Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Terminology:Showbread, also known as "Bread of the Presence," refers to the twelve loaves of bread that were continually placed on a 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 face" or "bread of the presence," 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.
Leviticus 24:5-9 provides further instructions on the preparation and arrangement of the showbread: "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, because it is a most holy part of their regular share of the offerings made by fire to the LORD."
Symbolism and Significance:The showbread 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 with His people and His continual presence among them. The bread's placement on a table of pure gold signifies its sacredness and the holiness of God's provision.
The showbread 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, who provides spiritual sustenance and eternal life to believers.
Priestly Role and Ritual:The priests, specifically the descendants of Aaron, were responsible for the preparation and arrangement of the showbread. Every Sabbath, the old loaves were replaced with fresh ones, and the priests consumed the previous week's bread in a holy place, as it was considered most holy. This ritual underscores the role of the priesthood in mediating between God and His people, maintaining the sacred practices that symbolize divine provision and presence.
Historical Context and Practice:The practice of setting out the showbread continued from the time of the Tabernacle through the First and Second Temples. The table for the showbread was one of the key furnishings in the Holy Place, alongside the golden lampstand and the altar of incense. The continuity of this practice reflects the enduring importance of the showbread in Israel's worship and religious life.
Theological Implications:The showbread serves as a tangible expression of God's covenantal relationship with Israel, emphasizing His faithfulness and provision. It also points forward to the ultimate provision of salvation through Jesus Christ, who fulfills the typology of the showbread as the true sustenance for God's people. The practice of the showbread highlights the importance of worship, obedience, and the acknowledgment of God's presence in the life of the believer.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
n.) Bread of exhibition; loaves to set before God; -- the term used in translating the various phrases used in the Hebrew and Greek to designate the loaves of bread which the priest of the week placed before the Lord on the golden table in the sanctuary. They were made of fine flour unleavened, and were changed every Sabbath. The loaves, twelve in number, represented the twelve tribes of Israel. They were to be eaten by the priests only, and in the Holy Place.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
SHOWBREADsho'-bred.
SeeSHEWBREAD.
SHOWBREAD, TABLE OF
SeeSHEWBREAD, TABLE OF.
Greek
4286. prothesis -- a setting forth, ie fig. proposal, spec. the...... the
showbread, sacred (bread). Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration:
prothesis Phonetic Spelling: (proth'-es-is) Short Definition: the show-bread
...Strong's Hebrew
4635. maareketh -- a row, line... 4634, 4635. maareketh. 4636 . a row, line. Transliteration: maareketh Phonetic
Spelling: (mah-ar-eh'-keth) Short Definition:
showbread.
... row,
showbread.
...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...
Library
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 theshowbread, and gave also to them that were with him; which it is...
What is the Sanctuary?
... For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and
the table, and theshowbread; which is called the sanctuary....
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...
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 theshowbread, which it...
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 theshowbread, and gave...
Christian Graces.
... The loaves orshowbread in the temple were to have frankincense strewed upon them
as they stood upon the golden table, which was a type of the sweet perfumes...
Fourth Sunday after Epiphany
... Christ makes particular mention of the matter in Matthew 12, 3-4, where
David and his companions ate the holyshowbread. Though...
The Old Testament and Comparative Religion
... of their furniture: the two altars of the Babylonian sanctuary are found again in
the temple of Jerusalem; so also the mercy seat and the table ofshowbread....
Thesaurus
Showbread (18 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
SHOWBREAD. sho'-bred. See SHEWBREAD.
SHOWBREAD,
TABLE OF. See SHEWBREAD, TABLE OF. Multi-Version Concordance
...Shewbread (16 Occurrences)
... (n.) SeeShowbread. 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)....
Show-bread (15 Occurrences)
Show-bread.Showbread, Show-bread. Showed . Multi-Version Concordance
Show-bread (15 Occurrences).... (WBS).Showbread, Show-bread. Showed . Reference
Save (375 Occurrences)
... Mark 2:26 How he entered into the house of God when Abiathar was high priest, and
ate theshowbread, which it is not lawful to eat save for the priests, and...
Show (1340 Occurrences)
Burnt-offerings (86 Occurrences)
... build a house for the name of Jehovah my God, to dedicate it to him, and to burn
before him incense of sweet spices, and for the continualshowbread, and for...
Nob (6 Occurrences)
... After being supplied with the sacred loaves ofshowbread, and girding on the sword
of Goliath, which was brought forth from behind the ephod, David fled from...
Jars (28 Occurrences)
... Numbers 4:7 And upon the table ofshowbread they shall spread a cloth of blue, and
put thereon the dishes, and the spoons, and the bowls and the cups wherewith...
Griddle (5 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 23:29 for theshowbread also, and for the fine flour for a meal-offering,
whether of unleavened wafers, or of that which is baked in the pan, or...
Furniture (24 Occurrences)
... The furniture of the Court consisted of the brazen altar and laver (40:29, 30);
that of the Holy Place, of the table ofshowbread, the golden lampstand and...
Resources
What was the bread of the Presence (Exodus 25:30)? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that the Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath? | GotQuestions.orgWhat was the tabernacle of Moses? | GotQuestions.orgShowbread: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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