Exodus 12 39

Exodus 12:39 kjv

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.

Exodus 12:39 nkjv

And they baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they had brought out of Egypt; for it was not leavened, because they were driven out of Egypt and could not wait, nor had they prepared provisions for themselves.

Exodus 12:39 niv

With the dough the Israelites had brought from Egypt, they baked loaves of unleavened bread. The dough was without yeast because they had been driven out of Egypt and did not have time to prepare food for themselves.

Exodus 12:39 esv

And they baked unleavened cakes of the dough that they had brought out of Egypt, for it was not leavened, because they were thrust out of Egypt and could not wait, nor had they prepared any provisions for themselves.

Exodus 12:39 nlt

For bread they baked flat cakes from the dough without yeast they had brought from Egypt. It was made without yeast because the people were driven out of Egypt in such a hurry that they had no time to prepare the bread or other food.

Exodus 12 verses

Exodus 12 39 Meaning

Exodus 12:39 details the practical reality of the Israelites' departure from Egypt: they were forced to leave so quickly that their bread dough had no time to rise, leading them to bake unleavened cakes (matzot). This verse underscores the extreme haste and immediacy of the Exodus, demonstrating God's forceful liberation and the utter unpreparedness of the people, relying solely on divine impetus.

Exodus 12 39 Context

This verse is situated immediately after the climactic tenth plague, the death of the firstborn, which compelled Pharaoh to finally urge the Israelites to leave Egypt swiftly (Exo 12:31-33). The chapter describes the Passover instructions and the execution of the plague, marking the culmination of centuries of Israel's bondage. Verse 39 details the practical reality and consequence of that divine intervention and Pharaoh's urgent command: the Israelites departed with such haste that they could not complete their meal preparation, a testament to God's immediate and decisive act of deliverance. It grounds the ritualistic meaning of the unleavened bread in the historical reality of their sudden flight.

Exodus 12 39 Word analysis

• And they baked: An action reflecting necessity rather than a planned, leisurely preparation. It emphasizes immediate provision in a dire situation.

• unleavened cakes (מַצּוֹת, matzot): Flat, crisp bread. This term becomes central to the Passover celebration. It symbolizes both the "bread of affliction" (Deu 16:3) due to suffering under slavery and the "bread of haste" due to their swift departure. It contrasts sharply with leavened bread, representing a departure from the "old" life.

• of the dough: The basic mixture of flour and water. Its unprocessed state highlights their sudden flight before normal food preparation could occur.

• which they brought forth out of Egypt: Signifies that the raw dough, not finished bread, was carried out. This indicates their extreme urgency and that they began their journey unprepared, a testament to the instantaneous nature of the Exodus.

• for it was not leavened: This phrase serves as the immediate explanation for the type of bread they baked. It directly links the "unleavened" nature to the lack of time, providing the historical basis for the future Passover observance.

• because they were thrust out of Egypt (גָּרַשׁ, garash): This strong Hebrew verb means "to drive out," "expel," or "cast out." It conveys a forceful, undeniable expulsion by Pharaoh and the Egyptians, compelled by the divine plagues (Exo 12:31-33), not a mere permission or voluntary departure. This was a non-negotiable exit.

• and could not tarry: Emphasizes the utter lack of opportunity for delay or leisurely preparations. This underscores the immediate and irresistible divine impetus behind their liberation. They had no choice but to depart instantly.

• neither had they prepared for themselves any victual (צֵדָה, tzedah): This phrase indicates a complete absence of provisions or food supplies for a journey. This extreme unpreparedness further highlights the suddenness of their departure and, critically, foreshadows their subsequent reliance on God's miraculous provision, like the manna in the wilderness.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "baked unleavened cakes... not leavened": These phrases are intrinsically linked, establishing the matzah as a direct result of their rushed exit. The specific nature of their bread serves as a tangible, ongoing memorial of that chaotic moment.
  • "brought forth out of Egypt... thrust out of Egypt... could not tarry": This sequence emphasizes the overwhelming speed and forced nature of their departure. Their physical movement out of Egypt was not a leisurely exodus but an urgent expulsion driven by divine power and Egyptian desperation.
  • "not leavened, because they were thrust out... and could not tarry, neither had they prepared": This is a concise cause-and-effect chain. The lack of leaven was because they were forcibly expelled; the inability to delay was because they were expelled; and as a result, they had no time to prepare provisions. This illustrates God's absolute control over the situation and the immediate obedience required of the Israelites.

Exodus 12 39 Bonus section

The annual observance of the Feast of Unleavened Bread serves as a perpetual reminder of this very moment, preventing Israel from forgetting their origin as freed slaves under God's mighty hand. The matzah is consumed yearly not just as a symbol of hurried departure, but also as a "bread of affliction," remembering the hardships endured both in slavery and during the immediate flight. The symbolism of leaven (often associated with sin or corruption in the New Testament) being removed highlights the divine call for purity and separation as Israel departed from their corrupt environment. This unplanned preparation of food vividly contrasts human logistical foresight with divine instantaneous power and provision.

Exodus 12 39 Commentary

Exodus 12:39 encapsulates the chaotic, divinely orchestrated moment of Israel's liberation. The production of matzah, unleavened bread, wasn't a choice but a necessity born of profound haste and forced expulsion from Egypt. This detail establishes the historical root for one of the central components of the Passover feast, imbuing it with a permanent memory of urgency, affliction, and reliance on God. Their inability to tarry or prepare victuals showcases their utter dependence on divine leading and provision, immediately pointing towards God's care in the wilderness despite their human vulnerability and unpreparedness. The matzah thus becomes a tangible symbol of their swift deliverance and God's powerful, immediate action that left no room for human planning or delay.