King James Version

What Does Leviticus 8:26 Mean?

Leviticus 8:26 in the King James Version says “And out of the basket of unleavened bread, that was before the LORD, he took one unleavened cake, and a cake of oiled br...” — study this verse from Leviticus chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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 8:26 · KJV

Context

24

And he brought Aaron's sons, and Moses put of the blood upon the tip of their right ear, and upon the thumbs of their right hands, and upon the great toes of their right feet: and Moses sprinkled the blood upon the altar round about.

25

And he took the fat, and the rump, and all the fat that was upon the inwards, and the caul above the liver, and the two kidneys, and their fat, and the right shoulder:

26

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:

27

And he put all upon Aaron's hands, and upon his sons' hands, and waved them for a wave offering before the LORD.

28

And Moses took them from off their hands, and burnt them on the altar upon the burnt offering: they were consecrations for a sweet savour: it is an offering made by fire unto the LORD.

Read Leviticus 8 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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:

This verse falls within the section on Consecration of Aaron and Sons. The ordination ceremony established the Aaronic priesthood, involving washing, anointing, and sacrifice—prefiguring Christ's priesthood.


Hebrews 9-10 explains how Christ's once-for-all sacrifice supersedes the repeated Levitical offerings, providing permanent cleansing from sin.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The ordination ceremony established the Aaronic priesthood, involving washing, anointing, and sacrifice—prefiguring Christ's priesthood. Chapters 8-10 describe the priesthood's consecration and early ministry. Aaron and his sons received special anointing for their mediatorial role between God and Israel. The tragic account of Nadab and Abihu (ch. 10) demonstrates that approaching God requires reverence and obedience. Ancient Near Eastern cultures had various sacrificial systems, but Israel's sacrificial worship was unique in its ethical foundation, monotheistic framework, and emphasis on atonement rather than appeasement. Unlike pagan rituals focused on manipulating deities, Israel's sacrifices acknowledged God's sovereignty and sought reconciliation based on His gracious provision. The Israelite dietary laws in Leviticus 11 have no exact parallel in surrounding cultures, though some ancient cultures had food taboos, suggesting unique revelation rather than borrowed customs.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse reveal God's character, and how should that revelation shape your relationship with Him?
  2. What practical steps can you take this week to apply the principles taught in this verse?
  3. How does this verse help you understand both God's justice and His mercy in salvation?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
וּמִסַּ֨ל1 of 21

“And out of the basket”

H5536

properly, a willow twig (as pendulous), i.e., an osier; but only as woven into a basket

מַצָּ֤ה2 of 21

“of unleavened”

H4682

properly, sweetness; concretely, sweet (i.e., not soured or bittered with yeast); specifically, an unfermented cake or loaf, or (elliptically) the fes

אֲשֶׁ֣ר׀3 of 21
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

לִפְנֵ֣י4 of 21

“that was before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

יְהוָ֗ה5 of 21

“the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

לָ֠קַח6 of 21

“he took”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

וְֽחַלַּ֨ת7 of 21

“and a cake”

H2471

a cake (as usually punctured)

מַצָּ֤ה8 of 21

“of unleavened”

H4682

properly, sweetness; concretely, sweet (i.e., not soured or bittered with yeast); specifically, an unfermented cake or loaf, or (elliptically) the fes

אֶחָ֑ד9 of 21

“bread and one”

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

וְֽחַלַּ֨ת10 of 21

“and a cake”

H2471

a cake (as usually punctured)

לֶ֥חֶם11 of 21

“bread”

H3899

food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)

שֶׁ֛מֶן12 of 21

“of oiled”

H8081

grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness

אֶחָ֑ד13 of 21

“bread and one”

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

וְרָקִ֣יק14 of 21

“wafer”

H7550

a thin cake

אֶחָ֑ד15 of 21

“bread and one”

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

וַיָּ֙שֶׂם֙16 of 21

“and put”

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

עַל17 of 21
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הַ֣חֲלָבִ֔ים18 of 21

“them on the fat”

H2459

fat, whether literally or figuratively; hence, the richest or choice part

וְעַ֖ל19 of 21
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

שׁ֥וֹק20 of 21

“shoulder”

H7785

the (lower) leg (as a runner)

הַיָּמִֽין׃21 of 21

“and upon the right”

H3225

the right hand or side (leg, eye) of a person or other object (as the stronger and more dexterous); locally, the south

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Leviticus. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Leviticus 8:26 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Leviticus 8:26 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Exodus 29:231 Timothy 2:5John 1:14Acts 5:12

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