What is the meaning of Exodus 26:35? And place the table – The “table” is the Table of the Bread of the Presence, built of acacia wood and overlaid with gold (Exodus 25:23-30). – Its purpose was to hold twelve loaves that testified to God’s continual provision for Israel (Leviticus 24:5-9; 1 Samuel 21:6). – In the New Covenant the physical bread foreshadows Christ, who says, “I am the bread of life” (John 6:35), and points to the fellowship He offers (1 Corinthians 10:16-17). – By commanding a set place for the table, the Lord underlines both order in worship and the constancy of His provision. Outside the veil – The veil divided the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place (Exodus 26:33). – Placing the table “outside the veil” kept it accessible to the priests, symbolizing fellowship still short of the once-for-all access later granted through Christ’s torn flesh (Hebrews 9:2; 10:19-20; Mark 15:38). – Worshipers today rejoice that what the veil restricted, Christ’s sacrifice has opened, while the principle of reverent approach remains. On the north side of the tabernacle – God specifies “the north side,” highlighting that even the furniture’s orientation mattered. When Moses erected the tabernacle he followed this detail exactly (Exodus 40:22). – North in Scripture can signal majesty and stability (Psalm 48:2). Positioning the bread there underscores the steadfastness of divine provision for the covenant people. – It also balanced the camp’s layout—tribes settled to the north (Numbers 2:25-34), reminding Israel that every tribe depended on the same sustaining grace. And put the lampstand opposite the table – The golden lampstand (menorah) was fashioned from one talent of pure gold (Exodus 25:31-40). – Set “opposite” the table, its light continually illuminated the bread (Exodus 27:20-21), picturing how God’s revelation makes His provision known. – Later visions pick up this imagery: Zechariah sees a lampstand fed by oil (Zechariah 4:2-6), and John beholds seven golden lampstands surrounding the risen Christ (Revelation 1:12-13). – Jesus fulfills the symbol when He proclaims, “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12), and believers are called to shine that light (Matthew 5:14-16). On the south side – The lampstand’s placement on “the south side” (Exodus 40:24) set it directly across from the table. – South is associated with warmth and sunrise in biblical thought (Job 37:17), fitting for an object that radiates light. – With bread to the north and light to the south, the Holy Place offered a daily picture of life-sustaining fellowship and guidance—both centered before the veil that pointed to God’s holy presence. – The arrangement teaches that nourishment and illumination always stand together in God’s design; His people never walk in darkness or hunger when they remain in His presence (Psalm 36:8-9). summary Exodus 26:35 gives precise placement instructions that are far more than architectural notes. The Table of Bread on the north and the Lampstand on the south, both outside the veil, united to show that God’s people live by His provision and by His light. These objects foreshadow Christ, the true Bread and Light, and invite worshipers today to enjoy the same sustaining, illuminating fellowship made fully accessible through Him. |
    |