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Study This Verse
Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Leviticus 24:1–9. His two-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
Care is here taken, and orders are given, for the decent furnishing of the candlestick and table in God's house.
I.The lamps must always be kept burning.
The law for this we had before, Exo 27:20, Exo 27:21. It is here repeated, probably because it now began to be put in execution, when other things were settled.
1.The people were to provide oil (Lev 24:2), and this, as every thing else that was to be used in God's service, must be of the best, pure olive-oil, beaten, probably it was double-strained. This was to cause the lamps to burn; all our English copies read it lamps, but in the original it is singular in Lev 24:2 - to cause the lamp to burn; but plural in Lev 24:4 - he shall order the lamps. The seven lamps made all one lamp, in allusion to which the blessed Spirit of grace is represented by seven lamps of fire before the throne (Rev 4:5), for there are diversities of gifts, but one Spirit, Co1 12:4. Ministers are as burning and shining lights in Christ's church, but it is the duty of people to provide comfortably for them, as Israel for the lamps. Scandalous maintenance makes a scandalous ministry.
2.The priests were to tend the lamps; they must snuff them, clean the candlestick, and supply them with oil, morning and evening, Lev 24:3, Lev 24:4. Thus it is the work of the ministers of the gospel to hold forth that word of life, not to set up new lights, but, by expounding and preaching the word, to make the light of it more clear and extensive. This was the ordinary way of keeping the lamps burning; but, when the church was poor and in distress, we find its lamps fed constantly with oil from the good olives immediately, without the ministry of priest or people (Zac 4:2, Zac 4:3); for, though God has tied us to means, he has not tied himself to them, but will take effectual care that his lamp never go out in the world for want of oil.
II.The table must always be kept spread. This was appointed before, Exo 25:30. And here also,
1.The table was furnished with bread; not dainties nor varieties to gratify a luxurious palate, but twelve loaves or cakes of bread, Lev 24:5, Lev 24:6. Where there is plenty of bread there is no famine; and where bread is not there is no feast. There was a loaf for every tribe, for in our Father's house there is bread enough. They were all provided for by the divine bounty, and were all welcome to the divine grace. Even after the revolt of the ten tribes this number of loaves was continued (Ch2 13:11), for the sake of those few of each tribe that retained their affection to the temple and continued their attendance on it.
2.A handful of frankincense was put in a golden saucer, upon or by each row, Lev 24:7. When the bread was removed, and given to the priests, this frankincense was burnt upon the golden altar (I suppose) over and above the daily incense: and this was for a memorial instead of the bread, an offering made by fire, as the handful of the meat-offering which was burnt upon the altar is called the memorial thereof, Lev 2:2. Thus a little was accepted as a humble acknowledgment, and all the loaves were consigned to the priests. All God's spiritual Israel, typified by the twelve loaves, are made through Christ a sweet savour to him, and their prayers are said to come up before God for a memorial, Act 10:4. The word is borrowed from the ceremonial law.
3.Every sabbath it was renewed. When the loaves had stood there a week, the priests had them to eat with other holy things that were to be eaten in the holy place (Lev 24:9), and new ones were provided at the public charge, and put in the room of them, Lev 24:8. The Jews say, "The hands of those priests that put on were mixed with theirs that took off, that the table might be never empty, but the bread might be before the Lord continually." God is never unprovided for the entertainment of those that visit him, as men often are, Luk 11:5. Every one of those cakes contained two tenth-deals, that is, two omers of fine flour; just so much manna every Israelite gathered on the sixth day for the sabbath, Exo 16:22. Hence some infer that this show-bread, which was set on the table on the sabbath, was intended as a memorial of the manna wherewith they were fed in the wilderness. Christ's ministers should provide new bread for his house every sabbath day, the production of their fresh studies in the scripture, that their proficiency may appear to all, Ti1 4:1, Ti1 4:5.
Historical interpretation
Three Centuries of Reception
3 surviving comments on this verse. Each one is dated, so this reads as a timeline rather than a list.
Select a marker to jump to its quote. Markers stagger vertically where authors wrote within a few decades of each other.
The Old Covenant had its loaves of proposition, but they, as belonging to that covenant, have come to an end. The New Covenant has its heavenly bread and cup of salvation to sanctify both body and soul. For as the bread is for the body, the Word suits the soul.
The twelve loaves on the table of the tabernacle then are the twelve apostles and all those in the church who follow their teaching. Since until the end of time they do not cease to renew the people of God with the nourishment of the word, they are the twelve loaves of proposition which never depart from the table of the Lord. And those same loaves are properly ordered to be made not from just any flour but from the finest wheat, doubtless because all those who minister the word of life to others must first devote themselves to the fruits of virtue. [Thus] they may commend by their actions those things that they counsel in their preaching, being conformed to the example of him who says concerning himself, “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone.” Those same loaves are also properly commanded to be set on the table in two rows of six for the sake of concord (that is to say, charity and fellowship), for the Lord is also said to have sent his disciples out to preach two by two. This suggests figuratively that the holy teachers never disagree with one another in either their defense of truth or their ardor for love.
In the first place, the figure of the twelve apostles is clearly foretold here in the very number of the loaves, for when the Lord appeared in flesh he chose them to be the first of those by whose ministry he gave the food of life to all nations. And then to these same disciples of his (that is, to our apostles), he says in reference to the multitudes hungering in the wilderness, “You give them something to eat.” And when five thousand men had been satisfied from the five loaves, they “gathered twelve baskets of fragments,” doubtless because those sacraments of the Scriptures which the multitudes are not able to receive belong to the apostles and the apostolic men.
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Summary
Leviticus 24:5 provides precise instructions for the preparation of the showbread, also known as the "Bread of the Presence," for the Tabernacle. This verse meticulously details the required ingredients and quantities: "fine flour" for its purity, and "twelve cakes" to be baked, with each cake containing "two tenth deals" of flour. These exacting commands underscore God's demand for excellence, holiness, and precise adherence in worship, while the showbread itself profoundly symbolized His unwavering provision, continuous presence among His people, and the enduring covenant relationship with the twelve tribes of Israel.
Context
Literary Context
Leviticus 24 is situated within a broader section of Leviticus (chapters 17-27) that elaborates on the practical application of holiness in Israelite life and worship. Immediately preceding this chapter are the detailed regulations for the annual feasts and the solemn Day of Atonement in Leviticus 23. Leviticus 24 opens with instructions for maintaining the perpetual lamp in the Holy Place (Leviticus 24:1-4), ensuring continuous light. Leviticus 24:5 then transitions to the parallel instructions for the "Bread of the Presence," which was to be placed on the pure table, also within the Holy Place, beside the lampstand. This juxtaposition emphasizes the dual necessity of divine light and divine sustenance as perpetual elements of God's dwelling among His people. The commands for the showbread (Leviticus 24:5-9) are followed by a narrative account of a blasphemer and the subsequent laws concerning blasphemy and personal injury (Leviticus 24:10-23), underscoring the profound sanctity of God's name and the severe consequences of violating His holiness, a theme consistently woven throughout the cultic regulations of Leviticus.
Historical & Cultural Context
The Tabernacle served as the portable sanctuary for the Israelites during their wilderness wanderings and prior to the construction of the Temple. It was the tangible manifestation of God's dwelling among His people and the central hub of their worship. The "Bread of the Presence" (Hebrew: lechem panim, literally "bread of faces" or "bread of presence"), explicitly commanded in Exodus 25:30, was a prominent feature of the Holy Place. It was arranged in two stacks of six cakes each, placed on a table overlaid with pure gold, and replaced every Sabbath, with the old bread being consumed by the priests within the sacred precincts (Leviticus 24:8-9). This continuous offering symbolized God's faithful provision and His covenant presence with the twelve tribes of Israel, each represented by one of the twelve cakes. The specification of "fine flour" (solet) and precise measurements was not arbitrary; it reflected the ancient Near Eastern understanding of offering the very best and most unblemished to the gods, a principle uniquely applied in Israel to emphasize the supreme holiness and worthiness of Yahweh. The meticulousness of these instructions underscored the reverence and exactitude required when approaching a holy God.
Key Themes
Leviticus 24:5 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Leviticus and the Pentateuch. The theme of Divine Holiness and Purity is paramount, as evidenced by the requirement for "fine flour" and the precise measurements, emphasizing that only the purest and most excellent is acceptable in God's presence. This reinforces the broader call for Israel to be holy because God is holy (Leviticus 11:44-45). The Covenant Relationship and God's Presence are also central; the twelve cakes symbolize the twelve tribes, representing the entire covenant community in perpetual communion before the Lord, a tangible sign of God's dwelling among His people (Exodus 29:45-46). Furthermore, the showbread highlights Divine Provision and Sustenance, symbolizing God's faithfulness in sustaining His people, not just physically but spiritually, through His enduring presence and word (Deuteronomy 8:3). Finally, the meticulous details underscore the theme of Order and Precision in Worship, demonstrating that God's commands are to be followed with unwavering exactitude, reflecting His own perfect order and sovereignty.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
A primitive root meaning "to take (in the widest variety of applications); accept, bring, buy, carry away, drawn, fetch, get, infold, [idiom] many, mingle, place, receive(-ing), reserve, seize, send for, take (away, -ing, up), use, win." In this context, "take" signifies the active, intentional selection and appropriation of the specific ingredients for the sacred offering, highlighting human responsibility in preparing what is due to God.
From an unused root meaning to strip; flour (as chipped off); (fine) flour, meal. This term designates the highest quality, most refined flour, typically used for the most sacred grain offerings. Its specification here underscores the principle that only the purest, unblemished, and best was acceptable for offerings made directly to God in His sanctuary, symbolizing the excellence and unblemished nature required in divine service.
From חָלַל; a cake (as usually punctured); cake. This refers to the specific form of the bread, often described as round or flat. The term, used in conjunction with "twelve" and "two tenth deals," emphasizes the precise form and composition of the offering, reinforcing the divine demand for adherence to prescribed ritual forms.
Verse Breakdown
"And thou shalt take fine flour"
This initial command establishes the foundational quality standard for the showbread. The flour must be of the highest grade, pure and unadulterated, signifying that God deserves nothing less than the very best from His people in their acts of worship and service. It implies a deliberate selection process, reflecting intentionality in presenting an offering worthy of a holy God.
"and bake twelve cakes thereof"
The specific quantity of twelve cakes directly correlates to the twelve tribes of Israel. This detail indicates that the showbread was a national offering, representing the entire covenant people in their ongoing relationship and communion with God, perpetually before His presence in the Holy Place. The act of "baking" also implies a transformation and preparation, making the raw material suitable for sacred use.
"two tenth deals shall be in one cake"
This precise measurement dictates the exact volume of flour for each individual cake. An "omer" (tenth deal) was a specific unit of dry measure, equivalent to a tenth of an ephah. The instruction for "two tenth deals" (two omers) per cake highlights the divine insistence on meticulous adherence to instructions. This level of detail emphasizes that every aspect of God's service is divinely ordained and holds profound significance, underscoring the importance of order, precision, and reverence in worship.
Literary Devices
Leviticus 24:5, though seemingly a straightforward instruction, employs several significant literary devices that enrich its meaning. Symbolism is paramount; the "fine flour" symbolizes purity, excellence, and the offering of one's very best, while the "twelve cakes" powerfully symbolize the twelve tribes of Israel, representing the entire nation in perpetual communion before God. The bread itself functions as a profound symbol of divine provision and the ongoing covenant relationship between Yahweh and His people. Furthermore, the passage demonstrates a pervasive use of Precision and Detailing, characteristic of the cultic laws found throughout Leviticus. The exact measurements ("two tenth deals") and specific quantities ("twelve cakes") are not incidental but underscore the divine demand for meticulous adherence to sacred rituals, reflecting the holiness and perfect order of God. This detailed instruction also serves as a form of Metonymy, where the physical bread stands in for the continuous presence and sustenance God provides for His people, and by extension, their constant representation before Him. The repetitive nature of such specific commands throughout Leviticus also creates a sense of Emphasis, reinforcing the absolute necessity of obedience in matters of worship.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Leviticus 24:5, within the broader context of the showbread instructions, profoundly communicates God's nature as a faithful provider and a covenant-keeping God. The perpetual presence of the bread before the Lord symbolized His continuous sustenance for His people, not merely physical food, but spiritual nourishment derived from His very presence. It also served as a constant reminder of the unbroken covenant relationship between God and the twelve tribes of Israel, who were perpetually represented before Him. The meticulous details concerning the "fine flour" and precise measurements emphasize that worship and service to God must be characterized by excellence, intentionality, and adherence to His divine standards, reflecting the holiness and order of the One being worshipped. This passage implicitly teaches that genuine worship is not casual but demands our best, offered with reverence and according to divine prescription.
Reflection and Application
The ancient ritual of the showbread, while no longer practiced in its literal form, offers enduring principles for contemporary believers. Leviticus 24:5 reminds us that our offerings to God, whether in worship, service, or daily life, should be of the highest quality—our "finest flour." This isn't about legalistic adherence but about a heart attitude that desires to give our very best to the One who has given His all for us. The representation of the twelve tribes also prompts us to consider our place within God's covenant community, the Church, and how we, as a collective body, are called to live in continuous communion and dependence on Him. The divine precision in these commands challenges us to approach our spiritual disciplines and service with intentionality, order, and reverence, recognizing that God is worthy of our utmost attention and devotion. In a world that often values convenience over excellence, this verse calls us to a higher standard of devotion, reflecting the infinite worth and holiness of our God.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What was the purpose of the showbread?
The showbread, also known as the "Bread of the Presence" (Hebrew: lechem panim), served as a perpetual offering before the Lord in the Holy Place of the Tabernacle. Its primary purposes were multifaceted: to symbolize God's continuous presence among His people, His faithful provision for their sustenance (both physical and spiritual), and the unbroken covenant relationship He maintained with the twelve tribes of Israel, who were represented by the twelve cakes. It was a tangible reminder that Israel lived not by bread alone, but by "every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord," as powerfully articulated in Deuteronomy 8:3.
Why were "fine flour" and "two tenth deals" specified?
The specification of "fine flour" (solet) highlighted the requirement for the highest quality and purity in all offerings made to God. This reflected the principle that only the unblemished and most excellent was deemed worthy of the divine presence, underscoring God's absolute holiness. The precise measurement of "two tenth deals" (two omers) per cake underscored God's demand for meticulous adherence to His instructions. This exactitude was not arbitrary but emphasized the sacredness of the ritual, the divine authority behind every command, and the paramount importance of order and reverence in approaching a holy God. This level of detail ensured that the offering was presented exactly as God commanded, leaving no room for human deviation in such a sacred and solemn service.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
The showbread, with its profound symbolism of divine presence, sustenance, and covenant communion, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While the showbread was a temporal provision and a shadow of things to come, Jesus declared Himself the "Bread of Life" (John 6:35), the true spiritual nourishment from heaven that gives eternal life to the world. Unlike the bread that sustained Israel physically, Jesus offers eternal sustenance, satisfying the deepest hunger of the human soul. His body, broken on the cross, is the ultimate "Bread of Presence," making God truly and permanently present among His people in a way the Tabernacle bread could only foreshadow. Just as the twelve cakes represented the tribes of Israel in perpetual communion before God, Jesus, through His sacrifice, establishes a new covenant, gathering all who believe into one body, the Church, under His headship. He is the ultimate provision, the one through whom we have continuous access to God's presence and unending spiritual sustenance, fulfilling the very essence of what the showbread pointed towards (John 6:51, Hebrews 10:19-20). He is the substance to which the shadow pointed, the perfect and eternal offering that brings us into unending communion with God.