What does Exodus 13:6 mean?
ESV: Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread, and on the seventh day there shall be a feast to the Lord.
NIV: For seven days eat bread made without yeast and on the seventh day hold a festival to the Lord.
NASB: For seven days you shall eat unleavened bread, and on the seventh day there shall be a feast to the Lord.
CSB: For seven days you must eat unleavened bread, and on the seventh day there is to be a festival to the Lord.
NLT: For seven days the bread you eat must be made without yeast. Then on the seventh day, celebrate a feast to the Lord.
KJV: Seven days thou shalt eat unleavened bread, and in the seventh day shall be a feast to the Lord.
NKJV: Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread, and on the seventh day there shall be a feast to the Lord.
Verse Commentary:
Earlier verses introduced Israel's mandatory Feast of Unleavened Bread (Exodus 12:14–17). This began immediately after observing Passover (Exodus 12:5–6). The people were even to remove all leaven from their homes (Exodus 12:19–20). Leaven is the yeast which grows in dough to make bread rise. Eliminating all leaven is symbolic of avoiding sin, which permeates everything it touches just as yeast does in dough. This also recalled Israel's use of unleavened bread on the night they were freed from slavery (Exodus 12:8, 33, 39).
These instructions are being repeated as Israel travels away from Egypt (Exodus 13:4) on their way to a Promised Land (Genesis 12:5–7; 15:13–21; Exodus 13:11).
Verse Context:
Exodus 13:1–10 starts with a command for consecration of all Israel's firstborn. It then gives further instructions about the Feast of Unleavened Bread. This is a week-long observance which celebrates God's work to free Israel from Egyptian slavery. Eating bread with no leaven—without yeast—symbolizes being free from the pervasive effects of sin. It also recalls how the people prepared un-risen bread on the night they were freed (Exodus 12:8, 39).
Chapter Summary:
God reiterates the requirements of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Israel is to celebrate this every year as a way of remembering their liberation from Egyptian slavery. In addition, the people are to consecrate all of the first-born of any mother—both people and animals. Animals that cannot be sacrificed are to be redeemed. Sons are to be redeemed by an animal sacrifice. The Lord creates a column of clouds for the people to follow during the day, which is lit by fire so they can also follow it at night. This keeps them moving quickly. Soon, Egyptian soldiers will catch up to them and God will once again provide miraculous rescue (Exodus 14).
Chapter Context:
The Lord has just freed Israel from centuries of Egyptian slavery (Exodus 12). The final blow to Egypt was the death of all firstborn (Exodus 12:29–32) on the night of the first Passover (Exodus 12:12–13). God's guidelines for that night are partly repeated here along with directions for the Feast of Unleavened Bread. He instructs the nation about consecrating their own firstborn as He guides them. A column of fiery clouds helps the people travel day and night. This haste is important because Egypt's king is about to change his mind. He will soon send the Egyptian military to chase down the Israelites (Exodus 14).
Book Summary:
The book of Exodus establishes God's covenant relationship with the full-fledged nation of Israel. The descendants of Abraham prosper after settling in Egypt, only to be enslaved by a fearful, hateful Egyptian Pharaoh. God appoints Moses to lead the people out of this bondage. Moses serves as God's spokesman, as the Lord brings plagues and judgments on Egypt, leading to the release of Israel.
Accessed 6/15/2025 10:07:43 PM
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