shewbread

or show·bread

[ shoh-bred ]

noun

, Judaism.

1. the 12 loaves of bread placed every Sabbath on a table in the sanctuary of the Biblical tabernacle and the Temple in Jerusalem as an offering by the priests to God. Exodus 25:30; Leviticus 24:5–9.

shewbread

/ ˈʃəʊˌbrɛd /

noun

1. Old Testament the loaves of bread placed every Sabbath on the table beside the altar of incense in the tabernacle or temple of ancient Israel (Exodus 25:30; Leviticus 24:5–9)

Word History and Origins

Origin of shewbread¹

First recorded in 1530–35; shew + bread, modeled on German Schaubrot, Martin Luther's translation of Greek ártoi enṓpioi “loaves facing; loaves in front,” translation of Hebrew leḥem pānīm “bread of the Divine Presence” (literally “bread of the face”)

Word History and Origins

Origin of shewbread¹

on the model of German Schaubrot, a translation of the Greek artoi enōpioi, a translation of the Hebrew lechem pānīm, literally: bread of the presence

Example Sentences

For when David asked for five loaves of bread, the priest replied that he had no common bread, but only shewbread; he had only the bread that had been taken that day from off the table on which it stood before the Lord, and replaced by fresh bread, according to the law.

From Project Gutenberg

The keeping of the Sabbath free from all work, and the appropriation of the shewbread to the use of the priests alone, were but ceremonial obligations; the preservation of life was a moral duty.

From Project Gutenberg

Jesus reminded the Jews who thus blamed His disciples, that David was not considered to have broken the Law of Moses, because once, when pressed by hunger, he and his followers had eaten the shewbread, which it "was not lawful to eat, but for the priests alone."

From Project Gutenberg

For this reason also, it was said to David, concerning his men, by the priest, that if they were clean in this particular, they should receive the shewbread, which they would not have received at all, had not David first declared them to be clean.

From Project Gutenberg

David and his followers, when at extremity, had eaten the shewbread which it was not lawful for them to eat.

From Project Gutenberg