Exercitations on the Epistle to the Hebrews

The matter of it was [Greek or Hebrew] Saeh, v. 3. that is, a young Lamb or Kid; a male without blemish, for either might be used in this service, v. 5. The manner of the service was, 1. In the Preparation, the Lamb or Kid was to be taken into custody on the tenth day of the month, and kept therein four days, v. 6. which, as the Jews say, was partly that they might discern perfectly whether it had any blemish or no; partly that they might by the sight of the Lamb be minded of their duty, and the mercy of their deliverance. Indeed it was, that it might prefigure the imprisonment of the Lamb of God, Isa. 53.7, 8. who took away the sins of the world. This preparation, the Jews say, was temporary, and observed only at the first Institution of the Ordinance in Egypt, and that partly lest in their haste they should not otherwise have been able to prepare their Lambs. So also was the sprinkling of the blood on the posts of the doors of their dwelling houses, v. 7. with Hyssop, which could not be afterwards observed, when by God's Institution the whole Congregation were to celebrate it in one place; and it had respect unto their present deliverance from the destroying Angel, v. 12, and 13. In like manner was their eating it, with their loins girt, their shoes on their feet, and their staves in their hands, v. 11. that they might be in a readiness for their immediate departure, which was not afterwards observed by our Lord Jesus Christ, nor any of the Church. For these signs ceased with the present occasions of them. 2. This Lamb was to be provided for each household, v. 3, 4. which was the third distribution of that people, the first being into Tribes, and the second into Families, from the twelve Patriarchs and their immediate Sons, Josh. 7.16, 17, 18. But because their was an allowance to make their company proportionable unto their provision of a Lamb, joining or separating households, v. 4. they ate it afterwards in Societies or Fraternities; as our Saviour had twelve with him at the eating of it. And the Jews require ten at least in Society unto this celebration. Whence the Targum expressly on this place, Exod. 12.4. If the men of the house be fewer then the number of ten; for this was a sacred number with them. They Circumcise not, Marry not, Divorce not, unless ten be present.

The matter of it was Saeh, v. 3. that is, a young Lamb or Kid; a male without blemish, for either might be used in this service, v. 5. The manner of the service was, 1. In the Preparation, the Lamb or Kid was to be taken into custody on the tenth day of the month, and kept therein four days, v. 6. which, as the Jews say, was partly that they might discern perfectly whether it had any blemish or no; partly that they might by the sight of the Lamb be minded of their duty, and the mercy of their deliverance. Indeed it was, that it might prefigure the imprisonment of the Lamb of God,