King James Version

What Does Exodus 34:18 Mean?

Exodus 34:18 in the King James Version says “The feast of unleavened bread shalt thou keep. Seven days thou shalt eat unleavened bread, as I commanded thee, in the t... — study this verse from Exodus chapter 34 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

The feast of unleavened bread shalt thou keep. Seven days thou shalt eat unleavened bread, as I commanded thee, in the time of the month Abib: for in the month Abib thou camest out from Egypt.

Exodus 34:18 · KJV


Context

16

And thou take of their daughters unto thy sons, and their daughters go a whoring after their gods, and make thy sons go a whoring after their gods.

17

Thou shalt make thee no molten gods.

18

The feast of unleavened bread shalt thou keep. Seven days thou shalt eat unleavened bread, as I commanded thee, in the time of the month Abib: for in the month Abib thou camest out from Egypt.

19

All that openeth the matrix is mine; and every firstling among thy cattle, whether ox or sheep, that is male. sheep: or, kid

20

But the firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb: and if thou redeem him not, then shalt thou break his neck. All the firstborn of thy sons thou shalt redeem. And none shall appear before me empty. lamb: or, kid


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The Feast of Unleavened Bread (חַג מַצּוֹת, chag matsot) commemorates the Exodus when Israel left Egypt 'in haste' without time for bread to rise. Observed in Abib (אָבִיב, aviv—later called Nisan), the month of barley harvest and Israel's redemption. Eating unleavened bread for seven days symbolizes separation from Egypt (leaven representing sin, corruption). This feast points forward to Christ, our Passover (1 Cor 5:7-8).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The Feast of Unleavened Bread immediately followed Passover, forming an eight-day celebration (Passover on 14th Abib, Unleavened Bread on 15th-21st). This was one of three pilgrimage festivals requiring male attendance at the tabernacle/temple.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does removing leaven symbolize spiritual cleansing and new beginnings?
  2. What 'old leaven' (patterns, habits, influences) do you need to purge from your life?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
אֶת1 of 18
H853

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

חַ֣ג2 of 18

The feast

H2282

a festival, or a victim therefor

מַצּוֹת֙3 of 18

of 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

תִּשְׁמֹר֒4 of 18

shalt thou keep

H8104

properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc

שִׁבְעַ֨ת5 of 18

Seven

H7651

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

יָמִ֜ים6 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

תֹּאכַ֤ל7 of 18

thou shalt eat

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

מַצּוֹת֙8 of 18

of 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

אֲשֶׁ֣ר9 of 18
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

צִוִּיתִ֔ךָ10 of 18

as I commanded

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

לְמוֹעֵ֖ד11 of 18

thee in the time

H4150

properly, an appointment, i.e., a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival; conventionally a year; by implication, an assembly (as convened for

בְּחֹ֣דֶשׁ12 of 18

for in the month

H2320

the new moon; by implication, a month

הָֽאָבִ֔יב13 of 18

Abib

H24

green, i.e., a young ear of grain; hence, the name of the month abib or nisan

כִּ֚י14 of 18
H3588

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

בְּחֹ֣דֶשׁ15 of 18

for in the month

H2320

the new moon; by implication, a month

הָֽאָבִ֔יב16 of 18

Abib

H24

green, i.e., a young ear of grain; hence, the name of the month abib or nisan

יָצָ֖אתָ17 of 18

thou camest out

H3318

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

מִמִּצְרָֽיִם׃18 of 18

from Egypt

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt


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 34:18 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 34:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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