Exodus 12:17

KJV

And ye shall observe [the feast of] unleavened bread; for in this selfsame day have I brought your armies out of the land of Egypt: therefore shall ye observe this day in your generations by an ordinance for ever.

KJV (with Strong's)

And ye shall observe {H8104} the feast of unleavened bread {H4682}; for in this selfsame {H6106} day {H3117} have I brought {H3318} your armies {H6635} out of the land {H776} of Egypt {H4714}: therefore shall ye observe {H8104} this day {H3117} in your generations {H1755} by an ordinance {H2708} for ever {H5769}.

Complete Jewish Bible

You are to observe the festival of matzah, for on this very day I brought your divisions out of the land of Egypt. Therefore, you are to observe this day from generation to generation by a perpetual regulation.

Berean Standard Bible

So you are to keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread, for on this very day I brought your divisions out of the land of Egypt. You must keep this day as a permanent statute for the generations to come.

American Standard Version

And ye shall observe the feast of unleavened bread; for in this selfsame day have I brought your hosts out of the land of Egypt: therefore shall ye observe this day throughout your generations by an ordinance for ever.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 12:17 issues a foundational divine command for the Israelites to perpetually observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread. This enduring ordinance serves as a solemn and joyful memorial, anchoring the nation's identity in the historical reality of God's powerful and swift deliverance of their divinely marshaled "armies" from Egyptian bondage on that very day, thereby establishing an immutable imperative for remembrance and faithful obedience across all generations.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Exodus 12:17 is strategically placed within God's meticulously detailed instructions to Moses and Aaron regarding the institution of the Passover and the subsequent Feast of Unleavened Bread, given just prior to the climactic tenth plague. The preceding verses ([Exodus 12:1-13](/exodus/12-1-13 "Institution of the Passover and the Tenth Plague")) outline the specific requirements for the Passover lamb, the application of its blood, and God's promised act of "passing over" the marked Israelite homes while executing judgment on Egypt's firstborn. Immediately following this, [Exodus 12:14-16](/exodus/12-14-16 "Instructions for the Feast of Unleavened Bread") introduces the seven-day Feast of Unleavened Bread as a direct continuation of Passover, emphasizing its perpetual nature and the sacred convocations. Verse 17 thus serves as a powerful reinforcement of this divine mandate, grounding the observance firmly in the historical immediacy and urgency of their departure. The subsequent verses ([Exodus 12:18-20](/exodus/12-18-20 "Further Regulations for Unleavened Bread")) provide further practical details concerning the strict consumption of unleavened bread and the severe consequences for non-compliance, underscoring the gravity of the command.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Exodus from Egypt stands as the seminal event in Israel's national history, transitioning them from a subjugated people to a covenant nation under God's direct leadership. The defining characteristic of this liberation was its haste; the Israelites were driven out so swiftly that their bread dough had no time to rise, leading to the consumption of unleavened bread. In the ancient Near East, leavened bread was a dietary staple, and its preparation was a daily ritual. The divine command to purge all leaven (yeast) from their homes for seven days—a common duration for significant feasts—was a radical and symbolic act. It represented a complete severance from their past life in Egypt and a purification, preparing them for their new identity as God's holy people. The concept of "perpetual ordinances" (`chuqqat olam`) was not unique to Israelite law, but here it is uniquely tied to a specific, miraculous historical event, ensuring that the memory of God's powerful intervention would be indelibly etched into the nation's annual rhythm and collective consciousness. The description of God leading them out as "armies" (or a divinely marshaled host) speaks to God's sovereign power and organization, transforming a disparate group of slaves into a disciplined, divinely-led force.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Exodus and the broader Pentateuch. Primarily, it highlights God's **sovereign power and faithfulness** as the ultimate Deliverer, demonstrating His ability to rescue His people from insurmountable oppression, as seen in the dramatic events leading up to their departure from [Egypt](/exodus/12 "The Exodus from Egypt"). Secondly, it underscores the profound importance of **remembrance and memorialization** in Israel's covenant relationship with God. The annual observance ensures that future generations will recall God's mighty acts, preventing spiritual amnesia and fostering continued faith and obedience, a theme echoed throughout [Deuteronomy](/deuteronomy/6-20-25 "Deuteronomy 6:20-25 - Teaching Future Generations"). Thirdly, the command for a "perpetual ordinance" emphasizes the **enduring nature of God's covenant** and the **necessity of obedience** as a grateful response to His grace. Finally, the symbolism of unleavened bread, while rooted in the haste of the Exodus, subtly introduces the theme of **purity and separation**, foreshadowing the broader call for holiness that permeates the Mosaic Law and the life of God's chosen people, as detailed in passages like [Leviticus 23:6-8](/leviticus/23-6-8 "The Feast of Unleavened Bread in Leviticus").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Exodus 12:17 is a direct divine imperative, establishing the perpetual nature and foundational rationale for the Feast of Unleavened Bread.

#### Key Word Analysis
* **unleavened bread (Hebrew, _matstsâh'_):** (H4682) From a root meaning "to devour for sweetness," _matstsâh_ refers to bread made without yeast, characterized by its flat, quickly baked nature. Its significance in this context is intrinsically linked to the sudden and urgent departure from Egypt, where there was no time for dough to rise. Beyond this practical origin, _matstsâh_ acquired a profound symbolic meaning, representing purity, sincerity, and the removal of corruption, as leaven (yeast) often symbolized sin or negative influence in biblical thought.
* **armies (Hebrew, _tsâbâʼ'_):** (H6635) This term, while often denoting a military force, broadly refers to a "host," "multitude," or "company," particularly when referring to a divinely ordered assembly (e.g., "the host of heaven"). Its application here to the Israelites, who were enslaved and not a conventional military, emphasizes God's sovereign power and meticulous organization. He did not lead out a disorganized rabble but a divinely marshaled, purposeful "host," transforming them from scattered slaves into an ordered assembly under His direct command and protection.
* **ordinance for ever (Hebrew, _chuqqâh'_ H2708, _ʻôwlâm'_ H5769):** This phrase, literally "a statute of eternity" or "a perpetual ordinance," combines _chuqqâh_ (an enactment, appointment, or statute) with _ʻôwlâm_ (time out of mind, eternity, always). Together, they signify that the command is not temporary or conditional but eternally binding for all generations of Israel. This underscores the enduring nature of God's covenant and the paramount importance of remembering His mighty, saving acts throughout history, embedding this foundational truth into the very fabric of Israel's identity and worship.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And ye shall observe [the feast of] unleavened bread;":** This opening clause is a direct, emphatic command from God, establishing the observance of _matstsâh_ as a non-negotiable divine requirement. It sets forth a central, annual ritual that will define a significant aspect of Israel's communal life and worship.
* **"for in this selfsame day have I brought your armies out of the land of Egypt:":** This clause provides the indispensable theological and historical rationale for the command. The observance is explicitly and inextricably linked to the precise historical moment of the Exodus. The phrase "this selfsame day" highlights the immediacy, divine precision, and undeniable reality of God's deliverance, emphasizing that the urgency of their departure directly necessitated the consumption of unleavened bread. The reference to "your armies" (or "hosts") powerfully underscores God's sovereign, organized, and mighty leading of His people.
* **"therefore shall ye observe this day in your generations by an ordinance for ever.":** This concluding clause reiterates the divine imperative and forcefully emphasizes its perpetual nature. The phrase "in your generations" ensures that the memory, meaning, and theological significance of the Exodus are faithfully transmitted and experienced across all future generations, safeguarding against forgetfulness and spiritual apathy. "By an ordinance for ever" (or _chuqqat olam_) reinforces the eternal and unchanging binding nature of this statute, making it a permanent, foundational pillar of Israel's covenantal life, worship, and national identity.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 12:17 is structured with a clear **command-reason-reiteration** pattern, a common and effective rhetorical device found in ancient Near Eastern legal and covenantal texts. The initial imperative "ye shall observe" is immediately followed by the divine justification, "for in this selfsame day have I brought your armies out of the land of Egypt," grounding the ritual in a specific, undeniable historical act of God. The verse then employs **reiteration** by repeating the command and emphasizing its perpetual nature ("therefore shall ye observe this day in your generations by an ordinance for ever"). This repetition serves to underscore the command's absolute importance, its enduring validity, and its foundational role for all future generations. Furthermore, the verse contains implicit **symbolism**, particularly concerning the unleavened bread itself, which, while practical in origin, comes to symbolize purity, haste, and a decisive break from the old life, contrasting with leaven often representing corruption or sin in broader biblical thought.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 12:17 encapsulates profound theological truths concerning God's character, the nature of humanity, and the unfolding of salvation history. It primarily reveals God as the **sovereign and mighty Deliverer**, who actively intervenes in human affairs to rescue His people from oppression. The Exodus is presented as God's decisive, historical act, demonstrating His absolute power over all earthly forces, including the formidable might of Egypt. His leading of Israel as "armies" underscores His meticulous control and organizational power, transforming a scattered multitude of slaves into a divinely ordered host. This verse also highlights the theological necessity of **remembrance and memorialization** for maintaining faith and identity; God commands an annual, tangible ritual to ensure His people never forget His saving acts, recognizing that spiritual decline often begins with forgetting past faithfulness. Moreover, the command to observe the feast is presented as a grateful **response of obedience to God's grace**. Obedience to God's ordinances is not a means to earn salvation but a faithful and thankful response to the salvation already received, with the perpetual nature of the ordinance emphasizing the enduring covenant relationship. Finally, the practical removal of leaven, while linked to haste, carries a powerful symbolic meaning of **purity and separation** from corrupting influences, foreshadowing the broader biblical theme of holiness required of God's people.

This theme of divine deliverance and the call to remember echoes throughout the biblical narrative:
* [Deuteronomy 6:20-25](/deuteronomy/6-20-25 "Deuteronomy 6:20-25 - Explaining the Exodus to Future Generations") explicitly instructs parents to teach their children the profound meaning of these feasts, directly linking them to God's "mighty hand" bringing Israel out of Egypt.
* [Psalm 78:12-16](/psalms/78-12-16 "Psalm 78:12-16 - God's Wonders in Egypt and the Wilderness") The Psalms frequently recount the Exodus as the paradigmatic act of God's salvation, celebrating His wonders and faithfulness.
* [Leviticus 23:6-8](/leviticus/23-6-8 "Leviticus 23:6-8 - The Feast of Unleavened Bread") The Feast of Unleavened Bread is further detailed and its significance reiterated, solidifying its integral place within Israel's annual sacred calendar and covenantal life.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 12:17, though deeply rooted in the historical experience of ancient Israel, offers timeless and profound lessons for believers today, inviting us to reflect on God's enduring faithfulness and our response. Just as Israel was commanded to remember their physical deliverance from the bondage of Egypt, we are called to remember our spiritual deliverance from the dominion of sin and death, accomplished through the sacrificial work of Jesus Christ. Our faith is not built upon abstract concepts but on the concrete, historical, and transformative acts of God in our lives and in the grand narrative of salvation. This verse prompts us to consider what tangible practices or consistent rhythms we employ to actively and consistently remember God's faithfulness and His saving work, ensuring that our spiritual memory remains vibrant and our gratitude fresh.

The symbolism of unleavened bread—representing the urgent departure and the removal of corruption—speaks powerfully to the urgency and purity demanded in the Christian life. Having been set free from the "leaven" of sin through Christ, we are called to actively "purge out the old leaven" of malice, wickedness, and hypocrisy from our lives, striving to live in sincerity and truth as those who have been made new. This calls for honest self-examination: Where might "leaven"—whether it be unconfessed sin, subtle hypocrisy, or lingering bitterness—still reside in the hidden corners of our hearts and habits? What intentional steps can we take to actively remove it, embracing a life of ongoing sanctification?

Finally, the divine imperative to observe this day "in your generations" serves as a poignant reminder of our solemn responsibility to faithfully transmit the story of God's saving acts to future generations. This vital task transcends mere intellectual transfer; it involves teaching, modeling, and living out our faith authentically, ensuring that the legacy of spiritual truth and the knowledge of God's redemptive work continue to flourish. This prompts us to ask: How are we intentionally sharing the transformative story of God's faithfulness and salvation with the next generation, whether within our families, our local church communities, or the broader spheres of our influence?

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What personal or communal practices help you consistently remember God's faithfulness and saving work in your life, preventing spiritual forgetfulness?**
* **Considering the symbolism of leaven as sin, where might "leaven" (e.g., malice, hypocrisy, unconfessed sin) still reside in your life, and what concrete steps can you take to purge it, living with greater sincerity and truth?**
* **How are you intentionally sharing the story of God's faithfulness and salvation with the next generation, ensuring the legacy of faith continues "in your generations"?**

### FAQ
**Why was it so important to eat unleavened bread specifically?**

Answer: The primary reason given in the text for the command to eat unleavened bread (Hebrew: _matstsâh_) is directly tied to the historical circumstances of the Exodus: the Israelites left Egypt in such haste that their dough had no time to rise before they baked it. Thus, eating unleavened bread for seven days served as a tangible, annual reminder of this hurried departure and God's swift, decisive deliverance. Beyond this practical reason, leaven (yeast) often carries symbolic meaning in the Bible, frequently representing corruption, sin, or hypocrisy. Therefore, eating unleavened bread also came to signify purity, a complete break from the "leaven" of Egypt's idolatry and moral corruption, and a commitment to a new, holy life as God's people.

**Does "your armies" mean Israel was a military force at the time of the Exodus?**

Answer: The Hebrew word _tsâbâʼ_ (H6635), translated as "armies," can indeed refer to a military force or "host." However, it also broadly encompasses a "multitude," "company," or "divinely marshaled host." At the time of the Exodus, the Israelites were a people enslaved, not an organized military. The use of "armies" here is not meant to imply their military strength but rather to emphasize God's sovereign power and meticulous organization. He led them out not as a disorganized rabble but as a divinely ordered and purposeful company, demonstrating His absolute control and might. It highlights that God transformed them from a scattered group of slaves into a disciplined body under His direct command and protection, ready to embark on their journey to the Promised Land.

**Is the Feast of Unleavened Bread still observed today?**

Answer: Yes, the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Chag HaMatzot) continues to be observed by Jewish people worldwide as an integral part of Passover. It is a central festival commemorating their liberation from slavery in Egypt and the foundational event of their national identity. While Christians do not observe the feast in the same literal, ritualistic way as ancient Israel, the New Testament reinterprets its profound spiritual significance. It is understood through the lens of Christ's sacrifice and the call to live a life free from the "leaven" of sin. For instance, [1 Corinthians 5:7-8](/1_corinthians/5-7-8 "1 Corinthians 5:7-8 - Christ our Passover Lamb") exhorts believers to "purge out the old leaven" and live with the "unleavened bread of sincerity and truth," recognizing Christ as our ultimate Passover Lamb.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 12:17, with its divine command to observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread as a perpetual ordinance, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment and spiritual reinterpretation in the New Testament. The entire context of the Passover and Unleavened Bread points forward with remarkable precision to the person and work of Jesus Christ. Paul explicitly declares in [1 Corinthians 5:7](/1_corinthians/5-7 "1 Corinthians 5:7 - Christ Our Passover Lamb"), "For Christ our passover is sacrificed for us." Just as the blood of the Passover lamb secured deliverance from physical death for Israel, Jesus's sacrificial death on the cross, as the perfect and spotless Lamb of God, secures eternal deliverance from the bondage of sin and death for all who believe. The haste of the Exodus, commemorated by the unleavened bread, foreshadows the urgency and finality of Christ's redemptive work, accomplished once for all. Furthermore, the command to remove all leaven from the household for seven days takes on a deeper spiritual meaning in the New Covenant. Leaven, frequently symbolizing sin, malice, or hypocrisy in biblical teaching (e.g., [Luke 12:1](/luke/12-1 "Luke 12:1 - Beware the Leaven of the Pharisees")), is to be thoroughly purged from the believer's life. Paul powerfully exhorts believers in [1 Corinthians 5:8](/1_corinthians/5-8 "1 Corinthians 5:8 - Live with Sincerity and Truth"), "Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth." This transforms the physical observance into a spiritual reality: believers are called to live a life of ongoing sanctification, continually purging sin and embracing purity because they have been made new creations in Christ. Finally, while ancient Israel was commanded to remember their physical deliverance through the Feast of Unleavened Bread, Christians are called to remember their spiritual deliverance through the Lord's Supper, or Communion. This new ordinance, instituted by Jesus Himself on the night of His betrayal, commemorates His body broken and blood shed, fulfilling the Passover and inaugurating the New Covenant (as recorded in [Matthew 26:26-28](/matthew/26-26-28 "Matthew 26:26-28 - Institution of the Lord's Supper") and [1 Corinthians 11:23-26](/1_corinthians/11-23-26 "1 Corinthians 11:23-26 - Paul's Account of the Lord's Supper")). Just as the Exodus was the foundational event for Israel's identity, the death and resurrection of Jesus are the foundational events for the Church, to be remembered and proclaimed "in your generations" until He returns in glory.

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 13:8

And thou shalt shew thy son in that day, saying, [This is done] because of that [which] the LORD did unto me when I came forth out of Egypt.

Exodus 13:3

And Moses said unto the people, Remember this day, in which ye came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the LORD brought you out from this [place]: there shall no leavened bread be eaten.

Exodus 7:5

And the Egyptians shall know that I [am] the LORD, when I stretch forth mine hand upon Egypt, and bring out the children of Israel from among them.

Exodus 12:41

And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years, even the selfsame day it came to pass, that all the hosts of the LORD went out from the land of Egypt.

Numbers 20:16

And when we cried unto the LORD, he heard our voice, and sent an angel, and hath brought us forth out of Egypt: and, behold, we [are] in Kadesh, a city in the uttermost of thy border: