Thou shalt keep the feast of unleavened bread:(thou shalt eat unleavened bread seven days, as I commanded thee, in the time appointed of the month Abib; for in it thou camest out from Egypt: and none shall appear before me empty:)

EXODUS 23:15KJV
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Exodus 23:15 (KJV)

What does Exodus 23:15 mean?

Exodus 23:15 commands the Israelites to observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread by eating bread without yeast for seven days at the appointed time in the month of Abib, as a remembrance of their departure from Egypt. The verse also instructs that no one should come before God empty-handed during this festival.

In this verse, God is speaking to the people of Israel through Moses, giving them specific instructions about one of their major annual festivals. The setting is at Mount Sinai, where God is laying out the laws and practices that will shape Israel’s worship and community life. The mention of the month Abib ties the festival to the springtime and the historical event of the Exodus, while the command not to appear "empty" emphasizes bringing an offering as part of their worship.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 23:15

  • "keep" (שָׁמַר, shamar): This word means to guard or observe carefully, highlighting that the festival is not just a tradition but a command to be taken seriously.
  • "feast" (חָג, chag): This term refers to a festival or pilgrimage gathering, showing that this is a communal, celebratory event, not just a private ritual.
  • "unleavened bread" (מַצָּה, matzah): The specific bread without yeast recalls the haste of the Exodus, when there was no time to let bread rise, making the festival a living memory of deliverance.
  • "empty" (רֵיקָם, reyqam): This word means "without anything" or "empty-handed," stressing that worshipers are expected to bring something as an offering, reinforcing gratitude and participation.

Why Exodus 23:15 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the Feast of Unleavened Bread is not optional or symbolic but a required observance tied directly to Israel’s identity and history.
  • The instruction not to appear "empty" before God highlights the importance of bringing offerings, which underlines a principle of giving and thankfulness in worship.
  • Connecting the festival to the month of Abib and the Exodus event roots Israel’s worship in a specific historical act of God’s deliverance, making their faith practical and grounded in real events.

Where else these words appear

“Abib” Hebrew H24 · used in 6 verses

  • Exodus 9:31 And the flax and the barley was smitten: for the barley was in the ear, and the flax was bolled.
  • Exodus 13:4 This day came ye out in the month Abib.
  • Leviticus 2:14 And if thou offer a meat offering of thy firstfruits unto the LORD, thou shalt offer for the meat offering of thy firstfruits green ears of corn dried by the fire, even corn beaten out of full ears.

“empty” Hebrew H7387 · used in 16 verses

  • Genesis 31:42 Except the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely thou hadst sent me away now empty. God hath seen mine affliction and the labour of my hands, and rebuked thee yesternight.
  • Ruth 1:21 I went out full, and the LORD hath brought me home again empty: why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the LORD hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me?
  • Psalms 7:4 If I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me;(yea, I have delivered him that without cause is mine enemy:)

“breadthou” Hebrew H4682 · used in 42 verses

  • Genesis 19:3 And he pressed upon them greatly; and they turned in unto him, and entered into his house; and he made them a feast, and did bake unleavened bread, and they did eat.
  • Leviticus 2:5 And if thy oblation be a meat offering baken in a pan, it shall be of fine flour unleavened, mingled with oil.
  • Deuteronomy 16:16 Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the LORD empty:

“feast” Hebrew H2282 · used in 55 verses

  • Exodus 10:9 And Moses said, We will go with our young and with our old, with our sons and with our daughters, with our flocks and with our herds will we go; for we must hold a feast unto the LORD.
  • Deuteronomy 16:16 Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the LORD empty:
  • Psalms 81:3 Blow up the trumpet in the new moon, in the time appointed, on our solemn feast day.