Exodus 12:19

19 For those seven days not a trace of yeast is to be found in your houses. Anyone, whether a visitor or a native of the land, who eats anything raised shall be cut off from the community of Israel.

Exodus 12:19 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 12:19

Seven days there shall be no leaven found in your houses,
&c.]. Wherefore, on the fourteenth day the most diligent search was made, and whatever was found was burnt, or cast into the sea, or dispersed with the wind; about which the traditionary writers of the Jews, give many rules and canons, (See Gill on Exodus 12:15), for whoso eateth that which is leavened, even that soul shall be cut
off from the congregation of Israel;
which is repeated to deter them from the breach of this ordinance; (See Gill on Exodus 12:15), and it is added for further explanation, of whom it concerns: whether he be a stranger, or born in the land;
by a "stranger" is meant, not a mere Heathen, who was not bound by this law, but a proselyte; and not a proselyte of the gate, one that was only a sojourner among them, and observed the commandments of the sons of Noah; but a proselyte of righteousness, who professed the Jewish religion, and proposed to conform to it in all respects, and therefore was obliged to observe this as other precepts: and by one "born in the land", is intended a native of the land of Canaan, whither they were now going in order to possess it, or a real Israelite, such as were born of Israelitish parents, and proper inhabitants of Canaan, which they would be put into the possession of.

Exodus 12:19 In-Context

17 "Keep the Festival of Unraised Bread! This marks the exact day I brought you out in force from the land of Egypt. Honor the day down through your generations, a fixed festival to be observed always.

18 In the first month, beginning on the fourteenth day at evening until the twenty-first day at evening, you are to eat unraised bread.

19 For those seven days not a trace of yeast is to be found in your houses. Anyone, whether a visitor or a native of the land, who eats anything raised shall be cut off from the community of Israel.

20 Don't eat anything raised. Only matzoth."

21 Moses assembled all the elders of Israel. He said, "Select a lamb for your families and slaughter the Passover lamb.