Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

UNLEAVENED BREAD

Flat, rounded bread (Heb. maṣṣâ; Gk. ázymos) baked entirely of flour and water without any fermentation (e.g., hops or yeast), an integral part of the daily Middle Eastern diet (Gen. 19:3; Judg. 6:19; 1 Sam. 28:24). In ancient times a piece of dough was exposed to the air in order to ferment and develop an acidic composition. This process, in combination with new dough, caused the bread to rise. The Israelites viewed this leavening process, the mixing of what is essentially a decayed product, as symbolic of moral decay and corruption. Therefore, unleavened bread became an emblem of purity, and the most important religious festivals, such as Passover, required its use. The weeklong Feast of Unleavened Bread formed the greater part of the Passover ritual. During such festivals leaven and any foods contains leaven were not permitted in homes let alone consumed. On the eve of Passover, the home is thoroughly searched for traces of leaven and then burned, symbolic of one searching their very soul for moral decay and sin and then casting it out. Of the sacrificial offerings brought to the altar, the cereal offerings were always unleavened bread (Lev. 2:5), except for the thanksgiving offering of well-being, which could include leavened bread (7:13).

NT texts make symbolic reference to leaven for purposes of instruction. Jesus warns his disciples to “beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees” (Matt. 16:6). In a statement that many scholars view as ironic, if not sarcastic, Jesus likens the kingdom of heaven to leaven (Matt. 13:33). Paul emphatically admonishes his readers to celebrate a festival “with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth” (1 Cor. 5:6-8). Perhaps the most significant symbolic use of unleavened bread for Christians comes from the traditional words and actions of Jesus at the Last Supper (Matt. 26:26).

Bibliography. J. Neusner, The Idea of Purity in Ancient Judaism. SJLA 1 (Leiden, 1973); G. J. Wenham, “The Theology of Unclean Food,” EvQ 53 (1981): 6-15.

Tony S. L. Michael






Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)

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