Topical Encyclopedia
PassoverPassover, known as Pesach in Hebrew, is one of the most significant feasts in the Jewish calendar, commemorating the Israelites' deliverance from slavery in Egypt. The origins of Passover are found in the Book of Exodus, where God commands Moses to institute the feast as a perpetual memorial of the Israelites' liberation. The event is marked by the tenth plague, the death of the firstborn in Egypt, from which the Israelites were spared by marking their doorposts with the blood of a lamb, as instructed by God.
The Passover lamb is central to the observance, symbolizing the sacrifice that allowed the Israelites to escape the plague.
Exodus 12:3-6 states, "Tell the whole congregation of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man must select a lamb for his family, one per household... You must care for it until the fourteenth day of the month, when the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel will slaughter the animals at twilight."
The Passover meal, or Seder, includes the eating of unleavened bread (matzah) and bitter herbs, as a reminder of the haste with which the Israelites left Egypt and the bitterness of their bondage.
Exodus 12:8 instructs, "They are to eat the meat that night, roasted over the fire, along with unleavened bread and bitter herbs."
In the New Testament, Passover holds additional significance as it coincides with the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, who is often referred to as the "Lamb of God." The Apostle Paul draws a parallel between Christ and the Passover lamb in
1 Corinthians 5:7 : "For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed."
Feast of Unleavened BreadThe Feast of Unleavened Bread immediately follows Passover and lasts for seven days. It is a time when the Israelites were commanded to remove all leaven from their homes and eat only unleavened bread. This practice serves as a reminder of the haste with which the Israelites fled Egypt, not having time to let their bread rise.
Exodus 12:15 states, "For seven days you must eat unleavened bread. On the first day, you are to remove the leaven from your houses."
The removal of leaven is symbolic of purging sin and corruption, as leaven often represents sin in the Bible. This symbolism is echoed in the New Testament, where believers are encouraged to live lives free from the "leaven" of malice and wickedness. In
1 Corinthians 5:8 , Paul writes, "Therefore let us keep the feast, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth."
The Feast of Unleavened Bread is a time of reflection and renewal, encouraging believers to examine their lives and remove anything that might hinder their relationship with God. It is a period of consecration and dedication, aligning with the broader themes of redemption and deliverance that are central to the Passover celebration.
Together, Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread form a foundational aspect of the biblical narrative, highlighting God's deliverance, the call to holiness, and the foreshadowing of Christ's redemptive work. These observances continue to hold deep spiritual significance for both Jews and Christians, serving as a reminder of God's faithfulness and the call to live a life set apart for Him.
