What number verse is Numbers 28:17 in the Bible?

Numbers 28:17 is the 4,595th verse of the Bible. Counting straight through the King James canon — all 31,102 verses from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21 — Numbers 28:17 sits at position 4,595.

28:1628:16

Numbers 28:17

Q: What is the significance of "unleavened bread" in this feast?

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). Beyond this crucial 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 profound desire for holiness before God. It emphasizes a life lived in sincerity and truth, free from the corrupting influence of sin.

28:1828:18

Translation

King James Version

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

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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.

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Complete Jewish Bible

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

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Berean Standard Bible

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

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American Standard Version

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

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World English Bible Messianic

On the fifteenth day of this month shall be a feast. Unleavened bread shall be eaten be eaten for seven days.

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Geneva Bible (1599)

And in ye fiftenth day of the same moneth is the feast: seuen dayes shall vnleauened bread be eaten.

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Young's Literal Translation

and in the fifteenth day of this month is a festival, seven days unleavened food is eaten;

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Study This Verse

SUMMARY

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

CONTEXT

Literary Context: Numbers 28:17 is embedded within a highly prescriptive section of the book of Numbers (chapters 28-29) that meticulously outlines the precise regulations for Israel's communal sacrifices and annual feasts. This passage functions as a comprehensive liturgical calendar, specifying the types, quantities, and exact timing of offerings for daily, weekly, monthly, and annual observances. Immediately preceding this verse, Numbers 28:16 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 profound interconnectedness of these two foundational festivals, often considered part of a singular, extended Passover season, and highlights God's meticulous provision for His people's worship and their ongoing remembrance of His redemptive acts.
Historical & Cultural Context: The Feast of Unleavened Bread, known in Hebrew as Chag HaMatzot, is profoundly rooted in the historical event of the Exodus from Egypt. As vividly recounted in Exodus 12, the Israelites departed Egypt in such haste that they did not have time for their bread dough to rise (Exodus 12:39). The divine command to eat unleavened bread for seven days served as a perpetual, annual memorial of this urgent, divinely orchestrated liberation. Culturally, the thorough removal of all leaven from homes before and during this feast was a significant act of purification, symbolizing the purging of the "old leaven" of slavery, sin, and corruption from their lives and community. 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 at the central sanctuary, thereby fostering national unity and reinforcing their collective covenant identity.
Key Themes: Numbers 28:17 contributes significantly to several overarching theological and narrative themes found throughout the book of Numbers and the Pentateuch. Firstly, it powerfully reiterates the theme of Divine Ordinance and Obedience, emphasizing God's sovereign authority in establishing the precise parameters of Israel's worship and communal life. The highly detailed nature of these commands underscores the paramount importance of faithful adherence to God's revealed will as a hallmark of their covenant relationship. 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 corporate remembrance was vital for maintaining and renewing their covenant relationship with God. Thirdly, the inherent symbolism in "unleavened bread" points directly to Purity and Sanctification. Leaven in biblical thought often symbolizes corruption, sin, or malice (e.g., 1 Corinthians 5:8), and its mandated removal signifies a profound call to spiritual and moral integrity, reflecting a deep desire for holiness in the presence of a holy God.

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

feast (Hebrew, chag, H2282): This term (H2282) refers to a pilgrimage festival, a joyous occasion of communal 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 divinely commanded, communal celebration rooted in historical deliverance and covenant relationship, characterized by specific rituals, offerings, and a sense of national unity and rejoicing before the Lord.
unleavened bread (Hebrew, matstsâh, H4682): This word (H4682) specifically denotes bread made without yeast or leaven, resulting in a flat, crisp wafer. Its primary significance is intrinsically tied to the haste of the Exodus, as there was no time for the dough to rise before the Israelites' urgent departure. Beyond this historical remembrance, matstsâh also carries profound symbolic connotations of purity, sincerity, and the absence of corruption, as leaven often represents sin or malice in biblical typology (e.g., 1 Corinthians 5:6-8).
eaten (Hebrew, ʼâkal, H398): While literally meaning "to eat" (H398), in this context, the act of eating matstsâh for seven days is far 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 foundational historical event of the Exodus and its profound spiritual implications for the life of the covenant community.

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 Nisan (or Abib), the first month of the sacred calendar, 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 grand redemptive celebration. The use of "the feast" (referring to chag) emphasizes its status as a major, divinely appointed festival, central to Israel's annual worship cycle.
"seven days shall unleavened bread be eaten." This clause specifies both the duration and the central dietary requirement of the festival. The seven-day period signifies a complete cycle of remembrance and purification, echoing the concept of completion and perfection often associated with the number seven in biblical numerology. The eating of "unleavened bread" (matstsâh) throughout this entire 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 in its phrasing, employs several significant literary devices. Symbolism is paramount, with "unleavened bread" serving as a potent symbol of the hasty departure from Egypt and, by extension, purity, sincerity, and freedom from corruption. The absence of leaven, which often symbolizes sin or moral decay, reinforces a profound call to holiness and moral integrity. The entire "feast" itself functions as a memorial, a ritualized act of remembering God's past deliverance and unwavering faithfulness, ensuring that the foundational historical event is continually re-enacted and its profound meaning transmitted across generations. The precise dating ("fifteenth day") and duration ("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 profoundly shapes Israel's communal and spiritual life, embedding sacred history into their very existence.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

Numbers 28:17, by divinely 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 sovereign 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 fundamentally a gift from God, requiring a corresponding commitment from His people 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 and the God who redeemed them.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

Numbers 28:17, while detailing an ancient Israelite observance, offers profound and enduring 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 meticulously instructed to remove all physical leaven from their homes, so too are we called to actively identify and eliminate spiritual "leaven"—malice, wickedness, pride, falsehood, and any form of moral corruption—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 been granted in Christ. The feast also serves as a vital reminder to never forget God's mighty acts of deliverance, both historically for Israel and personally for us through Christ's atoning work. Remembering our salvation from the bondage of sin should inspire profound 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, both for Israel and in our personal lives, shape our present faith and obedience?
In what specific ways might "leaven" (sin, malice, hypocrisy, pride) manifest in our lives today, and what practical steps can we take to actively purge it?
What does it mean to live a life of "sincerity and truth" (1 Cor. 5:8) in our daily interactions and spiritual walk?

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). Beyond this crucial 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 profound desire for holiness before God. It emphasizes a life lived in sincerity and truth, free from the corrupting influence of sin.

How does this feast relate to Passover?

Answer: The Feast of Unleavened Bread is intimately and inseparably connected to Passover. Passover is observed on the fourteenth day of the first month (Numbers 28:16), commemorating the sacrifice of the lamb and the passing over of the death angel. 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, forming a continuous celebration that begins with the Passover sacrifice and extends for seven days, 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 profound spiritual truths it represents are ultimately and perfectly fulfilled in Jesus Christ. The New Testament teaches that Christ is "our Passover lamb" who has been sacrificed for us (1 Corinthians 5:7). 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). 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. The outward observance is transformed into an inward spiritual reality.

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

Numbers 28:17, with its focus on the Feast of Unleavened Bread and its central symbol, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of 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, utterly without "leaven" or moral impurity (Hebrews 4:15). Just as the Israelites were commanded to purge all leaven from their homes, Christ's perfect sacrifice on the cross purges us from the "old leaven" of sin, delivering us from spiritual bondage far greater and more pervasive than that of Egypt. Paul explicitly declares, "Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us" and exhorts believers to "keep the feast... with the unleavened bread of 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 from the dominion of sin (Romans 6:6-7). 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 the indwelling Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:16), reflecting the perfect, unleavened life of our Savior.

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Commentary on Numbers 28 verses 16–31

16 ¶ And in the fourteenth day of the first month is the passover of the LORD.

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

18 In the first day shall be an holy convocation; ye shall do no manner of servile work therein:

19 But ye shall offer a sacrifice made by fire for a burnt offering unto the LORD; two young bullocks, and one ram, and seven lambs of the first year: they shall be unto you without blemish:

20 And their meat offering shall be of flour mingled with oil: three tenth deals shall ye offer for a bullock, and two tenth deals for a ram;

21 A several tenth deal shalt thou offer for every lamb, throughout the seven lambs:

22 And one goat for a sin offering, to make an atonement for you.

23 Ye shall offer these beside the burnt offering in the morning, which is for a continual burnt offering.

24 After this manner ye shall offer daily, throughout the seven days, the meat of the sacrifice made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD: it shall be offered beside the continual burnt offering, and his drink offering.

25 And on the seventh day ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work.

26 Also in the day of the firstfruits, when ye bring a new meat offering unto the LORD, after your weeks be out, ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work:

27 But ye shall offer the burnt offering for a sweet savour unto the LORD; two young bullocks, one ram, seven lambs of the first year;

28 And their meat offering of flour mingled with oil, three tenth deals unto one bullock, two tenth deals unto one ram,

29 A several tenth deal unto one lamb, throughout the seven lambs;

30 And one kid of the goats, to make an atonement for you.

31 Ye shall offer them beside the continual burnt offering, and his meat offering, (they shall be unto you without blemish) and their drink offerings.

Here is, I. The appointment of the pass-over sacrifices; not that which was the chief, the paschal lamb (sufficient instructions had formerly been given concerning that), but those which were to be offered upon the seven days of unleavened bread, which followed it, Num 28:17-25. The first and last of those seven days were to be sanctified as sabbaths, by a holy rest and a holy convocation, and on each of the seven days they were to be liberal in their sacrifices, in token of their great and constant thankfulness for their deliverance out of Egypt: Two bullocks, a ram, and seven lambs. A gospel conversation, in gratitude for Christ our passover who was sacrificed, is called the keeping of this feast (Co1 5:8); for it is not enough that we purge out the leavened bread of malice and wickedness, but we must offer the bread of our God, even the sacrifice of praise, continually, and continue herein unto the end. 2. The sacrifices are likewise appointed which were to be offered at the feast of pentecost, here called the day of the first-fruits, Num 28:26. In the feast of unleavened bread they offered a sheaf of their first-fruits of barley (which with them was first ripe) to the priest (Lev 23:10), as an introduction to the harvest; but now, about seven weeks after, they were to bring a new meat-offering to the Lord, at the end of harvest, in thankfulness to God, who had not only given, but preserved to their use, the kindly fruits of the earth, so as that in due time they did enjoy them. It was at this feast that the Spirit was poured out (Act 2:1, etc.), and thousands were converted by the preaching of the apostles, and were presented to Christ, to be a kind of first-fruits of his creatures. The sacrifice that was to be offered with the loaves of the first-fruits was appointed, Lev 23:18. But over and above, besides that and besides the daily offerings, they were to offer two bullocks, one ram, and seven lambs, with a kid for a sin-offering, Num 28:27-30. When God sows plentifully upon us he expects to reap accordingly from us. Bishop Patrick observes that no peace-offerings are appointed in this chapter, which were chiefly for the benefit of the offerers, and therefore in them they were left more to themselves; but burnt-offerings were purely for the honour of God, were confessions of his dominion, and typified evangelical piety and devotion, by which the soul is wholly offered up to God in the flames of holy love; and sin-offerings were typical of Christ's sacrifice of himself, by which we and our services are perfected and sanctified.

Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 16–31. Public domain.

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Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.

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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 23:15
Thou shalt keep the feast of unleavened bread: (thou shalt eat unleavened bread seven days, as I commanded thee, in the time appointed of the month Abib; for in it thou camest out from Egypt: and none shall appear before me empty:)
Exodus 13:6
Seven days thou shalt eat unleavened bread, and in the seventh day shall be a feast to the LORD.
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 12:17
And ye shall observe the feast of unleavened bread; for in this selfsame day have I brought your armies out of the land of Egypt: therefore shall ye observe this day in your generations by an ordinance for ever.
Deuteronomy 16:3
Thou shalt eat no leavened bread with it; seven days shalt thou eat unleavened bread therewith, even the bread of affliction; for thou camest forth out of the land of Egypt in haste: that thou mayest remember the day when thou camest forth out of the land of Egypt all the days of thy life.
Deuteronomy 16:8
Six days thou shalt eat unleavened bread: and on the seventh day shall be a solemn assembly to the LORD thy God: thou shalt do no work therein.