At Passover, Israel was commanded to remove leaven and eat unleavened bread in remembrance of the hurried Exodus. Outside that festival setting, leaven was an ordinary and useful part of bread making.
Customs & Culture
Leaven and Unleavened Bread
Leavened dough was ordinarily produced by retaining fermented dough from an earlier batch, while unleavened bread omitted that fermentation process.
Primary Scripture
Historical and Cultural Background
Biblical Examples
Jesus uses leaven both positively, for the kingdom's pervasive growth, and negatively, for corrupting influence; Paul also uses Passover imagery of removing old leaven.
Biblical Significance
Leaven itself is not a universal biblical symbol of evil. Its metaphorical meaning depends on the passage.
Common Misconceptions
The claim that leaven always represents sin is contradicted by Jesus' positive kingdom parable in Matthew 13.
Historical Setting and Evidence
Culture: Israelite, Judean/Jewish
Period: Exodus and Wilderness, Conquest and Judges, United Monarchy, Divided Monarchy, Kingdom of Judah, Babylonian Exile, Persian Period, Hellenistic Period, Hasmonean Period, Roman / Second Temple Period
Evidence: Well Attested
Interpretive Importance: Essential
The culinary practice and Passover prohibition are directly attested in Scripture.
Scripture References
Related Information
Sources
Exodus 12; Matthew 13; Matthew 16; 1 Corinthians 5