Deuteronomy 16:4

KJV

And there shall be no leavened bread seen with thee in all thy coast seven days; neither shall there [any thing] of the flesh, which thou sacrificedst the first day at even, remain all night until the morning.

KJV (with Strong's)

And there shall be no leavened bread {H7603} seen {H7200} with thee in all thy coast {H1366} seven {H7651} days {H3117}; neither shall there any thing of the flesh {H1320}, which thou sacrificedst {H2076} the first {H7223} day {H3117} at even {H6153}, remain {H3885} all night until the morning {H1242}.

Complete Jewish Bible

No leaven is to be seen with you anywhere in your territory for seven days. None of the meat from your sacrifice on the first day in the evening is to remain all night until morning.

Berean Standard Bible

No leaven is to be found in all your land for seven days, and none of the meat you sacrifice in the evening of the first day shall remain until morning.

American Standard Version

And there shall be no leaven seen with thee in all thy borders seven days; neither shall any of the flesh, which thou sacrificest the first day at even, remain all night until the morning.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 16:4 lays down two critical, non-negotiable regulations for the observance of the Passover and the subsequent Feast of Unleavened Bread. It strictly prohibits the presence of any leavened bread within Israelite territory for the entire seven-day duration of the feast and commands that no portion of the sacrificial Passover lamb, offered on the first evening, should remain until the following morning. These precise instructions underscore the urgency of God's deliverance from Egypt, the call for Israel's complete obedience, and the necessity of spiritual purification.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 16:4 is situated within a broader section of Deuteronomic law (Deuteronomy 16:1-17) that meticulously details the three annual pilgrim festivals: Passover/Unleavened Bread, Weeks (Pentecost), and Tabernacles (Booths). All Israelite males were mandated to observe these feasts at "the place which the Lord shall choose" for His name to dwell ([Deuteronomy 16:2](/deuteronomy/16-2 "Deuteronomy 16:2 - The Chosen Place for Sacrifice")). The immediate literary context, specifically [Deuteronomy 16:1-8](/deuteronomy/16-1-8 "Deuteronomy 16:1-8 - Instructions for Passover and Unleavened Bread"), focuses exclusively on the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. This verse, therefore, functions as a crucial, detailed command within this legal framework, ensuring the proper and reverent commemoration of Israel's foundational act of redemption. It reinforces and elaborates upon the divine commands initially given in [Exodus 12](/exodus/12 "Exodus 12 - The First Passover"), emphasizing the comprehensive and urgent nature of these divine expectations through the seven-day prohibition of leaven and the complete consumption of the lamb.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The commands in Deuteronomy 16:4 are deeply rooted in the historical reality of the Exodus from Egypt. The hurried departure of the Israelites, which left no time for their bread dough to rise, is explicitly recalled in [Exodus 12:39](/exodus/12-39 "Exodus 12:39 - The Hasty Departure from Egypt"). The prohibition of leaven (fermented dough) for seven days was a powerful symbol of a radical break from the "old life" of slavery and the purging of corrupting influences, as leaven often represented decay, pride, or sin in ancient thought. Culturally, the complete consumption of the sacrificial animal by morning was a common practice in the ancient Near East for sacred meals. This practice served multiple purposes: it prevented spoilage in a warm climate, discouraged any pagan practices of leaving offerings overnight for spirits or idols, and emphasized the sacred nature of the meal, intended for immediate communal consumption, not for hoarding or future use. It underscored the immediacy of God's provision and the people's complete reliance on Him.
* **Key Themes:** This verse significantly contributes to several pervasive themes found throughout Deuteronomy and the broader Pentateuch. The stringent requirements for the complete removal of leaven and the full consumption of the Passover lamb underscore the theme of **Purity and Holiness**. These rituals symbolize the purging of sin and corruption from the community and the individual, and their consecration to God. This ritual cleansing was essential for a people called to be holy, just as God is holy ([Leviticus 11:44](/leviticus/11-44 "Leviticus 11:44 - Be Holy, For I Am Holy")). The detailed and strict commands reinforce the theme of **Obedience and Remembrance**, ensuring that Israel would faithfully recall and reenact the events of the Exodus, fostering a deep sense of gratitude and dependence on God for their liberation. Furthermore, the urgency conveyed by the swift departure from Egypt and the command not to leave any sacrificial flesh until morning highlights the theme of **Urgency and Completeness** in responding to God's deliverance and obeying His commands without delay or reservation. This immediate and full response was a testament to the totality of God's saving act.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Leavened bread (Hebrew, _sᵉʼôr'_):** From H7603, meaning "barm or yeast-cake (as swelling by fermentation); leaven." This term refers to any bread or dough that has undergone fermentation and risen. In the context of Passover, _sᵉʼôr_ became a powerful symbol of corruption, decay, or sin. Its complete removal was a physical act signifying spiritual cleansing and a radical break from the "old" life, particularly the bondage of Egypt. The strictness of the prohibition (nothing "seen with thee in all thy coast") emphasized the thoroughness required for this purification, extending beyond mere consumption to any visible presence.
* **Flesh (Hebrew, _bâsâr'_):** From H1320, meaning "flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person." This term specifically refers to the roasted lamb sacrificed for the Passover meal. The command for its complete consumption by morning underscores the sacredness and immediacy of the Passover sacrifice. It was not merely a meal but a ritual act of remembrance and communion, requiring full participation and preventing any part from being treated as common or left to spoil, which could lead to defilement.
* **Morning (Hebrew, _bôqer'_):** From H1242, meaning "dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning." This word emphasizes the strict time limit for consuming the sacrificial flesh. The command that nothing should remain "until the morning" highlights the urgency of the original Exodus event, where the Israelites ate in haste, ready for immediate departure. It also served practical purposes by preventing spoilage in a warm climate and discouraging any superstitious practices of leaving offerings out overnight.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And there shall be no leavened bread seen with thee in all thy coast seven days":** This clause issues a sweeping prohibition against the presence of _sᵉʼôr_ (leaven) throughout the entire territory of Israel for the duration of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. The phrase "seen with thee" implies not just consumption but even possession or visual presence, demanding a thorough purging from homes and properties. The "seven days" signify a complete period of dedication and purification, reflecting the divine command for a full week of separation from leaven, reinforcing the spiritual significance of the feast as a time of cleansing and remembrance.
* **"neither shall there [any thing] of the flesh, which thou sacrificedst the first day at even, remain all night until the morning":** This second prohibition specifies that the Passover lamb, sacrificed on the evening of the first day, must be entirely consumed before the morning. This command emphasizes the urgency of the original Exodus event, where the Israelites ate the lamb in haste, ready to depart. It also prevents the meat from spoiling in the warm climate and guards against any superstitious practices of leaving offerings out overnight. The complete consumption signifies a total participation in the covenant meal and a full acceptance of God's provision and deliverance, leaving no "remains" of the old life or the past.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 16:4 employs several significant literary devices that amplify its meaning and impact. **Symbolism** is paramount, with "leavened bread" serving as a potent symbol for sin, corruption, or the "old self" that must be purged, while "unleavened bread" symbolizes purity, humility, and the new life of faith. The "flesh" of the Passover lamb is also deeply symbolic, representing God's provision, the atoning sacrifice, and the communal meal that binds the people to God and to one another in covenant. The **Command/Prohibition** structure of the verse is a direct legal and theological instruction, characteristic of Deuteronomic law, emphasizing the absolute authority of God's word and the non-negotiable nature of His covenant demands. The precise and detailed nature of these commands, repeated across the Pentateuch, also functions as a form of **Emphasis**, ensuring the people understand the critical importance of these rituals for their national and spiritual identity and their relationship with Yahweh.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 16:4, though a specific ritual command, carries profound theological implications that resonate throughout biblical theology. The strict prohibition against leaven and the command for complete consumption of the Passover lamb underscore God's demand for holiness and purity from His people. Leaven, often associated with corruption and sin, highlights the need for a thorough spiritual cleansing, not just outwardly but inwardly, from anything that defiles or puffs up. The urgency of consuming the lamb speaks to the immediacy of God's redemptive work and the call for an unreserved response from humanity. These ancient commands foreshadow a greater spiritual reality, pointing to the ultimate purification and perfect sacrifice needed for humanity's redemption and the complete embrace of God's saving grace.

* [Exodus 12:8-10](/exodus/12-8-10 "Exodus 12:8-10 - Instructions for Eating the Passover Lamb")
* [1 Corinthians 5:7-8](/1_corinthians/5-7-8 "1 Corinthians 5:7-8 - Christ Our Passover Lamb and the New Leaven")
* [Galatians 5:9](/galatians/5-9 "Galatians 5:9 - A Little Leaven Leavens the Whole Lump")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 16:4 calls us to a profound spiritual introspection and practical application in our lives today. The command to remove all leaven serves as a powerful metaphor for the necessity of spiritual cleansing. Just as a small amount of leaven can affect an entire batch of dough, so too can a seemingly small sin, a subtle pride, or a corrupting influence permeate and defile our character, our relationships, or even our communities. This calls us to actively and diligently purge from our lives anything that is contrary to God's holiness—malice, hypocrisy, false teachings, or any form of spiritual "puffing up." Furthermore, the instruction to consume the sacrificial lamb completely and without delay reminds us of the urgency and totality of our response to God's redemptive acts. We are called to fully embrace and internalize the profound truths of our salvation in Christ, not holding back or delaying our obedience. This means living a life of continuous remembrance of Christ's sacrifice, allowing it to transform every aspect of our being, and responding with immediate and wholehearted devotion to His call, leaving no "remains" of our old self.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "leaven" (such as pride, malice, or unconfessed sin) might I need to diligently purge from my own life or community today?**
* **How does the command to completely consume the Passover lamb challenge my tendency to "hoard" or delay my full devotion and surrender to God?**
* **In what practical ways can I more actively and urgently remember and live out the reality of God's deliverance and Christ's sacrifice in my daily life?**

### FAQ
**Why is leaven so strictly forbidden during the Feast of Unleavened Bread?**

Answer: The strict prohibition against leaven during the Feast of Unleavened Bread is multifaceted, encompassing both historical remembrance and profound symbolic meaning. Historically, it commemorates the Israelites' hasty departure from Egypt, where they had no time for their bread to rise, forcing them to eat unleavened bread ([Exodus 12:39](/exodus/12-39 "Exodus 12:39 - The Hasty Departure from Egypt")). Symbolically, leaven (or yeast) in ancient cultures was often associated with fermentation, decay, and corruption. In biblical contexts, it frequently represents sin, malice, hypocrisy, or false doctrine (e.g., [1 Corinthians 5:6-8](/1_corinthians/5-6-8 "1 Corinthians 5:6-8 - Purge Out the Old Leaven"); [Matthew 16:6](/matthew/16-6 "Matthew 16:6 - Beware of the Leaven of the Pharisees")). Therefore, the command to remove all leaven for seven days signifies a complete purging of sin and impurity, a call for holiness, and a radical break from the "old life" of bondage to sin, embracing a new life of purity and obedience to God. It was a physical act with deep spiritual significance for the entire community of Israel.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 16:4, with its meticulous commands concerning the purging of leaven and the complete consumption of the Passover lamb, finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The strict removal of "leavened bread," which symbolizes sin and corruption, points directly to Christ, who is our perfect and sinless [Passover Lamb](/1_corinthians/5-7 "1 Corinthians 5:7 - Christ Our Passover"). He became the pure, unblemished sacrifice, taking away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). Just as no leaven was to be found in Israelite homes, so in Christ, there is no sin; He is the embodiment of perfect holiness, enabling us to be cleansed and made holy through His shed blood ([Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Christ's Perfect Sacrifice")). Furthermore, the command to consume the sacrificial flesh entirely, leaving nothing until morning, foreshadows our complete reliance and participation in Christ's finished work. We are called to "eat His flesh and drink His blood" not literally, but spiritually, by fully embracing His sacrifice and incorporating His life into our very being through faith ([John 6:53-56](/john/6-53-56 "John 6:53-56 - Eating Christ's Flesh and Drinking His Blood")). This spiritual consumption signifies a total identification with Christ's death and resurrection, leaving no part of our salvation to our own efforts or "remains" of our old sinful nature. Thus, Deuteronomy 16:4 is a powerful shadow, revealing the profound truth of Christ's perfect sacrifice and our call to live a life of purity and complete devotion in Him.

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 34:25

Thou shalt not offer the blood of my sacrifice with leaven; neither shall the sacrifice of the feast of the passover be left unto the morning.

Exodus 12:10

And ye shall let nothing of it remain until the morning; and that which remaineth of it until the morning ye shall burn with fire.

Exodus 13:7

Unleavened bread shall be eaten seven days; and there shall no leavened bread be seen with thee, neither shall there be leaven seen with thee in all thy quarters.

Exodus 12:15

Seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread; even the first day ye shall put away leaven out of your houses: for whosoever eateth leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that soul shall be cut off from Israel.

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.