The Table of Showbread
Tabernacle FurnitureMeaning: “Bread of the Presence / bread of faces”
God’s constant provision and fellowship — the true Bread of Life.
The gold-covered table holding twelve loaves of bread set out before the LORD each Sabbath.
What It Was
On the table in the Holy Place lay twelve loaves of “shewbread” — literally the bread of the Presence — arranged in two rows and renewed every Sabbath (Exodus 25:30; Leviticus 24:5–9). The twelve loaves represented the twelve tribes continually before God.
Biblical Significance & Symbolism
The bread set perpetually before God speaks of fellowship and provision — Israel sustained in his presence. It points to Jesus, who declared, “I am the bread of life” (John 6:35), and to the communion of his people at his table.
Timeline
Made for the Holy Place with twelve loaves
Scripture References
18 versesExodus3 verses
Exodus 25:30
And thou shalt set upon the table shewbread before me alway.
Exodus 35:13
The table, and his staves, and all his vessels, and the shewbread,
Exodus 39:36
The table, and all the vessels thereof, and the shewbread,
Numbers1 verse
Numbers 4:7
And upon the table of shewbread they shall spread a cloth of blue, and put thereon the dishes, and the spoons, and the bowls, and covers to cover withal: and the continual bread shall be thereon: cover: or, pour out withal
1 Samuel1 verse
1 Samuel 21:6
So the priest gave him hallowed bread: for there was no bread there but the shewbread, that was taken from before the LORD, to put hot bread in the day when it was taken away.
1 Kings1 verse
1 Kings 7:48
And Solomon made all the vessels that pertained unto the house of the LORD: the altar of gold, and the table of gold, whereupon the shewbread was,
1 Chronicles3 verses
1 Chronicles 9:32
And other of their brethren, of the sons of the Kohathites, were over the shewbread, to prepare it every sabbath. shewbread: Heb. bread of ordering
1 Chronicles 23:29
Both for the shewbread, and for the fine flour for meat offering, and for the unleavened cakes, and for that which is baked in the pan, and for that which is fried, and for all manner of measure and size; pan: or, flat plate
1 Chronicles 28:16
And by weight he gave gold for the tables of shewbread, for every table; and likewise silver for the tables of silver:
2 Chronicles4 verses
2 Chronicles 2:4
Behold, I build an house to the name of the LORD my God, to dedicate it to him, and to burn before him sweet incense, and for the continual shewbread, and for the burnt offerings morning and evening, on the sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the solemn feasts of the LORD our God. This is an ordinance for ever to Israel. sweet: Heb. incense of spices
2 Chronicles 4:19
And Solomon made all the vessels that were for the house of God, the golden altar also, and the tables whereon the shewbread was set;
2 Chronicles 13:11
And they burn unto the LORD every morning and every evening burnt sacrifices and sweet incense: the shewbread also set they in order upon the pure table; and the candlestick of gold with the lamps thereof, to burn every evening: for we keep the charge of the LORD our God; but ye have forsaken him.
2 Chronicles 29:18
Then they went in to Hezekiah the king, and said, We have cleansed all the house of the LORD, and the altar of burnt offering, with all the vessels thereof, and the shewbread table, with all the vessels thereof.
Nehemiah1 verse
Nehemiah 10:33
For the shewbread, and for the continual meat offering, and for the continual burnt offering, of the sabbaths, of the new moons, for the set feasts, and for the holy things, and for the sin offerings to make an atonement for Israel, and for all the work of the house of our God.
Matthew1 verse
Matthew 12:4
How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests?
Mark1 verse
Mark 2:26
How he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and did eat the shewbread, which is not lawful to eat but for the priests, and gave also to them which were with him?
Luke1 verse
Luke 6:4
How he went into the house of God, and did take and eat the shewbread, and gave also to them that were with him; which it is not lawful to eat but for the priests alone?
Hebrews1 verse
Hebrews 9:2
For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary. the sanctuary: or, holy
Topics & Symbolism
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Frequently asked about The Table of Showbread
What was The Table of Showbread in the Bible?
The gold-covered table holding twelve loaves of bread set out before the LORD each Sabbath.
What does The Table of Showbread symbolize?
God’s constant provision and fellowship — the true Bread of Life.
What does the name The Table of Showbread mean?
The name The Table of Showbread means “Bread of the Presence / bread of faces”.
What was The Table of Showbread made of?
The Table of Showbread was made of acacia wood overlaid with gold, measuring 2 × 1 × 1.5 cubits.
Who made The Table of Showbread?
The Table of Showbread was made by Bezalel.
Where was The Table of Showbread kept?
The Table of Showbread was kept at In the Holy Place, north side.
Where is The Table of Showbread first mentioned in the Bible?
The Table of Showbread is first mentioned in Exodus 25:30.
How often is The Table of Showbread mentioned in the Bible?
The Table of Showbread is mentioned in 18 verses across 11 books: Exodus, Numbers, 1 Samuel, 1 Kings, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Nehemiah, Matthew, Mark, Luke, Hebrews.
What was the showbread?
Twelve loaves of “bread of the Presence” set on a golden table in the Holy Place, renewed each Sabbath, representing the twelve tribes before God.
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