Leviticus 24:5 kjv

And thou shalt take fine flour, and bake twelve cakes thereof: two tenth deals shall be in one cake.

Leviticus 24:5 nkjv

"And you shall take fine flour and bake twelve cakes with it. Two-tenths of an ephah shall be in each cake.

Leviticus 24:5 niv

"Take the finest flour and bake twelve loaves of bread, using two-tenths of an ephah for each loaf.

Leviticus 24:5 esv

"You shall take fine flour and bake twelve loaves from it; two tenths of an ephah shall be in each loaf.

Leviticus 24:5 nlt

"You must bake twelve flat loaves of bread from choice flour, using four quarts of flour for each loaf.

Leviticus 24 verses

Leviticus 24 5 Meaning

Leviticus 24:5 prescribes the precise components for the twelve cakes of bread that were to be continually placed on the pure table in the Tabernacle, known as the "Bread of the Presence" (Showbread). It specifies that "fine flour" (the highest quality) must be used, and from it, "twelve cakes" are to be baked. While some translations suggest "two-tenths of an ephah" were in each cake, a deeper understanding of the original text and ancient measurements indicates this was the total amount of fine flour for the entire batch of twelve cakes, ensuring precise preparation for God's holy dwelling. This verse underlines the meticulous care required in worship and symbolizes God's sustained provision and perpetual covenant presence with His people, represented by the twelve tribes.

Leviticus 24 5 Context

Leviticus chapter 24 is primarily concerned with the regulations for the sanctuary. Verses 1-4 detail the perpetual upkeep of the lampstand, ensuring the continual light in the Holy Place. Immediately following, verses 5-9 prescribe the details for the "Bread of the Presence" placed on the table next to the lampstand. These are two essential elements symbolizing God's continual presence and illumination among His people. The arrangement of the holy items within the Tabernacle demonstrates a divine order and holiness in worship. This passage follows broader discussions of sacrifices and clean/unclean distinctions, setting forth specific daily/weekly practices that maintain the holiness of God's dwelling. Historically, the Tabernacle was the center of Israel's nomadic worship, later formalized in the Temple. The "Bread of the Presence" stood in direct contrast to pagan practices where deities were thought to consume physical food. Instead, YHWH’s bread was a perpetual sign of His covenant relationship, sustenance, and fellowship, rather than an offering for His hunger. It represented God's constant presence and provision for the twelve tribes.

Leviticus 24 5 Word analysis

• "You shall take" (וְלָקַחְתָּ֣ - Welaqaḥtā): This verb is in the second person masculine singular, directing Moses as the one receiving the command, and by extension, the priests who would perform these duties. It indicates a divine imperative, not an optional act, highlighting the non-negotiable nature of God's liturgical requirements.
• "fine flour" (סֹ֖לֶת - soleth): This Hebrew term specifically denotes flour that has been meticulously sifted and is of the highest possible quality, free from bran or impurities. Its use for the Showbread emphasizes that only the absolute best, the purest, was acceptable for offerings and elements connected to God's immediate presence. This mirrors requirements for grain offerings throughout the Law (Lev 2:1), symbolizing excellence and completeness in worship.
• "and bake" (וְאָפִ֛יתָ - veʾapita): This signifies the preparation process itself, indicating that human hands, consecrated by God, are involved in carefully transforming raw material into a sacred element. It implies skill and devotion in the act of service.
• "twelve cakes" (שְׁתֵּ֥ים עֶשְׂרֵֽה֩ חַלֹּ֖ות - shətêma‘eśrêh ḥallôt): The number twelve is highly significant, symbolizing the twelve tribes of Israel. This signifies that the entire covenant community was represented continually before God, in His presence. The term "cakes" (ḥallôt) generally refers to flat, thin loaves, which could be either leavened or unleavened; in this sacred context, they would have been unleavened, reflecting purity and haste (Exod 12:8, 34).
• "from it" (מִמֶּֽנָּה - mimmennah): Specifies that the cakes must be made directly from the fine flour mentioned, reinforcing the standard of quality for the ingredient.
• "two-tenths of an ephah shall be in each cake": (שְׁנֵ֥י עֶשְׂרֹנִ֖ים שֶׁיִּֽהְיֶ֣ה הָֽאֶפָ֑ה)
  • "two-tenths" (שְׁנֵ֥י עֶשְׂרֹנִ֖ים - shenê `eśrônîm): Refers to two "tenth-parts." A "tenth-part" of an ephah is known as an "omer" (Exod 16:36).
  • "ephah" (הָֽאֶפָ֑ה - haʾēphāh): An ancient dry measure, approximately 22 liters.
  • The literal translation "two tenths (of an ephah) that the ephah should be for the cakes" leads to some ambiguity in English translations. Many modern versions translate this as "in each cake," implying a massive amount of flour per loaf (0.2 ephah per loaf means 2.4 ephah for all 12, or approx. 52.8 liters of flour, creating exceptionally large and heavy loaves).
  • However, widely accepted traditional Jewish interpretations and prominent scholars (e.g., Keil & Delitzsch) understand this phrase to mean that two-tenths of an ephah was the total amount of fine flour for all twelve cakes collectively. This means each cake would be made from 1/60th of an ephah, or roughly two omers. This quantity results in more practical-sized loaves for presentation on the table. This interpretation aligns better with the practicalities of baking and temple service, emphasizing precise but proportionate provision rather than disproportionate size. This demonstrates the precise standards of quantity set by God.

Words-group Analysis:

• "You shall take fine flour and bake twelve cakes": This sequence emphasizes the prescribed method and quality (fine flour), quantity (twelve), and divine involvement (you shall take and bake, as commanded by God). It underscores the careful preparation required for sacred elements, contrasting with any haphazard approach to worship.
• "two-tenths of an ephah shall be in each cake" (understood as total for the batch): This highly specific measurement speaks to the meticulous detail God commands for His service. It demonstrates the divine establishment of liturgical practices and reflects the principle of order and exactness in approaching the Holy One. It is not just any bread, but bread precisely measured, underscoring the value placed on precision in offerings to God.

Leviticus 24 5 Bonus section

• Typological Significance: The Showbread is a significant type of Jesus Christ. As the literal "Bread of Presence," it speaks of God's desire for intimate communion with humanity. Jesus, being God-with-us (Immanuel), is the ultimate manifestation of God's presence, the Living Bread who perpetually sustains spiritual life for those who believe in Him.
• Perpetual Covenant: The commandment for the bread to be arranged "regularly" and "continually" (Lev 24:8) emphasizes the perpetual nature of God's covenant and His unchanging faithfulness to His people.
• Purity in Worship: The detailed specifications—fine flour, precise measurements, the act of baking—underscore the biblical principle that worship must be offered with integrity, purity, and according to divine instruction, not human preference or convenience. It highlights that God defines how He is to be approached.
• Holiness of the Ordinary: Even common elements like flour and water, when consecrated and offered according to God's command, became part of the supremely holy service in the Tabernacle. This reminds believers that God sanctifies ordinary things for holy purposes, and everyday aspects of life can become sacred when dedicated to Him.

Leviticus 24 5 Commentary

Leviticus 24:5 lays down fundamental regulations for the construction of the "Bread of the Presence" (also called showbread). This bread, perpetually displayed on the pure table in the Holy Place of the Tabernacle, served as a tangible symbol of God's covenant with Israel. The requirement for "fine flour" signified offering God only the purest and best, representing the people’s ultimate devotion and recognition of His supremacy. The "twelve cakes" physically embodied the twelve tribes of Israel, symbolizing their continual presence before YHWH and His enduring watch care over them. The specific measurement (interpreted as two-tenths of an ephah for the entire batch of twelve loaves) highlighted the divine meticulousness and order required in all aspects of worship, teaching the people that service to God was not arbitrary but governed by His exact standards.

This bread was a powerful reminder of God's unfailing provision, sustaining His people spiritually and physically. The perpetual nature of the offering, exchanged weekly, also pointed forward to a deeper truth: the continuous presence of God among His people. In the New Testament, Jesus Himself proclaims, "I am the bread of life" (John 6:35), presenting Himself as the ultimate fulfillment of the showbread’s symbolism. He is the true and perpetual spiritual nourishment for God's people, continuously present, sustaining, and mediating fellowship with God. Just as the old showbread represented Israel before God, Christ is the One through whom we have eternal access and sustenance, emphasizing a communion not dependent on ritual bread, but on the living Bread.