Leaven

LEAVEN; in Greek, Zyme; in Latin, Fermentum; in Hebrew, Seor; The Hebrews were forbidden by the Law to eat leavened Bread, or any Thing with Leaven in it during the seven Days of the Passover. They were very careful in purifying their Houses from all Leaven, as soon as the Vigil of this Feast began; and God forbad either Leaven or Honey to be offered to him in his Temple; that is to say, that in the Offerings of Cakes, or any baked Meats, which were presented to the Lord upon his Altar, there should be no Leaven, nor any Mixture of Honey. But upon other Occasions there was nothing which hindered them from offering leavened Bread and Honey¹. See Numb. xv. 20, 21. where God requires them to give the First-Fruits of the Bread, which was kneaded in all the Cities of Israel, to the Priests and Levites. Saint Paul expresses his Desire, that the Faithful should 1 Cor. v. 7, 8.celebrate the Christian Passover with unleavened Bread, in Azymis, which, in the mystical Sense of the Word, signifies Sincerity and Truth; wherein he teaches us two Things. First, that the Law which obliged the Jews to a literal Observance of the Passover, is no longer in Force; and secondly, that by unleavened Bread, Truth and Purity of Heart were denoted. The same Apostle alludes to 1 Cor. v. 6.what was practiced in the Ceremony of the Passover, wherein a great deal of Care was taken to cleanse the House of all unleavened Bread, where he says, watch over your selves; for a little Leaven leaveneth the whole Lump, which is in the Baker’s kneading Trough. A Quantity of Leaven no larger than a Nut, was sufficient to make all the Bread, which was then kneaded, impure. Thus Immorality, Impurity of Heart pollutes all our Actions. Jesus Christ terms the Maxims and Doctrine of the Herodians and Pharisees, the Leaven of Matt. xvi. 6. Mark viii. 15.these People.

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