Lexical Summary
soleth: Fine flour
Original Word:סֹלֶת
Part of Speech:Noun Feminine
Transliteration:coleth
Pronunciation:so'-leth
Phonetic Spelling:(so'-leth)
KJV: (fine) flour, meal
NASB:fine flour, fine, fine flour
Word Origin:[from an unused root meaning to strip]
1. flour (as chipped off)
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
fine flour, meal
From an unused root meaning to strip; flour (as chipped off) -- (fine) flour, meal.
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originof foreign origin
Definitionfine flour
NASB Translationfine (1), fine flour (51), fine...flour (1), flour* (1).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
53Leviticus 2:5 (compare on Gender Albr
ZAW xvi (1896), 106) ( ,
simila) (Late Hebrew
id.; Aramaic ; Arabic
a kind of barley without husks Lane
1401; Assyrian
sillatu, or
šillatu, a kind of grain (?) Meissner-Rost
BAS iii, 361; also
¾ul¾a, ¾uruti,
flour, as loan-word in Egyptian, Bondi
84 WMM
As.u.Eur.101); — absolute
Genesis 18:6 +, construct
Exodus 29:9 +; suffix
Leviticus 2:2; —
fine flour, used in king's household
1 Kings 5:2 ("" ), for honoured guests
Genesis 18:6 (J), a
se'ah of it sold for a shekel in time of scarcity
2 Kings 7:1,16,18 (see Benz); luxurious food
Ezekiel 16:13,19 (of Jerusalem under figure of woman); elsewhere only in offerings
Ezekiel 46:14;
1 Chronicles 9:29;
1 Chronicles 23:29, and P;
Exodus 29:2,
Exodus 29:40,
Leviticus 2:1 13t. Leviticus;
Numbers 6:15 26t. Numbers.
see .
Topical Lexicon
Culinary Staple and Symbol of AbundanceThe earliest appearance of סֹלֶת is in the hospitality scene ofGenesis 18:6, where Sarah kneads “three seahs of fine flour” for Abraham’s divine visitors. The offering of the costlier, sifted flour rather than ordinary meal underscored generosity and honor. Similar language marks royal prosperity (1 Kings 4:22) and the predicted plenty that would end Samaria’s famine (2 Kings 7:1). Fine flour thus became shorthand for material blessing (cf.Ezekiel 16:13).
Agricultural and Economic Dimensions
Producing סֹלֶת demanded repeated sifting of ground grain, leaving only the purest particles. Its higher market value (2 Kings 7:1, 16) distinguished it from קֶמַח (“meal”) and gave it a place in taxation and tribute (1 Chronicles 9:29;Ezra 7:22). Temple administrators tracked it alongside wine and oil (2 Chronicles 31:5), showing its role in Judah’s wider economy.
Central to the Grain (Minchah) Offering
Leviticus devotes an entire chapter to grain offerings, and fine flour stands at the center:
• Unleavened cakes mixed or anointed with oil (Leviticus 2:1–7).
• A memorial handful burnt on the altar, the remainder eaten by priests “in a most holy place” (Leviticus 2:9–10).
• Perpetual accompaniment to daily burnt offerings (Exodus 29:40;Numbers 28:5).
Because grain was basic sustenance, dedicating its finest form acknowledged God as Provider while expressing fellowship between worshiper and priest.
Provision for the Poor in Sin Offerings
In the sin offering hierarchy, those who could not afford an animal were permitted to bring “a tenth of an ephah of fine flour” (Leviticus 5:11). Even here the worshiper withheld oil and frankincense, retaining the humble character of repentance. The substitution maintained equal access to forgiveness without compromising holiness.
Fine Flour in Ordination and Nazirite Rituals
Priestly consecration included unleavened loaves and wafers of fine flour (Exodus 29:2). The Nazirite completing a vow presented “cakes of fine flour mixed with oil” (Numbers 6:15). These rites linked personal dedication to the purest produce of the land, visually uniting vocation and daily provision under divine lordship.
Showbread and Perpetual Fellowship
“Twelve loaves” baked from fine flour were arranged weekly on the table of showbread (Leviticus 24:5–9). Their uninterrupted presence near the Holy of Holies spoke of Israel’s continual covenant fellowship mediated through the priesthood. Chronicles notes Levites charged to weigh and prepare “fine flour” for this purpose (1 Chronicles 23:29;2 Chronicles 2:4; 13:11).
Prophetic Imagery of Misused Blessings
Ezekiel rebuked Jerusalem for squandering gifts of “fine flour, oil, and honey” on idolatry (Ezekiel 16:19). Hosea employs parallel language when indicting Israel for crediting Baal with the harvest (Hosea 2:8). The prophets turn the symbol of God-given plenty into evidence of covenant breach—heightening the moral weight of everyday commodities.
Foreshadowing the Bread of Life
Fine flour’s qualities—purity, uniformity, and suitability for life-sustaining bread—find typological fulfillment in Jesus Christ. As the grain offering contained neither leaven (symbol of corruption) nor honey (self-indulgent sweetness), so the sinless Son offered Himself wholly to the Father (Hebrews 10:5–10). The perpetual showbread anticipates Christ’s self-designation: “I am the bread of life” (John 6:35). Believers who partake of the Lord’s Supper still echo the Old Testament rhythm of fellowship secured by a flawless offering.
Ministry Implications Today
1. Worship that Withholds Nothing: Presenting the best in time, talent, and treasure honors the God who first supplies.
2. Accessibility of Atonement: The sin-offering provision for fine flour reminds churches to remove economic barriers to participation in ordinances and community life.
3. Holistic Stewardship: As Israel dedicated both livestock and staple crops, modern disciples steward income, labor, and daily meals to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31).
4. Vigilance against Idolatry: Ezekiel’s warning presses believers to guard against directing God’s good gifts toward self-exalting ends.
Key Old Testament References
Genesis 18:6;Exodus 29:2, 40;Leviticus 2:1–10; 5:11; 6:14–23; 23:13, 17; 24:5;Numbers 6:15–17; 15:4–9; 28:5–12;1 Kings 4:22;2 Kings 7:1, 16, 18;1 Chronicles 23:29;2 Chronicles 2:4; 13:11;Ezekiel 16:13, 19.
Forms and Transliterations
הַסֹּ֑לֶת הַסֹּ֙לֶת֙ הסלת וְסֹ֣לֶת וּלְסֹ֤לֶת ולסלת וסלת מִסָּלְתָּהּ֙ מִסֹּ֤לֶת מסלת מסלתה סֹ֔לֶת סֹ֖לֶת סֹ֙לֶת֙ סֹ֛לֶת סֹ֜לֶת סֹ֣לֶת סֹ֤לֶת סֹ֥לֶת סֹ֧לֶת סלת has·sō·leṯ hasSolet hassōleṯ mis·sā·lə·tāh mis·sō·leṯ missālətāh missalTah misSolet missōleṯ sō·leṯ Solet sōleṯ ū·lə·sō·leṯ uleSolet ūləsōleṯ veSolet wə·sō·leṯ wəsōleṯ
Links
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