Lexical Summary raqiq: Thin cake, wafer Original Word: רָקִיק Strong's Exhaustive Concordance cake, wafer From, raqaq in its original sense; a thin cake; -- cake, wafer. see HEBREW raqaq NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as raq Definition thin cake, wafer NASB Translation wafer (3), wafers (5). Brown-Driver-Briggs רָקִיק noun masculine a thin cake, (RV) wafer (compare Arabic  a thin round cake of bread), always of unleavened bread: Exodus 29:23 = Leviticus 8:26 אֶחָד ׳ר, רְקִיק מַצָּה אֶחָד Numbers 6:19, רְקִיקֵי מַצּוֺת Exodus 29:2; Leviticus 2:4; Leviticus 7:12; Numbers 6:15 (all P), 1 Chronicles 23:29. — ᵐ5 λάγανον. Topical Lexicon Meaning and Form רָקִיק denotes a thin, flat cake or wafer prepared from finely milled wheat flour. In every occurrence it is unleavened and incorporates olive oil—either mixed into the dough, spread upon the surface, or both. Its delicate, fragile form contrasts with the heavier loaves (לחם) of ordinary bread, highlighting a distinct liturgical purpose rather than everyday sustenance. Role in the Levitical Grain Offerings Leviticus 2:4 places the wafer among the permitted shapes of the מִנְחָה, the grain offering. Being unleavened, it avoids the corruption symbolized by fermentation (Leviticus 2:11) and, when anointed or saturated with oil, becomes a tangible picture of purity empowered by the Spirit. Though lacking blood, this offering is said to be “a pleasing aroma to the LORD,” revealing that devotion expressed through the simplest elements of creation—flour and oil—can still ascend acceptably when presented in obedience. Priestly Ordination and Consecration Exodus 29:2, 23 and Leviticus 8:26 integrate wafers into the ritual that inaugurated Aaron and his sons. They were set upon the hands of the priests and then waved before the LORD with the ram of ordination. The act demonstrated that even the most delicate forms of sustenance become holy when touched by consecrated hands, and it underscored the priests’ new privilege to handle what is offered to God. renders Exodus 29:2: “And from fine wheat flour, make bread without yeast—cakes mixed with oil, and wafers coated with oil.” The layering of oil on already oil-mixed dough intensifies the image of the Spirit’s sufficiency for priestly service. Thanksgiving and Fellowship Offerings Leviticus 7:12 prescribes wafers among the assortment brought for a peace offering of thanksgiving. Shared between altar, priest, and worshiper, the wafer participates in a communal meal that celebrates covenant fellowship. Its unleavened nature maintains ritual integrity while its thinness makes it suitable for distribution, reinforcing the ideal of mutual enjoyment of God’s provision. Nazirite Vow Fulfillment Numbers 6:15, 19 enlists wafers at the completion of the Nazirite vow. The hair of the Nazirite is placed “on the fire under the sacrifice of the peace offering” (Numbers 6:18), after which a priest presents “a basket of unleavened cakes and wafers” (6:15). The pairing of consecrated hair with fragile wafers dramatizes the vow’s culmination: dedication passes from temporary human effort to a fragrant offering entirely consumed for God’s glory. Temple Service in the Monarchy 1 Chronicles 23:29 records that Levites under David were to prepare “the showbread, the fine flour for the grain offering, the unleavened wafers, what is baked on the pan, and what is mixed”. Wafers thus persist from Sinai through the united monarchy, attesting to a stable liturgical tradition and to God’s sustaining grace across generations. Symbolic and Christological Significance 1. Unleavened—Without yeast, the wafer foreshadows the sinlessness of Jesus Christ, “a lamb without blemish or spot” (1 Peter 1:19). Practical Lessons for Believers Today • God values obedience over ostentation; a simple wafer offered in faith delights Him. Forms and Transliterations וְלִרְקִיקֵ֣י וְרָקִ֣יק וּרְקִ֥יק וּרְקִיקֵ֥י ולרקיקי ורקיק ורקיקי ū·rə·qî·qê ū·rə·qîq ureKik urekiKei ūrəqîq ūrəqîqê velirkiKei veraKik wə·lir·qî·qê wə·rā·qîq wəlirqîqê wərāqîqLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Exodus 29:2 HEB: בְּלוּלֹ֣ת בַּשֶּׁ֔מֶן וּרְקִיקֵ֥י מַצּ֖וֹת מְשֻׁחִ֣ים NAS: and unleavened wafers spread KJV: with oil, and wafers unleavened INT: mixed oil wafers and unleavened spread Exodus 29:23 Leviticus 2:4 Leviticus 7:12 Leviticus 8:26 Numbers 6:15 Numbers 6:19 1 Chronicles 23:29 8 Occurrences |
    |