Exodus 13:6

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

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}.

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

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

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

Commentary

Exodus 13:6 continues the divine instructions given to Moses regarding the observance of the Passover and the subsequent Feast of Unleavened Bread, emphasizing its duration and a specific day of celebration.

Context

This verse is part of God's direct command to the Israelites following their miraculous deliverance from Egyptian bondage, a pivotal moment in their history. The institution of the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Hebrew: Chag HaMatzot) served as a perpetual memorial of their hurried departure from Egypt, where they had no time for bread to rise. The instructions in Exodus 12 and 13 establish these observances as foundational to Israelite worship and identity, ensuring future generations would remember God's mighty hand.

Key Themes

  • Remembrance and Deliverance: The primary purpose of eating unleavened bread for seven days was to vividly recall the haste of the Exodus and God's powerful act of liberation from slavery. It was a tangible reminder of their past and God's faithfulness.
  • Purity and Separation: Leaven (yeast) often symbolizes sin or corruption in Scripture. The command to eat unleavened bread (Hebrew: matzah) for a full week underscored a period of spiritual cleansing and separation from the "leaven" of Egypt, signifying a new, consecrated life dedicated to the Lord.
  • Divine Command and Obedience: The detailed instructions highlight God's sovereignty and the necessity of Israel's obedience to His statutes. This feast was not optional but a divine ordinance to be observed throughout their generations.
  • The Seventh Day's Significance: While unleavened bread was eaten for the entire seven days, the "seventh day" is specified as a special "feast to the LORD." This indicates a solemn assembly or holy convocation, similar to the first day of the feast, marking both the beginning and end of this sacred period with dedicated worship and celebration of God's goodness.

Linguistic Insights

The term "unleavened bread" is matzah (ΧžΦ·Χ¦ΦΌΦΈΧ”) in Hebrew, referring specifically to flat, cracker-like bread made without yeast. The word "feast" is chag (Χ—Φ·Χ’), which denotes a festival or pilgrimage feast, often involving a joyous assembly and sacrifices. The emphasis on the "seventh day" being a chag underscores its importance as a day of special reverence and celebration within the week-long observance.

Significance and Application

Exodus 13:6 emphasizes the enduring nature of God's commands and the importance of remembering His mighty deeds. For ancient Israel, it was a yearly reminder of their identity as a people delivered by God. Spiritually, the symbolism of unleavened bread carries over into the New Testament. The apostle Paul refers to Christ as our Passover lamb, calling believers to "purge out therefore the old leaven" and live lives of "sincerity and truth" (see 1 Corinthians 5:8). This verse, therefore, reminds us:

  • To remember God's past deliverances in our own lives and in the history of salvation.
  • To strive for spiritual purity, removing the "leaven" of sin from our lives.
  • To set aside dedicated time for worship and celebration of the Lord, acknowledging His sovereignty and grace.

The consistent observance of this feast taught Israel discipline, gratitude, and a perpetual reliance on God, lessons that remain relevant for believers today.

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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

    ΒΆ 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.
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