Numbers 28:17

KJV

And in the fifteenth day of this month [is] the feast: seven days shall unleavened bread be eaten.

KJV (with Strong's)

And in the fifteenth {H2568}{H6240} day {H3117} of this month {H2320} is the feast {H2282}: seven {H7651} days {H3117} shall unleavened bread {H4682} be eaten {H398}.

Complete Jewish Bible

On the fifteenth day of the month is to be a feast. Matzah is to be eaten for seven days.

Berean Standard Bible

On the fifteenth day of this month, there shall be a feast; for seven days unleavened bread is to be eaten.

American Standard Version

And on the fifteenth day of this month shall be a feast: seven days shall unleavened bread be eaten.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 28:17 details a crucial aspect of Israel's annual liturgical calendar, specifically the timing and duration of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. This verse mandates that on the fifteenth day of the first month, following the Passover, a seven-day period of consuming unleavened bread is to be observed. This divinely ordained feast served as a perpetual reminder of God's swift and powerful deliverance of Israel from Egyptian bondage, emphasizing themes of purity, remembrance, and covenant faithfulness within their national worship.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 28:17 is situated within a highly detailed section (Numbers 28-29) that outlines the precise regulations for Israel's communal sacrifices and annual feasts. This passage functions as a liturgical calendar, specifying the types, quantities, and timing of offerings for daily, weekly, monthly, and annual observances. Immediately preceding this verse, [Numbers 28:16](/numbers/28-16 "Numbers 28:16 - Passover Regulations") establishes the Passover on the fourteenth day of the first month. Numbers 28:17 then seamlessly transitions to the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which commences on the very next day, the fifteenth. This sequential presentation underscores the interconnectedness of these two foundational festivals, often considered part of a larger Passover season, and highlights God's meticulous provision for His people's worship and remembrance.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Feast of Unleavened Bread, known in Hebrew as *Chag HaMatzot*, is deeply rooted in the historical event of the Exodus from Egypt. As recorded in [Exodus 12](/exodus/12 "Exodus 12 - The First Passover and Exodus"), the Israelites departed Egypt in such haste that they did not have time for their bread dough to rise ([Exodus 12:39](/exodus/12-39 "Exodus 12:39 - Hasty Departure from Egypt")). The command to eat unleavened bread for seven days served as a perpetual memorial of this urgent, divinely orchestrated liberation. Culturally, the removal of leaven from homes before and during this feast was a significant act of purification, symbolizing the purging of the "old leaven" of slavery and sin from their lives. This feast was one of the three annual pilgrimage festivals (along with the Feast of Weeks and the Feast of Tabernacles) where all Israelite males were required to appear before the Lord, fostering national unity and reinforcing their covenant identity.
* **Key Themes:** Numbers 28:17 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book of Numbers and the Pentateuch. Firstly, it reiterates the theme of **Divine Ordinance and Obedience**, emphasizing God's sovereign authority in establishing the precise parameters of Israel's worship. The detailed nature of these commands underscores the importance of faithful adherence to God's revealed will. Secondly, the verse highlights **Remembrance and Covenant Faithfulness**. The Feast of Unleavened Bread serves as a tangible, annual reminder of God's powerful act of deliverance from bondage, reinforcing Israel's identity as a people redeemed by Yahweh. This act of remembrance was vital for maintaining their covenant relationship. Thirdly, the symbolism inherent in "unleavened bread" points to **Purity and Sanctification**. Leaven in biblical thought often symbolizes corruption or sin (e.g., [1 Corinthians 5:8](/1_corinthians/5-8 "1 Corinthians 5:8 - Paul on Leaven and Purity")), and its removal signifies a call to spiritual and moral integrity, reflecting a desire for holiness in the presence of a holy God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **feast (Hebrew, חַג _chag_):** This term refers to a pilgrimage festival, a joyous occasion of assembly and celebration. While it can denote any festival, _chag_ is particularly associated with the three major annual festivals (Passover/Unleavened Bread, Weeks, and Tabernacles) when all Israelite males were required to travel to the central sanctuary. It implies a communal, divinely commanded celebration rooted in historical deliverance and covenant relationship, characterized by specific rituals and offerings.
* **unleavened bread (Hebrew, מַצָּה _matzah_):** This word specifically denotes bread made without yeast or leaven, resulting in a flat, crisp wafer. Its primary significance is tied to the haste of the Exodus, as there was no time for the dough to rise. Beyond historical remembrance, _matzah_ also carries strong symbolic connotations of purity, sincerity, and the absence of corruption, as leaven often represents sin or malice in biblical typology.
* **eaten (Hebrew, אָכַל _'akhal_):** While literally meaning "to eat," in this context, the act of eating _matzah_ for seven days is more than mere consumption; it is a ritualistic, communal, and deeply symbolic participation in the remembrance of God's deliverance and a tangible expression of purification. It signifies a continuous, intentional act of identification with the historical event and its spiritual implications.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And in the fifteenth day of this month [is] the feast:"** This clause precisely dates the commencement of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. "This month" refers to the first month of the sacred calendar, Nisan (Abib), which is also when the Passover is observed on the fourteenth day. The immediate succession underscores that the Feast of Unleavened Bread is intrinsically linked to and follows the Passover, often considered its continuation or an extended part of the same redemptive celebration. The use of "the feast" (referring to _chag_) emphasizes its status as a major, divinely appointed festival.
* **"seven days shall unleavened bread be eaten."** This clause specifies the duration and the central dietary requirement of the festival. The seven-day period signifies a complete cycle of remembrance and purification. The eating of "unleavened bread" (_matzah_) throughout this week is the defining characteristic, serving as a constant, tangible reminder of the haste of the Exodus and the spiritual call to purity and freedom from the "leaven" of sin. This continuous consumption signifies a sustained commitment to the principles the feast represents.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 28:17, though concise, employs several literary devices. **Symbolism** is paramount, with "unleavened bread" serving as a potent symbol of the hasty departure from Egypt and, by extension, purity and freedom from corruption. The absence of leaven, which often symbolizes sin, reinforces a call to holiness. The entire "feast" itself functions as a **memorial**, a ritualized act of remembering God's past deliverance and faithfulness, ensuring that the historical event is continually re-enacted and its meaning transmitted across generations. The precise dating and duration ("fifteenth day," "seven days") demonstrate **precision** and **legalistic detail**, characteristic of the priestly texts in Numbers, emphasizing the divine authority and the non-negotiable nature of these commands. This meticulousness also creates a sense of **ritual rhythm**, establishing a fixed annual cycle that shapes Israel's communal and spiritual life.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 28:17, by ordaining the Feast of Unleavened Bread, profoundly connects to the broader theological narrative of God's redemptive history and His covenant relationship with Israel. It highlights God's initiative in delivering His people from bondage and His subsequent expectation of their faithful and holy response. The feast serves as a perpetual reminder that salvation is a gift from God, requiring a corresponding commitment to live a life purged of the "leaven" of sin and corruption. This commitment is not merely external ritual but an inward transformation, reflecting God's desire for a people set apart for Him. The meticulous instructions underscore God's sovereignty over time and human activity, embedding sacred history into the very fabric of Israel's daily and annual life, ensuring that they never forget their identity as a redeemed people.

* [Exodus 12:15](/exodus/12-15 "Exodus 12:15 - Command for Unleavened Bread")
* [Deuteronomy 16:3](/deuteronomy/16-3 "Deuteronomy 16:3 - The Bread of Affliction")
* [Leviticus 23:6](/leviticus/23-6 "Leviticus 23:6 - Feast of Unleavened Bread in Leviticus")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 28:17, while detailing an ancient Israelite observance, offers profound spiritual principles for believers today. The command to eat unleavened bread for seven days serves as a powerful metaphor for the ongoing call to live a life purged of sin and hypocrisy. Just as the Israelites were to remove all physical leaven from their homes, so too are we called to actively identify and eliminate spiritual "leaven"—malice, wickedness, pride, and falsehood—from our hearts and lives. This is a continuous process of sanctification, a daily commitment to walk in sincerity and truth, reflecting the new life we have in Christ. The feast also reminds us to never forget God's mighty acts of deliverance, both historically for Israel and personally for us through Christ. Remembering our salvation from the bondage of sin should inspire gratitude, humble obedience, and a passionate pursuit of holiness, making our lives a continuous "feast" of sincerity and truth before God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does remembering God's past deliverance shape our present faith and obedience?**
* **In what ways might "leaven" (sin, malice, hypocrisy) manifest in our lives today, and how can we actively purge it?**
* **What practical steps can we take to live lives of greater "sincerity and truth" (1 Cor. 5:8)?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of "unleavened bread" in this feast?**

Answer: The unleavened bread, or _matzah_, primarily symbolizes the haste of the Israelites' departure from Egypt. They left so quickly that their dough had no time to rise ([Exodus 12:39](/exodus/12-39 "Exodus 12:39 - Hasty Exodus")). Beyond this historical remembrance, leaven often symbolizes sin or corruption in the Bible. Therefore, eating unleavened bread for seven days also signifies a period of spiritual purity, a purging of sin and malice from the community and individual lives, reflecting a desire for holiness before God.

**How does this feast relate to Passover?**

Answer: The Feast of Unleavened Bread is intimately connected to Passover, which is observed on the fourteenth day of the first month ([Numbers 28:16](/numbers/28-16 "Numbers 28:16 - Passover Regulations")). Numbers 28:17 states that the Feast of Unleavened Bread begins on the fifteenth day, immediately following Passover. They are often considered part of the same larger festival period, with Passover commemorating the sacrifice of the lamb and the passing over of the death angel, and Unleavened Bread commemorating the subsequent liberation and the call to live a life of purity as a redeemed people.

**Is this feast still observed by Christians today?**

Answer: While Christians do not literally observe the Old Testament Feast of Unleavened Bread with its specific rituals, the spiritual truths it represents are profoundly fulfilled in Jesus Christ. The New Testament teaches that Christ is "our Passover lamb" who has been sacrificed for us ([1 Corinthians 5:7](/1_corinthians/5-7 "1 Corinthians 5:7 - Christ Our Passover")). Therefore, believers are called to "keep the feast, not with the old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth" ([1 Corinthians 5:8](/1_corinthians/5-8 "1 Corinthians 5:8 - Living with Sincerity and Truth")). This signifies an ongoing commitment to spiritual purity, living a life free from sin and hypocrisy, in light of Christ's perfect sacrifice and our new life in Him.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 28:17, with its focus on the Feast of Unleavened Bread, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The symbolism of unleavened bread—pure, uncorrupted, and without blemish—powerfully foreshadows the sinless nature of Christ. He is the perfect [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), utterly without "leaven" or moral impurity ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus' Sinlessness")). Just as the Israelites purged leaven from their homes, Christ's sacrifice on the cross purges us from the "old leaven" of sin, delivering us from spiritual bondage far greater than that of Egypt. Paul explicitly declares, "[Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us](/1_corinthians/5-7 "1 Corinthians 5:7 - Christ Our Passover")" and exhorts believers to "[keep the feast... with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth](/1_corinthians/5-8 "1 Corinthians 5:8 - Living with Sincerity and Truth")". This means that through faith in Christ, we are not merely commemorating a past deliverance but are actively participating in a new reality of spiritual purity and freedom. The seven days of eating unleavened bread symbolize the entirety of the believer's life lived in Christ—a continuous walk of holiness, sincerity, and truth, empowered by His atoning work and indwelling Spirit, reflecting the perfect, unleavened life of our Savior.

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.