And out of the basket of unleavened bread, that was before the LORD, he took one unleavened cake, and a cake of oiled bread, and one wafer, and put them on the fat, and upon the right shoulder:

LEVITICUS 8:26KJV
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Leviticus 8:26 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 8:26 mean?

Leviticus 8:26 describes how Moses, during the ceremony to ordain Aaron and his sons as priests, took specific pieces of bread from a basket placed before the LORD: one unleavened cake, one cake made with oil, and one wafer. Moses then placed these bread pieces on top of the animal fat and the right shoulder portion, which were parts of the offering.

This verse is part of a detailed ritual where Moses is following God’s instructions for setting apart the priests for service. The bread, described as unleavened (meaning made without yeast), and the specific animal parts were selected as symbolic offerings. The scene shows Moses acting as the mediator, carefully assembling the required elements before presenting them to God as part of the ordination process.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 8:26

  • "unleavened" (מַצָּה, matzah): This word refers to bread made without yeast, which was considered pure and suitable for offerings. Its use here highlights the importance of purity in the ordination ritual.
  • "cake" (חַלָּה, challah): This is a specific type of bread, often round or flat, and its inclusion shows the variety of offerings required in the ceremony.
  • "oiled" (שֶׁמֶן, shemen): This word means "with oil," indicating that one of the cakes was mixed or anointed with oil, symbolizing richness and dedication.
  • "wafer" (רְקִיק, reqiq): This refers to a thin, crisp bread, distinct from the cakes, showing that the offering included different forms of bread, each with its own significance.

Why Leviticus 8:26 matters

  • Leviticus 8:26 clarifies that the ordination ceremony involved more than just animal sacrifices; it also included specific bread offerings, each with symbolic meaning.
  • The verse emphasizes Moses’ careful obedience to God’s instructions, showing the seriousness and orderliness of the priestly ordination.
  • Understanding the details in this verse helps readers see how each element of the ritual pointed to purity, dedication, and the special role of the priests in Israel’s worship.

Where else these words appear

“wafer” 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.

“cake” 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 7:12 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.

“basket” Hebrew H5536 · used in 13 verses

  • Genesis 40:16 When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was good, he said unto Joseph, I also was in my dream, and, behold, I had three white baskets on my head:
  • 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:
  • 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.

“shoulder” Hebrew H7785 · used in 19 verses

  • Exodus 29:22 Also thou shalt take of the ram the fat and the rump, and the fat that covereth the inwards, and the caul above the liver, and the two kidneys, and the fat that is upon them, and the right shoulder; for it is a ram of consecration:
  • Leviticus 9:21 And the breasts and the right shoulder Aaron waved for a wave offering before the LORD; as Moses commanded.
  • Judges 15:8 And he smote them hip and thigh with a great slaughter: and he went down and dwelt in the top of the rock Etam.