Topical Bible: Passover: Observed With Unleavened Bread (No Yeast)

◄ Passover: Observed With Unleavened Bread (No Yeast) ►

Topical Encyclopedia

Passover, known in Hebrew as Pesach, is one of the most significant feasts in the biblical calendar, commemorating the Israelites' deliverance from slavery in Egypt. This event is detailed in the Book of Exodus, where God commands the observance of Passover as a perpetual ordinance for the people of Israel. Central to this observance is the consumption of unleavened bread, known as matzah, which holds profound symbolic meaning.

Biblical Foundation

The institution of Passover is recorded in Exodus 12. God instructs Moses and Aaron regarding the preparation and observance of the Passover meal. The Israelites are to sacrifice a lamb without blemish and apply its blood to the doorposts of their homes. This act serves as a sign for the Lord to "pass over" their houses during the final plague—the death of the firstborn in Egypt (Exodus 12:13).

The command to eat unleavened bread is explicit: "For seven days you must eat unleavened bread. On the first day, you are to remove the leaven from your houses. Whoever eats anything leavened from the first day through the seventh day must be cut off from Israel" (Exodus 12:15). This unleavened bread, made without yeast, is a reminder of the haste with which the Israelites left Egypt, not having time to let their dough rise (Exodus 12:39).

Symbolism of Unleavened Bread

Unleavened bread carries rich symbolism within the Passover celebration. It represents purity and separation from sin, as leaven (yeast) is often associated with corruption and sin in the Bible (1 Corinthians 5:6-8). The removal of leaven from the home signifies a cleansing process, a call to holiness and dedication to God.

The Feast of Unleavened Bread, which begins on the evening of Passover and lasts for seven days, reinforces this theme. During this time, the Israelites are to abstain from leavened products, focusing on their deliverance and the covenant relationship with God.

New Testament Fulfillment

In the New Testament, Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread find their fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul refers to Christ as "our Passover lamb" who has been sacrificed (1 Corinthians 5:7). The unleavened bread symbolizes the sinless body of Christ, offered for the redemption of humanity. During the Last Supper, which was a Passover meal, Jesus broke unleavened bread and shared it with His disciples, instituting the Lord's Supper (Matthew 26:26-28).

Contemporary Observance

Today, Passover is observed by Jewish communities worldwide, maintaining the tradition of eating unleavened bread. For Christians, the themes of Passover resonate in the celebration of Easter, reflecting on Christ's sacrifice and resurrection. The call to remove leaven from one's life serves as a spiritual metaphor for believers to pursue holiness and live in the freedom provided by Christ's atoning work.

In summary, Passover, observed with unleavened bread, is a profound biblical feast that underscores themes of deliverance, purity, and redemption. It serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness and the call to live a life set apart for His purposes.

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Exodus 12:8,15-20
And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it.
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Exodus 13:3,6
And Moses said to the people, Remember this day, in which you came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the LORD brought you out from this place: there shall no leavened bread be eaten.
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Exodus 23:15
You shall keep the feast of unleavened bread: (you shall eat unleavened bread seven days, as I commanded you, in the time appointed of the month Abib; for in it you came out from Egypt: and none shall appear before me empty:)
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Leviticus 23:6
And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the feast of unleavened bread to the LORD: seven days you must eat unleavened bread.
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Numbers 9:11
The fourteenth day of the second month at even they shall keep it, and eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs.
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Numbers 28:17
And in the fifteenth day of this month is the feast: seven days shall unleavened bread be eaten.
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Deuteronomy 16:3,4
You shall eat no leavened bread with it; seven days shall you eat unleavened bread therewith, even the bread of affliction; for you came forth out of the land of Egypt in haste: that you may remember the day when you came forth out of the land of Egypt all the days of your life.
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Mark 14:12
And the first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the passover, his disciples said to him, Where will you that we go and prepare that you may eat the passover?
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Luke 22:7
Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed.
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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.)
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1 Corinthians 5:8
Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
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