Passover History & Symbolism for Christians

Updated: Mar 13

History and Symbolism

Passover, or Pesach (PEH-sach) in Hebrew, commemorates the slavery of the Israelites in Egypt and their ultimate exodus from bondage. This story of redemption is the base of the Jewish people – a story that has shaped their values of religious freedom, caring for the stranger, and standing up to oppressive tyrants. In each generation, every person is obliged to feel as though he or she personally came out of Egypt. (Torah, Deuteronomy 16:14)

Passover takes place in early spring during the Hebrew calendar month of Nissan, as prescribed in the book of Exodus. Exodus 12 stated that Passover be celebrated, “from the fourteenth day of the month at evening, you shall eat unleavened bread until the twenty-first day of the month at evening.” Because the Hebrew calendar does not match up with the Gregorian calendar, the date of Passover (along with other Jewish holidays) changes every year.

The Hebrew word “seder” translates to “order,” and the Passover seder is a home ritual blending religious rituals, food, song and storytelling. Families hold a seder on the first and sometimes second night of Passover. It is fundamentally a religious service set around a dinner table, where the order in which participants eat, pray, drink, sing, discuss current issues and tell stories as prescribed by a central book called the Haggadah. You will find a variety of Haggadahs, as there is not just one scripted ceremony. While it is a unique opportunity to read and study a seder Haggadah, what follows is an explanation of the symbols used in the ceremony and how we can implement them into our Easter observance.

Here's a basic breakdown of the seder steps and emblems, but I strongly encourage anyone hosting or leading, to do additional personal study.

The Passover meal is called a Seder, which means order in Hebrew, because we go through 14 specific steps as we retell the story of our ancestors’ liberation from slavery in Egypt.

1. KADESH - the blessing over wine

2. URCHATZ - Ritual hand-washing in preparation for the Seder

3. KARPAS - Dipping a green vegetable in salt water

4. YACHATZ - Breaking the middle of matzah

5. MAGGID - Telling the story of Passover

6. RACHTZA - Ritual hand-washing in preparation for the meal

7. MOTZI MATZAH - The blessing over the meal and matzah

8. MAROR - Bitter herb

9. KORECH - Eating a sandwich of matzah and bitter herb

10. SCHULAN ORECH - Eating the meal

11. TZAFUN - Finding and eating the Afikomen

12. BAREICH - Saying grace after the meal and inviting Elijah the prophet

13. HALLEL - Singing songs that praise God

14. NIRTZAH - Ending the Seder and thinking about the future

The Passover Seder is a ceremony passing down the story of God's extraordinary deliverance of the Israelite slaves from Egypt. The Seder plate, positioned as the focal point of the table, acts as a visual representation, showcasing symbolic foods that are either eaten or presented during the Passover Seder.

Jewish Symbolism with Christian Application

(More details and prompts on the cards)

Maror– a bitter herb, symbolizing the bitterness of slavery. We can learn from our burdens, and replace bitterness with peace, when we turn to Christ for help.

Charoset – A sweet, apple and nut mixture represents the mortar used by the Hebrew slaves to build the Egyptian structures for the Pharaoh. While we will each experience the bondage of sin, the fruit reminds us of the sweetness found through Christ’s redeeming love.

Karpas – a green vegetable, represents springtime and a time of rebirth. The Exodus from Egypt marks the rebirth of the Israelites after hundreds of years in slavery. Karpas remind us of the hope we have in Christ and a rebirth through Him.

Zeroa– represents the animal sacrifice performed on the eve of the Israelite's exodus from Egypt. Just as the unblemished lamb was sacrificed in days of old, Jesus, the Lamb of God, was sacrificed for us.

Chazeret – an additional bitter herb, often it is romaine lettuce; when left in the ground too long, becomes bitter. Similarly, the Israelites first flourished in the region but over time, slavery created a bitter end to their stay. Lettuce reminds us of the necessary nourishment our souls need to grow closer to our Savior and to flourish in His gospel.
Beitzah – a boiled egg symbolizes the festival sacrifice offered as a symbol of mourning over the destruction of the Temple. The round egg reminds us of the round stone which was placed in front of the tomb of Jesus and later rolled away to discover that the tomb was empty.

Salt water– Representative of the tears and sweat of slavery. We celebrate the cleansing and purifying power of Christ’s Atonement.
Matzah – Because the Israelites left Egypt quickly, they did not have time for their bread to rise. Today we eat leavened bread, to remind us of that sacred Sabbath, when it was exclaimed by the angels, “He is not here, but is risen.”

Wine - Wine symbolizes the redemption of the Israelites from slavery. Today, Red juice reminds us of the atoning blood of Jesus Christ.

Fish - while not part of the Seder, gefilte fish is often served at Passover. Fish represents the coming of the Messiah. Just like His apostles, called to be Fishers of Men, we are also invited to follow Christ and bring others to Him;

Click below to gran the symbolism cards and tags