Exodus 12:39

39 And they baked the dough which they brought out of Egypt, unleavened cakes, for it had not been leavened; for the Egyptians cast them out, and they could not remain, neither did they prepare provision for themselves for the journey.

Exodus 12:39 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 12:39

And they baked unleavened cakes
While they were at Succoth; but since that was a desert place, where could they get ovens to bake them in? they might lay them upon coals, and by frequent turning them bake them, or under hot ashes, under a pan covered with hot embers and coals, on an hearth, in which way cakes and other things are now baked with us in many places: of the quick way of dressing cakes in the eastern countries, (See Gill on Genesis 18:6) and some render the word, "cakes under ashes" ^F11 which were made

of the dough which they brought forth out of Egypt; for it was not
leavened;
of the manner of their bringing it, (See Gill on Exodus 12:34), and the reason why it was not leavened follows:

because they were thrust out of Egypt, and could not tarry:
to leaven their dough, in such haste did they go out from thence. When they are said to be "thrust out", it is not to be understood of force and compulsion used, or of any indecent and ill behaviour towards them; but of earnest entreaties and urgent persuasions to depart; though this no doubt gave rise to the stories told by Justin ^F12, Tacitus ^F13, and others, that they were drove and cast out of Egypt by force, because they were a filthy diseased people, infected with the scab, itch, and leprosy; whereas there was not a sick, unsound, infirm, and feeble person among them, as before observed:

neither had they prepared for themselves any victual;
they had their flocks and their herds, out of which they could take for their use, and they had dough, though unleavened and unbaked; but they had nothing ready dressed; what remained of the passover lamb they were obliged to burn; they had nothing which was got by hunting or fishing, as the word

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FOOTNOTES:

F14 used signifies; neither venison nor fish, of the latter of which there was great plenty in Egypt.

F11 (tge) "subcineritios panes", V. L. "subcineritia", Samar, (egkrufiav) , Sept. so Munster.
F12 E Trogo, l. 36. c. 2.
F13 Hist. l. 5. c. 3. Manetho apud Joseph. contr. Apion, l. 1. c. 15. & Chaeremon apud ib. c. 32. & Lysimachus apud ib. c. 34.
F14 (tdu) "vox autem proprie significat aliquid venando captum", Piscator.

Exodus 12:39 In-Context

37 And the children Israel departed from Ramesses to Socchoth, to six hundred thousand footmen, even men, besides the baggage.

38 And a great mixed went up with them, and sheep and oxen and very much cattle.

39 And they baked the dough which they brought out of Egypt, unleavened cakes, for it had not been leavened; for the Egyptians cast them out, and they could not remain, neither did they prepare provision for themselves for the journey.

40 And the sojourning of the children of Israel, while they sojourned in the land of Egypt and the land of Chanaan, four hundred and thirty years.

41 And it came to pass after the four hundred and thirty years, all the forces of the Lord came forth out of the land of Egypt by night.