Topical Bible: The Feast of the Passover: Called The: Days of Unleavened Bread

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The Feast of the Passover, also known as the Days of Unleavened Bread, is a significant biblical festival commemorating the Israelites' deliverance from slavery in Egypt. This event is foundational to Jewish history and theology and holds profound typological significance in Christian thought, symbolizing redemption and liberation through divine intervention.

Biblical Origin and Observance

The Passover is instituted in the Book of Exodus, where God commands Moses to establish the festival as a perpetual ordinance for the Israelites. The event is described in Exodus 12, where the Lord instructs the Israelites to sacrifice a lamb without blemish and apply its blood to the doorposts and lintels of their homes. This act would cause the Lord to "pass over" their houses during the final plague on Egypt, sparing the firstborn of Israel while striking down the firstborn of Egypt. As recorded in Exodus 12:14 , "This day is to be a memorial for you, and you are to celebrate it as a feast to the LORD. You are to celebrate it as a permanent statute for the generations to come."

The Passover marks the beginning of the seven-day Feast of Unleavened Bread, during which the Israelites are commanded to eat bread made without yeast. This is a reminder of the haste with which they left Egypt, as they did not have time to let their dough rise. Exodus 12:17 states, "So you are to observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread, for on this very day I brought your divisions out of the land of Egypt. Therefore, you are to observe this day as a permanent statute for the generations to come."

Rituals and Symbolism

The Passover meal, or Seder, is rich with symbolism. The lamb represents the sacrifice, the unleavened bread (matzah) signifies purity and the absence of sin, and the bitter herbs (maror) symbolize the bitterness of slavery. Each element of the meal serves as a tangible reminder of God's deliverance and faithfulness.

New Testament Significance

In the New Testament, the Passover takes on additional significance with the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, who is identified as the ultimate Passover Lamb. The Apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 5:7 , "Get rid of the old yeast, so that you may be a new unleavened batch, as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed." This connection underscores the belief that Christ's sacrificial death fulfills the typology of the Passover lamb, offering redemption from sin and eternal death.

The Last Supper, which Jesus shared with His disciples, is understood to be a Passover meal. During this meal, Jesus instituted the Lord's Supper, or Communion, as recorded in the Synoptic Gospels. In Luke 22:19-20 , Jesus says, "And He took the bread, gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, 'This is My body, given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.' In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is poured out for you.'"

Historical and Theological Impact

The Feast of the Passover has been observed by Jewish communities for millennia and continues to be a central aspect of Jewish identity and faith. For Christians, the Passover is a profound foreshadowing of the redemptive work of Christ, emphasizing themes of sacrifice, deliverance, and covenant. The festival's enduring legacy is a testament to its deep spiritual and historical significance, bridging the Old and New Testaments and uniting believers in the shared narrative of God's salvation history.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Acts 12:3
And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Acts 20:6
And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came to them to Troas in five days; where we stayed seven days.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Of the Question Whether There is any Contradiction Between Matthew ...
... the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the passover;" that is
to say, it "drew nigh" in this sense, that it was to take place after two days' ...
/.../the harmony of the gospels/chapter lxxviii of the question whether.htm

Preparation for Passover. Disciples Contend for Precedence.
... He also sometimes reckons the feast as lasting seven days ... the day could be very
fittingly called "the first ... bread, when they sacrificed the passover, his { ^a ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cxvii preparation for passover disciples.htm

Jesus Predicts, the Rulers Plot For, and Judas Bargains for his ...
... the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover. { ^b 1 Now
after two days was the feast of the passover and the unleavened bread:} ^a 1 ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cxvi jesus predicts the rulers.htm

The Passover: an Expiation and a Feast, a Memorial and a Prophecy
... We have called the Passover a sacrifice. That has been disputed, but unreasonably. ...
The Passover as a feast is a prophecy of the great Sacrifice, by virtue of ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the passover an expiation and.htm

Concerning the Festivals; and How Each Day of Such Festival is to ...
... before told you we slew when we came out of Egypt, and which was called the Passover ...
The feast of unleavened bread succeeds that of the passover, and falls ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 10 concerning the festivals.htm

On Feast Days and Fast Days.
... upon His shoulders; and His name is called the Angel ... Christ, to observe the days
of the passover exactly, with ... because an the day of their feast they crucified ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec iii on feast days and.htm

The Passover visit
... On completing this year a Hebrew boy was called a son of the law, and also a son
of God. ... The Passover was followed by the seven days' feast of unleavened ...
/.../white/the desire of ages/chapter 8 the passover visit.htm

How the Abbot Ceolfrid Sent Master-Builders to the King of the ...
... lamb was killed, and which is properly called the Passover ... number, by the title of
the Passover, as is ... certainly find that, while the Paschal feast begins on ...
/.../bede/bedes ecclesiastical history of england/chap xxi how the abbot.htm

Easter Sunday
... and unleavened bread requisite at the Jews' Feast of the ... and how to observe the real
Passover, wherein all ... Christians and God's true people, and called upon to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/epistle sermons vol ii/easter sunday.htm

Spiritual Meaning of the Passover.
... Whether there be any passover and any feast of leaven ... lintels in the houses, in which
we eat the passover. ... loose use of words, any food is called bread, as we ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/13 spiritual meaning of the.htm