Word Research
Word Study: “Leaven” (Meaning, Symbolism & Spiritual Warning)
Explore the biblical meaning of leaven in Scripture. Discover its symbolism as sin and false doctrine, and how Jesus used it to reveal spiritual truth and deception.
The Literal Use of "Leaven" in Scripture
📖 Exodus 12:15 – “Seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread; even the first day ye shall put away leaven out of your houses.”
📖 Leviticus 2:11 – “For ye shall burn no leaven, nor any honey, in any offering of the LORD made by fire.”
🔹 Leaven was excluded from sacred offerings because it symbolized impurity and corruption.
🔹 During Passover, God commanded Israel to remove all leaven—symbolizing a break from sin and bondage in Egypt.
🔹 In literal form, leaven causes dough to rise. Spiritually, it represents what spreads and influences silently.
The Symbolic Use of "Leaven" as Sin & Corruption
📖 1 Corinthians 5:6-7 – “Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump.”
📖 Galatians 5:9 – “A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.”
📖 Mark 8:15 – “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and the leaven of Herod.”
🔹 Leaven here represents sin, false doctrine, hypocrisy, and worldly compromise.
🔹 Like yeast, sin works quietly but thoroughly—spreading corruption if left unchecked.
🔹 Paul and Jesus both warn believers to be spiritually vigilant. Even a small compromise spreads spiritual danger.
The Leaven of the Pharisees, Sadducees & Herod
📖 Matthew 16:6 – “Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.”
📖 Luke 12:1 – “Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.”
🔹 Pharisees’ leaven = Hypocrisy – legalism and outward religion without heart conversion
🔹 Sadducees’ leaven = Doctrinal error – denial of resurrection, angels, and spiritual realities
🔹 Herod’s leaven = Worldliness and political corruption
🔥 All three forms of leaven represent subtle spiritual decay. Christ commands His followers to reject them completely.
The One Exception – Leaven as the Kingdom of Heaven?
📖 Matthew 13:33 – “The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.”
🔹 This parable uses leaven positively, symbolizing the transforming, spreading power of God’s kingdom.
🔹 Though some interpret this as representing false doctrine infiltrating the church, it may also show how the Gospel quietly spreads and permeates lives and nations.
🔹 Context is key—leaven is often bad, but here, it reflects heavenly influence overtaking darkness.
Application: Removing the Leaven from Our Lives
📖 Exodus 13:7 – “There shall no leavened bread be seen with thee… for with a strong hand hath the LORD brought thee out of Egypt.”
📖 1 Corinthians 5:8 – “Let us keep the feast… with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.”
🔹 We must examine our hearts for hidden sins or false beliefs that are quietly growing.
🔹 “Unleavened bread” spiritually represents a pure walk with God, free of hypocrisy and compromise.
🔹 Just as Israel cleansed their homes before Passover, we must spiritually cleanse our minds and hearts.
Final Thought – Keep the Feast with Sincerity & Truth
📖 Luke 12:1 – “Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.”
📖 1 Corinthians 5:7 – “Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.”
🔥 Just as the Israelites cast out leaven before the Passover, we must cast out pride, false teaching, and sin as we walk with Christ. The enemy’s influence may come silently, but truth discerns it, and grace removes it.
“Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.” – 1 Corinthians 5:7
Leaven In English
Leaven
Leaven In Hebrew
Hebrew: שְּׂאֹר (se’or) – Strong’s H7603
Leaven In Greek
Greek: ζύμη (zumē) – Strong’s G2219
Word Count
The word “Deception” is used a total of 22 times. 6 times in the Old Testament and 16 times in the New Testament.