And the people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneadingtroughs being bound up in their clothes upon their shoulders.

EXODUS 12:34KJV
Know the Bible

Exodus 12:34 (KJV)

What does Exodus 12:34 mean?

Exodus 12:34 describes how the Israelites quickly gathered their dough before it had time to rise, carrying their kneading bowls wrapped in their clothing on their shoulders as they prepared to leave Egypt in haste. The verse highlights the urgency of their departure, showing that they did not have time to let their bread leaven.

This verse is set during the night of the Exodus, when Moses is leading the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt after the final plague. The people are following God's instructions to leave quickly, so they take their dough as it is, without waiting for it to rise, and carry their kneading troughs bundled up in their garments. This detail shows the practical reality of their hurried escape and sets the stage for the tradition of eating unleavened bread during Passover.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 12:34

  • "dough" (בָּצֵק, batzeq): This word refers to the mixture of flour and water that had not yet been leavened. The focus on unleavened dough explains why unleavened bread is central to the Passover tradition.
  • "leavened" (חָמֵץ, chametz): This word means to be fermented or to rise. The fact that the dough was not "chametz" emphasizes the speed of their departure and the absence of normal preparation.
  • "kneadingtroughs" (מִשְׁאֶרֶת, misheret): This term refers to the bowls or troughs used for kneading bread. The people carried these, showing they took only what was necessary and portable.
  • "clothes" (שִׂמְלָה, simlah): The kneading bowls were wrapped in their outer garments, which were likely used as makeshift carrying sacks, highlighting their readiness to leave at a moment’s notice.

Why Exodus 12:34 matters

  • Exodus 12:34 clarifies why unleavened bread became a symbol of the Exodus and is still eaten during Passover, connecting the ritual to the historical event.
  • The verse emphasizes the urgency and reality of the Israelites’ departure, countering any idea that they left Egypt in a leisurely or planned fashion.
  • This detail connects the practical actions of the people to the larger narrative of deliverance, helping readers see the human side of the story and the obedience required in a moment of crisis.

Where else these words appear

“kneadingtroughs” Hebrew H4863 · used in 4 verses

  • Exodus 8:3 And the river shall bring forth frogs abundantly, which shall go up and come into thine house, and into thy bedchamber, and upon thy bed, and into the house of thy servants, and upon thy people, and into thine ovens, and into thy kneadingtroughs:
  • Deuteronomy 28:5 Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store.
  • Deuteronomy 28:17 Cursed shall be thy basket and thy store.

“dough” Hebrew H1217 · used in 5 verses

  • 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.
  • 2 Samuel 13:8 So Tamar went to her brother Amnon's house; and he was laid down. And she took flour, and kneaded it, and made cakes in his sight, and did bake the cakes.
  • Jeremiah 7:18 The children gather wood, and the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead their dough, to make cakes to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto other gods, that they may provoke me to anger.

“leavened” Hebrew H2556 · used in 8 verses

  • Exodus 12:19 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 12:39 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.

“shoulders” Hebrew H7926 · used in 22 verses

  • Genesis 9:23 And Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it upon both their shoulders, and went backward, and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces were backward, and they saw not their father's nakedness.
  • Judges 9:48 And Abimelech gat him up to mount Zalmon, he and all the people that were with him; and Abimelech took an axe in his hand, and cut down a bough from the trees, and took it, and laid it on his shoulder, and said unto the people that were with him, What ye have seen me do, make haste, and do as I have done.
  • Isaiah 9:4 For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian.