And thou shalt set the table without the Uaile, and the candlesticke ouer against the table, on the side of the Tabernacle toward the South: and thou shalt put the table on the North side. Exodus 26:35 (KJV)
This verse is part of the detailed instructions given by God to Moses concerning the construction of the tabernacle, the portable sanctuary that served as the place of worship and the dwelling of God’s presence among the Israelites during their wilderness journey.
Setting the Table: The command directs Moses to place the table outside the veil that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. The table, commonly called the Table of Showbread, was a wooden table overlaid with gold. It was the designated place for presenting twelve loaves of bread before the Lord (see Exodus 25:23‑30). By locating the table outside the veil, the text indicates that it stood within the Holy Place, the outer part of the tabernacle.
The Candlestick: The verse also commands that the candlestick, known as the Golden Lampstand, be positioned opposite the table on the side of the tabernacle facing south. The lampstand was a seven‑branched fixture made of pure gold (Exodus 25:31‑40). Its lamps were to be kept burning continually, symbolizing the divine light of God’s presence and guidance.
The Position of the Table: Finally, the instruction places the table on the north side of the tabernacle. Although the text does not explain the precise reason for this orientation, the north side was regarded as a position of honour in the tabernacle arrangement. The northward placement may therefore underscore the sacredness of the showbread offering.
Overall, Exodus 26:35 provides specific, physical details about the arrangement of the Table of Showbread and the Golden Lampstand within the tabernacle. While the focus is on the layout, the passage also points to deeper symbolism: the bread represents God’s provision to His people, and the continually lit lamps represent divine illumination and guidance in their midst.
