King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 16:3 Mean?

Deuteronomy 16:3 in the King James Version says “Thou shalt eat no leavened bread with it; seven days shalt thou eat unleavened bread therewith, even the bread of afflic...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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

Context

1

Observe the month of Abib, and keep the passover unto the LORD thy God: for in the month of Abib the LORD thy God brought thee forth out of Egypt by night.

2

Thou shalt therefore sacrifice the passover unto the LORD thy God, of the flock and the herd, in the place which the LORD shall choose to place his name there.

3

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.

4

And there shall be no leavened bread seen with thee in all thy coast seven days; neither shall there any thing of the flesh, which thou sacrificedst the first day at even, remain all night until the morning.

5

Thou mayest not sacrifice the passover within any of thy gates, which the LORD thy God giveth thee: sacrifice: or, kill

Read Deuteronomy 16 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Thou shalt eat no leavened bread with it; seven days shalt thou eat unleavened bread therewith, even the bread of affliction. The prohibition of leaven during Passover carried rich symbolic meaning. Leaven represented sin, corruption, and the old Egyptian way of life that Israel was leaving behind.

Paul applies this symbolically - Purge out the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump (1 Corinthians 5:7). Leaven's permeating quality pictures how sin spreads through communities if not removed. The weeklong unleavened bread observance illustrated thorough purging of corruption.

The designation bread of affliction recalled the hasty exodus - no time for bread to rise before fleeing Egypt. This humble bread reminded Israel of their slavery and desperate deliverance. Prosperity must not erase memory of redemption from bondage.

Jesus instituted communion using unleavened Passover bread, identifying His body as the true bread that gives life. The bread of affliction became the bread of salvation.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Unleavened bread (matzah) required thorough removal of all leaven from Israelite homes before Passover. This spring cleaning became elaborate ritual ensuring no leaven remained, symbolizing comprehensive purging of sin.

First-century Jews and early Christians continued this practice, with Paul using it as metaphor for church discipline and purity (1 Corinthians 5:6-8).

Reflection Questions

  1. What does leaven symbolize spiritually, and why must it be thoroughly removed?
  2. How does the bread of affliction function as reminder of redemption from slavery?
  3. Why is it important that prosperity not erase memory of past bondage and deliverance?
  4. How does Jesus' use of unleavened bread at the Last Supper connect to Passover symbolism?
  5. What does Paul's application of unleavened bread teach about church purity and discipline?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 26 words
לֹֽא1 of 26
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תֹּֽאכַל2 of 26

“Thou shalt eat”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

עָלָיו֙3 of 26
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

חָמֵ֔ץ4 of 26

“no leavened bread”

H2557

ferment, (figuratively) extortion

שִׁבְעַ֥ת5 of 26

“with it seven”

H7651

seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number

יְמֵ֥י6 of 26

“all the days”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

תֹּֽאכַל7 of 26

“Thou shalt eat”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

עָלָ֥יו8 of 26
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

מַצּ֖וֹת9 of 26

“unleavened bread”

H4682

properly, sweetness; concretely, sweet (i.e., not soured or bittered with yeast); specifically, an unfermented cake or loaf, or (elliptically) the fes

לֶ֣חֶם10 of 26

“therewith even the bread”

H3899

food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)

עֹ֑נִי11 of 26

“of affliction”

H6040

depression, i.e., misery

כִּ֣י12 of 26
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

בְחִפָּז֗וֹן13 of 26

“in haste”

H2649

hasty flight

צֵֽאתְךָ֙14 of 26

“for thou camest forth”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

מֵאֶ֣רֶץ15 of 26

“out of the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

מִצְרַ֔יִם16 of 26

“of Egypt”

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

לְמַ֣עַן17 of 26
H4616

properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that

תִּזְכֹּ֗ר18 of 26

“that thou mayest remember”

H2142

properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male

אֶת19 of 26
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

יְמֵ֥י20 of 26

“all the days”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

צֵֽאתְךָ֙21 of 26

“for thou camest forth”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

מֵאֶ֣רֶץ22 of 26

“out of the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

מִצְרַ֔יִם23 of 26

“of Egypt”

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

כֹּ֖ל24 of 26
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

יְמֵ֥י25 of 26

“all the days”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

חַיֶּֽיךָ׃26 of 26

“of thy life”

H2416

alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Deuteronomy. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Deuteronomy 16:3 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Deuteronomy 16:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Exodus 12:39Exodus 12:19-20Exodus 34:18Numbers 9:11Exodus 12:8Luke 22:19

Places in This Verse

EgyptRegion · Modern: Ain Shams · 30.13°N, 31.31°E658 verses across 33 books
View all places in Deuteronomy 16 →

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