Showbread

Showbread (also known as Shewbread or Presentation Bread) refers to unleavened bread specifically prepared and offered as a perpetual offering in the Tabernacle and later the Temple in ancient Israel. It is primarily described in the Hebrew Bible, particularly in the Book of Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers.

The showbread consisted of twelve loaves of unleavened bread, representing the twelve tribes of Israel. They were arranged in two rows of six loaves each on a table in the Holy Place of the Tabernacle/Temple, known as the Table of Showbread.

The loaves were typically made with fine flour and prepared fresh each Sabbath. The old loaves were then eaten by the priests in a holy place, as they were considered consecrated. This practice symbolized the continual dependence of the Israelites on God's provision and their covenant relationship.

The exact recipe and preparation methods for the showbread are not explicitly detailed in the Bible, though various interpretations and traditions exist regarding their composition and symbolism. The showbread was a significant aspect of the sacrificial system and represented an offering of the first fruits of the harvest to God. It served as a reminder of God's blessing on the land and the people of Israel.