Exodus 12:16

"“‘Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread; even the first day you shall put away yeast out of your houses, for whoever eats leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that soul shall be cut off from Israel."

Key Reflection

In Exodus 12:16, the Israelites were instructed to consume unleavened bread for seven days and to remove all leaven from their homes by the first day. This practice was a significant ritual that commemorated the Exodus from Egypt, where the Israelites left in such haste that they could not wait for their bread dough to rise (Exodus 12:33-34). The commandment served as both a dietary restriction and a reminder of God's deliverance, emphasizing the need to be ready at any moment for His intervention. Failure to adhere to these instructions resulted in severe consequences, illustrating the gravity with which Israel was expected to honor this memorial.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

An holy convocation -An assembly called by proclamation for a religious solemnity. SeeLeviticus 23:2;Numbers 10:2-3. In the East the proclamation is made by the Muezzins from the minarets of the mosques. Save that ... -In this the observance of the festival differed from the Sabbath, when the preparation of food was prohibited. The same word for “work” is used here and in the fourth commandment: it is very general, and includes all laborious occupation.

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