חַלָּה (chal.lah)
chal.lah
bun
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 11 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The noun chal.lah refers to a specific type of unleavened bread, typically described as a flat cake or loaf. In the biblical text, it appears most frequently in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers, where it is listed alongside other offerings and provisions for the Israelites.
Lexical sources suggest this word likely denotes a perforated or pierced cake, distinguishing it from leavened bread which rises. This physical characteristic aligns with the instructions given during Passover, where unleavened bread was prepared quickly without time for rising, resulting in a flat, dense form suitable for travel and ritual use.
Its occurrence in sacrificial lists highlights its role as a staple food item within the covenant community. Translators often render it simply as "cake" or "loaf," capturing the idea of a basic, unleavened grain product that sustained the people during their wilderness journey and served as part of temple offerings.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word chal.lah describes a simple, unleavened cake made from fine wheat flour. In ancient Israel, this was more than just food; it was a tangible part of worship and daily life. Because it was baked quickly without yeast, it remained flat and dense, making it practical for travel during the wilderness journey and essential for ritual purity.
For your faith today, chal.lah reminds us that God values both the sacred and the ordinary. Whether used as a thanksgiving offering in Leviticus or provided as sustenance for the people in Samuel, this humble bread points to God’s provision. It invites you to see your daily meals not just as routine, but as opportunities to acknowledge the Creator who sustains you.
Reflecting on how this bread was prepared can deepen your appreciation for simplicity and obedience. Just as the Israelites offered the first portion of their dough to God, you are invited to offer the best of what you have back to Him. This act of giving transforms ordinary bread into a symbol of gratitude and trust in His care.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 11 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- round perforated breads3×
- round perforated breads of2×
- and/ a cake of2×
- the/ round perforated bread1×
- cakes1×
- and/ cakes of1×
- and/ a round perforated bread of1×
- a round perforated bread of1×
- a cake of1×
- a cake1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- חַלֹּת֙2×
- חַלּ֤וֹת2×
- וְֽ/חַלַּ֨ת2×
- חַלֹּ֖ת1×
- חַלָּ֖ה1×
- חַלַּ֨ת1×
- חַלַּ֥ת1×
- חַלּ֑וֹת1×
- וַֽ/חַלַּ֨ת1×
- וְ/חַלֹּ֤ת1×
- הַֽ/חַלָּ֥ה1×
Key Verses
-
Exodus 29:2
unleavened bread, unleavened cakes mixed with oil, and unleavened wafers anointed with oil. You shall make them of fine wheat flour.
This verse establishes chal.lah as a core component of the priestly garments and offerings, linking it directly to consecration.
-
Leviticus 7:12
If he offers it for a thanksgiving, then he shall offer with the sacrifice of thanksgiving unleavened cakes mixed with oil, and unleavened wafers anointed with oil, and cakes mixed with oil.
Here, the cake is specifically paired with thanksgiving sacrifices, highlighting its role in expressing gratitude for God's blessings.
-
Numbers 6:15
a basket of unleavened bread, cakes of fine flour mixed with oil, and unleavened wafers anointed with oil with their meal offering and their drink offerings.
The inclusion of chal.lah in the Nazirite’s offerings underscores its significance in periods of special dedication and separation to God.
-
Leviticus 24:5
“You shall take fine flour, and bake twelve cakes of it: two tenths of an ephah shall be in one cake.
This passage details the precise preparation of twelve cakes for the Showbread, emphasizing order and reverence in worship.