Leviticus 24:8 Study Bible: Every Sabbath day he shall set it in order before the LORD continually. It is on the behalf of the children of Israel an everlasting covenant.

Bible > Leviticus > Chapter 24 > Verse 8

◄ Leviticus 24:8 ►

Every Sabbath day the bread is to be set out before the LORD on behalf of the Israelites as a permanent covenant.

Every Sabbath day
The phrase "Every Sabbath day" emphasizes the regularity and sacredness of the Sabbath in the Jewish tradition. The Hebrew word for Sabbath, "Shabbat," means "rest" or "cessation." This day was set apart by God as a day of rest and worship, a reminder of God's creation and His covenant with Israel. The Sabbath is a weekly opportunity for the Israelites to pause from their labors and focus on their relationship with God, reflecting the rhythm of work and rest that God established in Genesis.

the bread
The bread referred to here is the "showbread" or "bread of the Presence," known in Hebrew as "lechem haPanim." This bread was a symbol of God's provision and presence among His people. It consisted of twelve loaves, representing the twelve tribes of Israel, and was placed on a special table in the Holy Place of the Tabernacle. The bread served as a continual offering before the Lord, signifying the sustenance and fellowship that God provides.

is to be set out
The act of setting out the bread was a ritual performed by the priests, signifying order and obedience to God's commands. The Hebrew verb "arak" means to arrange or set in order, indicating the careful and deliberate nature of this act. This ritual underscores the importance of approaching God with reverence and precision, acknowledging His holiness and the order He brings to the universe.

before the LORD
The phrase "before the LORD" indicates the presence of God in the Tabernacle, where the bread was placed. The Hebrew word "panim" means "face," suggesting that the bread was set before the face of God. This highlights the intimate relationship between God and His people, as the bread was a constant reminder of God's watchful presence and His desire to dwell among them.

on behalf of the Israelites
The bread was set out "on behalf of the Israelites," signifying that it was a communal offering representing the entire nation. This act of representation underscores the collective identity of the Israelites as God's chosen people. It also serves as a reminder of their covenant relationship with God, where the priests acted as mediators between God and the people.

as a perpetual covenant
The term "perpetual covenant" emphasizes the enduring nature of God's promises to Israel. The Hebrew word "olam" means "everlasting" or "eternal," indicating that this covenant was not temporary but intended to last through generations. This covenant was a sign of God's unchanging faithfulness and His commitment to His people, calling them to a life of obedience and worship in response to His grace.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Moses
The leader of the Israelites who received the laws from God on Mount Sinai. He is responsible for conveying God's commandments to the people.

2. Aaron
The brother of Moses and the first high priest of Israel. He and his descendants are responsible for maintaining the tabernacle and performing the rituals prescribed by God.

3. The Tabernacle
The portable dwelling place for the divine presence among the Israelites. It is the central place of worship and sacrifice during their journey in the wilderness.

4. The Israelites
The chosen people of God, who are receiving these laws and instructions as part of their covenant relationship with Him.

5. The Sabbath
A day of rest and worship, observed every seventh day, which is a sign of the covenant between God and Israel.

Teaching Points

The Importance of Obedience
Leviticus 24:8 emphasizes the need for strict adherence to God's commands. This teaches us the importance of obedience in our own spiritual lives.

The Role of Remembrance
The continual offering of the bread of the Presence serves as a reminder of God's provision and covenant. We are called to remember God's faithfulness in our lives.

Sabbath Observance
The connection to the Sabbath highlights the importance of rest and worship in our weekly routine, reminding us to prioritize our relationship with God.

Symbolism of Bread
The bread of the Presence symbolizes God's sustenance and presence. In the New Testament, Jesus refers to Himself as the "bread of life," inviting us to find spiritual nourishment in Him.

Community and Worship
The communal aspect of the Israelites' worship practices encourages us to engage in corporate worship and fellowship as a vital part of our faith journey.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the command in Leviticus 24:8 to set out the bread of the Presence every Sabbath relate to the concept of Sabbath rest in our lives today?

2. In what ways can we practice obedience to God's commands in our daily lives, as exemplified by the Israelites' adherence to the rituals in the Tabernacle?

3. How does the symbolism of the bread of the Presence in Leviticus 24:8 connect to Jesus' teaching about being the "bread of life" in the New Testament?

4. What role does remembrance play in your spiritual life, and how can you incorporate practices that help you remember God's faithfulness?

5. How can the communal worship practices of the Israelites inspire us to engage more deeply in our own church communities?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Exodus 25-31
These chapters provide detailed instructions for the construction of the Tabernacle and the establishment of the priesthood, which are foundational to understanding the context of Leviticus 24:8.

Numbers 4
This chapter outlines the duties of the Levites in caring for the Tabernacle, including the handling of the bread of the Presence, which is directly related to the command in Leviticus 24:8.

Hebrews 9
This New Testament passage discusses the earthly sanctuary and its regulations, drawing a parallel to the heavenly sanctuary and the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, which fulfills the Old Testament rituals.

Sermons

Christ a Comforting Presence	Richard Newton, D. D.	Leviticus 24:2-9
Christ an Enlightening Presence	Richard Newton, D. D.	Leviticus 24:2-9
Christ the True Presence Bread	F. H. White	Leviticus 24:2-9
Directions for Furnishing of the Sanctuary	Henry, Matthew	Leviticus 24:2-9
Symbols and Their Meaning	J. Cumming, D. D.	Leviticus 24:2-9
The Priest Setting the Lamps in Order Daily Represents Christ Causing His People Daily to Receive and Give Forth Light and Life	A. A. Bonar.	Leviticus 24:2-9
The Sanctuary and its Furniture	J. A. Seiss, D. D.	Leviticus 24:2-9
The Shewbread as Typical of Christ	J. H. Holford, M. A.	Leviticus 24:2-9
The Table and Shewbread Typical of Christ and His Church	John Gill, D. D.	Leviticus 24:2-9
The Table for the Bread of Faces	George Junkin, D. D.	Leviticus 24:2-9
The Bread of the Presence	J.A. Macdonald	Leviticus 24:5-9
The Lesson of the Loaves	W. Clarkson	Leviticus 24:5-9
The Shewbread	R.A. Redford	Leviticus 24:5-9
The Shewbread, or Bread of the Presence	R.A. Redford	Leviticus 24:5-9
The Weekly Offering	R.M. Edgar	Leviticus 24:5-9

People

Aaron, Dan, Dibri, Ephah, Israelites, Israelitess, Moses, Shelomith

Places

Teman

Topics

Aaron, Age-during, Agreement, Arrange, Arrangeth, Behalf, Continually, Covenant, Everlasting, Israelites, Lasting, Offered, Order, Priest, Regularly, Sabbath, Sabbath-day, Sons

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Leviticus 24:8

7429 Sabbath, in OT

Leviticus 24:5-8

4418 bread
8629 worship, times

Library

The Doctrine of Non-Resistance to Evil by Force Has Been Professed by a Minority of Men from the Very Foundation of Christianity. Of the Book "What
CHAPTER I. THE DOCTRINE OF NON-RESISTANCE TO EVIL BY FORCE HAS BEEN PROFESSED BY A MINORITY OF MEN FROM THE VERY FOUNDATION OF CHRISTIANITY. Of the Book "What I Believe"--The Correspondence Evoked by it-- Letters from Quakers--Garrison's Declaration--Adin Ballou, his Works, his Catechism--Helchitsky's "Net of Faith"--The Attitude of the World to Works Elucidating Christ's Teaching--Dymond's Book "On War"--Musser's "Non-resistance Asserted"--Attitude of the Government in 1818 to Men who Refused to …
Leo Tolstoy—The Kingdom of God is within you

Feast of the Dedication. The Jews Attempt to Stone Jesus and He Retires to Peræa.
(Jerusalem and Beyond Jordan.) ^D John X. 22-42. ^d 22 And it was the feast of the dedication at Jerusalem: 23; it was winter; and Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch. [The feast of dedication was one of eight days' duration and began upon the 25th Chisleu, which, according to the calculation of M. Chevannes, fell upon the nineteenth or twentieth of December, a.d. 29. The feast was kept in honor of the renovation and purification of the temple in the year b.c. 164, after it had been desecrated …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Jesus Defends Disciples who Pluck Grain on the Sabbath.
(Probably While on the Way from Jerusalem to Galilee.) ^A Matt. XII. 1-8; ^B Mark II. 23-28; ^C Luke VI. 1-5. ^b 23 And ^c 1 Now it came to pass ^a 1 At that season ^b that he ^a Jesus went { ^b was going} on the { ^c a} ^b sabbath day through the grainfields; ^a and his disciples were hungry and began ^b as they went, to pluck the ears. ^a and to eat, ^c and his disciples plucked the ears, and did eat, rubbing them in their hands. [This lesson fits in chronological order with the last, if the Bethesda …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Questions About the Nature and Perpetuity of the Seventh-Day Sabbath.
AND PROOF, THAT THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK IS THE TRUE CHRISTIAN SABBATH. BY JOHN BUNYAN. 'The Son of man is lord also of the Sabbath day.' London: Printed for Nath, Ponder, at the Peacock in the Poultry, 1685. EDITOR'S ADVERTISEMENT. All our inquiries into divine commands are required to be made personally, solemnly, prayerful. To 'prove all things,' and 'hold fast' and obey 'that which is good,' is a precept, equally binding upon the clown, as it is upon the philosopher. Satisfied from our observations …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Third Stage of the Roman Trial. Pilate Reluctantly Sentences Him to Crucifixion.
(Friday. Toward Sunrise.) ^A Matt. XXVII. 15-30; ^B Mark XV. 6-19; ^C Luke XXIII. 13-25; ^D John XVIII. 39-XIX 16. ^a 15 Now at the feast [the passover and unleavened bread] the governor was wont { ^b used to} release unto them ^a the multitude one prisoner, whom they would. { ^b whom they asked of him.} [No one knows when or by whom this custom was introduced, but similar customs were not unknown elsewhere, both the Greeks and Romans being wont to bestow special honor upon certain occasions by releasing …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Voluntary Suffering
I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting. T hat which often passes amongst men for resolution, and the proof of a noble, courageous spirit, is, in reality, the effect of a weak and little mind. At least, it is chiefly owing to the presence of certain circumstances, which have a greater influence upon the conduct, than any inherent principle. Thus may persons who appear to set death and danger at defiance in the hour …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1

A Divine Saviour.
"Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." (Matthew xvi. 1; John vi. 69.) We meet with a certain class of Enquirers who do not believe in the Divinity of Christ. There are many passages that will give light on this subject. In 1 Corinthians xv. 47, we are told: "The first man is of the earth earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven." In 1 John v. 20: "We know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know Him that is true; and we are in Him that is …
Dwight L. Moody—The Way to God and How to Find It

Leviticus
The emphasis which modern criticism has very properly laid on the prophetic books and the prophetic element generally in the Old Testament, has had the effect of somewhat diverting popular attention from the priestly contributions to the literature and religion of Israel. From this neglect Leviticus has suffered most. Yet for many reasons it is worthy of close attention; it is the deliberate expression of the priestly mind of Israel at its best, and it thus forms a welcome foil to the unattractive …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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