מַצָּה (mats.tsah)
mats.tsah
unleavened bread
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 40 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew word matsah refers to bread made without leaven, appearing frequently in the Pentateuch during instructions for the Passover and other festivals. It denotes a flat, unfermented loaf or cake, distinct from ordinary risen bread. The term appears in key passages such as Exodus 12:15 and 12:18, where it is central to the command to remove all yeast from Israel’s homes during the festival.
Its etymology connects to a root meaning "to suck" or "drink greedily," suggesting something sweet or pure. This linguistic link highlights the contrast between the natural souring of leaven and the fresh, unspoiled state of matsah. In Scripture, this distinction carries theological weight: just as leaven often symbolizes corruption or sin, matsah represents purity and haste, recalling how the Israelites left Egypt in such urgency that their dough did not have time to rise (Exodus 12:39).
Translators typically render matsah as "unleavened bread" or "unleavened cakes," depending on context. The word appears over forty times in the Hebrew Bible, mostly in Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers. Its consistent use underscores its importance in Israel’s worship and memory of deliverance.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word matsah refers to unleavened bread, a simple flat loaf made without yeast. In the ancient world, this was not just a dietary choice but a central part of Israel’s worship and memory. When God delivered His people from Egypt, they left in such haste that their dough did not have time to rise. This act of eating matsah became a tangible way for every generation to remember that deliverance.
For your faith, this detail offers a powerful reminder of God’s swift action on our behalf. Just as the Israelites relied on fresh bread because they could not wait, we are called to trust in God’s timely provision. The absence of leaven, which often symbolizes corruption or sin in Scripture, points to a life marked by sincerity and purity. It invites us to examine our hearts, removing what hinders our relationship with Him.
Living with the spirit of matsah means embracing simplicity and readiness. It is an invitation to approach God with honesty, free from the 'leaven' of pretense or hidden sin. As you reflect on this, consider how God has acted swiftly in your own life, bringing freedom where there was once bondage.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 40 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- unleavened bread<s>30×
- the/ unleavened bread<s>13×
- <the>/ unleavened bread<s>3×
- unleavened bread2×
- and/ unleavened bread<s>2×
- and/ <in> the/ unleavened bread<s>1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מַצּ֖וֹת9×
- מַצּוֹת֙3×
- הַ/מַּצּ֛וֹת3×
- הַ/מַּצּ֖וֹת3×
- הַ/מַּצּ֔וֹת3×
- מַצֹּת֙2×
- מַצֹּ֑ת2×
- מַצָּ֤ה2×
- מַצּ֥וֹת2×
- מַצּ֣וֹת2×
- מַצּ֗וֹת2×
- הַ/מַּצּוֹת֮2×
Key Verses
-
Exodus 12:39
They baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they brought out of Egypt; for it wasn’t leavened, because they were thrust out of Egypt, and couldn’t wait, and they had not prepared any food for themselves.
This verse explains the historical origin of matsah, linking the bread directly to the urgency of the Exodus and God's rapid deliverance.
-
Exodus 12:15
“‘Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread; even the first day you shall put away yeast out of your houses, for whoever eats leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that soul shall be cut off from Israel.
Here, the command to remove all yeast establishes matsah as a sign of separation from the old life in Egypt and dedication to God.
-
Genesis 19:3
He urged them greatly, and they came in with him, and entered into his house. He made them a feast, and baked unleavened bread, and they ate.
This early occurrence shows that unleavened bread was already part of hospitality practices before it became a specific Passover ordinance.