What Does Cake Symbolize In the Bible (Biblical Meaning of Cake)?

Being a pastor in the Christian ministry for over a decade has given me the privilege of officiating numerous wedding ceremonies. One of my favorite parts of weddings is the reception since I have always loved cakes.

Last week as I was preparing a sermon for a wedding, I thought about cakes in the Bible.

Today, I will share my insights on the question, “What does a cake symbolize in the Bible?”

In this article, I invite you to join me as we delve into the biblical meaning of cakes. Keep reading to discover the spiritual meaning of cakes and much more!

What do cakes mean in the Bible?

The Bible mentions cakes in different contexts. Cakes in the Bible, specifically in the Old Testament, represent the covenant between God and people.

Leviticus 2:4 explains the production of the grain offering that people were instructed to offer to God as a sacrifice: “When you offer a grain offering baked in an oven, it must be in the form of unleavened cakes made of bran flour mixed with oil, or of unleavened wafers spread with oil.”

It suggests that if one’s offering was grain, it had to be baked in an oven made of flour without yeast. It also had to be presented in the form of cakes.

Bible scholars speculate that the grain offering reminded the Israelites that God had blessed them with their harvest, and therefore they had to give the first portion to Him.

Therefore, cakes, in this context, represent the covenant God made with the children of Israel. In this same context, Christians believe that cakes represent God’s faithfulness.

Cakes in the Bible also represent celebration. For instance, Exodus 12 speculates that Israelites consumed cakes after their exodus from Egypt.

5 biblical symbolism in the Bible

Christians believe that cakes are symbols in the Bible representing the following.

Offering to God

The Bible suggests that the children of God worshiped him by offering different items. Sometimes, they would offer animals (Exodus 29: 10-14), while other times, they would offer simple meals as a sacrifice.

The Bible mentions Abraham offering cakes to men of God in Genesis 18:6-10, “And Abraham ran unto the herd, and fetched a calf tender and good, and gave it unto the servant; and he hasted to dress it. And he took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat.”

According to this story, three men showed up at Abraham’s home to promise him and his wife a son. Though they were strangers, Abraham instructed his wife to prepare and offer them a cake.

Christians believe that the cake, in this context, is a symbol of an offering to God since God sent the three men to deliver him a message that would get a son.

Priest dedication meal

During biblical times, priests were important since Christians believed they acted as intermediaries between God and his people. They presented people’s petitions to God.

Cakes are mentioned in Exodus 29 when God told Moses to set aside Aaron and his sons to serve as priests.

This book not only talks about the garments that the new priests were to wear but also a special dedication feast that includes cakes.

Exodus 29:2 suggests that the dedication meal was to include bread and thin cakes made with wheat flour with no yeast: “And from the finest wheat flour make round loaves without yeast, thick loaves without yeast and with olive oil mixed in, and thin loaves without yeast and brushed with olive oil.”

After preparing this meal, it was to be presented at the Tabernacle. Therefore, biblical scholars speculate that cakes in this context symbolize the priest’s dedication meal.

Offering for Nazarite rituals

The Bible also suggests that Israelites also observed Nazarite rituals which included an offering. Nazarites were a special group of Israelites set aside to be of service to the Lord.

The Nazarites vowed to abstain from grape products, refrain from cutting their hair and not become ritually impure.

After meeting these requirements, the Bible speculates that they had to offer an animal sacrifice and an offering that included cakes, as implied in Numbers 6:15, “Together with their grain offerings and drink offerings, and a basket of bread made with the finest flour and without yeast—thick loaves with olive oil mixed in, and thin loaves brushed with olive oil.”

During Nazarite rituals, the sacrifice and offering were presented at the Tabernacle. Therefore, Biblical scholars speculate that cakes in the Bible symbolize an offering for the Nazirite rituals.

Unity

Bible scholars also speculate that cakes in the Bible are also a symbol of unity. 1st Chronicles 16:2-3 suggests that King David gave the people of the Lord a loaf of bread, a cake of raisins, and dates after he finished sacrificing the burnt offerings.

Christians believe that David’s act of giving all the men and women of Israel cake after the ark of God was set inside the tent was a symbol of unity.

God’s provision

Cakes in the Bible are also believed to symbolize God’s provision in people’s lives. The Bible speculates that when the Israelites were in the wilderness, they felt hungry, and they felt that God had turned his back on them.

However, God proved that he was still with them in the wilderness since he told Moses that he would give them food from heaven.

Exodus 16:31 speculates the kind of food that they received was called manna and it tasted like cakes made with honey. That is what Biblical scholars speculate that cakes in the Bible symbolize God’s provision.

What is the spiritual meaning of cakes?

Though the Bible does not explain the spiritual meaning of cakes, people suggest that it means the following.

Transformation and growth

Biblical scholars imply that this is one of the spiritual meanings of cakes since they are formed from ingredients combined to form something new.

Leviticus 2:4 suggests that cakes were made with wheat flour or barley and oil and baked in an oven. People speculate that a cake represents change or transformation in our lives.

Fertility

Some spiritual people also speculate that certain cakes represent fertility. They argue that when a fruit cake is cut at a wedding, it could mean the couple will be blessed with many children.

Purity

Cakes that feature white icing are believed to represent purity. Spiritual people argue that when a wedding cake contains white icing, the bride is a virgin.

Good moments

People also speculate that the sweetness of cakes is a reminder of the good moments we share with those we love. This is because cakes are often part of joyous occasions between loved ones, such as weddings, anniversaries, or birthdays.

Abundance

It is also believed that cakes are a sign of abundance in the spiritual world. People speculate that since cakes are not basic, having the privilege to afford them on special occasions means one is abundantly blessed.

What does it mean when you dream about cakes?

Dream interpreters suggest that dreams about cakes mostly mean something positive. Here are some of the meanings of dreams about cakes.

Dream about eating a cake

People believe that when you dream that you are eating a cake, it could mean you are a caring person. They argue that cakes symbolize love for one another, and therefore dreaming about eating one could indicate your nurturing nature.

Some argue that dreaming about eating a cake could mean that you are indulging in great things in life.

Dream about cutting a cake

Others suggest that if you dream of cutting a cake, it could mean that you are enjoying the company of your loved ones. They argue that the piece of cake you could be cutting in the dream is a sign that good energy will soon come your way.

Dream about baking a cake

Dream interpreters suggest that if you dream that you are baking a cake, it could mean that someone is about to invite you to an event. Others argue that baking cake in a dream could also signify your sensitivity to others.

Dream about cake melting

If you have this dream, some people speculate that it could mean you are spending money too fast. They suggest that you take some time to assess your financial situation after having this dream and be more careful about saving to avoid going broke.

Dream about seeing a cake placed on a table

This dream is believed to mean that you may receive visitors or get some good news. They argue that if you see other kinds of food on the table in this dream, it could mean you are missing your old friends.

Bible verses about cakes

Jeremiah 7:18 suggests that cakes were offered to the Queen of Heaven. “The children gather wood, the fathers light the fire, and the women knead the dough and make cakes to offer to the Queen of Heaven. 

They pour out drink offerings to other gods to arouse my anger.”

In this verse, God rebukes his people for embracing false gods of the surrounding nations and describes the kind of offerings that the people give to the goddess. The verse further suggests that doing this aroused God’s anger.

Cakes are also mentioned in 1st Kings 14:3. This Bible verse talks about the instructions that Jeroboam gave to his wife when she went to consult the prophet of Shiloh Ahijah about her son, who was ill.

She is told to take ten loaves, a jar of honey, and some cakes and that the prophet will tell her what would happen to the sick boy.

Additionally, 1st Samuel 25:18 mentions cakes, “Abigail acted quickly. She took two hundred loaves of bread, two skins of wine, five dressed sheep, five seahs of roasted grain, a hundred cakes of raisins and two hundred cakes of pressed figs, and loaded them on donkeys.”

This bible story suggests that Abigael took bread, cakes of pressed figs, and cakes of raisins and gave it to David to preserve her family from destruction.

The scripture suggests that Abigail was wise and offered David cakes despite her husband Nabal being rude to David and his people.

1st Samuel 30:20 also mentions cakes: “He took all the flocks and herds, and his men drove them ahead of the other livestock, saying, “This is David’s plunder.””

It suggests that when David was in Besor Valley, he and his people came across an Egyptian who had not eaten for three days.

They gave him a fig cake and raisins, and his spirit revived. This verse speculates that David was generous.

Cakes are also mentioned in Ezekiel 4:12, “Eat the food as you would a loaf of barley bread; bake it in the sight of the people, using human excrement for fuel.”

This verse speculates that God ordered Ezekiel to eat a barley cake made over human dung.

Bible scholars suggest that this symbolic act showed that the nation was about to go into exile due to their sins.