Deuteronomy 16:4
And there shall be no leavened bread seen with thee in all thy coast seven days; neither shall there any thing of the flesh, which thou sacrificedst the first day at even, remain all night until the morning.
Original Language Analysis
וְלֹֽא
H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
1 of 18
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יֵרָאֶ֨ה
seen
H7200
יֵרָאֶ֨ה
seen
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
2 of 18
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
שְׂאֹ֛ר
And there shall be no leavened bread
H7603
שְׂאֹ֛ר
And there shall be no leavened bread
Strong's:
H7603
Word #:
4 of 18
barm or yeast-cake (as swelling by fermentation)
בְּכָל
H3605
בְּכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
5 of 18
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
גְּבֻֽלְךָ֖
with thee in all thy coast
H1366
גְּבֻֽלְךָ֖
with thee in all thy coast
Strong's:
H1366
Word #:
6 of 18
properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e., (by implication) a boundary; by extension the territory inclosed
שִׁבְעַ֣ת
seven
H7651
שִׁבְעַ֣ת
seven
Strong's:
H7651
Word #:
7 of 18
seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number
בַּיּ֥וֹם
day
H3117
בַּיּ֥וֹם
day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
8 of 18
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
וְלֹֽא
H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
9 of 18
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יָלִ֣ין
remain
H3885
יָלִ֣ין
remain
Strong's:
H3885
Word #:
10 of 18
to stop (usually over night); by implication, to stay permanently; hence (in a bad sense) to be obstinate (especially in words, to complain)
מִן
H4480
מִן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
11 of 18
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
הַבָּשָׂ֗ר
neither shall there any thing of the flesh
H1320
הַבָּשָׂ֗ר
neither shall there any thing of the flesh
Strong's:
H1320
Word #:
12 of 18
flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
13 of 18
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
תִּזְבַּ֥ח
which thou sacrificedst
H2076
תִּזְבַּ֥ח
which thou sacrificedst
Strong's:
H2076
Word #:
14 of 18
to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice)
בַּיּ֥וֹם
day
H3117
בַּיּ֥וֹם
day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
16 of 18
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
Cross References
Exodus 34:25Thou shalt not offer the blood of my sacrifice with leaven; neither shall the sacrifice of the feast of the passover be left unto the morning.Exodus 12:10And ye shall let nothing of it remain until the morning; and that which remaineth of it until the morning ye shall burn with fire.Exodus 13:7Unleavened bread shall be eaten seven days; and there shall no leavened bread be seen with thee, neither shall there be leaven seen with thee in all thy quarters.Exodus 12:15Seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread; even the first day ye shall put away leaven out of your houses: for whosoever eateth leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that soul shall be cut off from Israel.
Historical Context
The exodus occurred suddenly - after the tenth plague, Pharaoh urgently expelled Israel from Egypt. They left hastily with unleavened dough, their flocks, and Egyptian plunder, beginning the journey to Sinai and Canaan.
This dramatic night deliverance became the defining event of Israelite history, referenced throughout Scripture as proof of God's power and faithfulness.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does God command perpetual, lifelong remembrance of the exodus?
- How does eating bread of affliction maintain connection to past deliverance?
- What dangers arise when God's people forget their redemption history?
- How does Christian communion function similarly to Passover as perpetual memorial?
- Why must each generation personally identify with redemptive events of the past?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
For in haste didst thou come forth out of the land of Egypt: that thou mayest remember the day when thou camest forth out of the land of Egypt all the days of thy life. The hasty exodus emphasized urgency of deliverance - Israel fled rather than departing leisurely. This urgency must inform their perpetual memory of redemption.
God commands remember...all the days of thy life - not occasional reflection but constant memorial. Redemption must remain central to Israel's identity throughout generations. Forgetting their deliverance would lead to forgetting their Deliverer.
The bread of affliction eaten in haste reminded each generation that they personally participated in the exodus through covenant solidarity. Though future generations did not physically leave Egypt, they inherited exodus identity as redeemed people.
Christians similarly remember Christ's sacrificial deliverance through regular communion - Do this in remembrance of me. The Lord's Supper perpetually recalls redemption, keeping the cross central to church identity.