Exodus 35:13

The table, and his staves, and all his vessels, and the shewbread,

The table {H7979}, and his staves {H905}, and all his vessels {H3627}, and the shewbread {H6440}{H3899},

the table with its poles, all its utensils and the showbread;

the table with its poles, all its utensils, and the Bread of the Presence;

the table, and its staves, and all its vessels, and the showbread;

Commentary

Exodus 35:13 is a concise yet significant verse, part of a longer list detailing the required materials and furnishings for the construction of the Tabernacle, the portable sanctuary where God's presence would dwell among the Israelites in the wilderness.

Context

This verse falls within Exodus chapter 35, which describes Moses relaying God's commands to the assembly of Israel regarding the freewill offerings and skilled labor needed for building the Tabernacle and its various components. Following the detailed blueprint given earlier in Exodus 25-31, this chapter serves as the call to action for the people to contribute towards the sacred project. Specifically, verse 13 itemizes particular elements of the Table of Shewbread, a crucial piece of furniture located in the Holy Place of the Tabernacle.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Specification: The meticulous listing of items like "the table, and his staves, and all his vessels, and the shewbread" highlights God's precise instructions for worship and the construction of His dwelling place. Every detail was divinely ordained, emphasizing the holiness and order required in approaching God.
  • The Table of Shewbread: This sacred table was to hold twelve loaves of bread, symbolizing God's continuous provision for the twelve tribes of Israel and their ongoing fellowship with Him. The "staves" attached to the table underscore its portability, essential for the Israelites' journeys through the desert.
  • Symbolism of Shewbread: The term "shewbread" (KJV) translates from the Hebrew lechem panim, meaning "bread of presence" or "bread of faces." These loaves were perpetually set before the Lord, signifying God's constant presence among His people and their dependence on Him for sustenance.

Linguistic Insights

The term "shewbread" is derived from the Hebrew phrase lechem panim (ืœึถื—ึถื ืคึธึผื ึดื™ื). Lechem means "bread" and panim means "face" or "presence." Thus, it literally means "bread of the presence" or "bread of faces," emphasizing that these loaves were placed directly before God's presence in the Tabernacle. This highlights the intimate connection between God and His people's sustenance.

Practical Application

While the physical Tabernacle no longer exists, the principles it represents endure. This verse reminds us of God's desire for an ordered and consecrated worship, and His faithful provision for His people. The shewbread, symbolizing God's life-giving presence, foreshadows Jesus Christ, who declared Himself to be the "Bread of Life" (John 6:35), the ultimate source of spiritual sustenance and fellowship with God. Today, believers are called to be living temples where God's Spirit dwells, offering Him spiritual sacrifices and living lives that demonstrate His provision and presence.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Exodus 25:23

    ยถ Thou shalt also make a table [of] shittim wood: two cubits [shall be] the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof.

  • Exodus 25:30

    And thou shalt set upon the table shewbread before me alway.

  • Leviticus 24:5

    And thou shalt take fine flour, and bake twelve cakes thereof: two tenth deals shall be in one cake.

  • Leviticus 24:6

    And thou shalt set them in two rows, six on a row, upon the pure table before the LORD.

  • Exodus 37:10

    ยถ And he made the table [of] shittim wood: two cubits [was] the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof:

  • Exodus 37:16

    And he made the vessels which [were] upon the table, his dishes, and his spoons, and his bowls, and his covers to cover withal, [of] pure gold.
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