In biblical times, the table was a significant piece of furniture, serving both practical and symbolic purposes. It is mentioned in various contexts throughout the Scriptures, reflecting its importance in daily life, worship, and divine symbolism.

Historical and Cultural Context

Tables in ancient Israel were typically low, requiring those who dined to sit or recline on cushions or mats. They were often made of wood, though wealthier households might have tables adorned with metal or ivory. The table was central to family life, serving as a place for meals, fellowship, and hospitality.

Biblical References

1. Domestic Use: The table is frequently mentioned in the context of daily life and hospitality. In 1 Samuel 20:29, David speaks of a family meal, highlighting the table's role in social and familial gatherings. The table was a place where relationships were nurtured and strengthened.

2. Religious Significance: In the tabernacle and later the temple, the table held a sacred role. The Table of Showbread, described in Exodus 25:23-30, was a key element of the tabernacle's furnishings. It held the "bread of the Presence," symbolizing God's provision and covenant with Israel. The table was made of acacia wood and overlaid with pure gold, signifying its holy purpose.

3. Symbolism of Provision and Fellowship: The table often symbolizes God's provision and the fellowship between God and His people. Psalm 23:5 states, "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies," illustrating God's abundant provision and protection. The table is a place of blessing and divine favor.

4. New Testament Context: In the New Testament, the table continues to hold spiritual significance. Jesus' Last Supper with His disciples took place at a table, where He instituted the Lord's Supper (Luke 22:14-20). This event underscores the table as a place of covenant and remembrance, central to Christian worship and community.

5. Eschatological Imagery: The table is also used in eschatological imagery, representing the future Messianic banquet. In Matthew 8:11, Jesus speaks of many coming from east and west to "recline at the table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven," portraying the table as a symbol of eternal fellowship and fulfillment of God's promises.

Theological Implications

The table, as depicted in Scripture, is more than a mere piece of furniture; it is a profound symbol of God's relationship with humanity. It represents sustenance, community, and divine fellowship. The table's presence in both the Old and New Testaments highlights its enduring significance in the life of faith, serving as a reminder of God's continual provision and the communal nature of worship and fellowship among believers.Judges 1:7
And Adonibezek said, Three score and ten kings, having their thumbs and their great toes cut off, gathered their meat under my table: as I have done, so God has requited me. And they brought him to Jerusalem, and there he died.
Nave's Topical Index

1 Samuel 20:29,34
And he said, Let me go, I pray you; for our family has a sacrifice in the city; and my brother, he has commanded me to be there: and now, if I have found favor in your eyes, let me get away, I pray you, and see my brothers. Therefore he comes not to the king's table.
Nave's Topical Index

2 Kings 4:10
Let us make a little chamber, I pray you, on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick: and it shall be, when he comes to us, that he shall turn in thither.
Nave's Topical Index

John 2:15
And when he had made a whip of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables;
Nave's Topical Index

The Golden Lampstand
... the Tabernacle or Temple was intended, with its furniture, to be ... of Incense, which
was the main article of ecclesiastical ... on the one hand, and the Table of Shew ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the golden lampstand.htm

May the Thirty-First Connection and Concord
... of wood together and make the unity of an article of furniture ... the result is only
a piece of social furniture, it is ... may sit and eat at the same table, and yet ...
/.../may the thirty-first connection and.htm

Letter iv. Personal Habits.
... The furniture was plain, but the bed was made up ... and placed them on his writing-table;
but when ... the same fundamental rule prevails: if every article of apparel ...
/.../letter iv personal habits.htm

Letter xxii. To Eustochium.
... If he sees a pillow that takes his fancy or an elegant table-cover"or indeed any
article of household furniture"he praises it, looks admiringly at it ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter xxii to eustochium.htm

A Peal of Bells
... stables." The words must then mean""The furniture of the ... holiness was written, so
in every article that shall be ... you must not think that the table, and the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 7 1861/a peal of bells.htm

Carey's Immediate Influence in Great Britain and America
... the petitions which have loaded our table have been ... to the Gospel." Smith produced
an article which, as ... The whole business of furniture, internal economy, etc ...
/.../smith/the life of william carey/chapter xiii careys immediate influence.htm

The Great Furnace for a Great Soul
... two cups of wine are placed on the table, and she ... was able to steal so cunningly
every article of value ... for the family was gambled away, furniture and clothes ...
/.../cable/the fulfilment of a dream of pastor hsis/chapter xi the great furnace.htm

Canons and Monks
... common dormitory, feed at a common table, and assimilate ... life over any other was
an article of faith ... bed coverlets: the extravagance of the furniture in their ...
/.../medley/the church and the empire/chapter v canons and monks.htm

On God's vineyard
... them, in subscribing the thirty-sixth Article of the ... sit down to meat, lest your
table should be a ... not you seek happiness in dress, furniture, pictures, gardens ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 107 on gods vineyard.htm

Some Hymns and Hymn-Books
... In an article on How to Choose a Religion', as I ... Liturgy, church furniture, and
architecture drew off a part of its ... of the profaning of the Lord's Table into a ...
/.../manning/the hymns of wesley and watts five papers/some hymns and hymn-books.htm

What is the significance of the folded napkin in Christ's tomb after the resurrection? | GotQuestions.org

What is the meaning of the Parable of the Great Banquet (Luke 14:15-24)? | GotQuestions.org

Why is there so much disagreement about holy communion? | GotQuestions.org

Table: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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