Topical Bible: Temple: Solomon's: The Table of Shewbread

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The Table of Shewbread, also known as the Table of the Bread of the Presence, was a significant fixture within the Holy Place of Solomon's Temple. This sacred table held a central role in the worship practices of ancient Israel, symbolizing God's provision and His covenant with the Israelites.

Biblical Description and Construction

The construction of the Table of Shewbread is detailed in 1 Kings 7:48 and 2 Chronicles 4:19, where it is described as part of the furnishings made by Solomon for the Temple. The table was crafted from acacia wood and overlaid with pure gold, reflecting the opulence and sanctity of the Temple's interior. The dimensions and specific design elements of the table are not explicitly detailed in the accounts of Solomon's Temple, but they are inferred from the description of the table in the Tabernacle, as outlined in Exodus 25:23-30.

Function and Symbolism

The primary function of the Table of Shewbread was to hold the twelve loaves of bread, which were placed in two rows or piles. These loaves, representing the twelve tribes of Israel, were a perpetual offering before the Lord, as commanded in Leviticus 24:5-9. The bread was replaced every Sabbath, and the old loaves were consumed by the priests in a holy place, signifying the sustenance provided by God to His people.

The Table of Shewbread symbolized God's eternal covenant with Israel and His continual provision for their needs. It served as a reminder of God's presence among His people and His faithfulness in sustaining them both physically and spiritually. The bread, often referred to as the "bread of the Presence," underscored the idea that Israel was always before God, and He was their provider.

Ritual and Priestly Duties

The maintenance of the Table of Shewbread was a priestly duty, emphasizing the role of the priests as mediators between God and the people. The priests were responsible for baking the bread, arranging it on the table, and ensuring that the ritual was carried out with precision and reverence. This ongoing ritual highlighted the importance of obedience and devotion in the worship of Yahweh.

Theological Implications

The Table of Shewbread holds deep theological significance, pointing to the sustenance and provision that God offers to His people. In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is seen as the fulfillment of the symbolism of the Shewbread. In John 6:35, Jesus declares, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never hunger, and whoever believes in Me will never thirst." This statement connects the physical sustenance provided by the Shewbread with the spiritual nourishment offered through Christ.

The Table of Shewbread in Solomon's Temple thus serves as a profound symbol of God's enduring presence and provision, a theme that resonates throughout the biblical narrative and finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

Nave's Topical Index

1 Kings 7:48
And Solomon made all the vessels that pertained to the house of the LORD: the altar of gold, and the table of gold, whereupon the show bread was,
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2 Chronicles 29:18
Then they went in to Hezekiah the king, and said, We have cleansed all the house of the LORD, and the altar of burnt offering, with all the vessels thereof, and the show bread table, with all the vessels thereof.
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Library

The Temple and Its Dedication
... These included the altar of incense, the table of shewbread ... was the palatial building
which Solomon and his ... cedar and burnished gold, the temple structure, with ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 2 the temple and.htm

In the House of his Heavenly, and in the Home of his Earthly ...
... Passing along the eastern colonnade, or Solomon's Porch, we ... by the wall of the
Temple-buildings in ... had the Golden Candlestick (south), the Table of Shewbread ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter x in the house.htm

The Cleansing of the Temple - the Sign,' which is not a Sign.
... picture to ourselves the scene around the table of an ... 1801] It is certain that this
Temple-market could ... Gate - the gate Shushan - as far as Solomon's Porch' (Dr ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter v the cleansing of.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... Tarshish"The palace at Jerusalem, the temple and its ... the Hebrew kingdom"Saul, David,
Solomon, the defection ... cities scattered over the undulating table-land ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

The Desire of the Righteous Granted;
... You read in Solomon's Ecclesiastes of a time when ... of the Lord, and to inquire in
his temple.' There were ... in the heavens; the candlestick, the table of shewbread ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the desire of the righteous.htm