What does Exodus 13:8 mean?

Israelite traditions were meant to recall important aspects of their rescue from Egyptian slavery (Exodus 1:11–14; 12:40–41). Among there were Passover (Exodus 12:11) and the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Exodus 12:17). As Israel travels away from Egypt (Exodus 12:37–38) they have been given more reminders about these celebrations (Exodus 13:3–7).

Naturally, these strange traditions would inspire questions. Children, especially, would wonder why their family was sacrificing lambs (Exodus 12:5–10), removing all yeast from the home (Exodus 12:15, 19), and eating flat, un-risen bread (Exodus 12:8, 18). Observing these rituals was not about the rituals themselves, but the events they celebrated. In this case, Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread are reminders of how the Lord freed Israel from oppression in Egypt.

This command is phrased in a very personal way: "what the Lord did for me…" This first generation of freed Israelites were eyewitnesses to God's miraculous power (Exodus 3:19–20). This made it important for God's chosen people (Deuteronomy 14:2) to pass along their history to each generation which followed (Deuteronomy 6:6–9).