© Copyright Double Portion Inheritance, March 3, 2024
www.venmo.com@Maria-MerolaI have been observing Passover since the year 2002, following the events of 9/11/2001. That was a pivotal year for me, as YaHuWaH taught me many things during this time. He also shifted my paradigm regarding the “vain traditions of men” that many of us were taught within the Christian Church.
Since that time, I have seen many disputes and schisms within the body of Messiah regarding when to begin keeping Passover. Ever since I first began observing the Feast of Passover & Unleavened Bread, I have always understood that these are two separate feasts, to be kept on two separate nights. I became perplexed when I saw that many were celebrating both feasts on only one night, as they were following the time-frame for the Temple Passover slaughter.
I would later-on learn that the Pharisees in our Messiah’s day, had begun consolidating both feasts into one night, by celebrating both feasts (Passover & Unleavened Bread) on the night of the 15th of Abib (Nisan). The problem I have with this, is that it essentially means that we are only keeping six annual festivals instead of seven, as commanded in Leviticus 23.
After many years of studying the Scriptures, I came to realize that the dividing point to this entire conundrum lies in the fact that many people seem to ignore or misunderstand what it says in Exodus 12:6.
I also find it interesting that the number “twelve” to the number of this verse, is being divided in half by the number “six” which is the number of humanity, since we were created on the sixth day. This seems to imply that the Twelve Tribes are being divided, over these two evenings, and when to begin keeping the Passover.
Shemoth (Exodus) 12:6 And you shall keep it UP UNTIL THE FOURTEENTH DAY of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Yisra’el shall kill it IN THE EVENING.
Reading this same verse in Hebrew, it is rendered as follows:
Shemoth (Exodus) 12:6 And you shall keep it UP UNTIL THE FOURTEENTH DAY of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Yisra’el shall kill BETWEEN THE TWO EVENINGS (beyn ha’arbayim).
The first thing I would like to address, is the meaning of the phrase “UP UNTIL” in Exodus 12:6. The Hebrew word is “ad,” which literally means “AS FAR AS.”
That’s what would have happened if Yisra’el had waited until the next day to slaughter the lamb in Egypt at 3:00 p.m. They would have still been roasting their lamb on the night of the 15th of Abib. After they had eaten of the Passover meal, they were instructed to stay inside their homes until the morning (Exodus 12:22).
If they had slaughtered their lamb late in the afternoon at 3:00 p.m. on the 14th of Abib, it means they would have been roasting their lamb after sundown on the 15th of Abib. This means, they would have still been preparing to leave Egypt all that day on the 15th of Abib, and they would not have left until the 16th of Abib after sundown!
Therefore, we conclude that Yisra’el was commanded to keep the lamb RIGHT UP UNTIL sundown on the 13th of Abib, which then became the 14th of Abib. It was not until the following evening of the 15th of Abib, that they actually left Egypt (Exodus 12:42 & Deuteronomy 16:1; Numbers 33:3).
The next thing I want to address, is the definition for the phrase “between the two evenings.”
The Temple Era & “Between the Two Evenings”
During the Temple Era in Jerusalem, the phrase “between the two evenings” (beyn ha’arbayim) came to mean something different than what it meant at that first Passover in Egypt. It is important to understand that during Temple times, the phrase “between the two evenings” meant between 12:00 noon and sundown (around 6:00 p.m.).
There were two daily sacrifices offered during Temple times. The first one was at 9:00 in the morning, which is called “The third hour of the day” in all the gospels. The second sacrifice was done at 3:00 p.m. in the afternoon. This second sacrifice of the day is referred to as “between the two evenings.”
In our Western Culture, we call this time “post-meridian.” Post-meridian (p.m.) means that period between twelve noon, and six o’clock in the evening. In other words, the phrase “between the evenings” according to Temple protocol is from 12:00 noon until the sun goes down, which is generally around 6-7 p.m. in Jerusalem.
See this PDF for an accurate definition of “between the evenings” as it relates to the Temple Era:
According to all four gospels, our Messiah was first crucified in the third hour of the day (9:00 a.m.), and he died at 3:00 p.m. (the sixth hour of the day). Thus, he fulfilled the timing of the morning, and the evening sacrifices!
This means that our Messiah fulfilled all the Temple Sacrifices:
1.) He fulfilled the morning and the evening sacrifices by being crucified at 9:00 am. and then dying at 3:00 p.m.
2.) He fulfilled the Temple Passover sacrifice by dying “between the two evenings,” which is between 12:00 noon and 3:00 p.m.
Darkness Between Twelve Noon & Three O’Clock
But it gets even better, because there was a prophetic sign of darkness that fell over the earth between the sixth hour of the day (12:00 noon), and the ninth hour of the day (3:00 p.m.). This was a heavenly sign, an anomaly that indicated that our Messiah, who is called “The sun of righteousness” (Malachi 4:2) was dying for the sins of humanity.
Luke 23:44 And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.
Luke 23:45 And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.
Luke 23:46 And when Yahuwshuwa had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into your hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the spirit.
A More Ancient Meaning for “Between the Two Evenings”
At the time of the Exodus, the phrase “between the two evenings” literally meant “between the two sunsets” on the 14th of Abib. This can be substantiated in many historical documents, which I will cite at the end of this blog.
As a matter of fact, the word “sundown” and “evening” in the Hebrew Concordance, have the same meaning, and are used interchangeably:
#6150 `arab aw-rab' a primitive root (identical with 6148 through the idea of covering with a texture); to grow dusky at sundown:--be darkened, (toward) evening.
YaHuWaH, in his divine wisdom, knew that the Two Kingdoms of Yisra’el would be divided after King Solomon died, therefore, he ordained that Passover was to be kept “BETWEEN THE TWO SUNSETS/EVENINGS” on the 14th of Abib (Nisan) for BOTH DIVIDED HOUSES!
It is important to understand that with the first Passover in Egypt, there was no Temple in Jerusalem. Therefore, each family slaughtered their own lamb at home, and this was a personal family affair. Each father or leader of his own household acted as a priest who made blood atonement for his own family.
Later-on in 1st Century Jerusalem, this tradition of a “family Passover” for each home continued. This was especially true for the Samaritans who were banned by the Yahuwdiym (Jews) from participating at the Temple. They continued with the ancient way of slaughtering a lamb for their own households at the beginning of the 14th of Abib.
Therefore, in keeping with the command to slaughter the lamb “between the two sunsets,” the Sadducees & the Samaritans along with the Northern Kingdom of Yisra’el conducted a Passover slaughter within their own households on the evening of the 13th of Abib, going into the 14th of Abib.
Conversely, the Two Southern Tribes of Judah & Benjamin conducted their Passover slaughter at the Temple on the following evening from 12 noon - 6:00 p.m.
As a matter of fact, the Jewish Historian, Josephus recorded that there were often-times over a million pilgrims coming from the surrounding tribes to have their lambs slaughtered by the priests. Therefore, it became necessary to have two evenings for slaughtering lambs.
By following the chronology of events from the first Passover in Egypt, to our Messiah’s Gospel Passover, we can easily see that Yahuwshuwa followed the same patterns, and in the same order as Yisra’el did!
This means that our Messiah ATE THE PASSOVER MEAL at the same time that Yisra’el in Egypt ATE THE PASSOVER MEAL at the beginning of the 14th of Abib!
*Explanation: In Egypt, Yisra’el slaughtered the lamb at the beginning of the 14th of Abib (after sundown on the 13th of Abib). Exodus 12:6 commanded them to keep the lamb “UP UNTIL” the 14th of Abib, before killing the lamb. The phrase “UP UNTIL” means “AS FAR AS.”
This means that as the sun was going down on the 13th day of the 1st month of Abib, they slaughtered the lamb!
Our Messiah fulfilled BOTH TIME-FRAMES for BOTH HOUSES:
1.) He ATE the Passover “INSIDE THE HOUSE” with the Kingdom of Judah, on the first night of the 14th of Abib.
2.) He BECAME the Passover for those who were “AFAR OFF,” (both Ephraim & Judah), because Judah disqualified themselves that morning when they shouted “Crucify him!” Therefore, (just like the red heifer ordinance), he was escorted “OUTSIDE THE CAMP!” (Numbers 19:3).
The Chronology of Both Passovers:
*The Exodus Passover: Yisra’el ate the Passover Meal, while the Egyptian first-born were “SMITTEN.”
On that night of the 14th of Abib, YaHuWaH said that he would “SMITE” the Egyptians (Exodus 12:23).
*The Gospel Passover: The Shepherd “SMITTEN” for sinners.
On that night of the 14th of Abib, Yahuwshuwa repeated the prophecy of Zechariah 13:7 when he said “I will ‘SMITE’ the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered” (Matthew 26:31; Mark 14:27).
*The Exodus Passover: Moses & Aaron Summoned.
On that same night of the 14th of Abib, Moses & Aaron were summoned by Pharaoh (Exodus 12:30).
*The Gospel Passover: Messiah Summoned. On that same night of the 14th of Abib, Messiah was summoned by Caiaphas the High Priest (Matthew 26:55-68).
*The Exodus Passover: Pharaoh’s first-born son “SMITTEN” by the Plague.
On the morning of the 14th of Abib, Pharaoh RELEASED Yisra’el when he realized that his FIRST-BORN SON had become the SUBSTITUTE, for Yisra’el, whom YaHuWaH named “MY FIRST-BORN SON” (Exodus 4:22; 12:29-32).
*The Gospel Passover: Messiah as the first-born son “SMITTEN” for sinners.
On the morning of the 14th of Abib, Pontius Pilate RELEASED Bar Abba (Barabbas, meaning ‘Son of the Father,’ a symbol of Yisra’el) in exchange for Yahuwshuwa, the “FIRST-BORN of many brethren” who became their “SUBSTITUTE” (Mark 15:11-15; Luke 23:18; John 18:40; Romans 8:29).
*The Exodus Passover: Pharaoh Let Yisra’el Go Free.
On the morning of the 14th of Abib, Pharaoh finally answered the cry of Moses & Aaron “LET MY PEOPLE GO!” (Exodus 12:31-32).
*The Gospel Passover: Pilate Let Barabbas Go Free.
On the morning of the 14th of Abib, Pontius Pilate finally answered the cry of the people “LET BARABBAS GO!” (Luke 23:18).
*The Exodus Passover: Yisra’el baked dough before it had “RISEN,” then they “DEPARTED,” being led by a pillar of “FIRE.”
Exodus 12:34 And the people took their dough BEFORE IT WAS RISEN [LEAVENED], their kneading troughs being bound up in their clothes upon their shoulders.
Exodus 12:39 And THEY BAKED UNLEAVENED CAKES of the dough which they brought forth out of Egypt, for IT WAS NOT RISEN [LEAVENED]; because they were thrust out of Egypt, and could not tarry, neither had they prepared for themselves any victual.
Exodus 12:42 It is a night to be much observed unto YHWH for bringing them out from the land of Egypt: THIS IS THAT NIGHT of YHWH to be observed of all the children of Yisra’el in their generations.
Deuteronomy 16:1 Observe the month of Abib, and keep the Passover unto YHWH your Elohiym: for in the month of Abib YHWH your Elohiym brought you forth out of Egypt BY NIGHT.
Numbers 33:3 And THEY DEPARTED from Rameses in the first month, on the fifteenth day of the first month; on the morrow after the Passover the children of Yisra’el went out with an high hand in the sight of all the Egyptians.
*The Gospel Passover: Messiah’s body metaphorically became like the ashes of the Red Heifer, baked in the “FIRE,” when his SPIRIT DEPARTED into the Heart of the Earth, before he was “RISEN” from the dead.
In keeping with the pattern of the Red Heifer ordinance in Numbers 19, our Messiah’s body became like the “ashes” of the Red Heifer, as he went into the “Lowest parts of the earth,” aka “Abraham’s Bosom,” (Luke 16:19-31). What was the purpose of him going there? Scripture tells us that he went there to preach the good news to all those righteous souls who had died prior to his crucifixion:
1st Peter 3:19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison.
1st Peter 3:19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison.
*Disclaimer: There are many “Word of Faith” preachers on television (Kenneth Copeland, Joyce Meyers, Joel Osteen, Creflo Dollar, etc.), who falsely teach that our Messiah had to “Suffer in Hell as a sinner!” This is not what I am suggesting! Our Messiah descended into the “Lowest parts of the earth,” to do three things:
1.) To preach the good news to all those “Old Testament saints,” who died before his crucifixion, and were being held in Abraham’s Bosom (see Luke 16:19-31; 1st Peter 3:19).
2.) To give the gift of salvation to those same “Old Testament saints,” by bringing them to the throne in heaven as his “First-Fruits Wave Sheaf Offering” (Leviticus 23:9-14; Romans 8:23; 1st Corinthians 15:20-23; James 1:18; Revelation 14:4).
3.) To take away the keys of Death & Hell away from Satan (Revelation 1:18).
To learn more, see my other blog: He Led Captivity Captive & Gave Gifts Unto Men
Abraham’s Bosom is divided up into two sections, each divided by a great chasm (Luke 16:26). In the story of Lazarus & the Rich Man, the rich man was being tormented in flames in Sheol (Hades or Hell). However, Lazarus was being comforted in the bosom of Abraham. Our Messiah went to this place to “Preach to the spirits in prison” (1st Peter 3:19). He did not go to Hell to suffer there as a sinner (as many false Televangelists preach).
Through his DESCENT into “The heart of the earth,” (Matthew 12:40, Ephesians 4:8-9), our Messiah “Took away the keys to death & hell,” (Revelation 1:18).
*The Exodus Passover: The Egyptians BURIED their DEAD just BEFORE SUNDOWN on the 14th of Abib, and then the date changed to the 15th of Abib, which then became the Feast of Unleavened Bread.
On the evening of the 14th of Abib---BEFORE SUNDOWN, this is when the Egyptians BURIED their DEAD (Numbers 33:3-4).
After that, the date changed to the 15th of Abib, which was the Feast of Unleavened Bread. That’s when Yisra’el DEPARTED from Egypt.
*The Gospel Passover: Messiah’s DEAD BODY BURIED in the Tomb BEFORE SUNDOWN on the 14th of Abib, and then the date changed to the 15th of Abib, which was the Feast of Unleavened Bread.
Yahuwchanon (John) 19:31 The Yahuwdiym (Jews) therefore, because it was the preparation, THAT THE BODIES SHOULD NOT REMAIN UPON THE CROSS ON THE SABBATH DAY, (for that sabbath day was a high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.
On the evening of the 14th of Abib (before sundown on the 15th of Abib), Joseph of Arimathea & Nicodemus took down Yahuwshuwa’s body from the cross, and then BURIED him in the tomb.
*The Exodus Passover: The Egyptians Gave Gifts to Yisra’el, the First-Fruits of the Redeemed.
After the sun went down, on the 14th of Abib, it became the 15th of Abib, (The Feast of Unleavened Bread).
The Egyptians had already “GIVEN GIFTS” to the Yisraelites before they DEPARTED out of Egypt on that “NIGHT TO BE MUCH OBSERVED” (Exodus 12:35 & 42; Numbers 33:4-5).
Exodus 12:35 And the children of Yisra’el did according to the word of Moses; and they borrowed of the Egyptians jewels [GIFTS] of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment:
Exodus 12:36 And YHWH GAVE THE PEOPLE favour [GIFTS] in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required. And they spoiled the Egyptians.
*The Gospel Passover: Messiah GAVE GIFTS to the FIRST-FRUITS of his redeemed.
Following the Pattern of the first Passover in Egypt, our Messiah’s SPIRIT DEPARTED into the LOWER PARTS OF THE EARTH:
Ephesians 4:8 Wherefore he said, When he ASCENDED up on high, he led captivity captive, and GAVE GIFTS UNTO MEN.
Ephesians 4:9 Now that he ASCENDED, what is it but that he also DESCENDED first into the lower parts of the earth?
Ephesians 4:10 He that DESCENDED is the same also that ASCENDED up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.
*Explanation: He descended into Abraham’s Bosom, and preached good news to the righteous souls, bringing them before the throne in heaven as his “First-Fruits Wave Sheaf Offering” (Luke 16:22-30; 1st Peter 3:19; James 1:18; Revelation 14:4).
Please see these blogs:
A Chronology of Two Passovers: The Exodus & The Gospels:
Was it Passover or the Last Supper?
Did Messiah Eat the Passover Before He Died?
See the sources that I cited for some of my research in this blog:
Two Passovers?
Is Passover on the First Day of Unleavened Bread? Part 1
Is Passover on the First Day of Unleavened Bread? Part 2
Between the Two Evenings:
Hebrew In Israel | Beyin Ha’arbayim – When Is Pesach Done? By Yo’el ha’Levi
Keeping Passover at the Right Time Is Critical:
Ben Ha Arbayim—“Between the Two Evenings”— The Vital Key to Understanding:
Understanding the Hebrew Term Ba Erev:
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