Deuteronomy 16:3

KJV

Thou shalt eat no leavened bread with it; seven days shalt thou eat unleavened bread therewith, [even] the bread of affliction; for thou camest forth out of the land of Egypt in haste: that thou mayest remember the day when thou camest forth out of the land of Egypt all the days of thy life.

KJV (with Strong's)

Thou shalt eat {H398} no leavened bread {H2557} with it; seven {H7651} days {H3117} shalt thou eat {H398} unleavened bread {H4682} therewith, even the bread {H3899} of affliction {H6040}; for thou camest forth {H3318} out of the land {H776} of Egypt {H4714} in haste {H2649}: that thou mayest remember {H2142} the day {H3117} when thou camest forth {H3318} out of the land {H776} of Egypt {H4714} all the days {H3117} of thy life {H2416}.

Complete Jewish Bible

You are not to eat any hametz with it; for seven days you are to eat with it matzah, the bread of affliction; for you came out of the land of Egypt in haste. Thus you will remember the day you left the land of Egypt as long as you live.

Berean Standard Bible

You must not eat leavened bread with it; for seven days you are to eat with it unleavened bread, the bread of affliction, because you left the land of Egypt in haste—so that you may remember for the rest of your life the day you left the land of Egypt.

American Standard Version

Thou shalt eat no leavened bread with it; seven days shalt thou eat unleavened bread therewith, even the bread of affliction; for thou camest forth out of the land of Egypt in haste: that thou mayest remember the day when thou camest forth out of the land of Egypt all the days of thy life.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 16:3 establishes a foundational command for the Feast of Unleavened Bread, mandating the consumption of unleavened bread for seven days immediately following the Passover. This "bread of affliction" serves as a tangible, multi-sensory memorial, perpetually reminding the Israelites of their hasty, divinely orchestrated exodus from Egyptian bondage. The command ensures that the transformative act of God's deliverance and the subsequent formation of their identity as a free people remain central to their collective memory and spiritual life across all generations.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is intricately woven into the fabric of Deuteronomy 16, which meticulously outlines the three annual pilgrimage festivals—Passover/Feast of Unleavened Bread, Feast of Weeks (Pentecost), and Feast of Tabernacles. Moses, standing on the plains of Moab, addresses a new generation of Israelites, reiterating and expounding upon the Mosaic Law before their entry into the Promised Land. The instructions for the Feast of Unleavened Bread (`Chag HaMatzot`) are presented as an inseparable continuation of the Passover observance, with the seven-day feast commencing immediately after the single Passover day. This section profoundly emphasizes the communal and national imperative to remember God's mighty saving acts, thereby linking past divine deliverance to future covenant obedience and the promise of blessing within the land. The meticulous details underscore the importance of these festivals in shaping Israel's identity and their relationship with Yahweh.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical setting for Deuteronomy 16:3 is the culmination of Israel's forty-year wilderness journey, as they stand on the threshold of the Promised Land. The original institution of the Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread occurred on the very night of their dramatic departure from Egypt, an event characterized by extreme urgency and haste, leaving no time for their bread dough to rise ([Exodus 12:34](/exodus/12-34 "Exodus 12:34 - The Hasty Departure from Egypt")). Culturally, leavened bread was a staple, making the strict prohibition of `chametz` (leaven) during this feast a profoundly distinct and memorable act of separation and remembrance. The designation "bread of affliction" (לֶחֶם עֹנִי, _lechem ʻŏnîy_) would resonate deeply with a people who had endured generations of brutal slavery and a challenging wilderness journey, powerfully evoking the humility of their origins and the profound distress from which God delivered them. This cultural practice transformed a simple food item into a potent symbol of their national story.
* **Key Themes:** Deuteronomy 16:3 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Deuteronomy and the broader Pentateuch. The theme of **Remembrance** (Hebrew: `zâkar`, H2142) is paramount, as the verse explicitly states its purpose: "that thou mayest remember the day when thou camest forth out of the land of Egypt all the days of thy life." This is not mere nostalgic recollection but a foundational act for Israel's identity and covenant faithfulness, ensuring that the miraculous deliverance from bondage ([Deuteronomy 6:20-25](/deuteronomy/6-20-25 "Deuteronomy 6:20-25 - Explaining the Statutes to Future Generations")) remains central to their national consciousness. The theme of **Deliverance and Redemption** is underscored by the very nature of the feast, celebrating God's mighty hand in bringing His people out of slavery. Furthermore, the prohibition of leaven introduces the profound theme of **Purity and Separation**, as leaven often symbolizes corruption or sin in biblical thought, calling Israel to a life set apart for God, free from the "leaven" of Egypt's idolatry and oppression, a concept later echoed with profound theological depth in the New Testament ([1 Corinthians 5:7-8](/1_corinthians/5-7-8 "1 Corinthians 5:7-8 - Christ Our Passover Lamb and the Leaven of Malice")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Unleavened Bread (Hebrew, _matstsâh'_):** (H4682) The Hebrew word מַצָּה (_matstsâh_), appearing here in its plural form (`matstsôt`), refers specifically to bread made without yeast or any leavening agent. Its consumption during this feast directly recalls the extreme haste of the Exodus, where the Israelites departed so suddenly that their dough had no time to rise ([Exodus 12:39](/exodus/12-39 "Exodus 12:39 - Baking Unleavened Cakes")). Beyond its historical significance, `matstsâh` also symbolizes humility, purity, and the uncorrupted nature of God's deliverance, standing in stark contrast to the "puffing up" and corruption often associated with leaven in biblical thought.
* **Bread of Affliction (Hebrew, _lechem ʻŏnîy'_):** (H3899, H6040) The phrase לֶחֶם עֹנִי (_lechem ʻŏnîy_) is profoundly significant. While "affliction" (עֹנִי, _ʻŏnîy_) certainly refers to the intense suffering, oppression, and misery endured in Egypt, the root also carries connotations of poverty, humility, and even a hurried, constrained state. Thus, `matstsâh` is not merely a reminder of past suffering but also of the humble, unadorned nature of their hasty departure and the simple, yet vital, sustenance provided by God in the wilderness. It serves as a perpetual reminder of their complete dependence on God and their origins as a people delivered from deep distress.
* **Haste (Hebrew, _chippâzôwn'_):** (H2649) The Hebrew word חִפָּזוֹן (_chippâzôwn_) denotes a rapid or hurried flight, emphasizing the urgency and suddenness of the Israelites' departure from Egypt. This "haste" was not a result of panic but a divinely orchestrated, swift exit, leaving no time for the normal preparation of food, specifically the leavening of bread. This detail underscores God's powerful and decisive intervention, compelling Pharaoh to release His people so abruptly that they could not even wait for their bread dough to rise, making the `matstsâh` a physical embodiment of this pivotal moment of divine urgency.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thou shalt eat no leavened bread with it; seven days shalt thou eat unleavened bread therewith, [even] the bread of affliction;":** This opening clause establishes the core dietary command for the Feast of Unleavened Bread. It imposes an absolute prohibition on `chametz` (leavened bread) and a mandatory consumption of `matstsâh` (unleavened bread) for the entire seven-day duration of the festival. The explicit designation of `matstsâh` as "the bread of affliction" immediately links the physical act of eating to the profound historical experience of suffering and the hurried escape from Egypt, imbuing the simple food with deep symbolic and emotional meaning.
* **"for thou camest forth out of the land of Egypt in haste:":** This phrase provides the crucial theological and historical rationale for the preceding command. The "haste" (בְּחִפָּזוֹן, _b'chippâzôwn_) of the Exodus was a defining, pivotal moment in Israel's history, necessitating quick preparation and leaving no time for dough to rise. This detail ensures that the feast is not merely a ritualistic observance but a living, tangible memorial, directly connecting the present act of eating unleavened bread to the past miraculous deliverance and God's urgent call to freedom. It emphasizes the divine initiative and the suddenness of their liberation.
* **"that thou mayest remember the day when thou camest forth out of the land of Egypt all the days of thy life.":** This final clause articulates the ultimate, overarching purpose of the entire command: perpetual remembrance. The Feast of Unleavened Bread is meticulously designed to be a multi-sensory experience that deeply embeds the memory of the Exodus into the very fabric of Israelite identity. This remembrance is intended not just for the generation that directly experienced the Exodus, but for all subsequent generations, ensuring that the foundational act of God's redemption remains central to their covenant relationship with Him and their understanding of themselves as His uniquely redeemed people.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 16:3 masterfully employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound message. **Symbolism** is central, with the unleavened bread (`matstsâh`) serving as a potent symbol of both the haste and urgency of the Exodus and the purity required of a people set apart by God. The deliberate absence of leaven, often a symbol of corruption or sin in Scripture, highlights a call to spiritual purity and integrity. The phrase "bread of affliction" functions as a compelling **metaphor**, transforming a simple, humble food item into a tangible representation of Israel's past suffering, their humble origins, and the distress from which God delivered them, thereby deepening the emotional and historical connection for all participants. Furthermore, the verse utilizes **repetition** of the phrase "when thou camest forth out of the land of Egypt," emphasizing the singular importance of the Exodus event as the defining moment in Israel's history and the continuous, lifelong need for its remembrance. This repetition serves to firmly anchor the religious observance in a historical reality, ensuring its enduring significance.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 16:3 profoundly underscores the theological truth that God's redemptive acts are to be perpetually remembered, celebrated, and embodied by His people. The command to eat the "bread of affliction" ensures that Israel never forgets their humble beginnings in slavery and the extraordinary, swift deliverance wrought by God's mighty hand. This mandatory remembrance fosters deep gratitude, humility, and a strong sense of national identity rooted in divine salvation. The prohibition of leaven also carries a significant theological implication, foreshadowing the pervasive biblical motif of leaven as a symbol of sin, corruption, or false doctrine. This calls God's people to a life of purity and separation from the defilements of the world. The physical act of eating unleavened bread thus transcends mere ritual, becoming a spiritual discipline that reminds them of the immense cost of their freedom and the ongoing call to holiness and integrity in their covenant relationship with God.

* [Exodus 12:14](/exodus/12-14 "Exodus 12:14 - Perpetual Ordinance of Passover")
* [Leviticus 23:6](/leviticus/23-6 "Leviticus 23:6 - The Feast of Unleavened Bread")
* [1 Corinthians 5:7-8](/1_corinthians/5-7-8 "1 Corinthians 5:7-8 - Christ Our Passover Lamb and the Leaven of Malice")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 16:3 offers timeless and profound lessons for believers today, transcending its specific historical context. Just as ancient Israel was called to continually remember their physical deliverance from Egyptian bondage, so too are Christians called to perpetually remember and celebrate their spiritual deliverance from the bondage of sin and death through the finished work of Jesus Christ. The "bread of affliction" can serve as a powerful reminder of the humility required in acknowledging our desperate need for a Savior and the swift, decisive nature of God's grace in rescuing us. It challenges us to live lives marked by profound gratitude, not complacency, for the immense cost of our redemption. Furthermore, the rich symbolism of unleavened bread as purity serves as a potent call to examine our own lives, diligently striving to remove the "leaven" of sin, malice, hypocrisy, and pride, and to live in integrity and holiness, reflecting the new creation we have become in Christ. Our faithful remembrance of God's past faithfulness should not only fuel our present obedience but also anchor our future hope in His unfailing promises.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does remembering God's past acts of deliverance in your personal life impact your present gratitude and deepen your commitment to obedience?**
* **In what ways might "leaven"—representing sin, pride, or hypocrisy—be subtly present in your life, and what concrete steps can you take to remove it?**
* **What does it mean for you to live a life characterized by "haste" or urgency in responding to God's call and commands in today's world?**
* **How can the spiritual practice of remembrance, whether through personal reflection, communal worship, or observance of Christian ordinances, deepen your identity as one redeemed by God?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of "unleavened bread" (matzah) in this verse?**

Answer: The unleavened bread, or `matzah`, is profoundly significant for two primary reasons. First, it directly commemorates the extreme haste of the Israelites' departure from Egypt; they left so quickly that their dough had no time to rise ([Exodus 12:39](/exodus/12-39 "Exodus 12:39 - Baking Unleavened Cakes")). Eating it annually served as a tangible, sensory reminder of that pivotal, urgent moment of liberation. Second, in broader biblical symbolism, leaven often represents corruption, sin, or malice (e.g., [1 Corinthians 5:6-8](/1_corinthians/5-6-8 "1 Corinthians 5:6-8 - The Leaven of Malice and Wickedness")). Therefore, the absence of leaven during this feast also symbolized purity, humility, and a call to separation from the spiritual "leaven" of Egypt's idolatry and the world's defiling influences.

**Why is it called "the bread of affliction"?**

Answer: It is called "the bread of affliction" (לֶחֶם עֹנִי, _lechem ʻŏnîy_) to vividly recall the severe suffering, oppression, and bondage the Israelites endured during their time in Egypt. The term "affliction" encompasses their slavery, poverty, and profound distress. By eating this simple, unadorned bread, they were to remember their humble, oppressed origins and the stark contrast with their miraculous liberation. It served as a constant, humbling reminder of God's compassion for their suffering and His powerful, redemptive intervention on their behalf, fostering a deep sense of humility, gratitude, and dependence upon Him.

**How does this command relate to the Passover?**

Answer: Deuteronomy 16:3 is an integral part of the instructions for the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which immediately follows the Passover sacrifice. The Passover commemorates the night the angel of death "passed over" the homes of the Israelites marked with the blood of the lamb, sparing their firstborn ([Exodus 12:13](/exodus/12-13 "Exodus 12:13 - The Blood as a Sign")). The Feast of Unleavened Bread, which commences the very next day and lasts for seven days, extends and deepens the remembrance of the entire Exodus event, specifically focusing on the hasty departure and the subsequent journey to freedom. The two observances are intrinsically linked, forming a unified, eight-day celebration of God's complete redemption and the birth of Israel as a free nation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 16:3 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "bread of affliction," eaten in remembrance of Israel's physical deliverance from Egyptian bondage, powerfully prefigures Christ, who is the true "bread of life" ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")) and our spiritual affliction-bearer. Just as the Israelites were delivered from physical slavery, believers are delivered from the far greater bondage of sin and death through Christ's sacrificial death. He is our ultimate Passover Lamb, whose shed blood secures our eternal freedom and new life ([1 Corinthians 5:7](/1_corinthians/5-7 "1 Corinthians 5:7 - Christ Our Passover Lamb")). The command to eat unleavened bread, symbolizing purity and the removal of sin's "leaven," points directly to the new life in Christ, where believers are called to "cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump" ([1 Corinthians 5:7](/1_corinthians/5-7 "1 Corinthians 5:7 - Removing the Old Leaven")) and live in sincerity and truth. The haste of the Exodus, leaving no time for leaven, foreshadows the urgency and completeness of God's redemptive work in Christ, calling us to an immediate, unadulterated response of faith and a life lived purely for Him. Thus, the ancient feast becomes a rich tapestry of shadows, revealing the glorious substance of our salvation found in Jesus, who enables us to live a life of purity and perpetual remembrance of His magnificent deliverance.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Exodus 12:39

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.

Exodus 12:19

Seven days shall there be no leaven found in your houses: for whosoever eateth that which is leavened, even that soul shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he be a stranger, or born in the land.

Exodus 12:20

Ye shall eat nothing leavened; in all your habitations shall ye eat unleavened bread.

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.

Numbers 9:11

The fourteenth day of the second month at even they shall keep it, [and] eat it with unleavened bread and bitter [herbs].

Exodus 12:8

And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; [and] with bitter [herbs] they shall eat it.

Luke 22:19

And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake [it], and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.