Seven days shall there be no leaven found in your houses: for whosoever eateth that which is leavened, even that soul shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he be a stranger, or born in the land.

EXODUS 12:19KJV
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Exodus 12:19 (KJV)

What does Exodus 12:19 mean?

Exodus 12:19 commands that for seven days, no leaven (anything made with yeast or a similar fermenting agent) is to be found in the houses of the Israelites, and anyone who eats something leavened during this time will be separated from the community, whether they are a native-born Israelite or a foreigner living among them. This rule is part of the instructions for the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which follows the first Passover.

In this verse, God is speaking to Moses, who is relaying these instructions to the Israelites as they prepare to leave Egypt. The command sets a strict boundary around the use of leaven, highlighting the importance of purity and obedience during this sacred week. The warning that anyone who eats leavened food will be "cut off" shows the seriousness of keeping this command, making it clear that the rule applies equally to everyone in the community, regardless of their background.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 12:19

  • "Leaven" (שְּׂאֹר, se'or) refers to any substance that causes dough to rise, like yeast. Its removal symbolized a break from the old life in Egypt and a fresh start.
  • "Cut off" (כָּרַת, karat) means to be separated or excluded from the community. This was a severe consequence, showing that breaking this rule was not a minor issue but a breach of covenant with God.
  • "Stranger" (גֵּר, ger) and "born in the land" (אֶזְרָח, ezrach) highlight that the command was not just for ethnic Israelites but for anyone living among them, emphasizing the unity and shared responsibility of the whole community.

Why Exodus 12:19 matters

  • Exodus 12:19 clarifies that the command about leaven was not just symbolic but required real action—removing every trace of leaven from every home.
  • The verse shows that God's covenant included both Israelites and non-Israelites living with them, underlining the inclusive nature of the community at this moment.
  • The warning about being "cut off" reveals the seriousness with which God viewed obedience to His instructions during the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread, setting a tone for the importance of these observances in Israel's identity.

Where else these words appear

“leaven” Hebrew H7603 · used in 5 verses

  • Exodus 12:15 Seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread; even the first day ye shall put away leaven out of your houses: for whosoever eateth leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that soul shall be cut off from Israel.
  • Exodus 13:7 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.
  • Leviticus 2:11 No meat offering, which ye shall bring unto the LORD, shall be made with leaven: for ye shall burn no leaven, nor any honey, in any offering of the LORD made by fire.

“leavened” Hebrew H2556 · used in 8 verses

  • Exodus 12:20 Ye shall eat nothing leavened; in all your habitations shall ye eat unleavened bread.
  • Exodus 12:39 And they baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they brought forth out of Egypt, for it was not leavened; because they were thrust out of Egypt, and could not tarry, neither had they prepared for themselves any victual.
  • Psalms 73:21 Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.

“born” Hebrew H249 · used in 17 verses

  • Exodus 12:48 And when a stranger shall sojourn with thee, and will keep the passover to the LORD, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as one that is born in the land: for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof.
  • Leviticus 19:34 But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.
  • Numbers 15:13 All that are born of the country shall do these things after this manner, in offering an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD.

“stranger” Hebrew H1616 · used in 83 verses

  • Genesis 15:13 And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years;
  • Leviticus 25:47 And if a sojourner or stranger wax rich by thee, and thy brother that dwelleth by him wax poor, and sell himself unto the stranger or sojourner by thee, or to the stock of the stranger's family:
  • Deuteronomy 27:19 Cursed be he that perverteth the judgment of the stranger, fatherless, and widow. And all the people shall say, Amen.