The Shewbread, also known as the Bread of the Presence, holds significant importance in the worship practices of ancient Israel as described in the Old Testament. This sacred bread was placed on a specially designated table within the Tabernacle, and later the Temple, as a perpetual offering before the Lord.

Biblical Description and Instructions

The instructions for the Shewbread are detailed in the book of Exodus. The table for the Shewbread was to be constructed of acacia wood and overlaid with pure gold, signifying its sacred purpose. It was to be placed on the north side of the Tabernacle, opposite the lampstand. Exodus 25:23-30 provides the specifications: "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... And set the Bread of the Presence on the table before Me at all times."

Symbolism and Ritual

The Shewbread consisted of twelve loaves, representing the twelve tribes of Israel, and was arranged in two rows of six on the table. Leviticus 24:5-9 outlines the preparation and placement: "You are to take fine flour and bake twelve loaves, 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."

The bread was to be replaced every Sabbath, and the old loaves were consumed by the priests in a holy place, as they were considered most holy. This practice underscored the covenant relationship between God and His people, symbolizing God's provision and the sustenance He provides.

Priestly Duties and Regulations

The responsibility for the Shewbread fell to the Levitical priests, who were charged with maintaining the sanctity of the Tabernacle and later the Temple. The bread was to be made from the finest flour, emphasizing the quality and purity required in offerings to God. The priests' consumption of the Shewbread was a privilege and a reminder of their role as mediators between God and Israel.

Theological Significance

The Shewbread serves as a powerful symbol of God's presence and His continual provision for His people. It is a reminder of the sustenance that God provides, both physically and spiritually. The bread's perpetual presence before the Lord signifies the eternal covenant and the unbroken fellowship between God and His chosen people.

In the New Testament, the Shewbread finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who declared Himself to be the "bread of life" (John 6:35). This connection highlights the continuity of God's redemptive plan and the ultimate provision of spiritual nourishment through Christ.

Historical Context

The practice of placing the Shewbread in the Tabernacle began during the wilderness wanderings of the Israelites and continued in the Temple built by Solomon. The table and the bread were integral parts of the sacred furnishings, reflecting the order and holiness required in worship.

The Shewbread, therefore, is not merely a ritualistic element but a profound expression of faith, obedience, and the sustaining grace of God throughout the history of Israel.Exodus 40:22
And he put the table in the tent of the congregation, on the side of the tabernacle northward, without the veil.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

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.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

What is the Sanctuary?
... God placed His Spirit upon the builders of the earthly sanctuary. ... The table of
shewbread and the altar of incense glittered like burnished gold. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the great controversy/chapter 23 what is the.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... Earlier traditions placed this event in the period which followed ... cut off, gathered
their meat under my table: as I ... THE HILL OF SHILOH, SEEN FROM THE NORTH-EAST ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

The Desire of the Righteous Granted;
... Wherefore the wicked are set on the other side, even in that ... seen the shadows of
things in the heavens; the candlestick, the table of shewbread, the holiest ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the desire of the righteous.htm

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

Shewbread: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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