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Yeast or fermented dough carrying both positive and negative symbolism in Scripture. Jesus compared the kingdom of heaven to leaven that a woman mixed into flour until it permeated the whole batch (Matthew 13:33). Conversely, he warned against 'the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees' — their teaching and hypocrisy (Matthew 16:6-12). Paul used leaven negatively: 'A little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough' (Galatians 5:9, 1 Corinthians 5:6), urging removal of malice and wickedness. During Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread, all leaven was purged from houses (Exodus 12:15). Leaven represents pervasive influence — whether for good or ill.