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Shewbread(showbread)

/SHOH-bred/

Summary

Twelve loaves of unleavened bread placed weekly on a special table in the sanctuary, representing the twelve tribes of Israel continually before God's presence.

☩Description and Purpose

The shewbread (literally 'bread of the presence' or 'bread of the faces') consisted of twelve unleavened loaves placed on a special table in the holy place of the tabernacle. They were arranged in two rows of six loaves each and sprinkled with frankincense. The number twelve represented the twelve tribes of Israel perpetually before the Lord. The bread was also called 'hallowed bread' and 'the continual bread.'

Key verses:Exodus 25:30Leviticus 24:5-9Hebrews 9:2

☩Weekly Renewal

Every Sabbath, the priests replaced the old loaves with twelve freshly baked ones. The frankincense that had stood on the bread during the week was then burned as an oblation to the Lord. The removed bread became the exclusive property of the priests, who ate it in the holy place.

Key verses:Leviticus 24:8-91 Chronicles 9:32

☩The Table

The table of shewbread was made of acacia wood, two cubits long, one cubit broad, and one and a half cubits high, overlaid with pure gold. It stood on the north side of the holy place. With it came dishes, spoons (incense cups), covers, and bowls—all of gold. The Levites were responsible for preparing the bread and maintaining the table.

Key verses:Exodus 25:23-30Exodus 37:10-161 Chronicles 23:29

☩David and the Shewbread

In a famous incident, Ahimelech the priest gave the old shewbread to David and his men when they were fleeing from Saul, even though technically only priests could eat it. Jesus later cited this incident to defend His disciples when Pharisees accused them of breaking the Sabbath, showing that human need can override ceremonial regulations.

Key verses:1 Samuel 21:4-6Matthew 12:3-4Mark 2:25-26

Related Verses32 mentions

Exodus· 10 verses

25:2325:2925:3026:3535:13

2 Chronicles· 5 verses

2:44:194:2213:1129:18

1 Chronicles· 3 verses

9:3223:2928:16

Matthew· 2 verses

12:312:4

References

  1. 1.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Shewbread," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
  2. 2.John Kitto, "Shewbread," in A Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature, vol. II (Mark H. Newman, 1845).
  3. 3.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Shewbread," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).
  4. 4.John Kitto, "Shewbread," in A Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature, vol. II (Mark H. Newman, 1845).
  5. 5.Edwin W. Rice, "Shewbread," in The People's Dictionary of the Bible (American Sunday-School Union, 1893).
  6. 6.John Kitto, "Shewbread," in A Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature, vol. II (Mark H. Newman, 1845).
  7. 7.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Shewbread," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).
  8. 8.Edwin W. Rice, "Shewbread," in The People's Dictionary of the Bible (American Sunday-School Union, 1893).
  9. 9.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Shewbread," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).