Verses 12-15 deal with the sacrifice made as “a thanksgiving.” On the one hand, these verses develop certain aspects not mentioned in chapter 3 (such as grain offerings), and on the other hand, they deal with the lay person’s eating his part of the sacrifice.

For a thanksgiving: or “in thanksgiving” (New American Bible), or “with praise” (New Jerusalem Bible), or “as an expression of thankfulness” (New International Version), or simply “because he is thankful (for something).” This focuses on the motivation behind the sacrifice. This particular fellowship offering is made to praise God because the worshiper wants to express his gratitude. It is mentioned in a number of Psalms (56.12; 100.2; 107.22) as well as in other Old Testament passages (Jer 17.26; Amos 4.5; 2 Chr 29.31; 33.16).

With the thank offering: that is, “in addition to the thank offering” (New English Bible) or “together with the sacrifice of thanksgiving” (New Jerusalem Bible). In some cases it may be advisable to make this even more explicit with something like “in addition to the animal brought as a fellowship offering to express thanks to God….”

Mixed with oil … spread with oil …: see 2.4.

Cakes … wafers … cakes: there were three types of unleavened bread to accompany the animal sacrifice: (1) The first were perforated loaves made with flour mixed with oil but without yeast. (2) The second are those mistakenly called wafers. These were a kind of thin round bread also made without yeast, but on which olive oil was spread. These were similar to biscuits or possibly pancakes. And (3) there is some question about exactly what is meant by the third kind of bread. It was apparently to be similar to the first, perhaps pierced or perforated, but there is no mention of its being made without yeast and no indication that it was actually baked. This has led some commentators to assume that it was merely a kind of dough made of choice flour and oil. However, Good News Translation seems to understand the text to imply both the fact of being unleavened and of being baked. Since David shared such loaves with people (2 Sam 6.19), it seems best to assume they were baked. And although “unleavened” is not explicitly mentioned for the third type, the contrast with verse 13 probably indicates that they were made without yeast.

Quoted with permission from Péter-Contesse, René and Ellington, John. A Handbook on Leviticus. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1990. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .