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Shewbread

The Shewbread (also called the Bread of the Presence) was twelve loaves of bread placed weekly in the Tabernacle and later the Temple as a continual offering before the Lord. This sacred bread symbolized God's provision and the people's covenant relationship with Him.

Overview

God commanded Israel to place twelve loaves of bread on a specially constructed table in the Holy Place of the Tabernacle, representing the twelve tribes of Israel. The bread was renewed every Sabbath, and only the priests were permitted to eat the old loaves (Leviticus 24:9). This practice continued throughout Israel's history as a perpetual covenant sign of God's sustaining care.

Key Scriptures

"You shall set the bread of the Presence on the table before me regularly" (Exodus 25:30, ESV).

"So David said to the priest, 'Do you have any bread here?'... And the priest answered David, 'I have no common bread on hand, but there is holy bread'" (1 Samuel 21:4-5, ESV).

"I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger" (John 6:48, ESV).

Application

As believers, we trust in Christ as our true bread of life, finding complete sustenance and satisfaction in His finished work rather than in earthly provisions.

Scripture References 40
Leviticus 24:9 1 Samuel 21:4 1 Samuel 21:6 John 6:48 Exodus 25:24 Exodus 25:23 Numbers 4:7 Hebrews 9:2 Exodus 25:25 Exodus 25:29 Exodus 25:26 Exodus 25:27 Exodus 25:28 Leviticus 24:8 Nehemiah 10:32 Nehemiah 10:33 1 Samuel 21:4 1 Samuel 21:5 1 Samuel 21:6 Matthew 12:4 Leviticus 24:5 Leviticus 24:6 Leviticus 24:7 Leviticus 24:8 Leviticus 24:9 Exodus 40:22 Hebrews 9:2 Exodus 25:30 Exodus 40:23 Leviticus 24:6 Exodus 40:22 Exodus 40:23 1 Chronicles 9:32 1 Chronicles 23:29 1 Chronicles 9:32 1 Chronicles 23:29 Nehemiah 10:32 Nehemiah 10:33 Leviticus 24:7 Exodus 25:30
Full Topical Reference List 52 total — Nave's Topical Bible

After removal from the table given to the priests

Leviticus 24:9

Called hallowed bread

1 Samuel 21:4 1 Samuel 21:6

Christ as the bread of life

John 6:48

Covered with gold

Exodus 25:24

Dimensions of

Exodus 25:23

Directions for removing

Numbers 4:7

General references

Hebrews 9:2

Had an ornamental border

Exodus 25:25

Had dishes, spoons, covers, and bowls of gold

Exodus 25:29

Had rings of gold in the corners for the staves

Exodus 25:26 Exodus 25:27

Had staves of shittim wood covered with gold

Exodus 25:28

Materials for, provided by the people

Leviticus 24:8 Nehemiah 10:32 Nehemiah 10:33

Not lawful for any but the priests to eat, except in extreme cases

1 Samuel 21:4 1 Samuel 21:5 1 Samuel 21:6 Matthew 12:4

Ordinance concerning

Leviticus 24:5 Leviticus 24:6 Leviticus 24:7 Leviticus 24:8 Leviticus 24:9

Placed in the north side of the tabernacle

Exodus 40:22 Hebrews 9:2

Placed in two rows on the table by the priests

Exodus 25:30 Exodus 40:23 Leviticus 24:6

Placed on the table of shewbread

Exodus 40:22 Exodus 40:23

Prepared by Levites

1 Chronicles 9:32 1 Chronicles 23:29

Prepared by the Levites

1 Chronicles 9:32 1 Chronicles 23:29

Provided by a yearly per capita tax

Nehemiah 10:32 Nehemiah 10:33

Pure frankincense placed on

Leviticus 24:7

Required to be kept before the Lord continually

2 Chronicles 2:4 Exodus 25:30

The Church

1 Corinthians 5:7 1 Corinthians 10:17

Twelve cakes of fine flour

Leviticus 24:5

Unlawfully eaten by David

1 Samuel 21:6 Luke 6:3 Luke 6:4 Mark 2:25 Mark 2:26 Matthew 12:3 Matthew 12:4

Was changed every Sabbath day

Leviticus 24:8
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