created by the ninth plague (i.e., the 11th, 12th, and 13th, Exod 12:22). Whether “1” and “2” occurred or not, “3” fits well with the text because the 14th would be the first day of light, making possible the Passover’s celebration.5 The lamb chosen was to be (1) without defect (תָמִים, tāmîm, “perfect, without blemish,” v. 5), (2) consumed entirely when eaten, and (3) guarded (לְמִשְׁמֶרֶת, ləmišmereth) from the moment of its selection on the tenth day till its slaughter at twilight (v. 6). The