What is the meaning of Exodus 23:18?

You must not offer the blood of My sacrifices with anything leavened

“Do not offer the blood of a sacrifice to me along with anything containing yeast.” (Exodus 23:18a)

• Leaven consistently symbolizes corruption and sin. Jesus warned, “Watch out for the leaven of the Pharisees” (Matthew 16:6). Paul later echoed, “A little leaven works through the whole batch of dough” (Galatians 5:9).

• Blood represents life and atonement (Leviticus 17:11). When blood is presented before God, nothing corrupting may mingle with it—underscoring that only a pure, untainted sacrifice satisfies Him.

• Israel already knew every grain offering must be “without leaven” (Leviticus 2:11). Here God extends the ban to anything paired with the blood, pointing ahead to Christ, “a lamb without blemish or defect” (1 Peter 1:19).

• This command reinforces single-hearted devotion. The Passover rite had driven out leaven for seven days (Exodus 12:15). The same vigilance is expected each time Israel approaches God: no tolerated compromise, no concealed sin.

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Nor may the fat of My feast remain until morning

“Nor shall the fat of My festival offering remain until morning.” (Exodus 23:18b)

• Fat was the choicest part, belonging solely to the LORD (Leviticus 3:16). Allowing it to sit overnight hinted at careless worship or half-hearted obedience.

• God regularly demands prompt consumption or burning of sacrificial portions: the Passover lamb’s leftovers were to be burned “before morning” (Exodus 12:10); peace offerings had to be eaten the same day (Leviticus 7:15).

• The rule teaches immediacy—when God provides, His people respond without delay. Jesus emphasized the same spirit: “Leave your gift … first be reconciled” (Matthew 5:23-24).

• Keeping nothing until morning guards against decay and theft while illustrating God’s sufficiency: Israel would gather fresh manna each new dawn (Exodus 16:19-21). His mercies are “new every morning” (Lamentations 3:23); yesterday’s leftovers cannot replace today’s obedience.

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summary

Exodus 23:18 links purity and promptness. Leaven must never mingle with sacrificial blood, showing that sin cannot coexist with atonement. Fat must not linger, calling God’s people to eager, complete, and timely devotion. Together the commands point toward the perfect, sinless sacrifice of Christ and invite believers to worship Him with undivided hearts and immediate obedience.