Exodus 12:39

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And they baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they brought forth out of Egypt, for it was not leavened; because they were thrust out of Egypt, and could not tarry, neither had they prepared for themselves any victual.

Complete Jewish Bible:

They baked matzah loaves from the dough they had brought out of Egypt, since it was unleavened; because they had been driven out of Egypt without time to prepare supplies for themselves.

Berean Standard Bible:

Since their dough had no leaven, the people baked what they had brought out of Egypt into unleavened loaves. For when they had been driven out of Egypt, they could not delay and had not prepared any provisions for themselves.

American Standard Version:

And they baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they brought forth out of Egypt; for it was not leavened, because they were thrust out of Egypt, and could not tarry, neither had they prepared for themselves any victuals.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And they baked^{H644} unleavened^{H4682} cakes^{H5692} of the dough^{H1217} which they brought forth^{H3318} out of Egypt^{H4714}, for it was not leavened^{H2556}; because they were thrust out^{H1644} of Egypt^{H4714}, and could^{H3201} not tarry^{H4102}, neither had they prepared^{H6213} for themselves any victual^{H6720}.

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Commentary for Exodus 12:39

Exodus 12:39 is part of the narrative describing the Israelites' hasty departure from Egypt, an event known as the Exodus. This verse specifically highlights the fact that the Israelites were forced to leave Egypt so quickly that they could not wait for their dough to rise. As a result, they baked unleavened cakes, which are flatbreads without yeast. This detail is significant because it reflects the urgency and haste of their departure, as well as their lack of preparation due to the swiftness of the events unfolding.

The unleavened bread, or matzah, becomes a central symbol in the subsequent Passover festival, commemorating the Exodus. The absence of leaven in their bread is a physical representation of the lack of time for the dough to ferment, symbolizing the rapid transition from slavery to freedom. The historical context of this verse is rooted in the broader narrative of the Israelites' oppression in Egypt and their deliverance by God through Moses. The theme of haste in this verse underscores the miraculous nature of their liberation and sets the stage for the establishment of the Passover feast, during which the consumption of unleavened bread is prescribed as a lasting ordinance (Exodus 12:17).

This verse also speaks to the broader theme of divine providence and the fulfillment of God's promises. The Israelites' hurried exit from Egypt, with only unleavened bread to sustain them initially, illustrates their dependence on God's guidance and care as they embarked on their journey to the Promised Land. The detail of the unleavened cakes serves as a tangible reminder of God's power to deliver His people and the importance of trusting in His provision, even in the face of sudden and drastic changes.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H644
   There are 1966 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָפָה
   Transliteration: ʼâphâh
   Pronunciation: aw-faw'
   Description: a primitive root; to cook, especially to bake; bake(-r, (-meats)).
   
2. Strong's Number: H4682
   There are 42 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מַצָּה
   Transliteration: matstsâh
   Pronunciation: mats-tsaw'
   Description: from מָצַץ in the sense of greedily devouring for sweetness; properly, sweetness; concretely, sweet (i.e. not soured or bittered with yeast); specifically, an unfermented cake or loaf, or (elliptically) the festival of Passover (because no leaven was then used); unleaved (bread, cake), without leaven.
   
3. Strong's Number: H5692
   There are 7 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עֻגָּה
   Transliteration: ʻuggâh
   Pronunciation: oog-gaw'
   Description: from עוּג; an ash-cake (as round); cake (upon the hearth).
   
4. Strong's Number: H1217
   There are 5 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בָּצֵק
   Transliteration: bâtsêq
   Pronunciation: baw-tsake'
   Description: from בָּצֵק; dough (as swelling by fermentation); dough, flour.
   
5. Strong's Number: H3318
   There are 992 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָצָא
   Transliteration: yâtsâʼ
   Pronunciation: yaw-tsaw'
   Description: a primitive root; to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.; [idiom] after, appear, [idiom] assuredly, bear out, [idiom] begotten, break out, bring forth (out, up), carry out, come (abroad, out, thereat, without), [phrase] be condemned, depart(-ing, -ure), draw forth, in the end, escape, exact, fail, fall (out), fetch forth (out), get away (forth, hence, out), (able to, cause to, let) go abroad (forth, on, out), going out, grow, have forth (out), issue out, lay (lie) out, lead out, pluck out, proceed, pull out, put away, be risen, [idiom] scarce, send with commandment, shoot forth, spread, spring out, stand out, [idiom] still, [idiom] surely, take forth (out), at any time, [idiom] to (and fro), utter.
   
6. Strong's Number: H4714
   There are 602 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מִצְרַיִם
   Transliteration: Mitsrayim
   Pronunciation: mits-rah'-yim
   Description: dual of מָצוֹר; Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt; Egypt, Egyptians, Mizraim.
   
7. Strong's Number: H2556
   There are 8 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חָמֵץ
   Transliteration: châmêts
   Pronunciation: khaw-mates'
   Description: a primitive root; to be pungent; i.e. in taste (sour, i.e. literally fermented, or figuratively, harsh), in color (dazzling); cruel (man), dyed, be grieved, leavened.
   
8. Strong's Number: H1644
   There are 45 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: גָּרַשׁ
   Transliteration: gârash
   Pronunciation: gaw-rash'
   Description: a primitive root; to drive out from a possession; especially to expatriate or divorce; cast up (out), divorced (woman), drive away (forth, out), expel, [idiom] surely put away, trouble, thrust out.
   
9. Strong's Number: H3201
   There are 182 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָכֹל
   Transliteration: yâkôl
   Pronunciation: yaw-kole'
   Description: or (fuller) יָכוֹל; a primitive root; to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might); be able, any at all (ways), attain, can (away with, (-not)), could, endure, might, overcome, have power, prevail, still, suffer.
   
10. Strong's Number: H4102
    There are 9 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: מָהַהּ
    Transliteration: mâhahh
    Pronunciation: maw-hah'
    Description: apparently a denominative from מָה; properly, to question or hesitate, i.e. (by implication) to be reluctant; delay, linger, stay selves, tarry.
    
11. Strong's Number: H6213
    There are 2286 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: עָשָׂה
    Transliteration: ʻâsâh
    Pronunciation: aw-saw'
    Description: a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application; accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use.
    
12. Strong's Number: H6720
    There are 10 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: צֵידָה
    Transliteration: tsêydâh
    Pronunciation: tsay-daw'
    Description: or צֵדָה; feminine of צַיִד; food; meat, provision, venison, victuals.