Definition and Terminology:
Shew-bread, also known as "showbread" or "bread of the Presence," refers to the twelve loaves of unleavened bread that were placed on a special table in the Holy Place of the Tabernacle and later in the Temple. The Hebrew term for shew-bread is "lechem ha-panim," which translates to "bread of the face" or "bread of the presence," indicating its role as a perpetual offering before the presence of God.

Biblical References:
The concept of shew-bread is introduced in the Book of Exodus. God commands Moses regarding the construction of the Tabernacle and its furnishings, including the table for the shew-bread. In Exodus 25:30 , it is stated, "And place the Bread of the Presence on the table before Me at all times." This command underscores the continuous nature of this offering.

Leviticus 24:5-9 provides further instructions: "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, for it is most holy to him from the offerings made by fire to the LORD, a perpetual share."

Symbolism and Significance:
The shew-bread symbolizes God's provision and sustenance for the twelve tribes of Israel, represented by the twelve loaves. It serves as a reminder of God's covenant and His continual presence among His people. The bread's placement in the Holy Place signifies the importance of fellowship and communion with God.

The shew-bread also prefigures the New Testament understanding of Jesus Christ as the "Bread of Life." In John 6:35 , Jesus declares, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never hunger, and whoever believes in Me will never thirst." This connection highlights the fulfillment of the Old Testament symbolism in the person and work of Christ.

Ritual and Practice:
The preparation and presentation of the shew-bread were carried out by the priests, specifically the descendants of Aaron. The bread was baked fresh each week and replaced every Sabbath. The old loaves were consumed by the priests in a holy place, emphasizing the sanctity of the offering.

The table for the shew-bread was made of acacia wood overlaid with pure gold, as described in Exodus 25:23-24 : "You are also to make a table of acacia wood two cubits long, a cubit wide, and a cubit and a half high. Overlay it with pure gold and make a gold molding around it." This table, along with the bread, was part of the sacred furnishings of the Tabernacle and later the Temple.

Historical Context:
The practice of offering shew-bread continued throughout the history of Israel, from the time of the Tabernacle in the wilderness to the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem. The shew-bread was a central element of the worship and ritual life of the Israelites, reflecting their dependence on God and His provision.

In 1 Samuel 21:1-6 , an incident involving the shew-bread is recorded when David, fleeing from King Saul, requests bread from the priest Ahimelech. The priest gives David the consecrated bread, as there was no other bread available. This event is later referenced by Jesus in the New Testament (Matthew 12:3-4) to illustrate the principle of mercy over ritual law.

Theological Implications:
The shew-bread serves as a profound theological symbol of God's presence, provision, and covenant faithfulness. It points to the spiritual nourishment that God provides for His people and foreshadows the ultimate provision of salvation through Jesus Christ. The shew-bread's role in the worship of ancient Israel underscores the importance of maintaining a continual relationship with God, marked by gratitude and reliance on His sustaining grace.740. artos -- bread, a loaf
... bread, loaf. From airo; bread (as raised) or a loaf -- (shew-)bread, loaf. see
GREEK airo. (artoi) -- 4 Occurrences. (artois) -- 1 Occurrence. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/740.htm - 7k

4286. prothesis -- a setting forth, ie fig. proposal, spec. the ...
... protithemai; a setting forth, ie (figuratively) proposal (intention); specially,
the show-bread (in the Temple) as exposed before God -- purpose, shew(-bread). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4286.htm - 7k

3899. lechem -- bread, food
... From lacham; food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it) --
((shew-))bread, X eat, food, fruit, loaf, meat, victuals. ...
/hebrew/3899.htm - 6k

4635. maareketh -- a row, line
... row, showbread. From arak; an arrangement, ie (concretely) a pile (of loaves) --
row, shewbread. see HEBREW arak. 4634, 4635. maareketh. 4636 . ...
/hebrew/4635.htm - 6k

6440. panim -- face, faces
... out of, over against, the partial, person, + please, presence, propect, was purposed,
by reason of, + regard, right forth, + serve, X shewbread, sight, state ...
/hebrew/6440.htm - 8k

The Sabbath
... How he entered into the house of God when Abiathar was high priest, and did eat
the shewbread, which it is not lawful to eat save for the priests, and gave ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 2 23-28 the sabbath.htm

Works which Hallow the Sabbath
... Clearly, His adducing David's act in taking the shewbread implies that the disciples'
reason ... or not; but they were not bound to leave the shew bread lying in ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/works which hallow the sabbath.htm

The Copies of Things in the Heavens
... Three articles stand in it: the table for the so- called shew-bread, the
great lampstand, and the golden altar of incense. Of these ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the copies of things in.htm

Hebrews ix. 5-Jan
... For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the Candlestick, and
the Table, and the Shew-bread, which is called the Sanctuary. ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xv hebrews ix 5-jan.htm

What is the Sanctuary?
... For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and
the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the great controversy/chapter 23 what is the.htm

The Two Sabbath-Controversies - the Plucking of the Ears of Corn ...
... When, on his flight from Saul, David had, when an hungered,' eaten of the shewbread,
and given it to his followers, [3567] although, by the letter of the ...
/.../chapter xxxv the two sabbath-controversies.htm

The Pharisees' Sabbath and Christ's
... How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which was ... The first,
that of David and his followers eating the shew-bread, which was tabooed ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/the pharisees sabbath and christs.htm

The Bread of the Presence
... THE BOOK OF EXODUS THE BREAD OF THE PRESENCE. 'Thou shalt set upon the
table shew-bread before Me alway.'"Exodus 25:30. I suspect ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the bread of the presence.htm

(On the Mysteries. Iv. )
... 5. In the Old Testament also there was shew-bread; but this, as it belonged to the
Old Testament, has come to an end; but in the New Testament there is Bread ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/lecture xxii on the mysteries.htm

How Judas Overthrew the Forces of Apollonius and Seron and Killed ...
... When therefore he had carefully purged it, and had brought in new vessels, the
candlestick, the table [of shew-bread], and the altar [of incense], which were ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 7 how judas overthrew.htm

Shewbread (16 Occurrences)
... (n.) See Showbread. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. SHEWBREAD, TABLE OF. ... The table
of shewbread is to be distinguished from the altar of incense. ...
/s/shewbread.htm - 20k

Shew-bread (1 Occurrence)
Shew-bread. Shewbread, Shew-bread. Shewed . Multi-Version Concordance
Shew-bread (1 Occurrence). ... (DBY). Shewbread, Shew-bread. Shewed . Reference
/s/shew-bread.htm - 6k

Table (125 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. SHEWBREAD, TABLE OF. (shulchan ... 306;. The table
of shewbread is to be distinguished from the altar of incense. ...
/t/table.htm - 62k

Unless (102 Occurrences)
... of God, in the section of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the shew-bread, which
it is ... 6:4 how he entered into the house of God and took the shewbread and ate ...
/u/unless.htm - 36k

Utensils (72 Occurrences)
... DBY NAS RSV NIV). Exodus 35:13 the table and its staves, and all its utensils,
and the shewbread; (DBY NAS RSV). Exodus 35:14 and ...
/u/utensils.htm - 28k

Whereon (45 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 7:48 And Solomon made all the vessels that were in the house of Jehovah:
the golden altar; and the table of gold, whereon was the shewbread; (DBY). ...
/w/whereon.htm - 20k

Candlestick (34 Occurrences)
... This candlestick was placed on the south side of the Holy Place, opposite the table
of shewbread (Exodus 27:21; 30:7, 8; Leviticus 24:3; 1 Samuel 3:3). It was ...
/c/candlestick.htm - 27k

Tabernacle (333 Occurrences)
... Here were placed the table for the shewbread, the golden candlestick,
and the golden altar of incense. ... See SHEWBREAD, TABLE OF. ...
/t/tabernacle.htm - 101k

Shew (226 Occurrences)
... in the English Revised Version), and it should be carefully noted that "shew" is
never pronounced "shoo," not even in the combination "shewbread"; Compare "sew ...
/s/shew.htm - 39k

Goblets (12 Occurrences)
... Numbers 4:7 And upon the table of shewbread they shall spread a cloth of blue; and
put thereon the dishes, and the cups, and the bowls, and goblets of the drink ...
/g/goblets.htm - 10k

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

What did Jesus mean when He said, “I am the Bread of Life” (John 6:35)? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible mean when it speaks of the breaking of bread? | GotQuestions.org

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