Exodus 12:18

KJV

In the first [month], on the fourteenth day of the month at even, ye shall eat unleavened bread, until the one and twentieth day of the month at even.

KJV (with Strong's)

In the first {H7223} month, on the fourteenth {H6240}{H702} day {H3117} of the month {H2320} at even {H6153}, ye shall eat {H398} unleavened bread {H4682}, until the one {H259} and twentieth {H6242} day {H3117} of the month {H2320} at even {H6153}.

Complete Jewish Bible

From the evening of the fourteenth day of the first month until the evening of the twenty-first day, you are to eat matzah.

Berean Standard Bible

In the first month you are to eat unleavened bread, from the evening of the fourteenth day until the evening of the twenty-first day.

American Standard Version

In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at even, ye shall eat unleavened bread, until the one and twentieth day of the month at even.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 12:18 meticulously establishes the precise duration for the observance of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, an essential component of the Passover celebration. This divine command mandates that the Israelites consume unleavened bread for seven consecutive days, commencing from the evening of the fourteenth day and concluding on the evening of the twenty-first day of the first month. This perpetual ordinance served not only as a tangible memorial of Israel's swift and divinely orchestrated exodus from Egyptian bondage but also as a profound spiritual discipline, calling the newly liberated nation to a life of purity, separation from sin, and consecrated living before God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Exodus 12:18 is situated within God's foundational instructions to Moses and Aaron regarding the institution of the Passover and the subsequent Feast of Unleavened Bread, given just prior to the tenth and final plague upon Egypt. The preceding verses, specifically [Exodus 12:1-13](/exodus/12-1 "Instructions for the Passover Lamb"), detail the selection, sacrifice, and application of the Passover lamb's blood, which would ensure the sparing of Israelite firstborns. Following this, [Exodus 12:14-17](/exodus/12-14 "Institution of the Feast of Unleavened Bread") formally introduces the Feast of Unleavened Bread as a permanent ordinance, a memorial for all future generations. Our verse, [Exodus 12:18](/exodus/12-18 "Command for the Feast of Unleavened Bread"), then provides the exact calendrical parameters for this seven-day observance, emphasizing its immediate and lasting significance. The broader narrative of [Exodus 12](/exodus/12 "The Passover and Exodus") culminates in the actual departure from Egypt, underscoring the urgency and divine precision of these commands.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The command to eat unleavened bread for seven days is deeply rooted in the historical reality of Israel's hasty departure from Egypt. The Israelites left in such urgency that their dough had no time to ferment and rise, as explicitly stated in [Exodus 12:39](/exodus/12-39 "Israel's hasty departure from Egypt"). This historical event was to be perpetually re-enacted through the consumption of *matzah*, ensuring a constant, tactile reminder of God's swift and powerful deliverance. Culturally, the designation of "the first month" (Abib, later Nisan) as the starting point for this observance was revolutionary. It marked a new beginning for Israel, shifting their national and religious calendar to commemorate their liberation as the foundational event of their identity, rather than solely following agricultural cycles. Furthermore, leaven in ancient Near Eastern thought, and particularly in biblical symbolism, often represented corruption, decay, or impurity due to its fermenting action. The meticulous removal of leaven, therefore, signified a period of spiritual cleansing, a putting away of the old life of slavery and idolatry in Egypt, pointing towards a new, pure beginning in covenant with God.

* **Key Themes:** Exodus 12:18 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Exodus and the Pentateuch. It powerfully illustrates God's **sovereignty and meticulous provision**, as He not only delivers His people but also provides detailed instructions for their worship and communal life. The verse underscores the theme of **remembrance and memorial**, ensuring that the foundational event of the Exodus would be perpetually recalled through ritual observance, linking past deliverance to future generations. Furthermore, the command to eat unleavened bread for seven days highlights the theme of **holiness and purity**, emphasizing God's call for His covenant people to be set apart from the defilements of the surrounding nations and from the "leaven" of sin. This theme is echoed throughout the Mosaic Law, such as in the dietary laws of [Leviticus 11](/leviticus/11 "Clean and Unclean Animals") and the broader call to be holy as God is holy, found in [Leviticus 19:2](/leviticus/19-2 "Be Holy, for I am Holy"). The establishment of a new calendar also signifies the theme of **new beginnings** and the birth of Israel as a distinct nation under God's covenant.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Exodus 12:18 is a precise legal and cultic stipulation that anchors the Feast of Unleavened Bread within Israel's sacred calendar, immediately following the Passover. It defines the temporal boundaries and the central dietary requirement of this critical observance.

#### Key Word Analysis
* **unleavened bread (Hebrew, _matstsâh'_ H4682):** 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. This term is central to the feast, representing both the haste of the Exodus (no time for dough to rise) and the spiritual purity demanded by God, symbolizing the removal of "leaven" (sin or corruption) from their lives.
* **month (Hebrew, _chôdesh'_ H2320):** From חָדַשׁ; the new moon; by implication, a month; month(-ly), new moon. This word refers to the lunar month, which God explicitly re-designated as the "first month" for Israel, signifying a new beginning and a new calendar centered on their liberation. The observance of the new moon was a significant marker in ancient Israelite life.
* **at even (Hebrew, _ʻereb'_ H6153):** From עָרַב; dusk; [phrase] day, even(-ing, tide), night. This precise temporal marker is crucial for understanding the Hebrew reckoning of days, which began at sunset. Thus, the feast commenced at the beginning of the 14th day (after sunset) and concluded at the end of the 21st day (at sunset), ensuring a full seven-day period.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"In the first [month], on the fourteenth day of the month at even,"**: This clause meticulously sets the commencement of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. The "first month" (Abib/Nisan) signifies a divinely ordained new beginning for the liberated nation, marking their spiritual and national rebirth. The phrase "at even" (sunset) indicates the start of the new day in the Hebrew calendar, emphasizing the immediate transition from the Passover sacrifice to the week-long observance.
* **"ye shall eat unleavened bread,"**: This is the core command, specifying the mandatory dietary practice for the duration of the feast. The consumption of *matzah* was not merely a dietary restriction but a profound symbolic act, embedding the memory of the Exodus and the call to spiritual purity into the daily lives of the Israelites. It served as a constant, tangible reminder of their hasty departure and God's swift deliverance.
* **"until the one and twentieth day of the month at even."**: This clause defines the exact duration of the feast, a full seven days. The seven-day period emphasizes completeness, thoroughness, and sustained remembrance, ensuring that the lessons of the Exodus and the call to purity were deeply ingrained and continually reinforced throughout the entire week. It signifies a comprehensive period of separation and dedication.

#### Literary Devices
The language of Exodus 12:18 is characterized by **Precision** and **Legal Formulation**, typical of cultic instructions in the Pentateuch. The meticulous detailing of dates and times underscores the divine authority behind the command and the importance of exact adherence. The contrast between leavened and unleavened bread serves as a powerful and enduring **Symbolism**, where the physical absence of leaven represents spiritual purity and the putting away of corruption or sin. This symbolic action transforms a simple dietary requirement into a profound theological statement about Israel's identity and their relationship with a holy God. The repetition of "at even" also serves as a **Literary Marker**, emphasizing the precise beginning and end points of the sacred observance.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 12:18 encapsulates several profound theological truths that extend beyond its immediate historical context. It vividly portrays God's meticulous care for His covenant people, providing not only miraculous deliverance but also precise instructions for their spiritual formation and communal identity. This verse underscores God's absolute sovereignty over time and history, as He redefines Israel's calendar around His saving acts, establishing the Exodus as the pivotal event of their national existence. The command to eat unleavened bread for seven days also profoundly emphasizes God's unwavering demand for holiness and purity from His people. This sustained act of consuming unleavened bread signifies a deliberate separation from the defilements of their past in Egypt and a commitment to a new, consecrated life in covenant with the Holy One of Israel. This feast is thus foundational to Israel's identity, perpetually linking them to the Exodus as the defining moment of their birth as a nation, demonstrating God's faithfulness in deliverance and His enduring commitment to His covenant.

This theme of remembrance, purity, and new life connects deeply with the broader biblical narrative:
* [Exodus 12:39](/exodus/12-39 "Israel's Hasty Departure") further explains the historical necessity for unleavened bread, emphasizing the urgency and divine orchestration of Israel's departure from Egypt.
* [Deuteronomy 16:3](/deuteronomy/16-3 "Bread of Affliction") reiterates the perpetual nature of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, referring to it as "the bread of affliction," ensuring that future generations would remember both the hardships endured and the miraculous liberation.
* [1 Corinthians 5:7-8](/1_corinthians/5-7 "Purge Out the Old Leaven") provides a powerful New Testament reinterpretation, where the symbolism of leaven as sin is applied to the Christian life, exhorting believers to "purge out the old leaven" of malice and wickedness, living instead with "the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the literal observance of eating unleavened bread is specific to the Jewish Passover and its historical context, the spiritual principles embedded in Exodus 12:18 remain profoundly relevant and transformative for believers today. Just as ancient Israel was called to perpetually remember God's mighty act of deliverance from Egyptian bondage, we are called to remember and celebrate God's saving acts in our own lives, most supremely the ultimate deliverance from the bondage of sin through the sacrificial work of Jesus Christ. The powerful symbolism of removing leaven from the household encourages us to diligently examine our hearts and lives, actively putting away "the old leaven" of sin, malice, hypocrisy, and anything that contaminates our walk with God. This calls us to a continuous pursuit of spiritual purity and sincerity in our thoughts, words, and deeds. Furthermore, this verse reminds us to live with a sense of readiness and urgency in our faith, always prepared to follow God's call and purposes, decisively leaving behind the "Egypt" of our former lives and embracing the new life in Christ with wholehearted devotion.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "leaven" (e.g., specific sins, old habits, negative attitudes, ungodly influences) do I need to diligently examine and actively remove from my life to live in greater purity and sincerity before God?**
* **How can I more intentionally remember and celebrate God's past acts of deliverance and faithfulness in my own life, fostering a deeper sense of gratitude, trust, and dependence on His ongoing provision?**
* **In what specific ways does the call to "unleavened living" challenge my complacency or encourage a greater sense of urgency and decisiveness in my spiritual walk and obedience to God's will?**

### FAQ
**Why seven days for unleavened bread?**

Answer: The duration of seven days for the Feast of Unleavened Bread is highly symbolic. In biblical numerology, the number seven often represents completeness, perfection, or divine fullness. Therefore, the seven days signify a complete, thorough, and sustained period of remembrance and spiritual cleansing. It was not merely a fleeting moment or a single meal, but a week-long immersion in the profound symbolism of the Exodus and the call to purity. This extended period ensured that the lessons of God's swift deliverance and the imperative for a holy, set-apart life were deeply ingrained in the national consciousness and individual practices of the Israelites, fostering a comprehensive commitment to their covenant with God.

**Is this command still relevant for Christians today?**

Answer: While Christians are not under the ceremonial law to literally observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread, its spiritual principles are profoundly relevant and find their fulfillment in Christ. The New Testament reinterprets these Old Testament shadows in light of the person and work of Jesus. As the Apostle Paul teaches in [1 Corinthians 5:7-8](/1_corinthians/5-7 "Purge out the old leaven"), "Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed." Therefore, believers are called to live a life free from the "leaven of malice and evil" and instead live with "the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth." The physical observance of removing leaven points to a spiritual reality for Christians: a continuous call to live a life set apart for God, free from the defilement of sin and characterized by genuine holiness and integrity, reflecting the purity of Christ.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The Feast of Unleavened Bread, as commanded in [Exodus 12:18](/exodus/12-18 "Command for the Feast of Unleavened Bread"), finds its ultimate fulfillment and profound reinterpretation in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The Passover lamb, whose blood brought deliverance from the angel of death, is explicitly identified by John the Baptist as Jesus, "the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). Just as the Israelites were delivered from physical slavery in Egypt through the blood of the lamb, believers are delivered from the spiritual slavery of sin and death through the precious, atoning blood of Christ ([1 Peter 1:18-19](/1_peter/1-18 "1 Peter 1:18-19 - Redemption through Christ's blood")). The unleavened bread itself, symbolizing purity and the absence of corruption, points directly to Christ's sinless life and perfect sacrifice. He is the true "bread of life" who came down from heaven, offering spiritual sustenance for eternal life to all who believe ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus the Bread of Life")). The Apostle Paul makes this connection explicit, urging believers to "cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth" ([1 Corinthians 5:7-8](/1_corinthians/5-7 "1 Corinthians 5:7-8 - Purge out the old leaven")). This means that the Christian life, inaugurated by the "Passover" of Christ's sacrifice, is to be characterized by the "unleavened bread of sincerity and truth," free from the "leaven of malice and evil." The haste of the Exodus, which necessitated unleavened bread, also powerfully foreshadows the urgency of salvation and the decisive break from the old life of sin to embrace the new, resurrected life in Christ ([Romans 6:4](/romans/6-4 "Romans 6:4 - Newness of Life")). Thus, [Exodus 12:18](/exodus/12-18 "Command for the Feast of Unleavened Bread") transcends a mere literal dietary command, transforming into a perpetual spiritual call for believers to live lives of holiness, sincerity, and truth, reflecting the purity and saving power of their Savior, Jesus Christ.

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

Leviticus 23:5

In the fourteenth [day] of the first month at even [is] the LORD'S passover.

Leviticus 23:8

But ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD seven days: in the seventh day [is] an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work [therein].

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 12:1

¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying,

Exodus 12:2

This month [shall be] unto you the beginning of months: it [shall be] the first month of the year to you.

Numbers 28:16

¶ And in the fourteenth day of the first month [is] the passover of the LORD.

Numbers 28:25

And on the seventh day ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work.