Leaven

In the Bible, leaven (Hebrew: "se'or"; Greek: "zume") is often used as a symbol for influence, particularly in relation to sin and corruption. This metaphorical use can be traced back to the way leaven, which is a fermenting agent used in baking, permeates dough and causes it to rise. In the Old Testament, during the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Israelites were commanded to remove all leaven from their homes and to eat only unleavened bread for seven days (Exodus 12:15). This act symbolized purity and the need to remove sin from one's life.In the New Testament, Jesus uses leaven in a cautionary context, warning against the "leaven of the Pharisees" and the "leaven of Herod" (Mark 8:15). Here, leaven represents false teachings and the corrupting influence of religious hypocrisy and secular power. Additionally, Paul refers to leaven in 1 Corinthians 5:6-8, urging the church to "cleanse out the old leaven" to be a new lump, symbolizing the need for moral and spiritual integrity within the community. Thus, leaven serves as a potent symbol of both the pervasive nature of sin and the necessity for believers to strive for holiness.

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