Back to Search

Showbread, Table Of

Artifacts

What is the meaning of Showbread, Table Of in the Bible?

The showbread table was a piece of furniture constructed of acacia wood and overlaid with gold, positioned in the Holy Place of the Tabernacle and subsequently the Temple. It held twelve loaves of bread, known as the showbread, which were replaced weekly and consumed by the priests.

SIGNIFICANCE

Understanding the physical specifications and ritual use of the table clarifies the detailed instructions given in Exodus and Leviticus regarding the maintenance of the sanctuary and the priestly duties associated with the covenant community.

Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide

Physical & Symbolic Reality: Physical objects and natural elements like Showbread, Table Of were everyday realities for biblical writers, frequently used as living metaphors for spiritual truths.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
  • Why did the biblical author mention Showbread, Table Of in this passage?
  • What cultural or historical assumption does Showbread, Table Of clarify?

Source Attribution

Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.

How to Cite This Entry

"Showbread, Table Of." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/showbread-table-of/
Report Error