Topical Encyclopedia Leaven, commonly understood as a substance used to ferment dough, is a significant symbol in the biblical narrative, particularly in the context of the Feast of the Passover. In the Hebrew Bible, leaven is often associated with sin and corruption due to its permeating and transformative properties. During the Feast of the Passover, the Israelites were commanded to abstain from leaven, marking it as a period of purification and remembrance of God's deliverance.Biblical Commandments and Observance The prohibition of leaven during the Passover is explicitly stated in the Book of Exodus. As the Israelites prepared for their exodus from Egypt, God instituted the Passover as a perpetual ordinance. In Exodus 12:15 , it is written: "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 must be cut off from Israel." This command underscores the importance of removing all leaven from the household, symbolizing the removal of sin and impurity. The Feast of Unleavened Bread, which immediately follows the Passover, further emphasizes this practice. Exodus 13:7 states: "Unleavened bread shall be eaten for seven days, and nothing leavened shall be found among you, nor shall any leaven be found within all your borders." This period of abstention from leaven serves as a reminder of the haste with which the Israelites left Egypt, unable to wait for their bread to rise. Symbolism and Spiritual Significance Leaven's symbolic meaning extends beyond its physical properties. In the New Testament, leaven is often used metaphorically to represent moral and spiritual corruption. Jesus warns His disciples in Matthew 16:6 , "Watch out! Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees." Here, leaven symbolizes the corrupting influence of false teachings and hypocrisy. The Apostle Paul also draws on this imagery in his epistles. In 1 Corinthians 5:6-8 , he writes: "Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole batch of dough? Get rid of the old leaven, that you may be a new unleavened batch, as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Therefore let us keep the feast, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth." Paul emphasizes the need for purity and sincerity, drawing a parallel between the physical act of removing leaven and the spiritual act of purging sin. Historical and Cultural Context The historical context of the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread is rooted in the Israelites' deliverance from Egyptian bondage. The absence of leaven during this time is a tangible reminder of God's miraculous intervention and the urgency of their departure. The unleavened bread, or matzah, eaten during the feast, is a symbol of both affliction and freedom, representing the hardships of slavery and the swift liberation by God's hand. In Jewish tradition, the removal of leaven, known as "bedikat chametz," involves a thorough search and cleansing of the home, ensuring that no leavened products remain. This practice is a physical manifestation of the spiritual cleansing that the feast represents. Conclusion The prohibition of leaven during the Feast of the Passover is a multifaceted command with deep spiritual and historical significance. It serves as a powerful symbol of purity, a reminder of God's deliverance, and a call to spiritual vigilance against the corrupting influences of sin. Torrey's Topical Textbook Exodus 12:15-20Seven days shall you eat unleavened bread; even the first day you shall put away leaven out of your houses: for whoever eats leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that soul shall be cut off from Israel. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library Easter Sunday The Fifth Day in Passion-Week - Make Ready the Passover!' Leviticus Faustus Fails to Understand Why He Should be Required Either to ... Index i. Of Subjects Letter Lv. Replies to Questions of Januarius. Homilies on the Gospel of John. Period iv. The Age of the Consolidation of the Church: 200 to 324 ... John Bunyan on the Terms of Communion and Fellowship of Christians ... The Pilgrim's Progress Resources Questions about Matthew | GotQuestions.orgWhat's new on GotQuestions.org? | GotQuestions.org Questions about Luke | GotQuestions.org Leaven: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Leaven (Yeast) of the Hypocrisy of the Pharisees Leaven (Yeast): A Symbol for Sin Leaven (Yeast): Leavened Bread Forbidden with Blood Leaven (Yeast): Leavened Bread Forbidden with Meat offerings Leaven (Yeast): Leavened Bread Forbidden: At the Passover Meal Leaven (Yeast): Leavened Bread Used with a Peace-Offering Leaven (Yeast): Leavened Bread Used with a Wave-Offering Leaven used With Thank offerings Leaven: Diffusive Properties of Leaven: Doctrines of Pharisees Leaven: First Fruits of Wheat offered With Leaven: Forbidden: During the Feast of the Passover Leaven: Forbidden: To be offered With Blood Leaven: Forbidden: To be offered With Meat offerings Which Were Burned Leaven: The Rapid Spread of the Gospel Related Terms Meal-offering (120 Occurrences) Meat-offering (111 Occurrences) Fire-offering (45 Occurrences) Guilt-offering (34 Occurrences) Free-offerings (2 Occurrences) Thank-offering (5 Occurrences) |
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