King James Version

What Does Exodus 13:7 Mean?

Exodus 13:7 in the King James Version says “Unleavened bread shall be eaten seven days; and there shall no leavened bread be seen with thee, neither shall there be ... — study this verse from Exodus chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Unleavened bread shall be eaten seven days; and there shall no leavened bread be seen with thee, neither shall there be leaven seen with thee in all thy quarters.

Exodus 13:7 · KJV


Context

5

And it shall be when the LORD shall bring thee into the land of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, which he sware unto thy fathers to give thee, a land flowing with milk and honey, that thou shalt keep this service in this month.

6

Seven days thou shalt eat unleavened bread, and in the seventh day shall be a feast to the LORD.

7

Unleavened bread shall be eaten seven days; and there shall no leavened bread be seen with thee, neither shall there be leaven seen with thee in all thy quarters.

8

And thou shalt shew thy son in that day, saying, This is done because of that which the LORD did unto me when I came forth out of Egypt.

9

And it shall be for a sign unto thee upon thine hand, and for a memorial between thine eyes, that the LORD'S law may be in thy mouth: for with a strong hand hath the LORD brought thee out of Egypt.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The command 'Unleavened bread shall be eaten seven days' requires active participation—not merely avoiding leaven but eating matzah. The comprehensive prohibition 'neither shall there be leaven seen with thee' and 'in all thy quarters' extends through all territory. This visible absence of leaven throughout Israel's land made the entire nation a testimony to purity. Total removal, not merely concealment, is required.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The search for and removal of leaven (bedikat chametz) became an elaborate ritual. Every corner of every house was searched to ensure complete compliance.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does requiring leaven's absence from 'all thy quarters' challenge compartmentalizing life into sacred and secular?
  2. What sins are you hiding rather than completely removing from your life?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
מַצּוֹת֙1 of 15

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

יֵֽאָכֵ֔ל2 of 15

shall be eaten

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

אֵ֖ת3 of 15
H853

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

שִׁבְעַ֣ת4 of 15

seven

H7651

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

הַיָּמִ֑ים5 of 15

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

וְלֹֽא6 of 15
H3808

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

יֵרָאֶ֥ה7 of 15

be seen

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

לְךָ֜8 of 15
H0
חָמֵ֗ץ9 of 15

and there shall no leavened bread

H2557

ferment, (figuratively) extortion

וְלֹֽא10 of 15
H3808

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

יֵרָאֶ֥ה11 of 15

be seen

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

לְךָ֛12 of 15
H0
שְׂאֹ֖ר13 of 15

with thee neither shall there be leaven

H7603

barm or yeast-cake (as swelling by fermentation)

בְּכָל14 of 15
H3605

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

גְּבֻלֶֽךָ׃15 of 15

with thee in all thy quarters

H1366

properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e., (by implication) a boundary; by extension the territory inclosed


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 13:7 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 13:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study