King James Version

What Does Exodus 12:19 Mean?

Exodus 12:19 in the King James Version says “Seven days shall there be no leaven found in your houses: for whosoever eateth that which is leavened, even that soul sh... — study this verse from Exodus chapter 12 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Seven days shall there be no leaven found in your houses: for whosoever eateth that which is leavened, even that soul shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he be a stranger, or born in the land.

Exodus 12:19 · KJV


Context

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.

18

In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at even, ye shall eat unleavened bread, until the one and twentieth day of the month at even.

19

Seven days shall there be no leaven found in your houses: for whosoever eateth that which is leavened, even that soul shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he be a stranger, or born in the land.

20

Ye shall eat nothing leavened; in all your habitations shall ye eat unleavened bread.

21

Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said unto them, Draw out and take you a lamb according to your families, and kill the passover. lamb: or, kid


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The severity of the leaven prohibition—'that soul shall be cut off' (Hebrew 'karat,' כָּרַת—covenantal cutting off, excommunication or death)—shows the seriousness of mixing corruption with redemption. This applies to 'stranger' (ger, גֵּר—foreigner dwelling with Israel) and 'born in the land' equally, showing that covenant membership, not ethnicity, determines standing before God.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Being 'cut off' meant exclusion from the covenant community, possibly including capital punishment. This severe penalty for such a seemingly minor offense indicates leaven's symbolic importance.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the severity of punishment for leaven illustrate God's intolerance for sin mixed with salvation?
  2. What does the equal application to native and foreigner teach about salvation by grace through faith rather than ethnicity?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
שִׁבְעַ֣ת1 of 18

Seven

H7651

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

יָמִ֔ים2 of 18

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

שְׂאֹ֕ר3 of 18

shall there be no leaven

H7603

barm or yeast-cake (as swelling by fermentation)

לֹ֥א4 of 18
H3808

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

יִמָּצֵ֖א5 of 18

found

H4672

properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

בְּבָֽתֵּיכֶ֑ם6 of 18

in your houses

H1004

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

כִּ֣י׀7 of 18
H3588

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

כָּל8 of 18
H3605

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

אֹכֵ֣ל9 of 18

for whosoever eateth

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

מַחְמֶ֗צֶת10 of 18
H2557

ferment, (figuratively) extortion

וְנִכְרְתָ֞ה11 of 18

shall be cut off

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

הַנֶּ֤פֶשׁ12 of 18

even 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

הַהִוא֙13 of 18
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

מֵֽעֲדַ֣ת14 of 18

from the congregation

H5712

a stated assemblage (specifically, a concourse, or generally, a family or crowd)

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל15 of 18

of Israel

H3478

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

בַּגֵּ֖ר16 of 18

whether he be a stranger

H1616

properly, a guest; by implication, a foreigner

וּבְאֶזְרַ֥ח17 of 18

or born

H249

a spontaneous growth, i.e., native (tree or persons)

הָאָֽרֶץ׃18 of 18

in the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)


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 12:19 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 12:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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