Category : Science and Education
Archive   : BIBLCOM.ZIP
Filename : BCOMP.12G

THE TABLE OF SHEWBREAD

The table of shewbread was placed on the north side of the tabernac-
le, facing opposite the golden lampstand (Exodus 40:22).

It was made of acacia wood, two cubits long, one broad, and one and
one half high, overlaid with pure gold. The top of the table rested on a
frame, a handbreadth deep, while round it ran a "crown" or molding of gold,
projecting above the top, to keep articles from slipping off the table. Rings
were attached to each corner of the table for the carrying staves (Exodus
25:23-30; 37:10-16).

The bread placed upon the table was made of fine wheat flour (unleav-
ened), baked in twelve loaves (cakes), each containing one fifth of an ephah of
flour. They were renewed every Sabbath to be eaten by the priests exclusively
(and that in the sanctuary only), and were then replaced by fresh loaves (1
Samuel 21:6), which had been prepared overnight by the Levites (1 Chronicles
9:32). To each pile of loaves incense was added "for a memorial, even an of-
fering made by fire unto the LORD" (Leviticus 24:5-9).