Exodus 25:23-30

Exodus 25:23-30

[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  [24] And thou shalt overlay  it with pure  gold,  and make  thereto a crown  of gold  round about.  [25] And thou shalt make  unto it a border  of an hand breadth  round about,  and thou shalt make  a golden  crown  to the border  thereof round about.  [26] And thou shalt make  for it four  rings  of gold,  and put  the rings  in the four  corners  that are on the four  feet  thereof. [27] Over against  the border  shall the rings  be for places  of the staves  to bear  the table.  [28] And thou shalt make  the staves  of shittim  wood,  and overlay  them with gold,  that the table  may be borne  with them. [29] And thou shalt make  the dishes  thereof, and spoons  thereof, and covers  thereof, and bowls  thereof, to cover  withal:  of pure  gold  shalt thou make  [30] And thou shalt set  upon the table  shewbread  before  me alway. 

What does Exodus 25:23-30 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

This piece of furniture stood on the north side of the holy place, the right side as the priest entered from the courtyard. The priests placed twelve loaves (large pieces) of unleavened [1] bread in two rows [2] or piles [3] on this table where they remained for seven days. They substituted twelve fresh loaves for the old bread each Sabbath ( Leviticus 24:5-8). The term "bread of the Presence" ( Exodus 25:30) means these loaves lay before God"s presence in the tabernacle. The Israelites did not offer this food for Yahweh to eat, as the pagans offered food to their gods. [4]
They did so "as a symbol of the spiritual food which Israel was to prepare ( John 6:27; cf. John 4:32; cf. John 4:34), a figurative representation of the calling it had received from God." [5]
"The twelve loaves constituted a perpetual thank offering to God from the twelve tribes for the blessings that they received from Him day by day." [6]
"By its opulence as by the containers and the food and drink placed continuously upon it and periodically renewed, this Table announces: "He is here," and here as one who gives sustenance." [7]
Perhaps the bread signified both God"s provisions and Israel"s vocation. Israel was to be a source of spiritual food for the world ( Exodus 19:5-6).
". . . the table and the bread of the Presence have been taken as a type of the church which stands in Christ"s (the ark) presence." [8]