Exodus 13:7
Unleavened 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.
Original Language Analysis
מַצּוֹת֙
Unleavened bread
H4682
מַצּוֹת֙
Unleavened bread
Strong's:
H4682
Word #:
1 of 15
properly, sweetness; concretely, sweet (i.e., not soured or bittered with yeast); specifically, an unfermented cake or loaf, or (elliptically) the fes
אֵ֖ת
H853
אֵ֖ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 15
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
שִׁבְעַ֣ת
seven
H7651
שִׁבְעַ֣ת
seven
Strong's:
H7651
Word #:
4 of 15
seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number
הַיָּמִ֑ים
days
H3117
הַיָּמִ֑ים
days
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
5 of 15
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 #:
6 of 15
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יֵרָאֶ֥ה
be seen
H7200
יֵרָאֶ֥ה
be seen
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
7 of 15
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
חָמֵ֗ץ
and there shall no leavened bread
H2557
חָמֵ֗ץ
and there shall no leavened bread
Strong's:
H2557
Word #:
9 of 15
ferment, (figuratively) extortion
וְלֹֽא
H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
10 of 15
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יֵרָאֶ֥ה
be seen
H7200
יֵרָאֶ֥ה
be seen
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
11 of 15
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
שְׂאֹ֖ר
with thee neither shall there be leaven
H7603
שְׂאֹ֖ר
with thee neither shall there be leaven
Strong's:
H7603
Word #:
13 of 15
barm or yeast-cake (as swelling by fermentation)
Historical Context
The search for and removal of leaven (bedikat chametz) became an elaborate ritual. Every corner of every house was searched to ensure complete compliance.
Questions for Reflection
- How does requiring leaven's absence from 'all thy quarters' challenge compartmentalizing life into sacred and secular?
- What sins are you hiding rather than completely removing from your life?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The command 'Unleavened bread shall be eaten seven days' requires active participation—not merely avoiding leaven but eating matzah. The comprehensive prohibition 'neither shall there be leaven seen with thee' and 'in all thy quarters' extends through all territory. This visible absence of leaven throughout Israel's land made the entire nation a testimony to purity. Total removal, not merely concealment, is required.