Exodus 13:6 - Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread, and in the seventh day shall be a feast to Yahweh.

Generated Verse: Exodus 13:6

What does "Exodus 13:6" mean?


Exodus 13:6 is part of the instructions regarding the Feast of Unleavened Bread (also known as Passover in broader context). Let's break it down:

"Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread...": This is the core instruction. For seven consecutive days, the Israelites were commanded to eat matzah (unleavened bread), which is bread made without yeast or any leavening agent. This symbolizes the haste with which their ancestors left Egypt, not having time for their bread to rise. It also represents purity and freedom from the corruption of Egypt.

"...and in the seventh day shall be a feast to Yahweh.": The seventh day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread was a special day of worship and celebration dedicated to God (Yahweh is the Hebrew name for God). It was a day for rest, communal worship, and giving thanks for their deliverance from slavery.

In essence, the verse means:

For a week, you must only eat unleavened bread as a reminder of your liberation from Egypt. The final day of that week is a special day of worship and celebration to honor God for His saving actions.

Significance:

Remembrance: The Feast of Unleavened Bread is a powerful way to remember and re-enact the story of the Exodus.
Gratitude: It is a time to express gratitude to God for His deliverance.
Obedience: Observing the feast demonstrates obedience to God's commands.
Symbolism: The unleavened bread symbolizes purity, freedom, and the hasty departure from Egypt.

The Feast of Unleavened Bread is a central element of the Passover observance. While Passover technically refers to the specific sacrifice and meal that occurs on the first night, the entire week-long festival is often referred to as Passover in common usage.