In the context of the Bible, wafers are thin cakes or unleavened bread that hold significant ritual and symbolic importance, particularly in the Old Testament. They are often associated with offerings and sacred ceremonies, reflecting the broader themes of purity, obedience, and divine provision.

Biblical References:

1. Exodus 16:31 · The first mention of wafers in the Bible is in the context of manna, the miraculous food provided by God to the Israelites during their journey in the wilderness. The manna is described as tasting "like wafers made with honey" . This description highlights the divine sweetness and sustenance provided by God, symbolizing His care and provision for His people.

2. Exodus 29:2 · Wafers are also mentioned in the instructions for the consecration of Aaron and his sons as priests. The text specifies the use of "unleavened bread, cakes mixed with oil, and wafers spread with oil" as part of the offerings. These wafers, being unleavened, signify purity and the absence of sin, aligning with the holiness required of the priesthood.

3. Leviticus 2:4 · In the context of grain offerings, the Lord commands that "if you bring an offering of grain baked in an oven, it must consist of fine flour: unleavened cakes mixed with oil and unleavened wafers spread with oil" . The use of wafers in offerings underscores the importance of approaching God with offerings that are pure and prepared according to His instructions.

4. Numbers 6:15 · As part of the Nazirite vow, which is a special vow of dedication to the Lord, the offering includes "a basket of unleavened bread, cakes of fine flour mixed with oil, and unleavened wafers spread with oil" . This inclusion of wafers in the Nazirite offering further emphasizes their role in acts of dedication and consecration to God.

Symbolism and Significance:

Wafers in the biblical context are rich in symbolism. Their unleavened nature represents purity and the absence of corruption, which is a recurring theme in the sacrificial system of the Old Testament. The use of oil in the preparation of wafers signifies the presence and work of the Holy Spirit, as oil is often a symbol of anointing and divine blessing.

In the broader narrative of Scripture, wafers can be seen as a precursor to the New Testament understanding of bread in the context of the Last Supper and the Eucharist, where bread symbolizes the body of Christ, broken for the salvation of humanity. The simplicity and purity of wafers reflect the humble yet profound nature of Christ's sacrifice.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, bread was a staple food, and unleavened bread was commonly used in religious rituals. The biblical instructions for wafers align with these cultural practices, yet they are imbued with specific theological meanings that set the Israelite practices apart from their neighbors. The detailed instructions for the preparation and use of wafers in offerings highlight the importance of obedience to God's commands and the distinct identity of the Israelite community as a people set apart for God's purposes.

Overall, wafers in the Bible serve as a tangible reminder of God's provision, the call to holiness, and the importance of approaching God with offerings that reflect purity and devotion.Thin cakes (Exodus 16:31; 29:2, 23; Leviticus 2:4; 7:12; 8:26; Numbers 6:15, 19) used in various offerings. 3131. manna -- manna
... 3131 -- literally, "What is it?" -- the question asked by the wandering Israelites
in the OT when God gave them (divinely-sent bread wafers) (see Nu 11:6 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3131.htm - 7k2281. chabittim -- flat cakes, bread wafers
... 2280, 2281. chabittim. 2282 . flat cakes, bread wafers. Transliteration: chabittim
Phonetic Spelling: (khaw-bayth') Short Definition: pans. ...
/hebrew/2281.htm - 6k

7550. raqiq -- thin cake, wafer
... 7549, 7550. raqiq. 7551 . thin cake, wafer. Transliteration: raqiq Phonetic
Spelling: (raw-keek') Short Definition: wafers. Word ...
/hebrew/7550.htm - 6k

6838. tsappichith -- a flat cake, wafer
... 6837, 6838. tsappichith. 6839 . a flat cake, wafer. Transliteration: tsappichith
Phonetic Spelling: (tsap-pee-kheeth') Short Definition: wafers. ...
/hebrew/6838.htm - 6k

Easter Sunday
... This is what Paul figuratively calls partaking of the true unleavened
bread"or wafers, or cakes. We Germans have borrowed our ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/epistle sermons vol ii/easter sunday.htm

The Lad's Loaves in the Lord's Hands
... And here is the provision! Five thin wafers"and those of barley, more fit for horses
than for men"and two little anchovies, by way of a relish! ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/the lads loaves in the.htm

Lutherans in South Carolina.
... The gown, wafers, festivals, gospels and epistles, and the use of the litany on
Sunday afternoons, are required. (Jacobs, 297.) Hahnbaum died in 1770. ...
/.../bente/american lutheranism/lutherans in south carolina.htm

Lutherans, Or, the Evangelical Lutheran Church.
... represent some rites and institutions, as the use of images in churches, the vestments
of the clergy, the private confession of sins, the use of wafers in the ...
/.../hayward/the book of religions/lutherans or the evangelical lutheran.htm

The Holy Things are not to be Sent into Other Dioceses at the ...
... This is not only perfectly true, but a well-known fact; only it must not be forgotten
that these wafers or oblations were only called sancta by anticipation ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon xiv the holy things.htm

Christ's Estimate of his People
... those who know the fullness of the word communion,' can sit down to this book with
delight and pleasure; and to such men these words are as wafers made with ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/christs estimate of his people.htm

Following the Cloud.
... them, and when it had risen, there lay on the ground a small, round, white thing,
something like frost, or a little seed, and it tasted like wafers made with ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xii following the cloud.htm

The Beginning, Increase, and End of the Divine Life
... Yes, and it shall be my business if God the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, shall enable
me, to give thee some few sweet words which, like wafers made with honey ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/the beginning increase and end.htm

Bread and Gravel
... He 'spreads a table before us in the presence of our enemies,' and the bread which
He gives tastes as the manna of old did, like wafers made of honey. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/bread and gravel.htm

All Fulness in Christ
... guests. Let these two wafers, made with honey, lie under your tongue;
let them satiate your souls, for they are heavenly bread. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/all fulness in christ.htm

Wafers (6 Occurrences)
...Wafers (6 Occurrences). Exodus 16:31 The house of Israel called its name Manna,
and it was like coriander seed, white; and its taste was like wafers with honey. ...
/w/wafers.htm - 8k

Cakes (65 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Exodus 29:2 unleavened bread, unleavened cakes mixed with oil, and unleavened
wafers anointed with oil: you shall make them of fine wheat flour. ...
/c/cakes.htm - 26k

Mingled (62 Occurrences)
... Exodus 29:2 and unleavened bread, and cakes unleavened mingled with oil, and wafers
unleavened anointed with oil: of fine wheaten flour shalt thou make them. ...
/m/mingled.htm - 29k

Yeast (48 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Exodus 29:2 unleavened bread, unleavened cakes mixed with oil, and
unleavened wafers anointed with oil: you shall make them of fine wheat flour. ...
/y/yeast.htm - 21k

Unleavened (51 Occurrences)
... Exodus 29:2 unleavened bread, unleavened cakes mixed with oil, and unleavened wafers
anointed with oil: you shall make them of fine wheat flour. ...
/u/unleavened.htm - 24k

Anointed (132 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Exodus 29:2 unleavened bread, unleavened cakes mixed with oil, and unleavened
wafers anointed with oil: you shall make them of fine wheat flour. ...
/a/anointed.htm - 41k

Manna (19 Occurrences)
... as "a small round thing," like the "hoar-frost on the ground," and "like coriander
seed," "of the colour of bdellium," and in taste "like wafers made with honey ...
/m/manna.htm - 21k

Cake (25 Occurrences)
... They were salted, but unleavened (Exodus 29:2; Leviticus 2:4). In idolatrous worship
thin cakes or wafers were offered "to the queen of heaven" (Jeremiah 7:18 ...
/c/cake.htm - 17k

Baked (26 Occurrences)
... When you offer an offering of a meal offering baked in the oven, it shall be unleavened
cakes of fine flour mixed with oil, or unleavened wafers anointed with ...
/b/baked.htm - 14k

Mixed (96 Occurrences)
... Exodus 29:2 unleavened bread, unleavened cakes mixed with oil, and unleavened wafers
anointed with oil: you shall make them of fine wheat flour. ...
/m/mixed.htm - 40k

What was manna? | GotQuestions.org

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