Bake twelve cakes thereof— The order given, Exodus 25:30 respecting the shew-bread, is here repeated more particularly. The cakes were to be twelve in number, representing the twelve tribes, as is generally observed; each consisting of two tenth-deals, i.e. two omers, or two tenth parts of an ephah, which make about six quarts of English measure: so that they must have been of very considerable size. They were to be placed in two rows or heaps, (Leviticus 24:6.) six in each: and upon the top of each row was to be set (Leviticus 24:7.) a golden dish, with a handful of the best frankincense therein; which frankincense was to be burnt upon the altar at the week's end, instead of the bread for a memorial, i.e. in honor of God, and to commemorate his name. See ch. Leviticus 2:2. The bread itself was to be eaten by the priests, Leviticus 24:9 and, as the frankincense and bread made but one offering, therefore, a part being put for the whole, the bread is called most holy of the offerings of the Lord made by fire. It is most probable, while the Israelites were in the wilderness, that these cakes were made of the manna. See Wall.
Note; 1. They who would enjoy the light of the gospel should gladly support a godly ministry. 2. They who serve in God's sanctuary must be careful not to adulterate the oil of divine truth, but make the light shine bright in the fervency of their ministrations, and the exemplariness of their own conduct. 3. They who come to God will find a table spread for them even in the wilderness. 4. They who eat of his bread should remember their obligations to serve him. 5. Every sabbath-day, ministers must provide fresh food for the souls of the people, and not lazily put them off with stale discourses.