Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible (1898)
SHEW'-BREAD was unleavened bread prepared anew every Sabbath, and presented hot on the golden table set in the sanctuary, in twelve loaves of a square or oblong shape, according to the number of the tribes of Israel. Ex 25:30. Salt and frankincense were put on each row. ; Neh 10:33. Table of Shew-bread. The incense having been burnt, the old loaves were removed every Sabbath, Lev 24:8. and, as a general rule, were to be eaten by the priests alone, and by them only in the court of the sanctuary.