And unleavened bread, and cakes unleavened tempered with oil, and wafers unleavened anointed with oil: of wheaten flour shalt thou make them.

EXODUS 29:2KJV
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Exodus 29:2 (KJV)

What does Exodus 29:2 mean?

Exodus 29:2 gives instructions for making specific types of bread—unleavened bread, cakes mixed with oil, and wafers spread with oil—all made from wheat flour. These breads are to be prepared as part of the offerings for the ceremony to set apart Aaron and his sons as priests.

God is speaking to Moses, giving him detailed directions for the ordination of the priests. The verse lists the kinds of bread to be used, emphasizing that they should be made without yeast and with oil, which was a sign of purity and dedication. This is part of a larger passage describing the rituals and offerings involved in officially appointing the priests for service in the tabernacle.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 29:2

  • The word for "unleavened" is מַצָּה (matzah), which means bread made without yeast. This points to purity and separation from common or corrupted things.
  • "Cakes" is חַלָּה (challah), referring here not to the modern braided bread but to small, round loaves or cakes, often used in offerings.
  • "Tempered with oil" uses בָּלוּל (balul), which means mixed or blended. The cakes are not just brushed with oil but have oil worked into the dough, making them richer and more special.
  • "Wafers" is רָקִיק (raqiq), meaning thin, crisp cakes. These are also anointed (מָשַׁח, mashach) with oil, showing a further act of setting apart or consecration.

Why Exodus 29:2 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the bread used in priestly ceremonies was to be unleavened, highlighting the importance of ritual purity in worship.
  • The specific mention of oil—both mixed in and anointed on—shows the care and attention to detail in preparing offerings, underlining the seriousness of the ordination process.
  • By listing these elements, Exodus 29:2 connects the priestly ordination to earlier stories of unleavened bread in Israel’s history, such as the Passover, tying the priests’ role to the nation’s identity and deliverance.

Where else these words appear

“wafers” Hebrew H7550 · used in 8 verses

  • Exodus 29:23 And one loaf of bread, and one cake of oiled bread, and one wafer out of the basket of the unleavened bread that is before the LORD:
  • Leviticus 7:12 If he offer it for a thanksgiving, then he shall offer with the sacrifice of thanksgiving unleavened cakes mingled with oil, and unleavened wafers anointed with oil, and cakes mingled with oil, of fine flour, fried.
  • Numbers 6:15 And a basket of unleavened bread, cakes of fine flour mingled with oil, and wafers of unleavened bread anointed with oil, and their meat offering, and their drink offerings.

“cakes” Hebrew H2471 · used in 11 verses

  • Exodus 29:23 And one loaf of bread, and one cake of oiled bread, and one wafer out of the basket of the unleavened bread that is before the LORD:
  • Leviticus 7:13 Besides the cakes, he shall offer for his offering leavened bread with the sacrifice of thanksgiving of his peace offerings.
  • Numbers 6:15 And a basket of unleavened bread, cakes of fine flour mingled with oil, and wafers of unleavened bread anointed with oil, and their meat offering, and their drink offerings.

“wheaten” Hebrew H2406 · used in 30 verses

  • Genesis 30:14 And Reuben went in the days of wheat harvest, and found mandrakes in the field, and brought them unto his mother Leah. Then Rachel said to Leah, Give me, I pray thee, of thy son's mandrakes.
  • 1 Samuel 12:17 Is it not wheat harvest to day? I will call unto the LORD, and he shall send thunder and rain; that ye may perceive and see that your wickedness is great, which ye have done in the sight of the LORD, in asking you a king.
  • Psalms 81:16 He should have fed them also with the finest of the wheat: and with honey out of the rock should I have satisfied thee.

“unleavened” Hebrew H4682 · used in 42 verses

  • Genesis 19:3 And he pressed upon them greatly; and they turned in unto him, and entered into his house; and he made them a feast, and did bake unleavened bread, and they did eat.
  • Leviticus 2:5 And if thy oblation be a meat offering baken in a pan, it shall be of fine flour unleavened, mingled with oil.
  • Deuteronomy 16:16 Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the LORD empty: