Exodus 23:15
Thou shalt keep the feast of unleavened bread: (thou shalt eat unleavened bread seven days, as I commanded thee, in the time appointed of the month Abib; for in it thou camest out from Egypt: and none shall appear before me empty:)
Original Language Analysis
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
1 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מַצּ֜וֹת
of unleavened bread
H4682
מַצּ֜וֹת
of unleavened bread
Strong's:
H4682
Word #:
3 of 21
properly, sweetness; concretely, sweet (i.e., not soured or bittered with yeast); specifically, an unfermented cake or loaf, or (elliptically) the fes
תִּשְׁמֹר֒
Thou shalt keep
H8104
תִּשְׁמֹר֒
Thou shalt keep
Strong's:
H8104
Word #:
4 of 21
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
שִׁבְעַ֣ת
seven
H7651
שִׁבְעַ֣ת
seven
Strong's:
H7651
Word #:
5 of 21
seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number
יָמִים֩
days
H3117
יָמִים֩
days
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
6 of 21
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
מַצּ֜וֹת
of unleavened bread
H4682
מַצּ֜וֹת
of unleavened bread
Strong's:
H4682
Word #:
8 of 21
properly, sweetness; concretely, sweet (i.e., not soured or bittered with yeast); specifically, an unfermented cake or loaf, or (elliptically) the fes
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
9 of 21
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
לְמוֹעֵד֙
thee in the time appointed
H4150
לְמוֹעֵד֙
thee in the time appointed
Strong's:
H4150
Word #:
11 of 21
properly, an appointment, i.e., a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival; conventionally a year; by implication, an assembly (as convened for
הָֽאָבִ֔יב
Abib
H24
הָֽאָבִ֔יב
Abib
Strong's:
H24
Word #:
13 of 21
green, i.e., a young ear of grain; hence, the name of the month abib or nisan
כִּי
H3588
כִּי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
14 of 21
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יָצָ֣אתָ
for in it thou camest out
H3318
יָצָ֣אתָ
for in it thou camest out
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
16 of 21
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
וְלֹֽא
H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
18 of 21
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יֵרָא֥וּ
and none shall appear
H7200
יֵרָא֥וּ
and none shall appear
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
19 of 21
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
Cross References
Exodus 34:20But the firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb: and if thou redeem him not, then shalt thou break his neck. All the firstborn of thy sons thou shalt redeem. And none shall appear before me empty.Luke 22:7Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed.Deuteronomy 16:16Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the LORD empty:
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern religions held seasonal festivals, but Israel's feasts distinctly commemorated historical redemption (exodus) rather than merely agricultural cycles. The festivals reinforced covenant identity across generations.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this law reveal God's character—His justice, mercy, or holiness?
- What New Testament principles build upon or fulfill this Old Testament regulation?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Thou shalt keep the feast of unleavened bread: (thou shalt eat unleavened bread seven days, as I commanded thee, in the time appointed of the month Abib; for in it thou camest out from Egypt: and none shall appear before me empty:)
Israel's festival calendar (Passover, Weeks, Tabernacles) celebrated God's provision and redemption. The appointed times (מוֹעֲדִים, mo'adim) gathered covenant people to remember God's faithfulness and anticipate future fulfillment. Festivals combined worship, rest, and fellowship—integrating spiritual and social life. These celebrations typologically point to Christ: Passover (His sacrifice), Weeks/Pentecost (Spirit's outpouring), Tabernacles (God dwelling with us). Christian worship continues this pattern of remembrance and anticipation.