Definition and Terminology:
The term "showbread" (also spelled "shewbread") refers to the consecrated bread that was continually placed on a special table in the Holy Place of the Tabernacle and later in the Temple. The Hebrew term for showbread is "lechem haPanim," which translates to "bread of the Presence" or "bread of the Face," indicating its placement before the presence of God.

Biblical References:
The concept of showbread is introduced in the Book of Exodus. God commands Moses regarding the construction of the Tabernacle and its furnishings, including the table for the showbread. 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 perpetual nature of the showbread's presence before God.

Preparation and Placement:
The showbread consisted of twelve loaves made from fine flour, representing the twelve tribes of Israel. These loaves were arranged in two stacks of six on a table made of acacia wood overlaid with pure gold, as described in Exodus 25:23-30. The table was located in the Holy Place, outside the Holy of Holies, where the Ark of the Covenant was kept.

Leviticus 24:5-9 provides further details on the preparation and arrangement of the showbread: "You are to take fine flour and bake twelve loaves from it, two-tenths of an ephah per 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 food offerings made to the LORD."

Symbolism and Significance:
The showbread symbolizes God's provision and sustenance for His people, as well as the covenant relationship between God and Israel. Its perpetual presence before the Lord signifies the continuous fellowship and communion between God and His chosen people. The bread's placement in the Holy Place, near the lampstand and the altar of incense, highlights its sacred role in the worship and ritual life of Israel.

Priestly Consumption:
The showbread was replaced every Sabbath, and the old loaves were consumed by the priests in a holy place, as they were considered most holy. This consumption by the priests is a reminder of their role as mediators between God and the people, and it underscores the sanctity of the offerings made to the Lord.

New Testament Reference:
The showbread is mentioned in the New Testament in the context of Jesus' teaching. In Matthew 12:3-4 , Jesus refers to an incident involving David: "Jesus replied, 'Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread, which was not lawful for them to eat, but only for the priests.'" This reference highlights the principle of mercy over ritual law and points to Jesus' authority over religious traditions.

Theological Implications:
The showbread serves as a foreshadowing of Christ, the Bread of Life, who provides spiritual sustenance and eternal life to believers. 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 emphasizes the fulfillment of the Old Testament symbols in the person and work of Jesus Christ.4286. prothesis -- a setting forth, ie fig. proposal, spec. the ...
... purpose, showbread. From protithemai; a setting forth, ie (figuratively) proposal
(intention); specially, the show-bread (in the Temple) as exposed before God ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4286.htm - 7k4635. maareketh -- a row, line
... 4634, 4635. maareketh. 4636 . a row, line. Transliteration: maareketh Phonetic
Spelling: (mah-ar-eh'-keth) Short Definition: showbread. ... row, showbread. ...
/hebrew/4635.htm - 6k

3899. lechem -- bread, food
... bread, food NASB Word Usage bread (188), food (87), fruit (1), loaves (3), meal
(7), meal* (1), meals (2), prey (1), provision (1), showbread* (4), something (1 ...
/hebrew/3899.htm - 6k

Jesus Defends Disciples who Pluck Grain on the Sabbath.
... 26 How he entered into the house of God when Abiathar was high priest, ^c and took
and ate the showbread, and gave also to them that were with him; which it is ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xxxviii jesus defends disciples who.htm

What is the Sanctuary?
... For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and
the table, and the showbread; which is called the sanctuary. ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /23 what is the sanctuary.htm

The Social Test of Religion
... How he entered into the house of God when Abiathar was high priest, and ate the
showbread, which it is not lawful to eat save for the priests, and gave also to ...
/.../rauschenbusch/the social principles of jesus/chapter ix the social test.htm

Matt. xii. 1
... how he entered into the house of God, and did eat the show-bread, which was not
lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily xxxix matt xii 1.htm

Matt. xii. 9, 10
... read what David did, when he was an hungered, himself and they that were with him,
how he entered into the house of God, and did eat the show-bread?" [1686] He ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily xl matt xii 9.htm

The Gates and Doors on the North Side.
... In 'Beth-Mokadh' were four chambers:"1. 'The chamber of lambs': where they were
kept for the use of the altar.2. 'The chamber of the show-bread.' 3. The ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 32 the gates and.htm

Bethphage
... IV. "The two loaves" (daily offered by the chief priest) "and the show-bread
are baked aright either in the court or in Bethphage.". ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 37 bethphage.htm

Plucking Grain on the Sabbath.
... ye not read what David did, when he had need and was hungry, and they that were
with him: how he entered into the house of God, and ate the showbread, which it ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barton/his life/plucking grain on the sabbath.htm

B. The Second Period. Chs. 5:1 to 6:11
... this, what David did, when he was hungry, he, and they that were with him; 4 how
he entered into the house of God, and took and ate the showbread, and gave ...
/.../erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/b the second period chs.htm

Jerusalem
... prevail over the pillar of smoke; nor was any profane thing found in the sheaf of
first-fruits, or the two loaves (of the high-priest), or in the show-bread. ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 21 jerusalem.htm

Showbread (18 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. SHOWBREAD. sho'-bred. See SHEWBREAD. SHOWBREAD,
TABLE OF. See SHEWBREAD, TABLE OF. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/s/showbread.htm - 12k

Show-bread (15 Occurrences)
Show-bread. Showbread, Show-bread. Showed . Multi-Version Concordance
Show-bread (15 Occurrences). ... (WBS). Showbread, Show-bread. Showed . Reference
/s/show-bread.htm - 10k

Companions (58 Occurrences)
... Matthew 12:4 how he entered into the house of God, and ate the showbread, which
was not lawful for him to eat, neither for those who were with him, but only ...
/c/companions.htm - 23k

Ate (138 Occurrences)
... Matthew 12:4 how he entered into the house of God, and ate the showbread, which
was not lawful for him to eat, neither for those who were with him, but only ...
/a/ate.htm - 37k

Lawful (38 Occurrences)
... Matthew 12:4 how he entered into the house of God, and ate the showbread, which
was not lawful for him to eat, neither for those who were with him, but only ...
/l/lawful.htm - 20k

Shewbread (16 Occurrences)
... (n.) See Showbread. Int. ... In 2 Chronicles 2:4 it is spoken of as the "continual
showbread," because it was to be before Yahweh "alway" (Exodus 25:30). ...
/s/shewbread.htm - 20k

Consecrated (101 Occurrences)
... 28:16 and the gold by weight for the tables of showbread, for every ... and to burn
before Him incense of sweet spices, and for the continual showbread, and for ...
/c/consecrated.htm - 38k

Entered (291 Occurrences)
... Matthew 12:4 how he entered into the house of God, and ate the showbread, which
was not lawful for him to eat, neither for those who were with him, but only ...
/e/entered.htm - 35k

Continual (55 Occurrences)
... Numbers 4:7 "On the table of showbread they shall spread a blue cloth, and put
on it the dishes, the spoons, the bowls, and the cups with which to pour out ...
/c/continual.htm - 25k

Moons (17 Occurrences)
... build a house for the name of Yahweh my God, to dedicate it to him, and to burn
before him incense of sweet spices, and for the continual showbread, and for ...
/m/moons.htm - 12k

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

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