“And thou shalt set them in two rows, six on a row, upon the pure table before the Lord.”
Leviticus 24:6 is part of a larger passage that provides instructions regarding the Tabernacle, its furnishings, and the responsibilities of the priests. In this particular verse, God instructs Moses on how to arrange the showbread or the “bread of the Presence” on the table in the Tabernacle.
Context: Leviticus is part of the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Bible, which are also known as the books of Moses. Leviticus focuses on the laws and regulations given by God to the Israelites, particularly regarding worship, sacrifice, and maintaining holiness.
Showbread: The “pure table” mentioned in Leviticus 24:6 refers to the table of showbread, also known as the table of the Presence. This table was located in the Holy Place of the Tabernacle and later in the Temple in Jerusalem. It was made of acacia wood and overlaid with pure gold (Exodus 25:23-30).
Arrangement: The verse instructs that the twelve loaves of showbread were to be set in two rows, with six loaves in each row. These loaves were made of fine flour and were replaced every Sabbath (Leviticus 24:8). The priests would consume the old loaves and place fresh loaves on the table.
Symbolism: The showbread represented the constant presence of God among His people. It signified the covenant relationship between God and the Israelites. The arrangement of the bread in two rows may symbolize the twelve tribes of Israel, representing the entirety of God’s people.
Spiritual significance: The showbread, being a symbol of God’s presence, can also be seen as a foreshadowing of Jesus Christ. Jesus referred to Himself as the “bread of life” (John 6:35), and His body, broken for us in His crucifixion, represents the ultimate fulfillment of the showbread.
Application: While the specific instructions regarding the showbread are not applicable in the same way today, we can draw some principles from this passage. It reminds us of the importance of maintaining a constant awareness of God’s presence in our lives and the need to continually seek Him. It also emphasizes the significance of Jesus Christ, who is the true Bread of Life and the sustainer of our spiritual lives.
In summary, Leviticus 24:6 provides instructions for the arrangement of the showbread on the table in the Tabernacle. It serves as a reminder of God’s constant presence among His people and foreshadows Jesus Christ as the ultimate fulfillment of the showbread.
