Shewbread (Bread of God’s Presence)

The table of shewbread, situated in the tabernacle’s holy place, was called the “pure table” (Lev. 24:6; 2 Chr. 13:11). The table was somewhat small, measuring three feet by one and a half feet, with a height of about two feet. The table was constructed with acacia wood and then overlaid with pure gold. The priests covered the table with a blue cloth and then placed various dishes, utensils, and the shewbread on the cloth (Num. 4:7).

Shewbread, an archaic word, literally means “bread of the face” (from Hebrew), probably meaning “bread of the face of God.” The bread was made of fine flour; every Sabbath, the priests placed twelve loaves on the table, arranged in two rows, with six loaves per row. Pure frankincense was placed on each row “that it may be on the bread for a memorial, even an offering made by fire unto the Lord” (Lev. 24:7). High priests and priests ate the bread while in the holy place. The bread was considered “most holy” and “a perpetual statute” (Lev. 24:9).

Although the bread was not the sacrament, it did look forward to the Lord’s eternal sacrifice. In fact, Jesus would later teach, “I am the bread of life” (John 6:35). “Bread of the face [of God]” suggests that the priests were eating the bread in God’s presence. The number twelve signifies the twelve tribes of Israel.

Shewbread and incense on the table of shewbread, tabernacle of Moses.