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.

LEVITICUS 7:12KJV
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Leviticus 7:12 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 7:12 mean?

Leviticus 7:12 explains that if someone brings a sacrifice as an act of thanksgiving, they must also present specific types of unleavened bread and cakes prepared with oil alongside the main offering. These instructions detail exactly what should accompany a thanksgiving sacrifice to God.

In this verse, God is giving Moses instructions for the Israelites about how to properly offer a "sacrifice of thanksgiving." The verse lists three kinds of grain offerings: unleavened cakes mixed with oil, unleavened wafers spread with oil, and cakes of fine flour fried and mixed with oil. This careful recipe shows that thanksgiving offerings were meant to be special and thoughtfully prepared, not just any bread or cake.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 7:12

  • "thanksgiving" (תּוֹדָה, todah): This word means an act of giving thanks or praise, and here it refers to a specific type of peace offering focused on gratitude.
  • "unleavened" (מַצָּה, matzah): This means bread made without yeast, which was considered pure and suitable for offerings.
  • "cakes" (חַלָּה, challah): These are small, round loaves or cakes, not the braided bread known today; they were a common form of grain offering.
  • "mingled" (בָּלוּל, balul): This means mixed or blended, indicating that the oil was thoroughly combined with the flour, not just poured on top.
  • "oil" (שֶׁמֶן, shemen): Olive oil was a valued ingredient, symbolizing richness and dedication in offerings.

Why Leviticus 7:12 matters

  • Leviticus 7:12 clarifies that thanksgiving offerings were not just about the animal sacrifice but also included carefully prepared grain offerings, showing the importance of both gratitude and obedience in worship.
  • The verse highlights that the offerings had to be unleavened, which connects to the broader biblical theme of purity and separation from everyday, leavened bread.
  • By specifying the exact types of bread and preparation methods, Leviticus 7:12 emphasizes that worship in ancient Israel was structured and intentional, not left to personal preference.

Where else these words appear

“fried” Hebrew H7246 · used in 3 verses

  • Leviticus 6:21 In a pan it shall be made with oil; and when it is baken, thou shalt bring it in: and the baken pieces of the meat offering shalt thou offer for a sweet savour unto the LORD.
  • 1 Chronicles 23:29 Both for the shewbread, and for the fine flour for meat offering, and for the unleavened cakes, and for that which is baked in the pan, and for that which is fried, and for all manner of measure and size;

“wafers” Hebrew H7550 · used in 8 verses

  • Exodus 29:2 And unleavened bread, and cakes unleavened tempered with oil, and wafers unleavened anointed with oil: of wheaten flour shalt thou make them.
  • Leviticus 2:4 And if thou bring an oblation of a meat offering baken in the oven, it shall be unleavened cakes of fine flour mingled with oil, or unleavened wafers anointed with oil.
  • 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 29:2 And unleavened bread, and cakes unleavened tempered with oil, and wafers unleavened anointed with oil: of wheaten flour shalt thou make them.
  • 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.

“thanksgiving” Hebrew H8426 · used in 30 verses

  • Leviticus 7:13 Besides the cakes, he shall offer for his offering leavened bread with the sacrifice of thanksgiving of his peace offerings.
  • Nehemiah 12:38 And the other company of them that gave thanks went over against them, and I after them, and the half of the people upon the wall, from beyond the tower of the furnaces even unto the broad wall;
  • Psalms 100:4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.