Deuteronomy 16:3
Thou shalt eat no leavened bread with it; seven days shalt thou eat unleavened bread therewith, even the bread of affliction; for thou camest forth out of the land of Egypt in haste: that thou mayest remember the day when thou camest forth out of the land of Egypt all the days of thy life.
Original Language Analysis
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
1 of 26
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
עָלָיו֙
H5921
עָלָיו֙
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
3 of 26
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
שִׁבְעַ֥ת
with it seven
H7651
שִׁבְעַ֥ת
with it seven
Strong's:
H7651
Word #:
5 of 26
seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number
יְמֵ֥י
all the days
H3117
יְמֵ֥י
all the days
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
6 of 26
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
עָלָ֥יו
H5921
עָלָ֥יו
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
8 of 26
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
מַצּ֖וֹת
unleavened bread
H4682
מַצּ֖וֹת
unleavened bread
Strong's:
H4682
Word #:
9 of 26
properly, sweetness; concretely, sweet (i.e., not soured or bittered with yeast); specifically, an unfermented cake or loaf, or (elliptically) the fes
לֶ֣חֶם
therewith even the bread
H3899
לֶ֣חֶם
therewith even the bread
Strong's:
H3899
Word #:
10 of 26
food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
12 of 26
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
צֵֽאתְךָ֙
for thou camest forth
H3318
צֵֽאתְךָ֙
for thou camest forth
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
14 of 26
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
מֵאֶ֣רֶץ
out of the land
H776
מֵאֶ֣רֶץ
out of the land
Strong's:
H776
Word #:
15 of 26
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
לְמַ֣עַן
H4616
לְמַ֣עַן
Strong's:
H4616
Word #:
17 of 26
properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that
תִּזְכֹּ֗ר
that thou mayest remember
H2142
תִּזְכֹּ֗ר
that thou mayest remember
Strong's:
H2142
Word #:
18 of 26
properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
19 of 26
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יְמֵ֥י
all the days
H3117
יְמֵ֥י
all the days
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
20 of 26
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
צֵֽאתְךָ֙
for thou camest forth
H3318
צֵֽאתְךָ֙
for thou camest forth
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
21 of 26
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
מֵאֶ֣רֶץ
out of the land
H776
מֵאֶ֣רֶץ
out of the land
Strong's:
H776
Word #:
22 of 26
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
כֹּ֖ל
H3605
כֹּ֖ל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
24 of 26
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Cross References
Exodus 12:39And they baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they brought forth out of Egypt, for it was not leavened; because they were thrust out of Egypt, and could not tarry, neither had they prepared for themselves any victual.Exodus 34:18The feast of unleavened bread shalt thou keep. Seven days thou shalt eat unleavened bread, as I commanded thee, in the time of the month Abib: for in the month Abib thou camest out from Egypt.Exodus 12:8And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it.Luke 22:19And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.Numbers 9:11The fourteenth day of the second month at even they shall keep it, and eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs.
Historical Context
Unleavened bread (matzah) required thorough removal of all leaven from Israelite homes before Passover. This spring cleaning became elaborate ritual ensuring no leaven remained, symbolizing comprehensive purging of sin.
First-century Jews and early Christians continued this practice, with Paul using it as metaphor for church discipline and purity (1 Corinthians 5:6-8).
Questions for Reflection
- What does leaven symbolize spiritually, and why must it be thoroughly removed?
- How does the bread of affliction function as reminder of redemption from slavery?
- Why is it important that prosperity not erase memory of past bondage and deliverance?
- How does Jesus' use of unleavened bread at the Last Supper connect to Passover symbolism?
- What does Paul's application of unleavened bread teach about church purity and discipline?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Thou shalt eat no leavened bread with it; seven days shalt thou eat unleavened bread therewith, even the bread of affliction. The prohibition of leaven during Passover carried rich symbolic meaning. Leaven represented sin, corruption, and the old Egyptian way of life that Israel was leaving behind.
Paul applies this symbolically - Purge out the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump (1 Corinthians 5:7). Leaven's permeating quality pictures how sin spreads through communities if not removed. The weeklong unleavened bread observance illustrated thorough purging of corruption.
The designation bread of affliction recalled the hasty exodus - no time for bread to rise before fleeing Egypt. This humble bread reminded Israel of their slavery and desperate deliverance. Prosperity must not erase memory of redemption from bondage.
Jesus instituted communion using unleavened Passover bread, identifying His body as the true bread that gives life. The bread of affliction became the bread of salvation.