The Meaning of Deuteronomy 16:1 Explained

Deuteronomy 16:1

KJV: Observe the month of Abib, and keep the passover unto the LORD thy God: for in the month of Abib the LORD thy God brought thee forth out of Egypt by night.

YLT: Observe the month of Abib -- and thou hast made a passover to Jehovah thy God, for in the month of Abib hath Jehovah thy God brought thee out of Egypt by night;

Darby: Keep the month of Abib, and celebrate the passover to Jehovah thy God; for in the month of Abib Jehovah thy God brought thee forth out of Egypt by night.

ASV: Observe the month of Abib, and keep the passover unto Jehovah thy God; for in the month of Abib Jehovah thy God brought thee forth out of Egypt by night.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Observe  the month  of Abib,  and keep  the passover  unto the LORD  thy God:  for in the month  of Abib  the LORD  thy God  brought thee forth  out of Egypt  by night. 

What does Deuteronomy 16:1 Mean?

Study Notes

keep the passover
Cf. the order of the feasts in Leviticus 23. Here the Passover and Tabernacles are given especial emphasis as marking the beginning and the consummation of God's ways with Israel; the former speaking of redemption, the foundation of all: the latter, or re-gathered Israel blessed in the kingdom. Between, in Deuteronomy 16:9-12 comes the Feast of Weeks--the joy of a redeemed people, anticipating a greater blessing yet to come. It is, morally, Romans 5:1 ; Romans 5:2 .
Abib First month i.e. April.

Chapter Summary: Deuteronomy 16

1  The feast of the Passover
9  of weeks
13  of tabernacles
16  Every male must offer, as he is able, at these three feasts
18  Of judges and justice
21  Asherah poles and images are forbidden

What do the individual words in Deuteronomy 16:1 mean?

Observe - the month of Abib and keep the Passover to Yahweh your God for in the month of Abib brought you Yahweh your God out of Egypt by night
שָׁמוֹר֙ אֶת־ חֹ֣דֶשׁ הָאָבִ֔יב וְעָשִׂ֣יתָ פֶּ֔סַח לַיהוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ כִּ֞י בְּחֹ֣דֶשׁ הָֽאָבִ֗יב הוֹצִ֨יאֲךָ֜ יְהוָ֧ה אֱלֹהֶ֛יךָ מִמִּצְרַ֖יִם לָֽיְלָה

שָׁמוֹר֙  Observe 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Infinitive absolute
Root: שָׁמַר  
Sense: to keep, guard, observe, give heed.
אֶת־  - 
Parse: Direct object marker
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
חֹ֣דֶשׁ  the  month 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: חֹדֶשׁ  
Sense: the new moon, month, monthly.
הָאָבִ֔יב  of  Abib 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: אָבִיב  
Sense: fresh, young barley ears, barley.
וְעָשִׂ֣יתָ  and  keep 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Conjunctive perfect, second person masculine singular
Root: עָשָׂה 
Sense: to do, fashion, accomplish, make.
פֶּ֔סַח  the  Passover 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: פֶּסַח  
Sense: passover.
לַיהוָ֖ה  to  Yahweh 
Parse: Preposition-l, Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: the proper name of the one true God.
אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ  your  God 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct, second person masculine singular
Root: אֱלֹהִים  
Sense: (plural).
בְּחֹ֣דֶשׁ  in  the  month 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: חֹדֶשׁ  
Sense: the new moon, month, monthly.
הָֽאָבִ֗יב  of  Abib 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: אָבִיב  
Sense: fresh, young barley ears, barley.
הוֹצִ֨יאֲךָ֜  brought  you 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Perfect, third person masculine singular, second person masculine singular
Root: יׄוצֵאת 
Sense: to go out, come out, exit, go forth.
יְהוָ֧ה  Yahweh 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: the proper name of the one true God.
אֱלֹהֶ֛יךָ  your  God 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct, second person masculine singular
Root: אֱלֹהִים  
Sense: (plural).
מִמִּצְרַ֖יִם  out  of  Egypt 
Parse: Preposition-m, Proper Noun, feminine singular
Root: מִצְרַיִם  
Sense: a country at the northeastern section of Africa, adjacent to Palestine, and through which the Nile flows adj Egyptians = “double straits”.
לָֽיְלָה  by  night 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: לַיִל 
Sense: night.