Exodus 34:18
The feast of unleavened bread shalt thou keep. Seven days thou shalt eat unleavened bread, as I commanded thee, in the time of the month Abib: for in the month Abib thou camest out from Egypt.
Original Language Analysis
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
1 of 18
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מַצּוֹת֙
of unleavened bread
H4682
מַצּוֹת֙
of unleavened bread
Strong's:
H4682
Word #:
3 of 18
properly, sweetness; concretely, sweet (i.e., not soured or bittered with yeast); specifically, an unfermented cake or loaf, or (elliptically) the fes
תִּשְׁמֹר֒
shalt thou keep
H8104
תִּשְׁמֹר֒
shalt thou keep
Strong's:
H8104
Word #:
4 of 18
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
שִׁבְעַ֨ת
Seven
H7651
שִׁבְעַ֨ת
Seven
Strong's:
H7651
Word #:
5 of 18
seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number
יָמִ֜ים
days
H3117
יָמִ֜ים
days
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
6 of 18
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
מַצּוֹת֙
of unleavened bread
H4682
מַצּוֹת֙
of unleavened bread
Strong's:
H4682
Word #:
8 of 18
properly, sweetness; concretely, sweet (i.e., not soured or bittered with yeast); specifically, an unfermented cake or loaf, or (elliptically) the fes
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
9 of 18
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
לְמוֹעֵ֖ד
thee in the time
H4150
לְמוֹעֵ֖ד
thee in the time
Strong's:
H4150
Word #:
11 of 18
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 18
green, i.e., a young ear of grain; hence, the name of the month abib or nisan
כִּ֚י
H3588
כִּ֚י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
14 of 18
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
הָֽאָבִ֔יב
Abib
H24
הָֽאָבִ֔יב
Abib
Strong's:
H24
Word #:
16 of 18
green, i.e., a young ear of grain; hence, the name of the month abib or nisan
Historical Context
The Feast of Unleavened Bread immediately followed Passover, forming an eight-day celebration (Passover on 14th Abib, Unleavened Bread on 15th-21st). This was one of three pilgrimage festivals requiring male attendance at the tabernacle/temple.
Questions for Reflection
- How does removing leaven symbolize spiritual cleansing and new beginnings?
- What 'old leaven' (patterns, habits, influences) do you need to purge from your life?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The Feast of Unleavened Bread (חַג מַצּוֹת, chag matsot) commemorates the Exodus when Israel left Egypt 'in haste' without time for bread to rise. Observed in Abib (אָבִיב, aviv—later called Nisan), the month of barley harvest and Israel's redemption. Eating unleavened bread for seven days symbolizes separation from Egypt (leaven representing sin, corruption). This feast points forward to Christ, our Passover (1 Cor 5:7-8).