corinthians 10:1-4 — Israel was 'under the cloud'; in the same passage Paul says 'that Rock was Christ'. He names the Rock, not the cloud, as Christ.
  • the same event in Exodus 14:19 — The pillar moves behind Israel at the sea (Church footnote 21a).