**Where Was the Blood Placed?
In the account of the first Passover (Exodus 12), God provided Israel with specific instructions regarding the lamb whose blood would protect their households during the final plague in Egypt—the death of the firstborn. One of the most significant commands concerned where the blood of the lamb was to be placed. This act served as a sign of obedience and faith and marked the people under God’s protection.
1. The Placement of the Blood on the Doorframe
According to Exodus 12:7, God instructed the Israelites to take the blood of the Passover lamb and apply it to three specific parts of the entrance to their homes:
A. The Two Doorposts
The doorposts were the vertical sides of the doorway. Applying blood to the doorposts symbolically marked the entire household as belonging to and protected by God. This position was highly visible and formed the first boundary any visitor—or in this case, the Destroyer—would encounter.
B. The Lintel
The lintel was the top horizontal beam of the doorframe. Placing blood on the lintel completed the marking of the entrance, creating a sort of “blood covering” over the door. This imagery portrayed the idea of God’s protection sheltering the family inside.
Together, the two doorposts and the lintel formed a three-sided frame of blood around the doorway.
2. The Significance of the Location
A. Public Identification
Applying the blood outside the house meant the act could be seen publicly. The Israelites were openly aligning themselves with God’s command, even while living among Egyptians.
B. A Boundary Between Judgment and Safety
God declared that when He saw the blood on the doorframe, He would pass over that house (Exodus 12:13). The doorway marked the dividing line between:
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Inside: safety, obedience, and divine protection
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Outside: judgment and death for the firstborn of Egypt
The placement made the entrance the symbol of refuge.
C. A Foreshadowing Symbol
The doorframe marked with blood has long been viewed as a powerful symbol pointing forward to later biblical themes:
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Salvation through a substitute sacrifice
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Deliverance made possible by blood
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God “passing over” those who trust in His provision
The position of the blood—surrounding the entrance—illustrates the idea of entering life and protection through God’s appointed means.
3. Why the Blood Was Not Placed Elsewhere
God did not permit the blood to be placed on the floor or sprinkled randomly. The specific placement ensured:
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Reverence: placing the blood on the ground would symbolize trampling something sacred.
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Visibility: the Destroyer would “see” the blood on the entryway.
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Unity: every household followed the same pattern, creating a shared national act of faith.
4. The Act of Obedience
The Israelites’ willingness to place the blood precisely where God commanded played a crucial role in their deliverance. Their obedience demonstrated trust in God’s instructions—even when the act might have seemed unusual or risky in a foreign land.
Conclusion
The blood of the Passover lamb was placed on the two doorposts and the lintel of each Israelite home. This placement served as a visible sign of protection, a boundary between life and death, and a proclamation of trust in God. More than a simple ritual, it was a symbolic moment that would shape Israel’s understanding of salvation, deliverance, and covenant for generations to come.
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