Unleavened bread holds great significance in the Bible, especially in relation to the Passover and the Exodus. The Bible first mentions unleavened bread during the time when God was preparing to free the Israelites from slavery in Egypt through a series of plagues. After the tenth and final plague, when all the firstborn sons of Egypt were killed, God commanded the Israelites to observe the Passover feast, and during this feast they were to eat unleavened bread (Exodus 12:8).
Why was unleavened bread so central to the Passover and the Exodus story? There are a few key reasons:
It represented haste and urgency
God commanded the Israelites to eat the Passover meal in haste, with their sandals on and staffs in hand, ready to depart from Egypt (Exodus 12:11). Unleavened bread, which does not require time to rise like normal leavened bread, fit with this sense of urgency. The Israelites had to be ready to leave Egypt quickly before Pharaoh changed his mind about letting them go.
It signified purity and holiness
In the Bible, leaven is often associated with sin, corruption, and impurity. By eating unleavened bread, the Israelites symbolically purged impurity from their houses and prepared themselves for the journey ahead. Leaven was not to be found in any Israelite home during Passover (Exodus 12:19). Only pure, unleavened bread was to be eaten for seven days.
It reminded them of God’s deliverance
God proclaimed that the Passover feast and unleavened bread were to be lasting ordinances for the Israelites to remember and commemorate God delivering them from slavery (Exodus 12:14,17). Every time they ate unleavened bread, it would remind them of God’s faithfulness in rescuing them. Even today, Jews still eat unleavened bread during Passover in memory of this defining moment in Israelite history.
It points towards Jesus Christ
In the New Testament, unleavened bread takes on even greater significance as it becomes symbolic of Jesus Christ. Just as the unleavened bread during Passover had no leaven, so too was Jesus completely without sin (1 Corinthians 5:7-8). Also, Jesus established the Lord’s Supper, in which unleavened bread is eaten to remember His sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins (Luke 22:7-8). Unleavened bread ultimately points towards the sinless life that Jesus lived and His atoning death on the cross for the salvation of all who believe in Him.
Detailed look at unleavened bread in the Bible
To understand the full significance of unleavened bread, it’s helpful to survey some of the key passages in Scripture that mention it:
Exodus 12:8,15-20
This passage outlines God’s instructions for observing the first Passover before the Exodus from Egypt. God commanded the Israelites to eat unleavened bread for seven days and to remove all leaven from their homes. This unleavened bread would be eaten along with the Passover lamb.
Exodus 13:3-10
After the Exodus, God again commanded the Israelites to eat only unleavened bread for seven days during the Passover feast. This was to remind them of how God delivered them from Egypt “in haste.” Eating the unleavened bread would be a lasting ordinance and sign on their hands and foreheads.
Exodus 23:14-15
God instructed the Israelites to celebrate three major feasts – the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Harvest, and the Feast of Ingathering. The Feast of Unleavened Bread followed right after Passover and lasted seven days.
Exodus 29:1-2
When consecrating the priests, God commanded that unleavened bread be made and offered along with sacrificial lambs. The unleavened bread was to be placed on the altar along with the meat as a food offering.
Exodus 34:18
God again reminded the Israelites to keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread and to eat only unleavened bread for seven days following Passover, just as He had commanded them previously.
Leviticus 6:14-18
Instructions are given for the “grain offering” which was to be unleavened bread. Aaron and his sons were to eat this unleavened bread in the sanctuary area.
Leviticus 8:1-2, 26-27
When consecrating Aaron and his sons as priests, Moses assembled unleavened bread along with other offerings to present before the Lord per God’s instructions.
Leviticus 23:4-8
God again told Moses to command the Israelites to celebrate Passover and the seven days of unleavened bread that followed it. Strict instructions were given for how to properly observe these days and make food offerings to the Lord.
Numbers 6:13-17
After completing the vow of a Nazirite, a person was to present various offerings including unleavened bread to make atonement before the Lord.
Numbers 9:9-14
God permitted those who were unclean due to a dead body or on a long journey to observe Passover and eat unleavened bread one month later, rather than missing out entirely.
Numbers 28:16-25
Instructions for Israelite festivals reiterated how unleavened bread was to be eaten for seven days following Passover. Various offerings involving unleavened bread were to be made during the Passover season.
Deuteronomy 16:1-8
As the Israelites prepared to enter Canaan, Moses again reminded them to observe the Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread. The bread was symbolic of their haste in departing from Egypt.
Joshua 5:10-12
After entering the Promised Land, the Israelites celebrated Passover and ate unleavened bread. The manna God provided in the wilderness ceased the day after they ate unleavened bread.
2 Kings 23:4-9
During Passover celebrations under King Josiah’s reign, the people ate unleavened bread as part of a rededication to the covenant.
Ezra 6:19-22
The returning exiles under Ezra’s leadership celebrated Passover with sacrifices and unleavened bread. There was great joy in reviving this tradition.
Matthew 26:17, 26-29
Jesus observed the Passover meal and Last Supper with His disciples and instituted communion using unleavened bread to signify His body that would be broken.
Mark 14:12, 22-25
Similar to Matthew’s account, Mark recorded how Jesus celebrated Passover with His disciples, then established the Lord’s Supper using unleavened bread to represent His body given for them.
Luke 22:1, 7-8, 19-20
Again, Luke recounted how Jesus eagerly desired to eat the Passover with His disciples before His suffering. He used unleavened bread in instituting the Lord’s Supper.
Acts 12:3
This notes in passing how Herod arrested Peter during the days of unleavened bread, which was the Passover season.
Acts 20:6
Similarly, this indicates that Paul stayed in Philippi until after the days of unleavened bread before sailing on.
1 Corinthians 5:6-8
Paul used leaven as a metaphor for sin, saying Christ our Passover lamb has been sacrificed. Therefore, believers should have lives of sincerity and truth just as they celebrate communion with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
Historical and cultural background
Looking at the history and culture of the Ancient Near East provides some helpful insights into unleavened bread and its significance:
Quickly made bread
Unleavened bread was very common in ancient times. Without modern yeast, unleavened bread was faster and easier to make. It used just flour and water, mixed and quickly baked.
Daily food staple
Bread was the main staple of life in biblical times. Unleavened bread was likely eaten regularly, not just during Passover. The Israelites ate it this way in the wilderness.
Associated with purity
Egyptians also connected ideas of impurity with leaven. They would purge all leavened bread from homes before offering sacrifices. Greeks similarly saw leaven as impure in sacrifices.
Represented hurried travel
Various ancient peoples ate unleavened bread during times of haste, including while traveling or going to war when quicker bread was needed.
Linked to festivals
Eating only unleavened bread was common in sacred festivals in the Ancient Near East, not just among Israelites. It marked these days as set apart.
Understanding this cultural background illuminates why unleavened bread made sense as a symbol in the Passover and other festivals for the Israelites.
Theological significance
On a theological level, unleavened bread holds rich meaning in Scripture. Here are some key implications to understand:
Represents God’s deliverance
The Exodus is central to Israelite theology. Unleavened bread remembered how God powerfully delivered them when they were helpless slaves. It celebrates God as Savior.
Signifies holiness and purity
Getting rid of leaven symoblized moral and spiritual purification. Unleavened bread reflected desire to be cleansed of sin’s corrupting influence through obedience to God.
Foreshadows Jesus’ sinless life
Since leaven represents sin, Jesus as the perfect Unleavened Bread means He lived completely free of sin, unlike any other human.
Points to Jesus’ atoning death
The pure Unleavened Bread of Life, Jesus, allowed His body to be broken in death so that believing souls can find spiritual nourishment and eternal life.
Enacted in Lord’s Supper
Eating unleavened bread in remembrance of Jesus’ sacrificial death is a sacred way believers commemorate His grace and reflect on His suffering for them.
Theological meanings of unleavened bread are ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ and what He accomplished for salvation.
Significance for believers today
For Christians today, unleavened bread remains a rich symbol that points to key doctrines and spiritual truths:
Reminds of God’s faithfulness and past deliverance
Through Christ, God has delivered believers out of slavery to sin. Unleavened bread reminds of this act of redemptive grace.
Represents living a holy life
Getting rid of leaven symbolizes purging sin from one’s life. Unleavened bread challenges believers to live pure, sincerely following Jesus.
Remembers Christ’s perfect sacrifice
As the pure, spotless Lamb of God, Jesus gave Himself so believers can have eternal life. Unleavened bread points to this.
Celebrates salvation through the Lord’s Supper
Sharing in Christ’s sufferings by partaking of unleavened bread and wine/juice reminds Christians of His death for them.
Foreground’s Jesus’ sinless life and nature
Unlike any other human, Jesus lived without sin. Unleavened bread highlights this miraculous truth that made Christ’s sacrifice possible.
Whenever Christians today see or eat unleavened bread, it should direct their minds to reflect on who Jesus is, what He has done, and how they should respond with godly living.
Recipes using unleavened bread
While unleavened bread itself contains deep symbolism, it can also be incorporated into tasty recipes for meals or snacks to enjoy:
Unleavened bread pizza crust
For Passover or communion, use unleavened bread dough as the base for a simple pizza topped with sauce, vegetables, and cheese that can be baked or grilled.
Unleavened bread bruschetta
Cut unleavened bread into slices which can be toasted, then topped with olive oil, tomatoes, basil, garlic, and parmesan cheese for a fresh Italian-style appetizer.
Unleavened bread chips
Cut unleavened bread into small triangles, brush with oil, and bake until crisp. Season with salt and pepper for a snackable chip to enjoy with dips.
Unleavened bread sandwiches
Use unleavened bread slices as the base for sandwiches with sliced meat, cheese, vegetables, hummus, peanut butter and jelly, or any other favorite fillings.
Unleavened bread breakfast tacos
Warm small unleavened bread rounds in a pan then fill with eggs, cheese, salsa, beans, or other breakfast taco fillings for a hearty morning meal.
Unleavened bread French toast
Dip unleavened bread slices in egg mixture then fry in a pan until crispy. Top with syrup, fruit compotes, or other sweet garnishes.
With a little creativity, unleavened bread can be used to make all sorts of delicious dishes!
Other questions about unleavened bread
Here are some common questions people have about unleavened bread:
What makes bread unleavened?
Unleavened bread simply has no yeast or leavening agent added during preparation and baking. This means the dough does not rise much before being baked.
How is unleavened bread made?
It’s made by simply mixing flour and water, kneading it into a dough, forming it into discs or other shapes, and quickly baking it before natural fermentation occurs.
How does it differ from normal leavened bread?
Besides lacking yeast, unleavened bread is denser and flatter than lofty, airy leavened bread. It also has a shorter shelf life and dries out more quickly.
How long does unleavened bread last?
Since no preservatives or yeast are present, it generally lasts only a few days at room temperature before becoming stale or moldy.
What does unleavened bread taste like?
It has a mild, nutty flavor from the flour or whole grains used. The texture is dense and chewy rather than light and fluffy when baked.
Where can I buy unleavened bread?
It can be found in Jewish markets or speciality stores before Passover. Some grocery stores sell it year-round, often in natural food sections.
Learning more about the history, symbolism, and traditions surrounding unleavened bread in Scripture gives great appreciation for the biblical significance this unique food holds.
