The term "Shewbread," also known as "Showbread" or "the Bread of the Presence," refers to the sacred bread that was continually placed before the Lord in the Tabernacle and later in the Temple. This bread held significant religious and symbolic importance in the worship practices of ancient Israel.

Biblical Description and Instructions

The instructions for the preparation and placement of the Shewbread are detailed in the Old Testament. According to Exodus 25:30 , God commanded Moses, "And place the Bread of the Presence on the table before Me at all times." This bread was to be set on a special table made of acacia wood and overlaid with pure gold, as described in Exodus 25:23-30.

Leviticus 24:5-9 provides further details on the preparation and arrangement of the Shewbread: "You are to take fine flour and bake twelve loaves of bread, using two-tenths of an ephah for each loaf. Arrange them in two rows—six per row—on the table of pure gold before the LORD. And you are to place pure frankincense near each row, so that it may serve as a memorial portion for the bread, an offering made by fire to the LORD. Every Sabbath day the bread is to be set out before the LORD on behalf of the Israelites as a lasting covenant. It belongs to Aaron and his sons, who are to eat it in a holy place, because it is a most holy part of their perpetual share of the offerings made by fire to the LORD."

Symbolism and Significance

The Shewbread symbolized God's provision and His perpetual presence among His people. The twelve loaves represented the twelve tribes of Israel, signifying the unity and sustenance of the nation under God's care. The bread's continual presence before the Lord served as a reminder of the covenant relationship between God and Israel.

The Bread of the Presence also prefigures the spiritual sustenance provided by Christ, who declared Himself to be the "bread of life" (John 6:35). This connection is further emphasized in the New Testament, where Jesus' provision and presence are seen as fulfilling the symbolic role of the Shewbread.

Priestly Consumption

The Shewbread was considered holy and was reserved for consumption by the priests. As noted in Leviticus 24:9 , "It belongs to Aaron and his sons, who are to eat it in a holy place, because it is a most holy part of their perpetual share of the offerings made by fire to the LORD." This consumption by the priests underscored their role as mediators between God and the people, and it highlighted the sanctity of the offerings made to the Lord.

Historical Context and Practice

The practice of setting out the Shewbread continued from the time of the Tabernacle through the period of the First and Second Temples. The bread was replaced every Sabbath, and the old loaves were consumed by the priests in a sacred space, maintaining the ritual purity and holiness of the practice.

In summary, the Shewbread, or Bread of the Presence, was a vital element of Israelite worship, symbolizing God's provision, presence, and the covenant relationship with His people. Its significance extends into Christian theology, where it is seen as a foreshadowing of Christ's sustaining presence and spiritual nourishment for believers.Hebrews 9:2
For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the show bread; which is called the sanctuary.
Nave's Topical Index

What was the bread of the Presence (Exodus 25:30)? | GotQuestions.org

Shewbread: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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