TRV
See on the biblical-era map
Study This Verse
Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Exodus 13:1–10. His three-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
Care is here taken to perpetuate the remembrance,
I.Of the preservation of Israel's firstborn, when the firstborn of the Egyptians were slain.
In memory of that distinguishing favour, and in gratitude for it, the firstborn, in all ages, were to be consecrated to God, as his peculiars (Exo 13:2), and to be redeemed, Exo 13:13. God, who by the right of creation is proprietor and sovereign of all the creatures, here lays claim in particular to the firstborn of the Israelites, by right of protection: Sanctify to me all the firstborn. The parents were not to look upon themselves as interested in their firstborn, till they had first solemnly presented them to God, recognized his title to them, and received them back, at a certain rate, from him again. Note,
1.That which is by special distinguishing mercy spared to us should be in a peculiar manner dedicated to God's honour; at least some grateful acknowledgment, in works of piety and charity, should be made, when our lives, or the lives of our children, have been given us for a prey.
2.God, who is the first and best, should have the first and best, and to him we should resign that which is most dear to us, and most valuable. The firstborn were the joy and hope of their families. Therefore they shall be mine, says God. By this is will appear that we love God best (as we ought) if we are willing to part with that to him which we love best in this world.
3.It is the church of the firstborn that is sanctified to God, Heb 12:23. Christ it the firstborn among many brethren (Rom 8:29), and, by virtue of their union with him, all that are born again, and born from above, are accounted as firstborn. There is an excellency of dignity and power belonging to them; and, if children, then heirs.
II.The remembrance of their coming out of Egypt must also be perpetuated:
"Remember this day, Exo 13:3. Remember it by a good token, as the most remarkable day of your lives, the birthday of your nation, or the day of its coming of age, to be no longer under the rod." Thus the day of Christ's resurrection is to be remembered, for in it we were raised up with Christ out of death's house of bondage. The scripture tells us not expressly what day of the year Christ rose (as Moses told the Israelites what day of the year they were brought out of Egypt, that they might remember it yearly), but very particularly what day of the week it was, plainly intimating that, as the more valuable deliverance, and of greater importance, it should be remembered weekly. Remember it, for by strength of hand the Lord brought you out. Note, The more of God and his power appears in any deliverance, the more memorable it is. Now, that it might be remembered,
1.They must be sure to keep the feast of unleavened bread, Exo 13:5-7. It was not enough that they remembered it, but they must celebrate the memorial of it in that way which God had appointed, and use the instituted means of preserving the remembrance of it. So, under the gospel, we must not only remember Christ, but do this in remembrance of him. Observe, How strict the prohibition of leaven is (Exo 13:7); not only no leaven must be eaten, but none must be seen, no, not in all their quarters. Accordingly, the Jews' usage was, before the feast of the passover, to cast all the leavened bread out of their houses: they burnt it, or buried it, or broke it small and scattered it in the wind; they searched diligently with lighted candles in all the corners of their houses, lest any leaven should remain. The care and strictness enjoined in this matter were designed, (1.) To make the feast the more solemn, and consequently the more taken notice of by their children, who would ask, "Why is so much ado made?" (2.) To teach us how solicitous we should be to put away from us all sin, Co1 5:7.
2.They must instruct their children in the meaning of it, and relate to them the story of their deliverance out of Egypt, Exo 13:8. Note,
(1.)Care must be taken betimes to instruct children in the knowledge of God. Here is an ancient law for catechising.
(2.)It is particularly of great use to acquaint children betimes with the stories of the scripture, and to make them familiar to them.
(3.)It is a debt we owe to the honour of God, and to the benefit of our children's souls, to tell them of the great works God has done for his church, both those which we have seen with our eyes done in our day and which we have heard with our ears and our fathers have told us: Thou shalt show thy son in that day (the day of the feast) these things. When they were celebrating the ordinance, they must explain it. Every thing is beautiful in its season. The passover is appointed for a sign, and for a memorial, that the Lord's law may be in thy mouth. Note, We must retain the remembrance of God's works, that we may remain under the influence of God's law. And those that have God's law in their heart should have it in their mouth, and be often speaking of it, the more to affect themselves and to instruct others.
Continue studying Exodus 13:6 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.
Read & Compare
BibleGatewayThis verse in more than 200 translations and 70 languages.
Bible.comThe YouVersion reader — hundreds of translations, reading plans, and highlights.
ESV.orgCrossway's official English Standard Version reader.
NET BibleThe NET translation with 60,000+ translators' notes on every rendering decision.
STEP BibleTyndale House's free study tool — original text, vocabulary, and scholarly resources.
BibliaLogos Bible Software's free web reader.
USCCBThe New American Bible (Revised Edition) with the U.S. bishops' study notes.
Commentaries
BibleHub CommentariesDozens of classic commentaries on this verse, gathered on one page.
StudyLightMore than 100 commentary sets — the largest collection on the web.
BibleRefPlain-English commentary on what this verse means, verse by verse.
Enduring WordDavid Guzik's free commentary on this chapter, widely used by Bible teachers.
Bible Study ToolsVerse commentary alongside Greek and Hebrew study aids.
Original Language & Research
- BibleHub InterlinearThe verse word by word — original language, transliteration, and English.
- BibleHub LexiconEvery word's original-language definition and Strong's entry.
Blue Letter BibleDeep-study tools — Strong's numbers, concordance, and word studies.
SefariaThe Hebrew text with Rashi and centuries of Jewish commentary.
Sermons, Hymns & Audio
TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.
Summary
Exodus 13:6 precisely defines the duration of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, mandating seven days of consuming unleavened bread, and consecrates the seventh day as a solemn feast to the LORD. This command reinforces the perpetual remembrance of Israel's swift, divinely orchestrated liberation from Egyptian bondage, embedding the Exodus narrative into the annual liturgical calendar of the nation.
Context
Literary Context
This verse is an integral part of God's initial instructions to Moses and the Israelites immediately following the miraculous tenth plague and their dramatic exodus from Egypt. The preceding verses, particularly Exodus 13:3, establish the foundational command to remember the day of their departure through the observance of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Exodus 13:5 sets the future context for this observance, linking it to their entry into the Promised Land, a land "flowing with milk and honey." Following this verse, Exodus 13:7 further emphasizes the strictness of the prohibition against leaven, underscoring the purity and separation required throughout the seven-day period. The entire passage in Exodus 13 serves as a divine mandate for perpetual remembrance of God's redemptive act.
Historical & Cultural Context
The Feast of Unleavened Bread (Chag HaMatzot) was intimately connected to the Passover (Pesach), commemorating Israel's hurried departure from Egyptian bondage, where they had no time for their bread dough to rise (Exodus 12:34). This lack of leaven became a tangible and enduring symbol of their sudden, divinely empowered liberation. For ancient Israel, this annual observance was far more than a mere historical recollection; it was a foundational act of worship that continually shaped their identity as a people redeemed by Yahweh. Feasts in the ancient Near East were crucial for fostering community cohesion, transmitting religious instruction across generations, and demonstrating allegiance to a specific deity, often involving pilgrimage, communal meals, and specific sacrificial rites. The seven-day duration was significant, providing ample time for the entire community to participate and internalize the lessons of their deliverance.
Key Themes
Exodus 13:6 contributes significantly to several major theological and narrative themes woven throughout the book of Exodus and the broader Pentateuch. Firstly, it underscores the theme of Divine Deliverance and Redemption, highlighting God's mighty hand in rescuing Israel from slavery, an act that forms the bedrock of their national identity and covenant relationship. Secondly, the command to eat unleavened bread emphasizes Purity and Separation, as leaven often symbolizes corruption or sin in biblical thought, signifying a call for Israel to be a holy people set apart for the Lord, free from the "leaven" of their former pagan influences and the spiritual defilement of Egypt. This theme is echoed in later Mosaic law, such as the dietary restrictions in Leviticus 11, which also served to distinguish Israel. Finally, the designation of a "feast to the LORD" on the seventh day reinforces the theme of Worship and Obedience, demonstrating that Israel's response to God's saving acts must be one of grateful remembrance, communal celebration, and faithful adherence to His statutes, a pattern seen throughout the covenant relationship established at Sinai in Exodus 19, Exodus 20, Exodus 21, Exodus 22, Exodus 23, Exodus 24.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This term (H2282) signifies more than a mere meal; it denotes a solemn festival or pilgrimage feast, often characterized by joyous assembly, communal worship, and prescribed sacrifices. It implies a sacred, divinely appointed celebration, emphasizing its religious and communal significance as an act of allegiance and remembrance before the Lord.
Represented by the Tetragrammaton YHWH (H3068), this is the personal, covenantal name of God, signifying "the self-Existent" or "Eternal One." Its inclusion here emphasizes that this feast is not merely a human tradition but a direct command from the sovereign, unchanging God who delivered Israel, underscoring His authority and the intimate nature of His relationship with His people.
This term (H4682) refers specifically to flat, unfermented bread. Its significance is deeply symbolic: it recalls the haste of the Exodus, as there was no time for dough to rise, and it also carries connotations of purity, as leaven often symbolizes corruption or sin in biblical contexts. The consumption of matstsâh was a tangible, sensory reminder of both the swiftness of God's deliverance and the call to a life of holiness.
Verse Breakdown
"Seven days thou shalt eat unleavened bread"
This clause establishes the precise duration for the consumption of matstsâh. It signifies that the observance is not a fleeting moment but a sustained, week-long practice. This extended period was designed to deeply immerse the Israelites in the memory of their hasty departure from Egypt and the symbolic purity associated with unleavened bread, ensuring that the lessons of the Exodus permeated their daily lives for a complete cycle.
"and in the seventh day [shall be] a feast to the LORD"
While the eating of unleavened bread spans the entire week, this part of the verse singles out the seventh day for a special chag (feast). This indicates a holy convocation or solemn assembly, mirroring the significance of the first day of the feast (as seen in Exodus 12:16). It marks both the culmination of the week-long remembrance and a renewed dedication, emphasizing a specific day for heightened communal worship, celebration of God's goodness, and reverence for His faithfulness in their deliverance.
Literary Devices
The passage employs profound symbolism, where the physical act of eating unleavened bread serves as a tangible representation of the spiritual realities of hasty deliverance, purity, and the urgent separation from Egyptian influence. The repetition of "seven days" (implied from Exodus 13:3) functions as a structural device that reinforces the importance and prescribed duration of the observance, ensuring its thorough integration into the Israelite calendar and consciousness. Furthermore, the use of metonymy is evident, where "unleavened bread" stands in for the entire Feast of Unleavened Bread, highlighting the central and defining element of the observance.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Exodus 13:6 encapsulates several profound theological truths that resonate throughout biblical theology. Firstly, it powerfully highlights God's sovereign deliverance and His unwavering desire for His people to perpetually remember His mighty acts of salvation. The Feast of Unleavened Bread is not merely a historical reenactment but a tangible, annual reminder that Israel's freedom was secured not by their own strength or planning, but by God's powerful and decisive intervention. Secondly, the intrinsic emphasis on unleavened bread points to the crucial theme of purity and separation. Leaven, frequently a biblical symbol of corruption, sin, or malice, is purged, signifying a divine call to holiness and a life set apart for the Lord, free from the "leaven" of their former bondage and the defilements of the world. Finally, the specific command for a "feast to the LORD" on the seventh day underscores worship and obedience as central and indispensable components of the covenant relationship. God initiates salvation, and humanity's proper response is one of grateful remembrance, communal celebration, and faithful adherence to His divine statutes. This enduring theme of remembering God's redemptive acts and living a life consecrated to Him reverberates throughout the entire biblical narrative, from the Old Testament feasts to New Testament calls for holy living.
Reflection and Application
Exodus 13:6, though deeply rooted in ancient Israel's historical and covenantal experience, offers profound and timeless lessons for believers today. It calls us to cultivate a posture of active and intentional remembrance regarding God's past deliverances—both in the grand narrative of salvation history and in the specific, personal instances of His faithfulness in our own lives. Just as the Israelites were commanded to physically remove leaven from their homes, we are prompted to engage in spiritual introspection and purification, diligently identifying and purging "leaven"—any form of sin, malice, hypocrisy, or worldly influence—from our hearts and lives. This verse also serves as a powerful reminder of the profound importance of dedicated worship and communal celebration. Setting aside specific, intentional time to honor God, whether in personal devotion, family worship, or corporate gathering, is not merely an obligation but a joyous and grateful response to His boundless grace and sovereign power. Such practices foster deep gratitude, cultivate humility, and renew our commitment to living a life consecrated entirely to Him.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why is a "feast to the LORD" specified for the seventh day, when the entire week involves unleavened bread?
The specification of the seventh day as a chag (feast) indicates it was a special holy convocation, similar to the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread (see Exodus 12:16). While matstsâh was consumed daily throughout the week, the first and seventh days were designated as days of solemn assembly, rest from ordinary labor, and heightened communal worship. This structure provided a sacred bookend to the week-long remembrance, emphasizing its beginning and culmination with dedicated communal celebration and reverence for God's mighty acts of deliverance. It ensured that the observance began and ended with a concentrated focus on the Lord.
Does eating unleavened bread still apply to Christians today?
The literal command to eat unleavened bread for seven days as a ritual observance of the Feast of Unleavened Bread is part of the Old Covenant ceremonial law given specifically to the nation of Israel. Christians are not bound by these specific dietary or festival laws as part of their New Covenant walk with God. However, the spiritual principles underlying the command—namely, remembrance of God's deliverance, the pursuit of purity, and separation from sin—are profoundly relevant and enduring. The New Testament reinterprets this symbolism, with Christ identified as "our Passover lamb, who has been sacrificed" (1 Corinthians 5:7), and believers are called to "purge out the old leaven" of malice and wickedness, living instead with "the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth" (1 Corinthians 5:8). So, while the outward practice changes, the spiritual truth endures and is fulfilled in Christ.
What is the significance of "seven days" in this context?
The number seven in the Bible frequently signifies completion, perfection, or divine fullness and covenantal significance. In this context, the seven-day duration emphasizes the thoroughness and comprehensive nature of the observance. It was not a fleeting or casual moment but a sustained period designed to deeply impress upon the Israelites the reality of their deliverance and their new identity as God's redeemed people. This extended timeframe ensured that the lessons of the Exodus permeated their daily lives for a full cycle, symbolizing a complete dedication and a pervasive remembrance of God's saving power. It underscores the totality of their separation from Egypt and their new life in covenant with Yahweh.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Exodus 13:6, with its profound emphasis on remembering God's deliverance through the eating of unleavened bread and the solemn assembly of a feast to the LORD, finds its ultimate and most glorious Christ-centered fulfillment in the New Testament. Jesus Christ is revealed as the true and ultimate Passover Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7), whose perfect sacrifice on the cross delivers humanity not from physical slavery in Egypt, but from the far greater spiritual bondage of sin and death. The "unleavened bread" (matstsâh) of the Old Covenant, symbolizing purity, haste, and separation from sin, is perfectly fulfilled in Christ, who is entirely without sin (2 Corinthians 5:21). His sinless life and atoning death provide the foundation for true spiritual purity for those who believe.
For New Testament believers, the call to "purge out the old leaven" (1 Corinthians 5:7) is a direct spiritual application of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. It signifies a life lived in sincerity and truth, reflecting the new creation found in Christ, free from the "leaven of malice and wickedness" (1 Corinthians 5:8). The "feast to the LORD" on the seventh day, a holy convocation of joyous worship, points forward to the ultimate celebration of salvation found in Christ. This finds its eschatological culmination in the heavenly banquet, the marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:9), and the eternal presence of God, where believers will forever feast on the reality of His deliverance, His grace, and the perfect communion secured by Christ's redemptive work. Thus, the ancient ritual serves as a powerful foreshadowing, pointing to the ongoing reality of Christ's redemptive work and the New Covenant call to live a life of purity, worship, and joyful remembrance of His finished work.