ESV Reformation Study Bible – Deut 16:1
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Deut 16:1

16:1 the month of Abib. In Exodus, the Passover (Ex. 12:1–14) and the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Ex. 12:15–20) were instituted in the “first month” (Ex. 12:2, 18), also called the month of Abib, one of the Canaanite month names (Ex. 13:4; 23:15). The Babylonian name of the first month is Nisan, and Babylonian month names appear in Old Testament books of the exilic and postexilic periods (e.g., Esth. 3:7).

keep the Passover. See notes Ex. 12:1–26. The Passover clearly symbolizes substitution, since the lamb is slain in place of the firstborn. Although the blood of animals could not, in itself, redeem human beings, the Passover lamb was a sacramental symbol pointing forward to the effectual sacrifice of Christ (Heb. 10:1–10). So Paul is fully justified in saying, “Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed” (1 Cor. 5:7).