King James Version

What Does Exodus 12:15 Mean?

Exodus 12:15 in the King James Version says “Seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread; even the first day ye shall put away leaven out of your houses: for whosoever ...” — study this verse from Exodus chapter 12 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread; even the first day ye shall put away leaven out of your houses: for whosoever eateth leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that soul shall be cut off from Israel.”

Exodus 12:15 · King James Version


Context

13

And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt. to destroy: Heb. for a destruction

14

And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.

15

Seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread; even the first day ye shall put away leaven out of your houses: for whosoever eateth leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that soul shall be cut off from Israel.

16

And in the first day there shall be an holy convocation, and in the seventh day there shall be an holy convocation to you; no manner of work shall be done in them, save that which every man must eat, that only may be done of you. man: Heb. soul

17

And ye shall observe the feast of unleavened bread; for in this selfsame day have I brought your armies out of the land of Egypt: therefore shall ye observe this day in your generations by an ordinance for ever.


Commentaries3 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
The seven-day 'Feast of Unleavened Bread' (chag hamatzot) immediately follows Passover, extending the celebration. 'Unleavened bread' (matzot) symbolizes purity and haste—no time for dough to rise, no leaven (corruption) allowed. Paul explicitly applies this: 'Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: therefore let us keep the feast...with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth' (1 Cor 5:7-8).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Seven days of eating unleavened bread recalled the hurried departure from Egypt (Exodus 12:39). The feast begins on the fifteenth of Abib, immediately after Passover's fourteenth.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does removing leaven from your home picture the Christian's call to purge sin from your life?
  2. What does the seven-day duration teach about sanctification as an extended process following initial redemption?

Compare 3 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.


Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
שִׁבְעַ֤ת1 of 23

“Seven”

H7651

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

י֥וֹם2 of 23

“day”

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

מַצּ֣וֹת3 of 23

“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

אֹכֵ֣ל4 of 23

“for whosoever eateth”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

אַ֚ךְ5 of 23

“even”

H389

a particle of affirmation, surely; hence (by limitation) only

י֥וֹם6 of 23

“day”

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

הָֽרִאשֹׁ֖ן7 of 23

“from the first”

H7223

first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun)

תַּשְׁבִּ֥יתוּ8 of 23

“ye shall put away”

H7673

to repose, i.e., desist from exertion; used in many implied relations (causative, figurative or specific)

שְּׂאֹ֖ר9 of 23

“leaven”

H7603

barm or yeast-cake (as swelling by fermentation)

מִבָּֽתֵּיכֶ֑ם10 of 23

“out of your houses”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

כִּ֣י׀11 of 23
H3588

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

כָּל12 of 23
H3605

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

אֹכֵ֣ל13 of 23

“for whosoever eateth”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

חָמֵ֗ץ14 of 23

“leavened bread”

H2557

ferment, (figuratively) extortion

וְנִכְרְתָ֞ה15 of 23

“shall be cut”

H3772

to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt

הַנֶּ֤פֶשׁ16 of 23

“that soul”

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

הַהִוא֙17 of 23
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

מִיִּשְׂרָאֵ֔ל18 of 23

“off from Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

י֥וֹם19 of 23

“day”

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

הָֽרִאשֹׁ֖ן20 of 23

“from the first”

H7223

first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun)

עַד21 of 23
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

י֥וֹם22 of 23

“day”

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

הַשְּׁבִעִֽי׃23 of 23

“until the seventh”

H7637

seventh


Study Guide

Historical Context

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

Theological Significance

Exodus 12:15 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 Exodus 12:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study