Bible Strands
Exodus 25:30
And place the Bread of the Presence on the table before Me at all times.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — God addresses Moses during the tabernacle construction instructions, specifying the arrangement of the golden table. The command follows the detailing of the table's utensils and precedes the lampstand specifications.
The words — The Hebrew verb נָתַתָּ (naṯattā) means "you will put," and תָּמִיד (tāmîd) translates to "continually." These terms establish an unbroken ritual action rather than a one-time event.
The thread — The Bread of the Presence reappears in Exodus 39:36 as part of the finished furnishings and in Leviticus 24:5 with the baking instructions for twelve loaves. Matthew 12:4 later cites the consecrated bread consumed by David and his men.
Why it lands — The text commands the perpetual placement of bread on a prepared table before God. A reader must maintain a consistent practice of provision and recognition without interruption.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And thou shalt set upon the table shewbread before me alway.
Cross-references
- Leviticus 24:5 You are also to take fine flour and bake twelve loaves, using two-tenths of an ephah for each loaf,
- Matthew 12:4 He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread, which was not lawful for them to eat, but only for the priests.
- Exodus 39:36 the table with all its utensils and the Bread of the Presence;
- Exodus 35:13 the table with its poles, all its utensils, and the Bread of the Presence;
- Numbers 4:7 Over the table of the Presence they are to spread a blue cloth and place the plates and cups on it, along with the bowls and pitchers for the drink offering. The regular bread offering is to remain on it.
- 1 Samuel 21:6 So the priest gave him the consecrated bread, since there was no bread there but the Bread of the Presence, which had been removed from before the LORD and replaced with hot bread on the day it was taken away.
- 1 Chronicles 9:32 Some of their Kohathite relatives were responsible for preparing the rows of the showbread every Sabbath.
- 1 Chronicles 23:29 as well as for the rows of the showbread, the fine flour for the grain offering, the wafers of unleavened bread, the baking, the mixing, and all measurements of quantity and size.
- 2 Chronicles 13:11 Every morning and every evening they present burnt offerings and fragrant incense to the LORD. They set out the rows of showbread on the ceremonially clean table, and every evening they light the lamps of the gold lampstand. We are carrying out the requirements of the LORD our God, while you have forsaken Him.
- Malachi 1:7 By presenting defiled food on My altar. But you ask, ‘How have we defiled You?’ By saying that the table of the LORD is contemptible.