Thou shalt eat no leauened bread with it: seuen dayes shalt thou eat vnleauened bread therewith, euen 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 foorth out of the land of Egypt, all the dayes of thy life. Deuteronomy 16:3 (KJV)
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 16:3 (KJV)
Historical Context: Deuteronomy is part of the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Old Testament traditionally attributed to Moses. While tradition holds that Moses wrote Deuteronomy during the Israelites’ journey through the wilderness after their liberation from slavery in Egypt, many scholars date its final composition to a later period, possibly during the seventh‑century BCE reforms. The passage records Moses reminding the people of the observance of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which commemorates their deliverance from Egypt.
The Feast of Unleavened Bread is closely associated with the Passover and lasts for seven days. It begins on the evening of the 14th day of the Hebrew month of Nisan (the Passover meal) and continues through the 21st day. During this feast the Israelites were commanded to eat unleavened bread—bread without yeast—to recall their hasty departure from Egypt.
Symbolism of Unleavened Bread: Leaven, or yeast, is used in biblical language as a metaphor for sin and corruption. Eating unleavened bread therefore served as a tangible reminder for the Israelites to remove sin and corruption from their lives as they embarked on the journey toward the Promised Land.
Bread of Affliction: The phrase “bread of affliction” refers to the unleavened bread consumed during the feast. It symbolizes the hardships and afflictions the people endured while enslaved in Egypt, and by partaking they were reminded of God’s faithfulness in delivering them from bondage.
Remembrance: The primary purpose of observing the feast and eating unleavened bread for seven days was to ensure that the Israelites never forgot the miraculous day of their deliverance. God intended this continual remembrance to keep His people aware of His covenant faithfulness.
Application for Believers: Although the command was given to Israel in a specific historical setting, believers today can draw parallel lessons. The observance invites us to remember and celebrate God’s deliverance in our own lives, to remove the “leaven” of sin, and to pursue a lifestyle of holiness and obedience to God’s commands.
In summary, Deuteronomy 16:3 emphasizes the Feast of Unleavened Bread as a lasting memorial of Israel’s exodus. The command to eat unleavened bread for seven days symbolizes the removal of sin and corruption while affirming God’s steadfast faithfulness, and it calls all believers to remember divine deliverance and strive for a life free from sin.
