Within the Tabernacle main structure was the beautiful table of showbread.
Every Sabbath the priests would partake of the twelve loaves on this table,
representing a communal meal with God. The bread was to be placed before the presence of the Lord
and can be a reminder of our own need to partake of the true Bread of Life, even Jesus Christ.
The table of showbread was made of acacia wood overlaid with gold. Four golden rings
were attached to the legs where wooden poles overlaid with gold could be inserted used for
transporting. The table also had a golden crown molding and what appeared to be some sort of ledge
that kept the objects on the table from sliding off as it was transported. Two stacks of six
loaves, for a total of twelve, were placed on the table, likely representing the twelve tribes of
Israel. This bread was called the showbread, bread of the face, or the bread of the presence because
it was placed before where the presence of God would dwell. Surprisingly, each loaf was made from
approximately 5-6 pounds of finely ground flour, about the amount of a standard bag of flour! This
would mean that the total weight of all the twelve loaves of bread would be around 60-75 pounds.
The table also had a pitcher of wine that was used for the drink offering.
Before we study the meaning of the table of showbread, it will be helpful to first understand
the importance of bread in the Bible. Anciently, bread was a highly significant part of every meal.
Because bread was one of the cheaper items that could feed a family, large quantities of bread
would be used. For this reason, bread was often called the bread of life, or the daily bread,
because it literally sustained life. The task of making bread lay mostly with women, who would
spend many hours each day grinding and sifting the wheat, then making it into small flatbread, and
then cooking it over a fire. In addition, to being life-sustaining, the breaking and eating of bread
could symbolize becoming at peace with your enemy. Inviting someone into your home to share a meal
signified that you trusted them and also that you would protect them while they were under your
roof. It was a sign of fellowship and unity. Bread also represented God’s provision to the people.
With this in mind, let’s now return to the meaning of the table of showbread.
Though only the priests could enter the Tabernacle proper to partake of the showbread each Sabbath,
because the priests represented all of Israel, it was as if all the twelve
tribes were partaking of the bread. Included on the table were also two bowls of frankincense
that would be burned on the altar of incense each Sabbath, as a “memorial” or “offering
made by fire to the Lord.” In essence, the Lord partook of His portion of the bread,
symbolized by the burning of the frankincense, thus sharing a meal with the priests.
After eating the bread, the showbread would be replaced by new loaves of bread which would
stay on the table till the next Sabbath, meaning the bread would be week-old bread!
Though the scriptures do not directly relate the partaking of the showbread with the sacrament or
communion, the symbols are too strong not to mention. Each Sabbath Christians around
the world partake of broken bread and wine or water, to represent and remember the flesh and
blood of Christ. Just as anciently, the priests are the ones who break and bless the bread,
but today all followers of the Lord, not just the priests, are able to participate in the meal.
Similar to ancient times, the partaking of the broken bread—a symbol of the broken flesh of
Christ—symbolizes that we can become at peace with God through the sacrifice of the Savior.
During His mortal ministry, Jesus taught “I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall
never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.” As we enter our sacred
places of worship each Sabbath, just like the priests entering the Tabernacle each Sabbath,
we become at one with God, or at peace with Him, through the breaking of bread.
Through this symbolic meal, we are nourished and strengthened,
the bread literally becoming a part of us giving us life. So too the atonement of the Savior
carries us from day to day, allowing us ultimately to have eternal life through Jesus Christ.
Another fascinating connection is that each loaf of showbread was to be made of two-tenths of an
epha of flour–about two quarts or two liters. This was the same amount of manna the children
of Israel were to collect in preparation for the Sabbath day. This showbread would thus connect the
collected Sabbath manna, with this symbolic meal. During the mortal ministry of Jesus,
after he miraculously fed the multitude, the next day the people listening to Jesus asked for manna
from heaven. In response, the Savior taught, “I am the living bread which came down from heaven:
if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever:” Just as ancient Israel had to
daily gather manna, we must daily feast upon the Word so that we can be nourished
and strengthened. As we prepare for the Sabbath, we too should collect a double portion of this
“living bread” so that we might be able to come into the presence of the Lord and feast with Him!
It is noteworthy that Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem, which in Hebrew means the “house of
bread.” Just as the showbread was finely ground and placed in the fire to cook,
so too our Savior was ground down under the weight of our sins and sorrows and
placed in the fiery furnace of affliction for our sakes. Truly it is through His suffering that we
receive the true bread of life. Bread that if we will partake of, we will have eternal life!