Exodus 35:13

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 35:13 meticulously lists the essential components of the Table of Shewbread—the table itself, its carrying staves, all its associated vessels, and the shewbread loaves—as part of the freewill offerings for the Tabernacle's construction. This verse underscores the divine demand for precise adherence to God's blueprint for worship, emphasizing His desire for order, His continuous provision for His people, and the profound sacredness of His dwelling place in their midst.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Exodus 35 serves as a pivotal juncture in the narrative, transitioning from God's detailed instructions for the Tabernacle's construction to the Israelite community's communal response and active participation. Following the elaborate architectural and furnishing blueprints revealed to Moses on Mount Sinai in [Exodus 25-31](/exodus/25 "God's Detailed Instructions for the Tabernacle"), this chapter marks the call to action. Moses reiterates God's commands, inviting the people to contribute materials and skilled labor for the sacred project. Verses 10-19 provide a comprehensive inventory of all the items and components required for the Tabernacle and its furnishings, with verse 13 specifically itemizing the elements of the Table of Shewbread, highlighting its integral significance within the Holy Place. This enumeration emphasizes the holistic and meticulous nature of God's design, ensuring no detail is overlooked in the creation of His earthly dwelling.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Israelites, recently liberated from centuries of Egyptian servitude and now traversing the arduous wilderness, were a nomadic people. The Tabernacle, conceived as a portable sanctuary, was designed to be God's tangible dwelling place in their midst, symbolizing His constant presence, divine guidance, and unwavering covenant faithfulness. This mobile structure was indispensable for their journey, necessitating components like the "staves" mentioned in [Exodus 35:13](/exodus/35-13 "Exodus 35:13 - The Table of Shewbread and its Components") for efficient transport. The Table of Shewbread, strategically positioned in the Holy Place alongside the golden lampstand and the altar of incense, was central to the daily ritual life of the Tabernacle. Its perpetual presence symbolized God's unending provision and the enduring covenant relationship between Him and the twelve tribes of Israel, making its careful construction and maintenance vital expressions of Israel's obedience and worship.
* **Key Themes:** Exodus 35:13 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Exodus and the broader Pentateuch. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Presence and Dwelling**, as the Tabernacle's construction facilitates God's unique presence among His people, fulfilling His promise to "dwell among them" ([Exodus 29:45](/exodus/29-45 "God's Promise to Dwell Among Israel")). The verse also highlights **Divine Order and Holiness**, emphasizing the meticulous precision God requires for worship and the sacredness of His chosen space. Each item, from the table to the shewbread, is consecrated for holy use, setting a standard for Israel's approach to God. Furthermore, the Table of Shewbread specifically embodies the theme of **God's Faithful Provision and Sustenance**, symbolizing His continuous care for the physical and spiritual needs of His covenant community, a theme echoed in His provision of manna in the wilderness ([Exodus 16](/exodus/16 "God Provides Manna and Quail")). Finally, the call for freewill offerings and skilled craftsmanship throughout [Exodus 35](/exodus/35 "Exodus 35 - Call for Offerings and Skilled Workers") underscores the theme of **Human Response and Obedience**, demonstrating Israel's willing participation in God's redemptive plan.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Table (Hebrew, _shulchân'_):** Refers to the specific piece of furniture, the Table of Shewbread, designed to hold the "bread of presence." As derived from a root meaning "to spread out," it implies a surface prepared for a meal or presentation. In the context of the Tabernacle, this table (H7979) was not merely a piece of furniture but a consecrated object, central to the Holy Place, symbolizing sustenance and fellowship with God, meticulously crafted according to divine specifications.
* **Vessels (Hebrew, _kᵉlîy'_):** This term (H3627) is broad, encompassing any apparatus, implement, utensil, or vessel. In this context, it refers to the various associated implements used with the Table of Shewbread, such as plates, dishes, bowls, and pitchers, which were integral to the complete ritual service of the table. Their inclusion underscores the comprehensive nature of God's instructions, ensuring every aspect of the offering was conducted with reverence and according to divine instruction, contributing to the overall functionality and sacredness of the Tabernacle furnishings.
* **Shewbread (Hebrew, _lechem'_):** While the KJV translates this as a compound, the Hebrew uses two distinct words: _lechem_ (H3899) for "bread" and _pânîym_ (H6440) for "face" or "presence." _Lechem_ specifically denotes food, especially bread or grain. When combined with _pânîym_ ("bread of presence"), it refers to the twelve loaves of unleavened bread perpetually set before the Lord in the Holy Place. This continuous display signified God's constant presence among His people and His faithful provision for their physical and spiritual needs, establishing an ongoing communion and serving as a tangible symbol of the covenant.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The table":** This refers to the Table of Shewbread, a central piece of furniture in the Holy Place of the Tabernacle. It was meticulously crafted from acacia wood overlaid with pure gold, emphasizing the preciousness and sacredness God required for His dwelling place and the rituals performed therein. Its design and materials reflected divine glory and purity.
* **"and his staves":** These were poles, also made of acacia wood overlaid with gold, specifically designed to be inserted through rings attached to the table. Their purpose was to allow the table to be carried by the priests during the Israelites' wilderness journeys, highlighting the portable nature of God's presence and the Tabernacle itself, ensuring God's dwelling could accompany His people wherever they went.
* **"and all his vessels":** This comprehensive phrase encompasses the various utensils and implements associated with the Table of Shewbread. These included plates, dishes, bowls, and pitchers, which were used for pouring out drink offerings and holding the incense that accompanied the shewbread. These vessels were essential for the complete and proper execution of the ritual service, ensuring that every aspect of the offering was conducted with reverence and according to divine instruction.
* **"and the shewbread":** This refers to the special loaves of bread, also known as the "bread of presence" or "bread of faces," which were placed on the table. These twelve loaves symbolized God's continual provision for the twelve tribes of Israel and their ongoing fellowship with Him, serving as a constant reminder of His covenant faithfulness and His desire for intimate communion with His people.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device evident in Exodus 35:13, and indeed throughout this section of Exodus, is **Enumeration** or **Listing**. This meticulous itemization of components ("the table, and his staves, and all his vessels, and the shewbread") serves to emphasize the divine precision and the comprehensive nature of God's instructions for the Tabernacle. It conveys a sense of thoroughness, leaving no ambiguity regarding what is required for the sacred space and ensuring that every detail contributes to the overall sanctity and functionality of the sanctuary. Furthermore, there is profound **Symbolism** embedded within each item. The table itself represents the place of fellowship and divine sustenance, the staves symbolize portability and God's journeying presence with His people, the vessels denote the ceremonial purity and completeness required for worship, and the shewbread powerfully symbolizes God's sustaining presence and perpetual provision for His covenant community. This layered symbolism transforms mundane objects into sacred instruments of divine revelation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 35:13, by detailing the components of the Table of Shewbread, underscores several profound theological themes. It highlights God's meticulous nature, His desire for ordered and holy worship, and His unwavering commitment to dwelling among His people. The perpetual presence of the shewbread on the table signifies God's continuous provision for Israel and their ongoing fellowship with Him, serving as a tangible reminder of their absolute dependence on His grace and sustenance. This divine provision extends beyond physical nourishment to spiritual vitality, establishing a pattern of communion that would find its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Christ. The verse also implicitly teaches the principle of consecrated giving, as these items were to be brought as freewill offerings, emphasizing that true worship involves both material contribution and obedient participation in God's sacred design.

* [Leviticus 24:5-9](/leviticus/24-5 "Instructions for the Bread of the Presence")
* [Numbers 4:7-8](/numbers/4-7 "Care of the Table of Shewbread during travel")
* [Hebrews 9:2](/hebrews/9-2 "Description of the Holy Place furnishings")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The meticulous instructions for the Table of Shewbread in Exodus 35:13 invite us to reflect deeply on the nature of God's presence and His unfailing provision in our lives today. Just as the ancient Israelites were called to contribute to and respect the sacred space where God manifested His presence, we are called to recognize that God desires to dwell among us and within us, individually and corporately, through the Holy Spirit. The shewbread, symbolizing continuous divine sustenance and fellowship, reminds us that our spiritual lives are entirely dependent on God's faithful provision. This calls us to cultivate a posture of daily reliance on Him, seeking His "bread of life" for our spiritual nourishment and recognizing that true spiritual vitality comes only from Him. It also challenges us to consider how we, as living temples of the Holy Spirit, reflect God's order, holiness, and generosity in our own lives and communities, ensuring our worship and service are offered with intentionality, reverence, and a deep appreciation for His sustaining grace.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous detail of God's instructions for the Tabernacle, including the Table of Shewbread, speak to the importance of intentionality, excellence, and order in our worship and service today?**
* **In what ways do you experience God's "shewbread"—His continuous provision and sustaining presence—in your daily life? How can you cultivate a deeper awareness of and gratitude for His spiritual and physical sustenance?**
* **Considering the symbolism of the shewbread as fellowship with God, how can we foster deeper communion with God through His Word and prayer, and with fellow believers in our contemporary context?**

### FAQ

**What was the primary purpose of the Table of Shewbread in the Tabernacle?**

Answer: The primary purpose of the Table of Shewbread was to hold the "bread of presence" (shewbread) perpetually before the Lord in the Holy Place. This symbolized God's constant, abiding presence among His people and His faithful, continuous provision for their physical and spiritual sustenance. It also represented the ongoing covenant relationship between God and the twelve tribes of Israel, signifying their communion with Him. The table and its bread were a tangible reminder of God's commitment to nourish and sustain His chosen people throughout their wilderness journey and beyond, establishing a pattern of divine-human fellowship, as detailed in [Leviticus 24:5-9](/leviticus/24-5 "Instructions for the Bread of the Presence"). Its portability, facilitated by the staves, also emphasized that God's presence was not confined to a single location but journeyed with His people.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The Table of Shewbread and its perpetual "bread of presence" in the Old Testament Tabernacle find their ultimate and glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While the physical bread symbolized God's continuous provision for Israel, Jesus declared Himself to be the true ["Bread of Life"](/john/6-35 "Jesus declares Himself the Bread of Life") in [John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life"), stating that whoever comes to Him will never hunger. He is not merely a symbol of sustenance but the very source of eternal life and spiritual nourishment for all who believe. The shewbread pointed to the intimate fellowship God desired with His people, a fellowship fully realized through Christ's atoning sacrifice, which broke down the barriers between God and humanity ([Ephesians 2:13-14](/ephesians/2-13 "Christ our peace")). Furthermore, the New Covenant communion, where believers partake of bread and wine in remembrance of Christ's broken body and shed blood, echoes and transcends the ancient practice, inviting us into a deeper and more personal participation in His life-giving presence ([1 Corinthians 10:16-17](/1_corinthians/10-16 "The Cup of Blessing and the Bread")). Thus, the ancient table and its bread ultimately direct our gaze to Jesus, the living Bread who sustains us, enables our fellowship with God, and fulfills every spiritual need, offering Himself as the complete and final provision for humanity's deepest hunger.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Exodus 25:23

¶ 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

¶ 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.