Topical Bible: Bread-yeast

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Definition and Usage in Biblical Times:

Bread-yeast, often referred to simply as "leaven" in the Bible, is a substance used to ferment dough, causing it to rise and become light and porous. In ancient times, yeast was typically a piece of dough retained from a previous batch, which had naturally fermented. This leavened dough would be mixed into a new batch to initiate the fermentation process.

Biblical References and Symbolism:

Yeast is mentioned numerous times throughout the Bible, both in literal and symbolic contexts. In the Old Testament, the Israelites were commanded to eat unleavened bread during the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which commemorates their hasty departure from Egypt. 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, for whoever eats anything leavened from the first day through the seventh must be cut off from Israel."

The removal of leaven during this feast symbolizes the purging of sin and corruption, as leaven is often used metaphorically to represent sin or moral decay. This symbolism is further emphasized in the New Testament. In 1 Corinthians 5:6-8 , Paul writes, "Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven works through the whole batch of dough? Get rid of the old leaven, that you may be a new unleavened batch, as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. 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."

Positive and Negative Connotations:

While leaven is often associated with sin, it is not exclusively negative. In Matthew 13:33 , Jesus uses leaven in a parable to describe the Kingdom of Heaven: "He told them still another parable: 'The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and mixed into three measures of flour until all of it was leavened.'" Here, leaven represents the transformative power of the Kingdom of Heaven, illustrating how a small influence can permeate and change the whole.

Cultural and Religious Practices:

In Jewish culture, the practice of removing leaven from the home during Passover is a meticulous process, symbolizing a spiritual cleansing. This tradition underscores the importance of purity and holiness in the life of a believer. The absence of leaven in the Passover meal serves as a reminder of the Israelites' deliverance from bondage and the need for spiritual vigilance.

Conclusion:

Bread-yeast, or leaven, holds a significant place in biblical teaching, serving as a powerful symbol of both sin and the transformative power of God's Kingdom. Its dual representation as both a negative and positive force highlights the importance of discernment and the pursuit of righteousness in the life of faith.

Concordance

Bread-yeast (1 Occurrence)

Matthew 16:12
Then they perceived that He had not warned them against bread-yeast, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
(WEY)

Thesaurus

Bread-yeast (1 Occurrence)
Bread-yeast. Breadths, Bread-yeast. Break . Multi-Version Concordance
Bread-yeast (1 Occurrence). Matthew 16:12 Then ...
/b/bread-yeast.htm - 6k

Warned (63 Occurrences)
... Matthew 16:12 Then they perceived that He had not warned them against bread-yeast,
but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees. (WEY). ...
/w/warned.htm - 25k

Perceived (57 Occurrences)
... (KJV WEY WBS). Matthew 16:12 Then they perceived that He had not warned them against
bread-yeast, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees. (WEY) ...
/p/perceived.htm - 23k