Deuteronomy 16:5
Thou mayest not sacrifice the passover within any of thy gates, which the LORD thy God giveth thee:
Original Language Analysis
לֹ֥א
H3808
לֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
1 of 12
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תוּכַ֖ל
Thou mayest
H3201
תוּכַ֖ל
Thou mayest
Strong's:
H3201
Word #:
2 of 12
to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)
לִזְבֹּ֣חַ
not sacrifice
H2076
לִזְבֹּ֣חַ
not sacrifice
Strong's:
H2076
Word #:
3 of 12
to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
4 of 12
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַפָּ֑סַח
the passover
H6453
הַפָּ֑סַח
the passover
Strong's:
H6453
Word #:
5 of 12
a pretermission, i.e., exemption; used only techically of the jewish passover (the festival or the victim)
בְּאַחַ֣ד
within any
H259
בְּאַחַ֣ד
within any
Strong's:
H259
Word #:
6 of 12
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
8 of 12
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יְהוָ֥ה
which the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֥ה
which the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
9 of 12
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ
thy God
H430
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ
thy God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
10 of 12
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
Historical Context
The seven-day Feast of Unleavened Bread began immediately after Passover evening and continued through the following week. This combined observance became one of Israel's three pilgrimage festivals when all males appeared before the Lord at the central sanctuary.
Meticulous removal of all leaven from homes required searching by candlelight to ensure complete purification, creating powerful visual lesson about thorough dealing with sin.
Questions for Reflection
- What does comprehensive removal of leaven teach about dealing with sin?
- Why was public, visible commitment to unleavened observance important?
- How does the seven-day duration emphasize the thoroughness of separation from Egypt?
- In what sense should Christian life be continuous Passover observance?
- What does Paul's application of unleavened bread teach about church purity?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And there shall be no leavened bread seen with thee in all thy coast seven days. The comprehensive removal of leaven required thorough searching of all Israelite territory. This total purging symbolized complete separation from sin and corruption.
The phrase no leavened bread seen with thee indicates not private tolerance of leaven but public, visible commitment to unleavened observance. Covenant obedience was community practice, not merely private piety. The whole nation participated in symbolic purification.
Seven days of unleavened eating extended beyond the single Passover night to a full week of memorial. This duration impressed upon Israel the comprehensive nature of their separation from Egypt and commitment to holiness.
Paul applies this spiritually - Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven...but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth (1 Corinthians 5:8). Christian life should be continuous Passover observance through genuine holiness.