Passover: A Symbol of Divine Protection in the LXX

Passover, known in Hebrew as פסח (Pesach), is one of the most significant festivals in the Jewish tradition, with profound theological and cultural implications. In the Septuagint (LXX), the Greek translation of the Old Testament, פסח is generally translated as πάσχα (Pascha). This term not only commemorates the Israelites' liberation from slavery in Egypt but also symbolizes divine protection. This essay explores how πάσχα in the LXX is associated with divine protection, analyzing various biblical passages and their significance in historical and theological contexts.

Divine Protection in Passover: Biblical Context

Exodus 12:13

The first significant example of πάσχα associated with divine protection is found in Exodus 12:13:

Hebrew Text: "והיה הדם לכם לאת על הבתים אשר אתם שם וראיתי את הדם ופסחתי עליכם ולא יהיה בכם נגף למשחית בהכתי בארץ מצרים׃"

Greek Text (LXX): "και έσται το αίμα υμίν εις σημείον επί των οικιών εν αις υμείς έστε εκεί, και όψομαι το αίμα και σκεπάσω υμάς, και ουκ έσται εν υμίν πληγή εις όλεθρον, όταν πατάξω εν τη γη Αιγύπτου."

English Translation: "And the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are; and when I see the blood, I will protect (σκεπασω) you, and no plague shall befall you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt."

In this verse, the blood of the Passover lamb becomes a symbol of protection. The word σκεπασω (skope), translated as "I will protect," emphasizes God's action of covering and safeguarding the Israelites from the plague that would destroy the Egyptian firstborns. The blood on the doorposts is not only a sign of obedience but also a divine shield against God's judgment.

Exodus 12:23

Another crucial passage is Exodus 12:23:

Hebrew Text: "ועבר יהוה לנגף את מצרים וראה את הדם על המשקוף ועל שתי המזוזת ופסח יהוה על הפתח ולא יתן המשחית לבא אל בתיכם לנגף׃"

Greek Text (LXX): "και παρελεύσεται κύριος πατάξαι τους Αιγυπτίους, και όψεται το αίμα επί της φλιάς και επί αμφοτέρων των σταθμών, και παρελεύσεται κύριος την θύραν και ουκ αφήσει τον ολεθρευοντα εισελθειν εις τας οικίας υμων παταξαι."

English Translation: "And the Lord will pass (παρελευσεται) to strike the Egyptians; and when he sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the Lord will pass over the door and will not allow the destroyer to enter your houses to strike."

Here, the word παρελευσεται (pareleusetai) is translated as "will pass," indicating that God himself will directly intervene to protect the Israelites' houses. This divine intervention ensures that the destroyer does not enter their homes, reinforcing the idea that Passover is a sign of God's active protection.

Exodus 12:27

Exodus 12:27 provides additional explanation:

Hebrew Text: "ואמרתם זבח פסח הוא ליהוה אשר פסח על בתי בני ישראל במצרים בנגפו את מצרים ואת בתינו הציל ויקד העם וישתחוו׃"

Greek Text (LXX): "και ερείτε αυτοίς θυσία το πάσχα τουτο κυριω, ως έσκεπασεν τους οίκους των υιών Ισραήλ εν Αιγύπτω, όταν επάταξεν τους Αιγυπτίους, και τους οίκους ημων έρρυσατο."

English Translation: "And you shall say, 'This is the sacrifice of the Lord's Passover, for he protected (εσκεπασεν) the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt when he struck the Egyptians but spared our houses.'"

In this passage, the verb εσκεπασεν (eskepsen) is translated as "protected," once again highlighting God's act of covering and saving the Israelites during the plague. This verse reinforces the idea of Passover as an event of deliverance and protection.

Isaiah 31:5: A Deep Connection to Protection

Isaiah 31:5 is another important verse that uses a related term to describe divine protection:

Hebrew Text: "כצפרים עפות כן יגן יהוה צבאות על ירושלם גנון והציל פסוח והמליט׃"

Greek Text (LXX): "ως ορνεα πετομενα, ουτως υπερασπιει κύριος επι ιερουσαλημ και περιφλεξει και ρυσεται και διασωσει."

English Translation: "Like birds hovering, so the Lord of hosts will protect (υπερασπιει) Jerusalem; he will protect and deliver it, he will spare and rescue it."

The verb υπερασπιει (hyperaspiei) here means "will protect." This passage describes the divine protection of Jerusalem, using the image of hovering birds to symbolize God's covering and care over his city. The connection to Passover is evident, as both situations highlight God's protective intervention in times of danger.

Jeremiah 31:8: A Significant Play on Words

Jeremiah 31:8 connects Passover with the inclusion of the lame:

Hebrew Text: "הנני מביא אתם מארץ צפון וקבצתים מירכתי ארץ בם עור ופסח הרה ויולדת יחדו קהל גדול ישובו הנה׃"

Greek Text (LXX): "ιδου εγω επιστρεφω αυτους εκ γης βορρας και συναξω αυτους απ’ εσχατων της γης, εν αυτους τυφλος και χωλος, εγγυος και τικτουσα αμα· συναγωγη μεγαλη επιστρεψει ενταυθα."

English Translation: "Behold, I will bring them from the north country, and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth; among them the blind and the lame (χωλος), the pregnant woman and she who is in labor, together; a great company, they shall return here."

The Hebrew term פסח (pasach) for "lame" shares the same root as פסח (Pesach), making a play on words that emphasizes the relationship between divine protection during Passover and the inclusion and care for the most vulnerable, such as the lame. In the LXX, the term χωλος (cholos) is used for "lame," but the underlying Hebrew root connects these concepts, showing how the LXX translators may have captured this play on words.

Theological Reflection on Protection in Passover

Passover, from its Hebrew roots to its interpretation in the LXX, is much more than a historical event; it is a powerful symbol of divine protection and salvation. Each analyzed passage shows a different facet of this protection:

1. Preparation and Readiness: In Exodus 12:11, the preparation for Passover symbolizes a state of readiness and alertness, suggesting that divine protection also requires active participation and obedience from the people.

2. Direct Intervention: In Exodus 12:23 and 12:27, God not only passes over but actively protects and covers the Israelites, demonstrating that salvation is both an act of mercy and of judgment against the enemies of His people.

3. Inclusion of the Vulnerable: Isaiah 31:5 and Jeremiah 31:8 expand the scope of divine protection, showing that God protects not only in specific contexts like Passover but also throughout history and in various situations, including the most vulnerable.

Implications for Faith and Practice

Understanding Passover as a symbol of protection has profound implications for Jewish and Christian faith and practice. For Jews, the annual celebration of Passover is a continuous reminder of God's faithfulness and protection. For Christians, Passover takes on new meaning in the figure of Christ, the Lamb of God, whose blood offers eternal protection and salvation. 

Conclusion

The Hebrew word פסח, translated in the LXX as πάσχα (Pascha), and also associated with various Greek terms such as σκεπασω (I will protect), παρελευσεται (will pass), εσκεπασεν (protected), and υπερασπιει (will protect), encapsulates a central theme of the biblical narrative: divine protection. From the historical events of the Exodus to the prophecies of Isaiah and Jeremiah, Passover represents God's saving intervention on behalf of His people. This theme of protection not only strengthens the faith of believers but also calls them to remember and celebrate God's faithfulness throughout history.

Each Greek term reveals a different aspect of this protection:

• σκεπασω (I will protect) in Exodus 12:13 emphasizes the protective covering of God over the Israelites.
• παρελευσεται (will pass) in Exodus 12:23 highlights the act of God passing over the houses of the Israelites to prevent destruction.
• εσκεπασεν (protected) in Exodus 12:27 underscores God's action of safeguarding the Israelites during the plague.
• υπερασπιει (will protect) in Isaiah 31:5 describes the divine protection over Jerusalem, illustrating God's care and defense of His people.

Jeremiah 31:8 adds a significant dimension, playing on the word פסח (Pasach) to include the lame (χωλος), symbolizing the inclusion and care for the vulnerable in God's redemptive plan.

By examining the various translations and contexts of πάσχα and related terms, we see a common thread of divine care and salvation that transcends time and culture, highlighting the eternal and constant nature of God's love and protection. This analysis not only enriches our theological understanding but also invites us to live in the security and gratitude for the divine protection that extends to all aspects of our lives.