The Meaning of Exodus 23:15 Explained

Exodus 23:15

KJV: Thou shalt keep the feast of unleavened bread: (thou shalt eat unleavened bread seven days, as I commanded thee, in the time appointed of the month Abib; for in it thou camest out from Egypt: and none shall appear before me empty:)

YLT: the Feast of Unleavened things thou dost keep; seven days thou dost eat unleavened things, as I have commanded thee, at the time appointed in the month of Abib; for in it thou hast come forth out of Egypt, and ye do not appear in My presence empty;

Darby: Thou shalt keep the feast of unleavened bread, (thou shalt eat unleavened bread seven days, as I have commanded thee, in the time appointed of the month Abib; for in it thou camest out from Egypt; and none shall appear in my presence empty;)

ASV: The feast of unleavened bread shalt thou keep: seven days thou shalt eat unleavened bread, as I commanded thee, at the time appointed in the month Abib (for in it thou camest out from Egypt); and none shall appear before me empty:

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Thou shalt keep  the feast  of unleavened bread:  (thou shalt eat  unleavened bread  seven  days,  as I commanded  thee, in the time appointed  of the month  Abib;  for in it thou camest out  from Egypt:  and none shall appear  before  me empty:  ) 

What does Exodus 23:15 Mean?

Study Notes

Abib
First month, i.e. April.

Context Summary

Exodus 23:1-17 - Laws Of Conduct And Worship
We may apply these various precepts to our own hearts. Many of them breathe the very spirit of Christ. We must watch our speech, so that no man's character may suffer by our gossip or slander. We must dare to stand for the truth, though we stand absolutely alone. With all kindness and good will we must save our neighbor from damage, even though he has vented on us his spleen. It is never for us to take advantage of him; God will deal with him on our behalf, and in His own time and way. Let us not fret ourselves to do evil. David's example in refusing to injure Saul when his bitter enemy was within his reach is an inspiring example for us to follow. We must hold an even balance for just and honorable dealing with all men; and cultivate the Sabbath-keeping of the heart. In every life, also, there should be perpetual memory of Calvary, the Resurrection and Pentecost-the three feasts of the soul! [source]

Chapter Summary: Exodus 23

1  Of slander, false witness, and partiality
4  Of charitableness
6  Of justice in judgment
8  Of taking bribes
9  Of oppressing a stranger
10  Of the year of rest
12  Of the Sabbath
13  Of idolatry
14  Of the three feasts
18  Of the blood and the fat of the sacrifice
20  An angel is promised, with a blessing, if they obey him

What do the individual words in Exodus 23:15 mean?

- Feast of the Unleavened Bread You shall keep seven days you shall eat unleavened bread as I commanded you at the time appointed in the month of Abib for in it you came out of Egypt And none shall appear before Me empty
אֶת־ חַ֣ג הַמַּצּוֹת֮ תִּשְׁמֹר֒ שִׁבְעַ֣ת יָמִים֩ תֹּאכַ֨ל מַצּ֜וֹת כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֣ר צִוִּיתִ֗ךָ לְמוֹעֵד֙ חֹ֣דֶשׁ הָֽאָבִ֔יב כִּי־ ב֖וֹ יָצָ֣אתָ מִמִּצְרָ֑יִם וְלֹא־ יֵרָא֥וּ פָנַ֖י רֵיקָֽם

אֶת־  - 
Parse: Direct object marker
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
חַ֣ג  Feast 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: חַג  
Sense: festival, feast, festival-gathering, pilgrim-feast.
הַמַּצּוֹת֮  of  the  Unleavened  Bread 
Parse: Article, Noun, feminine plural
Root: מַצָּה  
Sense: unleavened (bread, cake), without leaven.
תִּשְׁמֹר֒  You  shall  keep 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, second person masculine singular
Root: שָׁמַר  
Sense: to keep, guard, observe, give heed.
שִׁבְעַ֣ת  seven 
Parse: Number, masculine singular construct
Root: שֶׁבַע  
Sense: seven (cardinal number).
יָמִים֩  days 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: יׄום 
Sense: day, time, year.
תֹּאכַ֨ל  you  shall  eat 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, second person masculine singular
Root: אָכַל  
Sense: to eat, devour, burn up, feed.
מַצּ֜וֹת  unleavened  bread 
Parse: Noun, feminine plural
Root: מַצָּה  
Sense: unleavened (bread, cake), without leaven.
צִוִּיתִ֗ךָ  I  commanded  you 
Parse: Verb, Piel, Perfect, first person common singular, second person masculine singular
Root: צָוָה  
Sense: to command, charge, give orders, lay charge, give charge to, order.
לְמוֹעֵד֙  at  the  time  appointed 
Parse: Preposition-l, Noun, masculine singular
Root: מֹועֵד  
Sense: appointed place, appointed time, meeting.
חֹ֣דֶשׁ  in  the  month 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: חֹדֶשׁ  
Sense: the new moon, month, monthly.
הָֽאָבִ֔יב  of  Abib 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: אָבִיב  
Sense: fresh, young barley ears, barley.
ב֖וֹ  in  it 
Parse: Preposition, third person masculine singular
יָצָ֣אתָ  you  came  out 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, second person masculine singular
Root: יׄוצֵאת 
Sense: to go out, come out, exit, go forth.
מִמִּצְרָ֑יִם  of  Egypt 
Parse: Preposition-m, Proper Noun, feminine singular
Root: מִצְרַיִם  
Sense: a country at the northeastern section of Africa, adjacent to Palestine, and through which the Nile flows adj Egyptians = “double straits”.
וְלֹא־  And  none 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Adverb, Negative particle
Root: הֲלֹא 
Sense: not, no.
יֵרָא֥וּ  shall  appear 
Parse: Verb, Nifal, Imperfect, third person masculine plural
Root: רָאָה 
Sense: to see, look at, inspect, perceive, consider.
פָנַ֖י  before  Me 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct, first person common singular
Root: לִפְנֵי 
Sense: face.
רֵיקָֽם  empty 
Parse: Adverb
Root: רֵיקָם  
Sense: vainly, emptily.