Exodus 12 34

Exodus 12:34 kjv

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

Exodus 12:34 nkjv

So the people took their dough before it was leavened, having their kneading bowls bound up in their clothes on their shoulders.

Exodus 12:34 niv

So the people took their dough before the yeast was added, and carried it on their shoulders in kneading troughs wrapped in clothing.

Exodus 12:34 esv

So the people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneading bowls being bound up in their cloaks on their shoulders.

Exodus 12:34 nlt

The Israelites took their bread dough before yeast was added. They wrapped their kneading boards in their cloaks and carried them on their shoulders.

Exodus 12 verses

Exodus 12 34 Meaning

Exodus 12:34 describes the immediate and urgent departure of the Israelites from Egypt following the final plague. It highlights the haste of their exodus: the people had to take their unrisen dough, having no time for it to ferment or leaven. They quickly packed their kneading bowls within their cloaks, carrying them on their shoulders, signifying a swift yet ordered evacuation driven by divine command and the Egyptians' eagerness for their departure. This act lays the practical foundation for the future commandment of eating unleavened bread during Passover.

Exodus 12 34 Context

Exodus 12:34 directly follows the climactic tenth plague, the death of the firstborn in Egypt, which finally broke Pharaoh's resolve. In the preceding verses (Exo 12:31-33), Pharaoh desperately summons Moses and Aaron in the middle of the night, ordering them to take the Israelites and everything they have and depart immediately. The Egyptians, likewise, are in a state of terror and urgency, urging the Israelites to leave their land quickly, fearing that they would all die. This verse depicts the Israelite response to that immense pressure and divine command: their readiness and swiftness in beginning their journey. This moment of frantic departure becomes foundational for the Feast of Unleavened Bread, emphasizing the "bread of affliction" eaten in haste as a perpetual reminder of their divine liberation.

Exodus 12 34 Word analysis

• And the people (וּבְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל - uvene Yisra'el): Lit. "and the sons of Israel." Refers to the entire nation, emphasizing a collective, unified action in response to God's intervention.
• took (וַיִּשְׂאוּ - vayisu): Signifies "to lift," "to carry." Implies active gathering and burdening themselves, indicating preparation for a journey.
• their dough (אֶת בְּצֵקָם - et betsekam): The word betseq refers to a mass of flour mixed with water, a batter or paste that is prepared for baking but has not yet undergone the leavening process. It emphasizes the uncooked, unfermented state.
• before it was leavened (טֶרֶם חָמֵץ - ṭerem chametz): The term chametz refers to leaven or anything fermented. The phrase literally means "before it soured" or "before it rose." This is the core detail illustrating the extreme urgency and suddenness of their departure, as there was no time for natural fermentation. This direct act of haste foreshadows the future commandment of eating matzah, unleavened bread, during Passover.
• their kneading bowls (מִשְׁאֲרֹתָם - mish'arotam): These were typically shallow, round wooden or clay bowls or sometimes skin bags, used for mixing and kneading dough. They were essential household items for daily bread preparation. The fact they were portable was critical.
• bound up (צְרֻרֹת - tzerurot): Implies "wrapped," "tied," or "packed securely." This detail shows practical forethought in their hasty departure, not just fleeing randomly but making sure their essential baking implements were secured for travel, albeit rapidly.
• in their cloaks (בְּשִׂמְלֹתָם - besimlotam): Simlah refers to an outer garment, often a large piece of cloth that could serve multiple purposes: a coat during the day, a blanket at night, and, importantly here, a makeshift bag or carry-all. This highlights their resourcefulness and the limited specialized equipment available for carrying possessions quickly.
• on their shoulders (עַל שִׁכְמָם - al shikh'mam): Indicates carrying a burden, signifying the beginning of their physical movement as a people. It's the stance of a traveler embarking on a journey.

Words-group analysis:

• "So the people took their dough before it was leavened": This phrase encapsulates the central theme of haste. It emphasizes Israel's immediate obedience to Pharaoh's urgent command (which was orchestrated by God) and the lack of opportunity to follow typical food preparation processes. This detail sets the stage for the permanent command of consuming unleavened bread.
• "having their kneading bowls bound up in their cloaks on their shoulders": This describes the practical and desperate measures taken for their sudden journey. It highlights their quick thinking in packing essentials, relying on their everyday garments as transport bags. This visual powerfully depicts a people on the move, carrying their very means of sustenance, entirely dependent on God for what lay ahead.

Exodus 12 34 Bonus section

• This verse directly explains the historical reason for the perpetual commandment in Israel to eat unleavened bread during the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Pesach), which followed Passover. It became the "bread of affliction" (Deut 16:3) that permanently recalled their swift and arduous liberation.
• The unrisen dough itself represents a break from the ordinary, everyday routine of Egyptian life. They were moving into an extraordinary period guided by God's providence, unable to prepare meals in the usual way.
• The imagery of carrying essential household items on their shoulders also signifies that despite the urgency, they weren't entirely unprepared. They gathered what they could, symbolizing the beginning of their journey as a community carrying their history and future.
• The haste demonstrates that the Exodus was not merely an escape but a divine expulsion orchestrated by God's irresistible power, leading Pharaoh and Egypt to literally thrust Israel out. This was a direct result of the demonstration of God's absolute sovereignty over all powers and false gods of Egypt.

Exodus 12 34 Commentary

Exodus 12:34 paints a vivid picture of the dramatic turning point in Israel's history—their exodus from Egyptian bondage. The immediate action of taking unrisen dough underscores the profound haste of their departure, driven by both the Egyptians' terrified urging and God's powerful orchestration. It wasn't a leisurely journey but an abrupt severance from their former life. The detail of binding their kneading bowls in their cloaks signifies a resourceful, yet stark, preparation for life on the road. This hurried departure, compelled by divine intervention, directly established the foundational practice of consuming unleavened bread (matzah) during the Feast of Passover. It serves as an enduring physical reminder of their redemption, an emblem of sincerity, purity, and the suddenness of God's saving power. For the Israelites, this meant leaving the corruption of Egypt (symbolized by leaven) behind and beginning a new, uncorrupted life under God's guidance. It is a profound demonstration of God's redemptive power and His people's prompt, though hurried, response.