Exodus 13:6

KJV

Seven days thou shalt eat unleavened bread, and in the seventh day [shall be] a feast to the LORD.

KJV (with Strong's)

Seven {H7651} days {H3117} thou shalt eat {H398} unleavened bread {H4682}, and in the seventh {H7637} day {H3117} shall be a feast {H2282} to the LORD {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For seven days you are to eat matzah, and the seventh day is to be a festival for ADONAI.

Berean Standard Bible

For seven days you are to eat unleavened bread, and on the seventh day there shall be a feast to the LORD.

American Standard Version

Seven days thou shalt eat unleavened bread, and in the seventh day shall be a feast to Jehovah.

Commentary

### 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](/exodus/13-3 "Remembering the Exodus from Egypt"), establish the foundational command to remember the day of their departure through the observance of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. [Exodus 13:5](/exodus/13-5 "God's Promise of the Land of Canaan") 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](/exodus/13-7 "Strict Prohibition of Leaven") 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](/exodus/13 "Exodus 13 - Consecration of the Firstborn and Feast of Unleavened Bread") 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](/exodus/12-34 "Israelites' Hasty Departure from Egypt")). 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](/leviticus/11 "Leviticus 11 - Clean and Unclean Animals"), 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 19-24](/exodus/19-24 "The Giving of the Law at Sinai").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Feast (Hebrew, _chag'_):** 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.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** 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.
* **Unleavened bread (Hebrew, _matstsâh'_):** 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](/exodus/12-16 "Holy Convocation on the First Day of Unleavened Bread")). 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](/exodus/13-3 "Remembering the Exodus")) 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.

* [Matthew 16:6](/matthew/16-6 "Beware of the Leaven of the Pharisees")
* [Deuteronomy 16:3](/deuteronomy/16-3 "The Bread of Affliction")
* [Psalm 105:5](/psalms/105-5 "Remember His Wondrous Works")

### 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
* **How does intentionally remembering God's past faithfulness, both in the biblical narrative and in your personal journey, impact your present trust and hope in Him?**
* **What "leaven"—specific attitudes, habits, or influences—might God be calling you to identify and purge from your life today, so that you might live more purely and wholly for Him?**
* **In what tangible ways can you more intentionally set aside time to "feast to the LORD," celebrating His goodness, His salvation, and His ongoing work in your life and in the world?**

### FAQ
**Why is a "feast to the LORD" specified for the seventh day, when the entire week involves unleavened bread?**

Answer: 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](/exodus/12-16 "Holy Convocation on the First Day of Unleavened Bread")). 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?**

Answer: 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](/1_corinthians/5-7 "Christ Our Passover Lamb")), 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](/1_corinthians/5-8 "Living with Sincerity and Truth")). 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?**

Answer: 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](/1_corinthians/5-7 "Christ Our Passover Lamb")), 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](/2_corinthians/5-21 "He Who Knew No Sin")). 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](/1_corinthians/5-7 "Purge Out the Old Leaven")) 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](/1_corinthians/5-8 "Leaven of Malice and Wickedness")). 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](/revelation/19-9 "The Marriage Supper of the Lamb")), 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.

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 12:15

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 12:20

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

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 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.