Exodus 34:18

KJV

¶ 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

The feast {H2282} of unleavened bread {H4682} shalt thou keep {H8104}. Seven {H7651} days {H3117} thou shalt eat {H398} unleavened bread {H4682}, as I commanded {H6680} thee, in the time {H4150} of the month {H2320} Abib {H24}: for in the month {H2320} Abib {H24} thou camest out {H3318} from Egypt {H4714}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"Keep the festival of matzah by eating matzah, as I ordered you, for seven days during the month of Aviv; for it was in the month of Aviv that you came out from Egypt.

Berean Standard Bible

You are to keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread. For seven days at the appointed time in the month of Abib, you are to eat unleavened bread as I commanded you. For in the month of Abib you came out of Egypt.

American Standard Version

The feast of unleavened bread shalt thou keep. Seven days thou shalt eat unleavened bread, as I commanded thee, at the time appointed in the month Abib; for in the month Abib thou camest out from Egypt.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 34:18 presents a divine mandate for Israel to diligently observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread, a seven-day annual festival to be kept in the month of Abib. This command, reiterated within the context of God's covenant renewal with Moses on Mount Sinai, served as a foundational and perpetual memorial of Yahweh's miraculous and swift deliverance of His people from the bondage of slavery in Egypt, thereby reinforcing their identity as a redeemed nation called to covenant fidelity and holiness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within the narrative of God's gracious covenant renewal following Israel's catastrophic sin with the golden calf. After Moses' fervent intercession and God's merciful decision to restore His presence among His people, the Lord instructs Moses to hew new tablets of stone, upon which He will once again inscribe the Ten Commandments (Exodus 34:1-4). The subsequent stipulations outlined in [Exodus 34:10-26](/exodus/34-10-26 "Exodus 34:10-26 - Covenant Stipulations") are not entirely new laws but a re-emphasis and expansion of core covenant requirements, particularly concerning exclusive worship of Yahweh and separation from pagan practices. The inclusion of the Feast of Unleavened Bread alongside the Feast of Weeks and the Feast of Ingathering (also known as Sukkot) in [Exodus 34:22](/exodus/34-22 "Exodus 34:22 - Annual Feasts") highlights the cyclical nature of Israel's worship, their dependence on God's provision, and their ongoing commitment to His revealed will as a redeemed community. This particular command serves as a foundational reminder of their identity, directly linking their present obedience to their past redemption.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Feast of Unleavened Bread (Hebrew: *Chag HaMatzot*) was inextricably linked to the Passover (Pesach), commemorating the climactic tenth plague in Egypt and the sparing of Israelite firstborns. The consumption of unleavened bread (matzah) for seven days was a tangible reenactment of Israel's hasty departure from Egypt, where they had no time for their bread dough to rise ([Exodus 12:34](/exodus/12-34 "Exodus 12:34 - Hasty Departure")). This historical reality was enshrined as a perpetual ordinance ([Exodus 12:14](/exodus/12-14 "Exodus 12:14 - Perpetual Ordinance of Passover")), ensuring that the memory of God's powerful act of liberation would be passed down through generations. The "month Abib," later known as Nisan, marked the beginning of the agricultural year in ancient Israel, coinciding with the barley harvest. This timing connected God's redemptive acts with the natural cycles of creation, underscoring His sovereignty over both history and nature. Furthermore, the command to purge leaven from their homes served to distinguish Israel from surrounding pagan cultures, which often incorporated leaven into their fertility rituals, thereby reinforcing Israel's unique identity as a holy people set apart for Yahweh.
* **Key Themes:** Exodus 34:18 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Exodus and the Pentateuch. Primarily, it underscores the theme of **Divine Redemption and Remembrance**, serving as a perpetual reminder of God's mighty hand in delivering Israel from slavery. It reinforces the theme of **Covenant Fidelity and Obedience**, as the observance of this feast is a direct command from Yahweh, requiring Israel's faithful adherence. The command also speaks to the theme of **Holiness and Separation**, as the act of purging leaven symbolizes a call to purity and distinction from the defiling influences of the world, reflecting the character of the holy God who has redeemed them. Finally, it highlights the **God's Sovereignty over Time and History**, linking a specific historical event to a recurring annual observance tied to the natural calendar, demonstrating His control over all aspects of life.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Feast (Hebrew, _chag'_):** This term refers to a solemn festival or religious celebration, often involving pilgrimage and sacrifices. In the context of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, it emphasizes a divinely appointed time of communal worship and remembrance, distinct from ordinary days, signifying a sacred occasion for the entire community to gather and honor God's redemptive work.
* **Unleavened Bread (Hebrew, _matstsâh'_):** Literally meaning "sweetness" or "unfermented," this word specifically denotes bread made without yeast. Its significance in this context is twofold: it physically represents the haste of Israel's departure from Egypt, leaving no time for dough to rise, and symbolically, it signifies purity, as leaven often represents corruption or sin in biblical thought. The consumption of *matzah* thus becomes a tangible, annual reminder of both God's swift deliverance and the call to a life of sincerity and truth.
* **Abib (Hebrew, _ʼâbîyb'_):** This ancient Hebrew word, meaning "ear of grain" or "green shoots," identifies the first month of the Israelite religious calendar, corresponding to early spring. Its inclusion precisely dates the observance, grounding the religious command in the natural agricultural cycle of the land God provided. It specifically marks the season of the barley harvest and, crucially, the very month in which the Exodus occurred, thereby inextricably linking the historical event with the annual ritual.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"¶ The feast of unleavened bread shalt thou keep."**: This opening clause is a direct, emphatic command, signaling a non-negotiable divine ordinance. The KJV's paragraph mark (`¶`) indicates a new section of specific covenant stipulations, highlighting the immediate importance of this command among the renewed laws given to Moses. The verb "keep" (Hebrew: *shamar*) implies guarding, observing, and diligently adhering to the command.
* **"Seven days thou shalt eat unleavened bread,"**: This specifies both the duration and the central, tangible practice of the feast. For a full week, the Israelites were to consume only bread made without leaven, serving as a constant, daily, and physical reminder of their hurried departure from Egypt and God's miraculous intervention. This practice also symbolized purity and the purging of old ways, setting apart the community.
* **"as I commanded thee,"**: This phrase serves as an authoritative reminder that this command is not new, but a re-affirmation of an earlier, foundational instruction given prior to the Exodus itself ([Exodus 12:15-20](/exodus/12-15-20 "Exodus 12:15-20 - Ordinance of Unleavened Bread")). It underscores God's consistency, the enduring nature of His covenant demands, and the importance of continuity in obedience.
* **"in the time of the month Abib:"**: This specifies the precise timing of the feast, linking it to the agricultural calendar and the season of spring. "Abib" (see Key Word Analysis) was crucial for its agricultural significance and its direct connection to the historical event of the Exodus, anchoring the spiritual observance in the rhythm of their lives and land.
* **"for in the month Abib thou camest out from Egypt."**: This concluding clause provides the theological rationale and historical foundation for the command. The observance of the feast is not arbitrary but is deeply rooted in Israel's foundational redemptive history. It is a perpetual memorial of their liberation from slavery, ensuring that the memory of God's mighty hand would be passed down through generations, fostering gratitude and a sense of national identity rooted in divine action.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 34:18 employs several significant literary devices to convey its profound meaning and reinforce its importance. **Repetition** is evident in the re-issuance of a command previously given, emphasizing its enduring and non-negotiable importance within the renewed covenant. This serves as a rhetorical device to underscore the divine authority and the perpetual nature of God's statutes. **Symbolism** is central, with "unleavened bread" representing both the haste of the Exodus and, by extension, purity and the purging of sin, as leaven often symbolizes corruption in biblical thought. The act of eating unleavened bread for seven days is a **Ritual** that embodies the memory and meaning of the Exodus, transforming a historical event into a living, annual experience for the community, fostering corporate identity and remembrance. The concluding phrase, "for in the month Abib thou camest out from Egypt," functions as a **Commemorative Etiology**, providing the historical and theological reason for the ritual, linking present practice to past divine action and ensuring that the *why* behind the *what* is never forgotten.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 34:18 powerfully reinforces the interconnected themes of divine remembrance, covenant fidelity, and the call to holiness for God's people. The Feast of Unleavened Bread served as a tangible, annual reminder for Israel of God's mighty act of deliverance from Egyptian bondage, ensuring that their national identity remained perpetually rooted in His redemptive work. It was an act of obedience that reaffirmed their covenant relationship, demonstrating their commitment to the God who had redeemed them and who continued to sustain them. Furthermore, the purging of leaven symbolized a profound call to purity, reflecting the holiness required of a people in covenant with a holy God, separating them from the defilement and corruption of the surrounding world and their own sinful inclinations. This physical act underscored a spiritual truth: redemption demands a transformed life.

* [Deuteronomy 16:3](/deuteronomy/16-3 "The Bread of Affliction")
* [Leviticus 23:6](/leviticus/23-6 "Leviticus 23:6 - The Feast of Unleavened Bread Ordinance")
* [Numbers 28:17](/numbers/28-17 "Numbers 28:17 - Offerings for the Feast of Unleavened Bread")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The command to observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread in Exodus 34:18 transcends its ancient context to offer profound spiritual lessons for believers today. It calls us to cultivate a posture of profound and active remembrance, never forgetting the mighty acts of God in our own lives and in the grand narrative of salvation history. Just as Israel was to recall their liberation from physical slavery, we are to continually recall and celebrate our spiritual liberation from the bondage of sin and death through the finished work of Christ. This remembrance should not be a passive intellectual exercise but should actively shape our daily lives, prompting us to live in grateful obedience to the One who has redeemed us at such a great cost. The powerful symbolism of unleavened bread also challenges us to examine our lives for any "leaven" – any sin, malice, hypocrisy, or old ways of living – that needs to be purged. This is a call to ongoing sanctification, striving for a life of sincerity, truth, and genuine holiness in response to God's transformative grace and His call to be set apart for Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does regularly remembering God's past acts of deliverance, both in biblical history and in your personal life, strengthen your faith in His present and future faithfulness?**
* **What "leaven" (sinful attitudes, ungodly habits, or worldly influences) might God be calling you to actively identify and purge from your life as a response to His redemption?**
* **In what tangible ways can you live out your gratitude for God's salvation in your daily routines, relationships, and choices, reflecting a life of sincerity and truth?**

### FAQ
**Why was it so important for the Israelites to eat unleavened bread for seven days?**

Answer: The consumption of unleavened bread for seven days was a direct and profound memorial of the Israelites' hasty departure from Egypt. When God commanded them to leave, they had no time for their bread dough to rise, so they baked unleavened cakes ([Exodus 12:34](/exodus/12-34 "Exodus 12:34 - Hasty Departure")). This practice became a perpetual, annual reminder of the urgency and miraculous nature of their liberation from slavery. Beyond this historical remembrance, leaven often symbolized corruption, sin, or malice in biblical thought. Therefore, eating unleavened bread also represented a call to purity, a purging of the old ways, and a separation from the "leaven of malice and wickedness" ([1 Corinthians 5:8](/1_corinthians/5-8 "1 Corinthians 5:8 - Purge the Old Leaven")). It was a physical act with deep spiritual significance, reinforcing their identity as a people set apart and made holy by God.

**What is the significance of "the month Abib"?**

Answer: "Abib" (אביב) was the original name for the first month of the Israelite religious calendar, later known as Nisan. The word itself means "ear of grain" or "green shoots," referring to the early spring season when barley would be ripe for harvest. This timing was profoundly significant because it marked the season of the Passover and Unleavened Bread, directly connecting God's redemptive act of the Exodus with the natural agricultural cycle of the land He had promised them. It underscored God's sovereignty over both history and creation, establishing a divine rhythm for their year that began with remembering His great salvation ([Exodus 13:4](/exodus/13-4 "Exodus 13:4 - Month of Abib")).

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

Answer: Yes, the Feast of Unleavened Bread, often celebrated as an integral part of Passover (Pesach), continues to be observed by Jewish people worldwide. It remains a central festival commemorating the Exodus from Egypt and the liberation from slavery. For Christians, while the literal observance of the Old Testament feast is not mandated, its spiritual principles and prophetic fulfillment in Christ are highly significant. The New Testament reinterprets the feast through the lens of Christ, who is our true [Passover Lamb](/1_corinthians/5-7 "1 Corinthians 5:7 - Christ Our Passover"), sacrificed for us. Believers are called to live a life free from the "leaven of malice and wickedness," embracing purity and truth as a spiritual reality ([1 Corinthians 5:8](/1_corinthians/5-8 "1 Corinthians 5:8 - Purge the Old Leaven")), thereby fulfilling the spirit of the command in the new covenant.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The Feast of Unleavened Bread, commanded in Exodus 34:18, finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Just as the unleavened bread symbolized the hurried departure from Egypt and the purity required of a redeemed people, Christ is presented as the sinless [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God") whose perfect sacrifice delivers us from the bondage of sin, a far greater slavery than that of Egypt. He is the true [Passover Lamb](/1_corinthians/5-7 "1 Corinthians 5:7 - Christ Our Passover"), whose shed blood secures our redemption and cleanses us from all unrighteousness ([1 John 1:7](/1_john/1-7 "1 John 1:7 - Cleansed by His Blood")). The Old Testament command to purge leaven from the household for seven days powerfully foreshadows the New Testament imperative for believers to live a life free from the "leaven of malice and wickedness," embracing "sincerity and truth" ([1 Corinthians 5:8](/1_corinthians/5-8 "1 Corinthians 5:8 - Purge the Old Leaven")). This spiritual purification is not achieved through human effort alone, but is made possible through our union with Christ, who cleanses us by His blood ([Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Cleansing by Christ's Blood")) and empowers us by His indwelling Spirit to walk in newness of life, reflecting the unleavened purity of our Savior ([Romans 6:4](/romans/6-4 "Romans 6:4 - Newness of Life")). Thus, the ancient command to remember a physical deliverance through a ritual of purity points forward to the spiritual deliverance accomplished by Christ and the ongoing call for His followers to live a life of holiness, reflecting the very character of their Redeemer.

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 23:6

And on the fifteenth day of the same month [is] the feast of unleavened bread unto the LORD: seven days ye must eat unleavened bread.

Exodus 13:4

This day came ye out in the month Abib.

Deuteronomy 16:1

¶ Observe the month of Abib, and keep the passover unto the LORD thy God: for in the month of Abib the LORD thy God brought thee forth out of Egypt by night.

Deuteronomy 16:4

And there shall be no leavened bread seen with thee in all thy coast seven days; neither shall there [any thing] of the flesh, which thou sacrificedst the first day at even, remain all night until the morning.

Mark 14:1

¶ After two days was [the feast of] the passover, and of unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him by craft, and put [him] to death.

Exodus 12:2

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

Acts 12:3

And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)