A permanent or temporary [non-Jewish] hired worker must not eat from it

This mitzvah forbids both permanent residents (toshavim) who dwell without covenantal status and hired servants (sechirim) from eating the Korban Pesach. Rambam (Hilchot Korban Pesach 9:7) rules that such individuals, while part of a Jewish household, are not covenantally bound and therefore excluded from the Pesach meal.

Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 14) explains that the Pesach korban is the meal of covenantal membership; only those fully committed to Hashem and Israel may partake. The Talmud (Pesachim 96b) interprets this verse as excluding anyone attached only by economic or social ties, not covenant. Rashi (Ex. 12:45) clarifies that the Pesach is for members of Israel who are fully sanctified through circumcision and faith, not for temporary or contractual participants. Ramban adds that allowing them to eat would blur the boundary between covenantal loyalty and mere affiliation.

Commentary & Classical Explanation:

• Rambam (Hilchot Korban Pesach 9:7): Excludes permanent residents and hired workers from the Pesach meal.
• Sefer HaChinuch (14): Only covenantal members may partake, not those tied by contract or circumstance.
• Talmud (Pesachim 96b): Excludes those without covenantal faith.
• Rashi (Ex. 12:45): Explains the Pesach is for sanctified Israel alone.
• Ramban (Ex. 12:45): Protects the covenant from dilution by non-bound participants.

Contrast with Inclusion of Circumcised Converts (Mitzvah 14 & Mitzvah 414):

• Converts who undergo circumcision may partake, but servants without full covenant status may not.
• Rambam notes that covenantal inclusion requires full ritual entry; contracts or residence are insufficient.
• Sefer HaChinuch highlights that true belonging is spiritual, not transactional.

Parallel to Exclusion of Apostates (Mitzvah 412):

• Both mitzvot exclude those outside covenantal loyalty — apostates by rejection, servants by lack of initiation.
• Talmud (Pesachim 96a–b) links the two, teaching that Pesach is the covenantal meal, restricted to the faithful and sanctified.