Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  5000 Humanity  »  5200 Human civilisation  »  5573 table

An item of furniture used principally for putting food on. Sharing at the same table was a mark of fellowship and to eat at the table of rulers was deemed a great privilege. In the tabernacle and temple a special table held the bread of the Presence. Tables were also used for business transactions.

Tables used for eating

A table as household furniture

2 Kings 4:10

Reclining at table

Luke 7:36 See also Matthew 26:7 pp Mark 14:3; Luke 11:37; John 12:2

Tables set for meals

Psalm 23:5; Isaiah 21:5 See also Job 36:16; Psalm 69:22; Psalm 78:19 The people of Israel doubted God's ability to provide; Proverbs 9:2; Ezekiel 23:41

Giving thanks for food at the table

Luke 24:30 See also Matthew 26:26-27 pp Mark 14:22-23 pp Luke 22:17-19; 1 Corinthians 11:23-24

Dogs eat scraps from the table

Matthew 15:27 pp Mark 7:28 See also Judges 1:7; Luke 16:21

Eating at the table of rulers

Rulers were required to entertain

Nehemiah 5:17-18 See also 1 Kings 4:27; Kings 10:4-5 pp 2 Chronicles 9:3-4

A bestowal of authority

Luke 22:29-30 See also Matthew 22:2-3; Luke 14:15

A mark of honour and favour

Genesis 43:34; 2 Samuel 9:11; 1 Kings 2:7; Kings 18:19; 2 Kings 25:28-29 pp Jeremiah 52:32-33; Luke 14:7 Jesus Christ criticises those who seek the most prestigious places at the table.

Sharing at the same table was a mark of fellowship

A sign of participation

1 Corinthians 10:16-20

Unacceptable table fellowship

Daniel 1:5-8; 1 Corinthians 10:21 See also 1 Samuel 20:34 Jonathan refuses to eat with Saul; 1 Kings 18:19; Isaiah 65:11; Jeremiah 7:18

Betrayal of table fellowship

Psalm 41:9 See also 1 Samuel 20:29-31 Saul wishes to kill David while inviting him to share his table; Daniel 11:27; Matthew 26:20-21 pp Mark 14:18 pp Luke 22:21

Serving at table

Luke 22:27 See also Luke 12:37; Acts 6:2 The first Christians recognised the importance of practical service by appointing deacons to “wait on tables”.

Tables used in business

John 2:14-15 See also Matthew 21:12 pp Mark 11:15

Tables used in worship

The table in the tabernacle

Exodus 25:23-30 The table was for the bread of the Presence: an offering of twelve loaves, one from each of the twelve tribes. See also Exodus 37:10-16; Exodus 26:35; Exodus 30:27 The table was anointed for use; Exodus 35:13 pp Exodus 39:36; Exodus 40:4

The Kohathites were responsible for the table:

Numbers 3:31; Numbers 4:7 Hebrews 9:2

The tables in Solomon's temple

2 Chronicles 4:8 See also 1 Kings 7:48 pp 2 Chronicles 4:19; 1 Chronicles 28:16; 2 Chronicles 13:11; 2 C 18

The tables in Ezekiel's temple

Ezekiel 40:39-43; Ezekiel 41:22; Ezekiel 44:16

Tables in worship after the exile

1 Chronicles 9:31-32; Nehemiah 10:33

Probably references to the altar, defiled by the people's substandard offerings:

Malachi 1:7,12

See also

4410  banquets
4418  bread
4476  meals
6212  participation
7302  altar
7459  tabernacle, in OT
7467  temple, Solomon's
7921  fellowship
7933  Lord's Supper
8342  servanthood
8445  hospitality