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Leaven (2)

Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament

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(from levare, ‘to raise’; ζύμη, ζυμοῦν; fermentum)

Leaven is a substance which produces fermentation, especially in the making of bread. It is properly a piece or already fermented dough, which is mixed with other dough in order to repeat the process. In the warm climate of Syria the fermentation is completed in 24 hours. The commandment against the use of raised bread during the Passover week (Exodus 12:17; Exodus 13:7, etc.) was no doubt a survival from Israel’s nomadic period, when (as among the nomads of to-day) all bread was unleavened. Fermentation was supposed to represent the process of corruption in the mass of the bread-an idea found in Plutarch, who says: ‘Now leaven is itself the offspring of corruption, and corrupts the mass (τὸ φύραμα) with which it is mixed’ (Quaes. Rom. 109). Bread with the taint of putrefaction was regarded as unfit for use in religious ceremonies (see W. R. Smith, RS ^{[Note: S Religion of the Semites (W. Robertson Smith).] 2}, 1894, p. 220). On the eve of the first day of the Passover-the 14th Nisan-the Jews, in accordance with their immemorial custom, still carefully remove every trace of leaven which can be found in their houses. Fresh dough kneaded with pure water is used in the preparation of the cakes of unleavened bread which are to be eaten during the holy week.

As a figure of speech, ‘leaven’ is applied to any element, influence, or agency which effects a subtle and secret change either for the better or for the worse. On the one hand, the Kingdom of Heaven is a leaven which is destined to penetrate, and assimilate to itself, the whole of humanity (Matthew 13:23, Luke 13:20 f.). On the other, even an apparently insignificant sin, if tolerated and unchecked in a community, has great power of corruption, and St. Paul twice quotes the popular saying, ‘A little leaven leavens the whole lump’ (ὅλον τὸ φύραμα, 1 Corinthians 5:6, Galatians 5:9). The followers of Christ are already unleavened (ἄζυμοι); virtually and ideally-in the purpose of God and in their own passionate desire-they are completely purged from the leaven of iniquity; but the ideal has still to be realized. They are therefore exhorted to set about and carry through their Passover cleansing of the soul-to rid themselves of all infected and infections remains of their pre-Christian state-that they may keep not a seven-days’ but a life-long feast with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth (1 Corinthians 5:6-8).

James Strahan.