Lexical Summary challah: Cake, Loaf, Bread Original Word: חַלָּה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance cake From chalal; a cake (as usually punctured) -- cake. see HEBREW chalal NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom chalal Definition a cake (a type used in offerings) NASB Translation cake (7), cakes (7). Brown-Driver-Briggs חַלָּה noun feminine a kind of cake (probably as perforated, see Di Leviticus 2:4) — ׳ח absolute Numbers 15:20; Leviticus 24:5; construct חַלַּת Exodus 29:23 4t.; plural חַלּוֺת Leviticus 2:4 2t.; חַלֹּת Exodus 29:2 3t. — used in offerings: 1 at the sacrif. of David on removal of ark, given to each person as part of peace-offering 2 Samuel 6:19. 2 elsewhere only P (H Leviticus 24:5 (twice in verse)): a. of the 12 cakes of the table of the holy place, made of סלת Leviticus 24:5 (twice in verse). b. made of ראשׁית ערסת as an offering of first-fruits Numbers 15:20. c. of לחם שׁמן, to be burnt with the עוֺלָה Exodus 29:23 = Leviticus 8:26. d. of מַצָּה burnt on the altar with c. Leviticus 8:26, but usually to be eaten by participants in the several forms of peace- offering Numbers 6:19, and such mingled with oil Exodus 29:2; Leviticus 2:4; Leviticus 7:12 (twice in verse); Numbers 6:15. e. לחם חמץ ׳ח to be used by the offerer in connection with the unleavened cakes of d. Leviticus 7:13. Topical Lexicon Primary Sense and General Profile חַלָּה denotes a prepared loaf or cake of bread, generally made from fine wheat flour and most often associated with formal acts of worship. It differs from ordinary bread by the care invested in its preparation, by its mixture with or anointing of oil, and by its consecrated destination—either the altar, the priesthood, or the covenant community. Priestly Ordination and Consecration When Aaron and his sons were inaugurated, חַלָּה played a central role. Moses was charged to place “one loaf of bread, one cake of bread made with oil, and one wafer” (Exodus 29:23) on the hands of the new priests. The loaf became part of the “wave offering,” symbolizing that the whole of Israel’s produce—and thus Israel itself—was being devoted to the service of the LORD through His mediatorial priesthood. By being burned on the altar (Exodus 29:25) the loaf joined the ascending fragrance of the ram of ordination, declaring that service must begin with surrender. Voluntary Peace Offerings and Thanksgiving Leviticus 7:12–13 twice records חַלָּה in the instructions for the peace offering of thanksgiving. Three varieties of bread were brought: unleavened loaves mixed with oil, unleavened wafers coated with oil, and leavened bread. The first two are called חַלָּה. Their presence illustrates that gratitude is expressed both by what is placed on the altar and by what is shared in fellowship. The offerer, the priest, and therefore the LORD Himself “eat together,” prefiguring the communion enjoyed under the new covenant. The Grain Offering in Ordinary Worship Leviticus 2:4 permits an individual to bring “cakes of fine flour mixed with oil” as a grain offering. While smaller in scale than the peace offering, the principle is identical: daily provision is acknowledged as a gift. חַלָּה here underscores the link between home and sanctuary; the kitchen table is consecrated by the altar. Bread of the Presence and Continual Fellowship Twelve חַלּוֹת (plural form) were baked each Sabbath and arranged on the golden table inside the Holy Place (Leviticus 24:5). Their permanence testified that every tribe stood continually before the LORD. The bread was eaten by the priests in a holy place, foreshadowing the perpetual priesthood of believers who “draw near to the throne of grace” through Christ, the true Bread from heaven (John 6). Nazirite Vows and Personal Dedication Numbers 6:15, 19 include חַלָּה in the basket of unleavened bread offered when a Nazirite completed his vow. Because the Nazirite lived temporarily as one set apart, his concluding sacrifice re-entered him into normal life through a fellowship meal. The loaf declared that wholehearted devotion overflows into shared joy. Firstfruits of Dough In household worship the first portion of every kneading was lifted up: “Present a cake from the first of your dough as a contribution” (Numbers 15:20). This command later gave rise to the Jewish custom of separating a piece of dough (still called challah). The act reminded each family that God’s claim extends to the seemingly mundane rhythm of daily breadmaking. Royal Distribution and Covenant Celebration At the return of the Ark to Jerusalem David “distributed to every man and woman among the multitude of Israel a loaf of bread” (2 Samuel 6:19). The king’s largesse echoed the priestly distribution of showbread and hinted at Messiah’s future banquet where God’s anointed will feed the nations (Isaiah 55:1-3). Historical Trajectory Second-Temple Judaism preserved the command of Numbers 15:20 by instituting the practice of separating and eventually burning or giving a portion of dough to the priests. After A.D. 70, with the priesthood dispersed, this portion was symbolically destroyed, yet the name challah endured. Modern Sabbath and festival loaves recall the sanctified history of the word even where the biblical regulations cannot be literally fulfilled. Theological Significance 1. Devotion: Every mention of חַלָּה binds domestic labor to sacred purpose. The ordinary is transformed when offered to God. Ministry Application • Worship leaders can draw connections between ancient loaves and the Lord’s Supper, highlighting the fulfillment of sacrificial imagery in Christ. Forms and Transliterations הַֽחַלָּ֥ה החלה וְֽחַלַּ֨ת וְחַלֹּ֤ת וַֽחַלַּ֨ת וחלת חַלַּ֥ת חַלַּ֨ת חַלָּ֖ה חַלֹּ֖ת חַלֹּת֙ חַלּ֑וֹת חַלּ֤וֹת חלה חלות חלת chalLah chalLat chalLot ha·ḥal·lāh hachalLah haḥallāh ḥal·lāh ḥal·laṯ ḥal·lō·wṯ ḥal·lōṯ ḥallāh ḥallaṯ ḥallōṯ ḥallōwṯ vachalLat vechalLat vechalLot wa·ḥal·laṯ waḥallaṯ wə·ḥal·laṯ wə·ḥal·lōṯ wəḥallaṯ wəḥallōṯLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Exodus 29:2 HEB: וְלֶ֣חֶם מַצּ֗וֹת וְחַלֹּ֤ת מַצֹּת֙ בְּלוּלֹ֣ת NAS: and unleavened cakes mixed KJV: bread, and cakes unleavened INT: bread and unleavened cakes and unleavened mixed Exodus 29:23 Leviticus 2:4 Leviticus 7:12 Leviticus 7:12 Leviticus 7:13 Leviticus 8:26 Leviticus 8:26 Leviticus 24:5 Leviticus 24:5 Numbers 6:15 Numbers 6:19 Numbers 15:20 2 Samuel 6:19 14 Occurrences |
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