Definition and Terminology:
The term "shew-loaves," also known as "showbread" or "bread of the Presence," refers to the twelve loaves of unleavened bread that were placed on the Table of Showbread in the Holy Place of the Tabernacle and later in the Temple. The Hebrew term for these loaves is "lechem ha-panim," which translates to "bread of the face" or "bread of the presence," signifying the bread's perpetual presence before God.

Biblical References:
The concept of the shew-loaves is introduced in the Book of Exodus. God commands Moses regarding the construction of the Tabernacle and its furnishings, including the Table of Showbread. In Exodus 25:30 , it is stated, "And place the Bread of the Presence on the table before Me at all times." This command underscores the continuous nature of the offering, symbolizing God's eternal covenant with Israel.

Leviticus 24:5-9 provides further instructions: "You are to take fine flour and bake twelve loaves of bread, using two-tenths of an ephah for each loaf. Arrange them in two rows—six per row—on the table of pure gold before the LORD. And you are to place pure frankincense near each row, so that it may serve as a memorial portion for the bread, an offering made by fire to the LORD. Every Sabbath day the bread is to be set out before the LORD on behalf of the Israelites as a lasting covenant. It belongs to Aaron and his sons, who are to eat it in a holy place, because it is a most holy part of their perpetual share of the food offerings made to the LORD."

Symbolism and Significance:
The shew-loaves hold deep symbolic meaning within the Israelite worship system. The twelve loaves represent the twelve tribes of Israel, signifying the unity and collective presence of the nation before God. The bread's perpetual presence on the table symbolizes God's continual provision and sustenance for His people, as well as His abiding presence among them.

The use of fine flour and the specific arrangement of the loaves highlight the importance of order and purity in worship. The inclusion of frankincense as a memorial portion emphasizes the offering's sacred nature and its role as a fragrant reminder of the covenant between God and Israel.

Priestly Role and Ritual:
The priests, specifically the descendants of Aaron, were responsible for the preparation and placement of the shew-loaves. Every Sabbath, the old loaves were replaced with fresh ones, and the priests consumed the previous week's bread in a holy place, as it was considered a most holy offering. This ritual underscores the priestly duty to maintain the sanctity of the Tabernacle and later the Temple, as well as their role as mediators between God and the people.

New Testament Context:
In the New Testament, the shew-loaves are referenced in the context of Jesus' teachings and actions. In Matthew 12:3-4 , Jesus refers to an incident involving David: "Jesus replied, 'Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread, which was not lawful for them to eat, but only for the priests.'" This reference highlights the shew-loaves' sacred status and serves to illustrate Jesus' teaching on the law and mercy.

Theological Implications:
The shew-loaves serve as a powerful reminder of God's provision and presence. They foreshadow the ultimate provision of spiritual sustenance through Jesus Christ, who declared Himself to be the "bread of life" (John 6:35). The shew-loaves thus point to the fulfillment of God's covenant promises through Christ, who provides eternal nourishment and life to all who believe in Him.Shew-loaves (1 Occurrence)

1 Samuel 21:6
And the priest gave him holy bread; for there was no bread there but the shew-loaves that were taken from before Jehovah, to put on hot bread in the day when they were taken away.
(DBY)

Shew-loaves (1 Occurrence)
Shew-loaves. Shewing, Shew-loaves. Shewn . Multi-Version Concordance
Shew-loaves (1 Occurrence). 1 Samuel 21:6 And the ...
/s/shew-loaves.htm - 6k

Shewing (23 Occurrences)

/s/shewing.htm - 13k

Shewn (46 Occurrences)

/s/shewn.htm - 20k

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

What can we learn from Jesus' feeding of the 5,000? | GotQuestions.org

Why do we pray before eating meals? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus