The requirement for unleavened bread is a significant aspect of biblical law and tradition, particularly within the context of the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. This requirement is rooted in the historical and theological narrative of the Israelites' exodus from Egypt, as recorded in the Old Testament.

Biblical Foundation

The command to eat unleavened bread is first introduced in the Book of Exodus. As the Israelites prepared to leave Egypt, God instructed them to observe the Passover, a pivotal event marking their deliverance from slavery. In Exodus 12:15, the Berean Standard Bible states: "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 is reiterated in Exodus 12:17-20, where the Israelites are instructed to commemorate their hasty departure from Egypt by abstaining from leavened bread for seven days. The unleavened bread, or matzah, symbolizes the haste with which they left, as there was no time for their dough to rise.

Symbolism and Significance

Unleavened bread holds deep symbolic meaning within the biblical narrative. It represents purity and separation from sin, as leaven is often associated with corruption and sinfulness in Scripture. In 1 Corinthians 5:7-8 , the Apostle Paul draws on this symbolism: "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."

The requirement to eat unleavened bread also serves as a reminder of God's deliverance and faithfulness. It is a tangible expression of the Israelites' obedience and trust in God's provision and protection.

Observance in Jewish Tradition

The Feast of Unleavened Bread, known as Chag HaMatzot in Hebrew, is observed immediately following Passover. It is a time of reflection and remembrance, during which Jewish families remove all leaven from their homes and eat only unleavened products. This practice is a continuation of the biblical command and serves to reinforce the historical and spiritual lessons of the Exodus.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the requirement for unleavened bread takes on additional significance in the context of the Last Supper, which Jesus shared with His disciples. This meal, likely a Passover Seder, included unleavened bread, which Jesus used to institute the Lord's Supper. In Matthew 26:26 , it is recorded: "While they were eating, Jesus took bread, spoke a blessing and broke it, and gave it to the disciples, saying, 'Take and eat; this is My body.'"

The use of unleavened bread in this context underscores the continuity between the Old and New Covenants, highlighting Jesus as the fulfillment of the Passover sacrifice and the embodiment of spiritual purity.

Theological Implications

The requirement for unleavened bread is not merely a ritualistic observance but carries profound theological implications. It calls believers to a life of holiness, free from the corruption of sin, and points to the redemptive work of Christ. The unleavened bread serves as a reminder of God's deliverance, both in the historical exodus and in the spiritual deliverance offered through Jesus Christ.