What is the Table of Showbread in the Bible?
Quick Summary
The Table of Showbread stood inside the Holy Place of the tabernacle and later the temple, holding twelve loaves of bread that symbolized God’s provision and Israel’s ongoing fellowship with God. Built to specific dimensions—two cubits long, one cubit wide, and one and a half cubits high—the table served as a reminder that life with God is sustained by grace and shared through covenant.
Introduction
In the rhythm of Israel’s worship, the Table of Showbread occupied a humble yet central role. It did not command the height of the lampstand or the mystery of the Ark of the Covenant, yet it spoke quietly of God’s nearness. The table held bread (simple, daily, ordinary bread) set before God as a sign of gratitude, dependence, and belonging.
The Bible gives precise measurements for the table, inviting readers to see that even the smallest objects of worship mattered. The table was crafted from acacia wood, overlaid with gold, and set with dishes, plates, and pitchers. Twelve loaves were arranged on it each Sabbath, replaced weekly by the priests. These loaves were not an offering consumed by God but food shared among the priests, weaving worship and daily life together.
Exploring the table’s size, purpose, and symbolism places this object back into its living context and helps reveal why it mattered for Israel’s faith.
Dimensions of the Table
Exodus 25:23 provides the core measurements:
Two cubits long (approximately 36 inches or 91 cm)
One cubit wide (approximately 18 inches or 46 cm)
One and a half cubits high (approximately 27 inches or 69 cm)
These measurements made the table small enough to fit comfortably within the Holy Place yet large enough to carry symbolic weight. Acacia wood provided durability, and the gold overlay signaled sacred purpose. A molding of gold framed the top. Rings were attached to the table’s sides so that poles could be inserted for carrying.
The table’s size reveals intention. It was not meant to overshadow other objects but to sit within the flow of worship—opposite the lampstand and near the altar of incense.
Purpose of the Bread
The twelve loaves placed on the table each week were known as the “bread of the Presence” (Leviticus 24:5–9). They represented the twelve tribes of Israel, carried into the heart of the sanctuary. The bread signified:
God’s provision for the people
Israel’s ongoing fellowship with God
A visible reminder that God sustains life
Each Sabbath, the priests replaced the loaves with fresh ones. The older loaves were eaten by the priests in a holy place. This cycle created a weekly rhythm of renewal and thanksgiving.
The bread was not a meal offered to God. Scripture is clear that God does not eat bread or drink (Psalm 50:12–13). Instead, the act symbolized a shared table—a sign that God welcomes and sustains the people.
Placement in the Holy Place
The Table of Showbread stood on the north side of the Holy Place, opposite the golden lampstand. This arrangement connected nourishment and light. While the lampstand illuminated the Holy Place, the table spoke of the sustenance God provides.
Together these objects created a space shaped by life and presence. The priests served daily in this room, moving between light, bread, and incense. The atmosphere encouraged a sense of closeness to God.
Symbolic Meaning
The table carried several layers of meaning:
Provision
Bread has long symbolized daily sustenance. By placing twelve loaves before God, Israel acknowledged that every good gift comes from God’s hand.
Presence
The name “bread of the Presence” signals that God is not distant. The bread stood week after week as a visible reminder that God resides with the people.
Fellowship
In the ancient world, sharing a table signified relationship. The table inside the Holy Place symbolized Israel’s place at God’s table.
Calling
The weekly renewal of the bread invited Israel to live with gratitude, generosity, and trust.
Use in Worship
Exodus and Leviticus describe how the bread was prepared and arranged. Fine flour was used. Frankincense accompanied the loaves. The Sabbath rhythm made the table a place of consistency and faithfulness.
The priests played an essential role. They prepared, arranged, and ate the bread. Their participation connected their service to the ongoing life of the people.
Legacy and Later Traditions
The Table of Showbread continued through the temple period. In Solomon’s Temple, additional vessels were made for the table (1 Kings 7:48). During the Second Temple period, Jewish tradition continued to regard the bread as a sign of God’s steadfast care.
The table’s meaning extended beyond ritual. It shaped the imagination of Israel, reminding them that God provides for the community and calls them to a life of trust.
See Also
Works Consulted
Carol Myers, Exodus, New Cambridge Bible Commentary.
Terence E. Fretheim, Exodus, Interpretation Commentary Series by Westminister John Knows Press.
