Book of Exodus - Chapter 12 - Verse 18

The verse "In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at even, ye shall eat unleavened bread, until the one and twentieth day of the month at even" is a commandment given to the Israelites by God during the time of Moses. This verse is part of the instructions for observing the Passover, a significant event in Jewish history commemorating their deliverance from slavery in Egypt. The use of unleavened bread during this time symbolizes haste and urgency, as the Israelites had to leave Egypt quickly and did not have time for their bread to rise. Therefore, they were instructed to eat unleavened bread for a week, from the fourteenth day of the first month to the twenty-first day, to remember their liberation. This commandment serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness in rescuing his people and the importance of obedience to his decrees.

One important aspect of the theological interpretation of the verse 'In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at even, ye shall eat unleavened bread, until the one and twentieth day of the month at even' is the significance of unleavened bread in the Old Testament. The command to eat unleavened bread during this period, known as the Feast of Unleavened Bread, was a symbol of purity and holiness. Leaven, or yeast, was often used in bread-making to make the dough rise, but it was also seen as a symbol of sin and corruption. By eating unleavened bread, the Israelites were reminded of the importance of spiritual purity and obedience to God. Additionally, the time frame specified in the verse, from the fourteenth to the twenty-first day of the first month, corresponds to the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which were important religious celebrations in the Jewish calendar. This verse serves as a reminder of the symbolism and significance of unleavened bread in the context of Old Testament practices and religious observances.