You shall say (literally “and you shall say”) introduces the answer, so “you will answer” is better (Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version), or “then tell them” (New International Version). It is the sacrifice of the LORD’s passover is similar to verse 11, but here the word sacrifice is joined to passover in a rhythmic form: “zevach-pesach it to Yahweh.” The Hebrew may be understood either as “sacrifice of Passover” or “passover sacrifice” (New Revised Standard Version), but “to Yahweh” clearly means “to honor the LORD” (Good News Translation), not “of the LORD” (New American Bible). Revised English Bible and New English Bible unfortunately translate it the same as in verse 11. Alternative models for this sentence are “We are killing this Passover animal to honor the LORD [or, Yahweh],” or “We are celebrating the festival of the Passover and are killing this animal to honor the LORD.”

For he passed over brings out the play on the words pesach (passover) and pasach (passed over). (See the comment at verse 13.) It is unlikely that this play on words can be carried over in translation, so a footnote here will be helpful to the reader. Note that here it is the houses that are passed over rather than the “door” in verse 23. The people of Israel, literally “the sons of Israel,” is better understood as “the Israelites.” In Egypt is necessary here, for these are words of instruction for future generations, who will be living elsewhere. In a number of languages it will be helpful to start a new sentence here; for example, “We do these things because we remember when Yahweh passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt.”

When he slew the Egyptians uses the same verb as verse 23, but the he refers to Yahweh, not to “the destroyer.” But spared our houses uses a verb meaning to pull out or rescue, and houses may also refer to “households” (Translator’s Old Testament). (Note Good News Translation‘s “but spared us.”) These words were to be used in all future observances of the Passover, so that all Israelites might experience the LORD’s deliverance. (They are still a part of the Jewish liturgy.) Therefore the pronoun our should be understood as inclusive rather than exclusive. (See also the discussion at 13.14.) Another possible model for this sentence is “He killed the firstborn sons of the Egyptians but spared our [inclusive] families.”

And the people may refer either to “the Israelites” or to “all the elders” in verse 21. However, “the elders” is the more likely interpretation, since Moses’ instructions continue without a break from verse 21 to this verse. Bowed their heads is just one word, meaning to bow or to kneel. Good News Translation has “knelt down,” but most translations have either “bowed down” or “bowed low.” And worshiped is a word meaning to do homage or obeisance, so most translations have “bowed down in worship” (New Revised Standard Version). New English Bible‘s “and prostrated themselves” is probably not intended in addition to “bowed down.” In many languages it will be necessary to show the implicit goal of “bowed down”; for example, “The elders [or, leaders] of Israel bowed their heads and worshiped the LORD.”

Quoted with permission from Osborn, Noel D. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Exodus. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1999. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .