What Were The Sacrifices Given During The Passover And The Feast Of Unleavened Bread
According to Scripture, the original sacrifices for Passover (Pesach) and the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Chag HaMatzot) were distinct but connected, as Passover initiated the week-long Feast of Unleavened Bread. Below is a breakdown of the original sacrifices given during these feasts:
1. Passover Sacrifices (Pesach)
Sacrificial Offerings:
The Passover Lamb (Korban Pesach)
Scripture: Exodus 12:1–14, Leviticus 23:5, Numbers 28:16
Animal: A male lamb (or goat), one year old, without blemish (Exodus 12:5).
When: On the 14th of Nisan, slaughtered in the evening (Exodus 12:6).
How:
Slain and its blood applied to the doorposts and lintel (Exodus 12:7).
Roasted whole over fire (not boiled or eaten raw) and eaten that night (Exodus 12:8–9).
Eaten with unleavened bread (matzah) and bitter herbs (maror).
None of it could be left until morning; any leftovers were burned (Exodus 12:10).
Significance: A sign for the Destroyer to pass over Israelite homes in Egypt (Exodus 12:13).
Additional Offerings During Temple Times:
After the Exodus, once Israel had a Tabernacle and later the Temple, the Passover lamb was sacrificed at the Temple rather than in homes.
The lamb’s blood was sprinkled on the altar by the priests (Deuteronomy 16:5–6).
2. Feast of Unleavened Bread Sacrifices (Chag HaMatzot)
Sacrificial Offerings:
Daily Offerings During the Feast
Scripture: Numbers 28:17–25, Leviticus 23:6–8
When: 15th–21st of Nisan (7 days)
Required Offerings Each Day:
Two young bulls
One ram
Seven male lambs (one year old, unblemished)
Grain offerings: Fine flour mixed with oil
Three-tenths of an ephah for each bull
Two-tenths of an ephah for each ram
One-tenth of an ephah for each lamb
One male goat for a sin offering (atonement)
These offerings were made in addition to the regular daily burnt offerings.
Additional Requirements:
No leavened bread (chametz) could be eaten for seven days (Exodus 12:15).
The first and seventh days were sacred assemblies with no labor (Leviticus 23:7–8).
Comparison of Passover & Unleavened Bread Sacrifices
Passover (Pesach):
One unblemished male lamb per household
Scripture: Exodus 12:3–6, Leviticus 23:5
Feast of Unleavened Bread (Chag HaMatzot):
Daily burnt offerings:
Two young bulls
One ram
Seven male lambs (one year old, unblemished)
Grain offerings (fine flour mixed with oil)
One male goat for a sin offering (atonement)
Scripture: Numbers 28:17–25, Leviticus 23:6–8
Summary & Significance
1. Passover (Pesach) focused on individual lambs per household, symbolizing deliverance from Egypt.
2. The Feast of Unleavened Bread had daily communal sacrifices in the Temple, emphasizing purification and consecration.
After the destruction of the Second Temple (70 CE), these sacrifices could no longer be performed, and Passover became centered around the Seder meal, prayer, study, and remembrance.
