Exodus 34:18

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#2
חַ֣ג
The feast
a festival, or a victim therefor
#3
מַצּוֹת֙
of 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
תִּשְׁמֹר֒
shalt thou keep
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
#5
שִׁבְעַ֨ת
Seven
seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number
#6
יָמִ֜ים
days
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
תֹּאכַ֤ל
thou shalt eat
to eat (literally or figuratively)
#8
מַצּוֹת֙
of unleavened bread
properly, sweetness; concretely, sweet (i.e., not soured or bittered with yeast); specifically, an unfermented cake or loaf, or (elliptically) the fes
#9
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#10
צִוִּיתִ֔ךָ
as I commanded
(intensively) to constitute, enjoin
#11
לְמוֹעֵ֖ד
thee in the time
properly, an appointment, i.e., a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival; conventionally a year; by implication, an assembly (as convened for
#12
בְּחֹ֣דֶשׁ
for in the month
the new moon; by implication, a month
#13
הָֽאָבִ֔יב
H24
Abib
green, i.e., a young ear of grain; hence, the name of the month abib or nisan
#14
כִּ֚י
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#15
בְּחֹ֣דֶשׁ
for in the month
the new moon; by implication, a month
#16
הָֽאָבִ֔יב
H24
Abib
green, i.e., a young ear of grain; hence, the name of the month abib or nisan
#17
יָצָ֖אתָ
thou camest out
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
#18
מִמִּצְרָֽיִם׃
from Egypt
mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

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

Related Resources

Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.

People

Study Resources