The Table of Shewbread, also known as the Table of the Presence, was a sacred piece of furniture located in the Holy Place of the Tabernacle and later in the Temple. It held the twelve loaves of shewbread, which represented the twelve tribes of Israel and symbolized God's provision and presence among His people. The instructions for constructing the Table of Shewbread are detailed in the Old Testament, specifically in the book of Exodus.

Biblical Description and Dimensions

The dimensions and construction details of the Table of Shewbread are provided in Exodus 25:23-30. According to the Berean Standard Bible , the instructions are as follows:

"You are also to make a table of acacia wood two cubits long, a cubit wide, and a cubit and a half high. Overlay it with pure gold and make a gold molding around it. And make a rim around it a handbreadth wide and put a gold molding on the rim. Make four gold rings for the table and fasten them to the four corners at its four legs. The rings are to be close to the rim, to serve as holders for the poles used to carry the table. Make the poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold, so that the table may be carried with them. You are also to make its plates and dishes, as well as its pitchers and bowls, with which to pour out drink offerings. Make them of pure gold. And place the Bread of the Presence on the table before Me at all times." (Exodus 25:23-30)

Materials and Craftsmanship

The table was constructed from acacia wood, a durable and resistant material, symbolizing the enduring nature of God's covenant with Israel. It was overlaid with pure gold, signifying the holiness and divine nature of the items associated with worship in the Tabernacle. The gold molding and rim added to its splendor and sacredness.

Function and Symbolism

The Table of Shewbread served a dual purpose: it was both a practical item for holding the bread and a symbolic representation of God's continual provision and sustenance for His people. The twelve loaves of bread, replaced every Sabbath, were a perpetual offering before the Lord, signifying the covenant relationship between God and the twelve tribes of Israel.

The presence of the Table of Shewbread in the Holy Place, alongside the Golden Lampstand and the Altar of Incense, highlighted the centrality of worship and communion with God in the life of the Israelites. The table, with its bread, was a constant reminder of God's presence and His desire to dwell among His people, providing for their needs both physically and spiritually.

Transport and Maintenance

The table was designed with portability in mind, as indicated by the gold rings and acacia wood poles used for carrying it. This feature was essential during the Israelites' wilderness wanderings, allowing the table to be transported along with the other elements of the Tabernacle as they journeyed toward the Promised Land.

The maintenance of the Table of Shewbread was a sacred duty, entrusted to the priests. The bread was to be set before the Lord continually, emphasizing the ongoing nature of God's covenant and the need for regular, faithful worship.

In summary, the Table of Shewbread was a vital component of the Tabernacle and Temple worship, rich in symbolism and significance, reflecting God's provision, presence, and the covenant relationship with His chosen people.Exodus 25:23
You shall also make a table of shittim wood: two cubits shall be the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

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... its ruins we can still measure its dimensions, and trace ... for as the two wave loaves
and the shewbread, which were ... to ourselves the scene around the table of an ...
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The Desire of the Righteous Granted;
... of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple.' There were to be seen the shadows of
things in the heavens; the candlestick, the table of shewbread, the holiest of ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the desire of the righteous.htm

What was the bread of the Presence (Exodus 25:30)? | GotQuestions.org

Shewbread: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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