Shewbread: (Exodus 25:30) (R.V. marg., "presence bread");
(1 Chronicles 9:32) (marg., "bread
of ordering");
(Numbers 4:7) called "hallowed bread" (R.V., "holy
bread") in
(1 Samuel 21:1-6) This bread consisted of twelve loaves made
of the finest flour. They were flat and thin, and were placed in two
rows of six each on a table in the holy place before the Lord. They
were renewed every Sabbath
(Leviticus 24:5-9) and those that were removed
to give place to the new ones were to be eaten by the priests only in
the holy place (see)
(1 Samuel 21:3-6) comp.
(Matthew 12:3,4) The number of
the loaves represented the twelve tribes of Israel, and also the
entire spiritual Israel, "the true Israel;" and the placing of them on
the table symbolized the entire consecration of Israel to the Lord,
and their acceptance of God as their God. The table for the bread was
made of acacia wood, 3 feet long, 18 inches broad, and 2 feet 3 inches
high. It was plated with pure gold. Two staves, plated with gold,
passed through golden rings, were used for carrying it.
