Leviticus 23:6 - On the fifteenth day of the same month is the feast of unleavened bread to Yahweh. Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread.

Generated Verse: Leviticus 23:6

What does "Leviticus 23:6" mean?


This verse from Leviticus 23:6 outlines a core instruction for celebrating the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Hebrew: Hag HaMatzot), a significant festival in Judaism that follows Passover. Let's break it down:

"On the fifteenth day of the same month...": This refers to the 15th day of the first month of the Hebrew religious year, traditionally known as Nisan. Nisan generally falls in March/April in the Gregorian calendar.

"...is the feast of unleavened bread to Yahweh.": This establishes the date for the start of the Feast of Unleavened Bread and designates it as a festival specifically dedicated to Yahweh (God).

"Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread.": This is the key command. For seven days, starting on the 15th of Nisan, people are instructed to eat only unleavened bread (matzah) and refrain from eating any bread or food that contains leavening agents like yeast.

In essence, the verse is a directive to begin a seven-day festival on the 15th of Nisan, during which the consumption of unleavened bread is mandatory.

The Significance:

Symbolism: Unleavened bread symbolizes haste, humility, and purity. It is said to represent the quick departure of the Israelites from Egypt during the Exodus. They didn't have time for their bread to rise. It also signifies the removal of sin, which is often compared to leaven that puffs up and corrupts.

Commemoration: The Feast of Unleavened Bread is intrinsically linked to Passover and commemorates the Exodus from Egypt, the defining event in Jewish history. It is a time to remember God's deliverance and covenant with the Israelites.

Purification: The removal of all leavened products from the home during this time is a symbolic act of purification and a return to the simplicity and dependence on God that characterized the Exodus experience.

In summary, Leviticus 23:6 is a foundational verse that mandates a seven-day festival of unleavened bread, serving as a powerful reminder of the Exodus and a symbolic purification of the community.

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