Exodus 12:15

Authorized King James Version

Seven 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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
שִׁבְעַ֤ת
Seven
seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number
#2
י֥וֹם
day
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
#3
מַצּ֣וֹת
unleavened bread
properly, sweetness; concretely, sweet (i.e., not soured or bittered with yeast); specifically, an unfermented cake or loaf, or (elliptically) the fes
#4
אֹכֵ֣ל
for whosoever eateth
to eat (literally or figuratively)
#5
אַ֚ךְ
even
a particle of affirmation, surely; hence (by limitation) only
#6
י֥וֹם
day
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
#7
הָֽרִאשֹׁ֖ן
from the first
first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun)
#8
תַּשְׁבִּ֥יתוּ
ye shall put away
to repose, i.e., desist from exertion; used in many implied relations (causative, figurative or specific)
#9
שְּׂאֹ֖ר
leaven
barm or yeast-cake (as swelling by fermentation)
#10
מִבָּֽתֵּיכֶ֑ם
out of your houses
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#11
כִּ֣י׀
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#12
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#13
אֹכֵ֣ל
for whosoever eateth
to eat (literally or figuratively)
#14
חָמֵ֗ץ
leavened bread
ferment, (figuratively) extortion
#15
וְנִכְרְתָ֞ה
shall be cut
to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt
#16
הַנֶּ֤פֶשׁ
that soul
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
#17
הַהִוא֙
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
#18
מִיִּשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
off from Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#19
י֥וֹם
day
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
#20
הָֽרִאשֹׁ֖ן
from the first
first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun)
#21
עַד
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
#22
י֥וֹם
day
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
#23
הַשְּׁבִעִֽי׃
until the seventh
seventh

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The historical context of the period of Egyptian bondage and wilderness wandering (c. 1440-1400 BCE) provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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