Charles Ellicott Commentary Leviticus 7:12

"If he offer it for a thanksgiving, then he shall offer with the sacrifice of thanksgiving unleavened cakes mingled with oil, and unleavened wafers anointed with oil, and cakes mingled with oil, of fine flour soaked." — Leviticus 7:12 (ASV)

If he offers it for a thanksgiving. —That is, acknowledgment of special mercies received from God, such as deliverance in travels by land or sea, redemption from captivity, restoration to health, etc., enumerated in Psalms 107:0. It is to this sacrifice that the apostle alludes when he says, By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually.

Then he shall offer with the sacrifice. —That is, with the bullock or cow if it is from the herd, or a lamb or goat if it is from the flock (Leviticus 3:1).

Unleavened cakes mingled with oil. —From the fact that no mention is made here of the number of cakes or the quantity of oil, it is evident that this was left to the decision of the administrators of the laws and the spiritual guides of the people. The rule that was in effect during the Second Temple with regard to this offering was as follows:—The offerer brought twenty tenths or two-quart measures of fine flour; ten of them he made leavened, and ten he left unleavened.

He made the leavened flour into ten cakes, and from the ten portions of unleavened flour he made thirty cakes. These thirty unleavened cakes, made with half a log of oil, were divided into three groups of ten. Each group was prepared in a different manner:

• Ten cakes, using one-eighth of the oil, were baked in the oven.
• Ten cakes, using another eighth of the oil, were made into wafers.
• Ten cakes, using one-fourth of the oil, were hastily fried.

Of the forty cakes, the priest received four, one of each sort, thus obtaining a tenth part.