Exodus 12:20
Ye shall eat nothing leavened; in all your habitations shall ye eat unleavened bread.
Original Language Analysis
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
1 of 8
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
3 of 8
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
בְּכֹל֙
H3605
בְּכֹל֙
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
5 of 8
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
מוֹשְׁבֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם
in all your habitations
H4186
מוֹשְׁבֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם
in all your habitations
Strong's:
H4186
Word #:
6 of 8
a seat; figuratively, a site; abstractly, a session; by extension an abode (the place or the time); by implication, population
Historical Context
Searching homes for leaven became a significant ritual (bedikat chametz). Every grain of leavened product was removed, making homes completely leaven-free zones during the feast.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the requirement to remove leaven from 'all your habitations' challenge compartmentalizing faith?
- What areas of your life do you treat as private spaces exempt from God's holiness requirements?
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Analysis & Commentary
The absolute prohibition 'no leavened bread' tolerates no exceptions—not for convenience, not for circumstances. The inclusive phrase 'in all your habitations' extends the requirement beyond the tabernacle to every home, teaching that holiness pervades all of life, not just religious spaces. Unleavened bread in every dwelling made the entire community a visible testimony to purity.