Then Moses said to the people, “Remember this day in which you came out from Egypt, out of the house of slavery, for by a strong hand the LORD brought you out from this place. No leavened bread shall be eaten.
English Standard Version (ESV)
It's easy to focus on the "remember this day" part, but the verse immediately links this remembrance to a reason: "for by a strong hand the LORD brought you out." This isn't just a passive recall; it's about recognizing the incredible, active power of God that orchestrated their freedom, making the unleavened bread a tangible reminder of that powerful intervention.
Then Moses said to the people, “Remember this day in which you came out from Egypt, out of the house of slavery, for by a strong hand the LORD brought you out from this place. No leavened bread shall be eaten.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Fresh from their escape from Egypt and the horrors of slavery, Moses is relaying God's commands about remembering this momentous day. This passage is part of Moses' instructions to the people about commemorating their exodus, immediately following the Passover and before they embark on their journey into the wilderness. It sets the stage for ongoing observance, linking the present liberation to future generations and the laws that will govern their relationship with God.
Moses doesn't just tell the people what to do; he tells them why. What's the profound importance of remembering?
Moses issues a powerful command: 'Remember this day!' This isn't just a suggestion; it's a vital ordinance.
Why Remember?
Why does Moses immediately connect this monumental remembrance with a specific instruction about what not to eat?
The command 'No leavened bread shall be eaten' isn't arbitrary. It's deeply symbolic, tied directly to the hasty, urgent nature of their exodus.
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The Symbolism of Unleavened Bread:
Understand the original words
ebed · Hebrew Noun
A state of bondage or involuntary servitude, frequently used metaphorically and historically to describe Israel's condition in Egypt and, more broadly, humanity's condition under sin.
yad chazaqah · Hebrew Noun phrase
Referring to the direct, sovereign, and irresistible power of God exercised in history to deliver His people from oppression or judgment.
chamets · Hebrew Noun
Yeast or sourdough, used in the Bible as a symbol of corruption, sin, or foreign influence that must be removed from the community during sacred times, such as the Passover.
Moses' command to remember the day of the Exodus, immediately after their liberation and before they faced the challenges of the wilderness or the Promised Land, highlights the crucial importance of grounding national identity and future obedience in the foundational act of God's powerful deliverance.
c. 15th century BC— this verse
The Exodus from Egypt
The Israelites leave Egypt after centuries of enslavement, marking a pivotal moment of liberation under God's powerful hand. This event forms the foundation of their national identity and covenant relationship with God.
c. 15th century BC
Institution of Passover and Unleavened Bread
Immediately following the Exodus, God institutes the Passover feast and the command to eat unleavened bread for seven days. These ordinances are meant to serve as perpetual reminders of their miraculous deliverance.
c. 15th century BC
Israelites Begin Wilderness Journey
After leaving Egypt, the Israelites embark on their journey into the wilderness. This period is characterized by their dependence on God for provision and guidance, and the development of their national and religious structures.
c. 15th century BC
Conquest of Canaan Begins
Decades later, the Israelites, after wandering in the desert, begin their conquest of the Promised Land. This involves warfare and establishing settlements, fulfilling God's promises to Abraham and his descendants.
This passage echoes the command to remember the LORD's mighty acts when they were delivered from slavery in Egypt, emphasizing the importance of not forgetting their liberation and God's power.
Joshua 24:17Joshua reminds the Israelites of how the LORD brought their fathers out of Egypt, from the house of slavery, directly referencing the same foundational act of deliverance highlighted in Exodus 13:3.
Psalm 105:37This psalm recounts God bringing His people out of Egypt, not only with silver and gold but also with not one feeble person among their tribes, underscoring the 'strong hand' of God mentioned in Exodus 13:3.
1 Corinthians 5:7-8The Apostle Paul connects the practice of eating unleavened bread to the Passover and, by extension, to Christ's sacrifice, showing how the command in Exodus 13:3 points to a deeper spiritual reality of purification and new life.
Romans 12:1This New Testament passage calls believers to present their bodies as living sacrifices, which parallels the Old Testament concept of dedicating the firstborn and the whole nation to God as a response to His mighty deliverance, as prompted by Moses' words.
cambridgeExodus 13:3: "And Moses said unto the people, Remember this day, in which ye came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the LORD brought you out from this place: there shall no leavened bread be eaten."
3 . this day ] i.e. the 15th of Abib. house of bondage (lit. of bondmen or slaves )] so v. 14, Exodus 20:2 ; and hence often in Dt. ( Deuteronomy 5:6 [= Deuteronomy 20:2 ], Deuteronomy 6:12 , Deuteronomy 7:8 , Deuteronomy 8:14 , Deuteronomy 13:5 ; Deuteronomy 13:10…
calvinExodus 13:3-10: "And Moses said unto the people, Remember this day, in which ye came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the LORD brought you out from this place: there shall no leavened bread be eaten."
And Moses said unto the people, Remember this day, in which ye came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the Lord brought you out from this place: there shall no leavened bread be eaten.
Tune dixit Moses ad populum, Memento…
It's easy to focus on the "remember this day" part, but the verse immediately links this remembrance to a reason: "for by a strong hand the LORD brought you out." This isn't just a passive recall; it's about recognizing the incredible, active power of God that orchestrated their freedom, making the unleavened bread a tangible reminder of that powerful intervention.
Fresh from their escape from Egypt and the horrors of slavery, Moses is relaying God's commands about remembering this momentous day. This passage is part of Moses' instructions to the people about commemorating their exodus, immediately following the Passover and before they embark on their journey into the wilderness. It sets the stage for ongoing observance, linking the present liberation to future generations and the laws that will govern their relationship with God.
Fresh from their escape from Egypt and the horrors of slavery, Moses is relaying God's commands about remembering this momentous day. This passage is part of Moses' instructions to the people about commemorating their exodus, immediately following the Passover and before they embark on their journey into the wilderness. It sets the stage for ongoing observance, linking the present liberation to future generations and the laws that will govern their relationship with God.
"Then Moses said to the people, “Remember this day in which you came out from Egypt, out of the house of slavery, for by a strong hand the LORD brought you out from this place. No leavened bread shall be eaten." — It's easy to focus on the "remember this day" part, but the verse immediately links this remembrance to a reason: "for by a strong hand the LORD brought you out." This isn't just a passive recall;…
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Last reviewed October 2026