TRV
Translation
King James Version
Every sabbath he shall set it in order before the LORD continually, being taken from the children of Israel by an everlasting covenant.
Complete Jewish Bible
Regularly, every Shabbat, he is to arrange them before ADONAI ; they are from the people of Isra'el, as a covenant forever.
Berean Standard Bible
Every Sabbath day the bread is to be set out before the LORD on behalf of the Israelites as a permanent covenant.
American Standard Version
Every sabbath day he shall set it in order before Jehovah continually; it is on the behalf of the children of Israel, an everlasting covenant.
World English Bible Messianic
Every Sabbath day he shall set it in order before the LORD continually. It is on the behalf of the children of Israel an everlasting covenant.
Geneva Bible (1599)
Euery Sabbath hee shall put them in rowes before the Lord euermore, receiuing them of the children of Israel for an euerlasting couenant.
Young's Literal Translation
`On each sabbath-day he arrangeth it before Jehovah continually, from the sons of Israel--a covenant age-during;
See also
In the KJVVerse 3,455 of 31,102
Study This Verse
Commentary on Leviticus 24 verses 1–9
1 ¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
2 Command the children of Israel, that they bring unto thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamps to burn continually.
3 Without the vail of the testimony, in the tabernacle of the congregation, shall Aaron order it from the evening unto the morning before the LORD continually: it shall be a statute for ever in your generations.
4 He shall order the lamps upon the pure candlestick before the LORD continually.
5 And thou shalt take fine flour, and bake twelve cakes thereof: two tenth deals shall be in one cake.
6 And thou shalt set them in two rows, six on a row, upon the pure table before the LORD.
7 And thou shalt put pure frankincense upon each row, that it may be on the bread for a memorial, even an offering made by fire unto the LORD.
8 Every sabbath he shall set it in order before the LORD continually, being taken from the children of Israel by an everlasting covenant.
9 And it shall be Aaron's and his sons'; and they shall eat it in the holy place: for it is most holy unto him of the offerings of the LORD made by fire by a perpetual statute.
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.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 1–9. Public domain.
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BedeAD 735
On the Tabernacle 1.7
The loaves are properly commanded to be changed before the Lord every sabbath day. For surely the loaves that were set out on the table of the Lord through the six days of work are exchanged for new loaves on the sabbath when all the teachers in the holy church, once the time of their holy labor is completed, are rewarded in heaven with eternal peace and leave others behind them in the same work, laboring in the word with the hope of the same reward. And in this way it is brought to pass that the table of the Lord is never left destitute of bread, but as soon as one loaf is taken away another is put in its place, as long as the churches never lack ministers of the word who follow one another in succession. In their words and in their deeds, they always manifest the faith of apostolic piety and the purity of apostolic action, continuing as in that most beautiful verse in which it is said in praise of that same holy church: “Instead of your fathers, sons are born to you; you will make them princes over all the earth.” In other words, that is as if it were being said to the tabernacle of the Lord: “Instead of your old loaves, new ones are prepared for you; you will designate them for the refreshment of the spiritual hearts of the faithful in all the world.”
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Leviticus 24:8 mandates the perpetual arrangement of the showbread before the LORD every Sabbath, a sacred ritual sourced from the children of Israel and established as an everlasting covenant. This verse highlights the enduring nature of God's covenant with His people, their continuous dependence upon His provision, and the sanctity of the Sabbath as a day for dedicated worship and covenant remembrance within the Tabernacle service.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices to convey its profound theological meaning. Symbolism is central, with the showbread itself serving as a powerful symbol of God's perpetual presence and faithful provision for the twelve tribes of Israel. The meticulous act of "setting it in order" symbolizes the ordered nature of divine worship and the precise care required in approaching a holy God. The repetition of the concept of unending duration, through the terms "every sabbath," "continually," and "everlasting covenant," creates a powerful sense of permanence, emphasizing the perpetual nature of this ritual and the covenant it signifies, as well as God's unending faithfulness. The phrase "before the LORD" utilizes metonymy to represent God's immediate, holy, and manifest presence within the Tabernacle. Furthermore, the entire ritual functions as a type or foreshadowing, pointing forward to a greater reality of spiritual sustenance and a new, everlasting covenant that would ultimately be fulfilled in the person and work of Jesus Christ.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 24:8 profoundly underscores God's unwavering commitment to His covenant people and their continuous dependence upon Him. The weekly renewal of the showbread before the LORD signifies God's perpetual presence among Israel and His faithful provision for their physical and spiritual sustenance. It highlights the sanctity of the Sabbath as a day for sacred duty and covenant renewal, reinforcing the rhythm of divine worship. The communal sourcing of the bread ("taken from the children of Israel") emphasizes the corporate nature of worship and the collective responsibility of the nation in their relationship with God. Ultimately, the phrase "everlasting covenant" points to the enduring nature of God's promises, even as the Old Covenant rituals would later find their ultimate fulfillment in the New Covenant.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The ancient ritual of the showbread, meticulously renewed weekly on the Sabbath, offers profound and enduring lessons for believers today. It serves as a powerful reminder of the constant, unceasing presence of God in our lives and His faithful, unfailing provision for our every need, both physical and spiritual. Just as the Israelites were commanded to continually set the bread before the LORD, we are called to live in a state of perpetual awareness of God's presence, offering ourselves as living sacrifices in worship and devoted service. The Sabbath rhythm of renewal also speaks to our inherent human need for regular spiritual refreshment, intentional engagement with God's Word, and active participation in the community of faith. Our lives, both individually and corporately, should reflect our participation in God's new and everlasting covenant, demonstrating our complete dependence on Him and our unwavering commitment to His kingdom. This commitment manifests in our consistent worship, our reliance on His divine sustenance, and our active contribution to the body of Christ, seeking to nourish and build up others.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What was the purpose of the showbread?
Answer: The showbread, also known as the "bread of the Presence" (Hebrew: lechem panim), served multiple profound purposes within Israel's Tabernacle worship. Primarily, it symbolized God's perpetual presence among His people and His faithful provision for the twelve tribes of Israel, represented by the twelve loaves. It was a constant visual reminder of the covenant relationship, signifying that Israel lived under God's watchful eye and depended entirely on His sustenance. The act of placing it "before the LORD" in the Tabernacle's Holy Place underscored the idea of the entire nation being continually presented before God. It also highlighted the sanctity of the Sabbath, as its renewal was a key Sabbath duty for the priests, reinforcing the sacredness of time and divine order. For more on its placement and significance, see Exodus 25:23-30.
Was the showbread eaten, and if so, by whom?
Answer: Yes, the showbread was eaten, but under very specific conditions and only by the priests. After the new loaves were placed on the table each Sabbath, the old loaves, which had remained before the LORD for a week, were removed and consumed by Aaron and his sons (the priests) in a holy place. This practice is explicitly detailed in Leviticus 24:9, where it is described as "most holy" from the offerings made by fire to the LORD. This sacred consumption by the priests underscored their unique role as mediators and their participation in the holy things of God. This practice is famously referenced in the New Testament when Jesus defends His disciples for plucking grain on the Sabbath, citing David's eating of the showbread when he and his companions were hungry, illustrating that human need can, in exceptional circumstances, supersede ritual law (Matthew 12:3-4).
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 24:8, with its profound emphasis on the perpetual presence, faithful provision, and everlasting covenant symbolized by the showbread, finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself declares, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst" in John 6:35, offering eternal spiritual sustenance that infinitely surpasses the physical bread of the Tabernacle. Unlike the showbread, which required weekly renewal, Christ's provision is a once-for-all, eternally satisfying, and inexhaustible supply. He is the true "bread of God who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world" (John 6:33), providing not merely physical sustenance but eternal life. The "everlasting covenant" mentioned in Leviticus 24:8 is superseded and perfected by the New Covenant established through Christ's shed blood (Hebrews 8:6-13), a covenant that is truly eternal, unbreakable, and superior in every way. Through His perfect sacrifice, Christ has entered the heavenly Holy Place "once for all" (Hebrews 9:12), perpetually presenting Himself before God on our behalf as our great High Priest, our advocate, and the living embodiment of God's everlasting covenant faithfulness (Hebrews 4:14-16). He is our constant provision, our perpetual presence, and the living reality of God's enduring commitment, making us partakers of His divine nature and eternal life.