Hebrew lechem haPanim — literally "the bread of the face" (of God); also called the bread of the Presence. A gold-overlaid acacia-wood table, 2 cubits by 1 cubit by 1.5 cubits (about 3' x 18" x 27"), stationed in the Holy Place opposite the menorah (Exodus 25:23-30, 37:10-16). Twelve loaves of bread — one for each tribe of Israel — were placed on the table every Sabbath in two rows of six, with frankincense set beside them. The bread remained there for a week; then the priests ate it as "a most holy portion" (Leviticus 24:5-9), and fresh loaves were prepared. The table also held flagons for the drink offering.
The table of showbread is the tabernacle's picture of ongoing fellowship with God over a meal. Five notes. (1) Twelve loaves for twelve tribes — all of Israel is represented perpetually in God's presence. No tribe forgotten. (2) In the Holy Place, before God's face — the name "bread of the Presence" means bread set before Yahweh. God sees His covenant people represented continually by the bread. (3) Weekly renewal — the bread was Sabbath work: the old was eaten, the new was baked and presented. The week's worship was anchored by this meal. (4) Priests ate it — the priesthood shared the bread of the Presence as a food the Lord Himself had been served. They were invited to eat what God had been offered; the fellowship was real. (5) David's exception. When David and his men were famished (1 Samuel 21) the high priest Ahimelech gave them the showbread to eat, which Jesus later cites as an example that God values mercy over ritual (Mark 2:25-26). Typologically, Christ is the true bread of the Presence — He is the Bread of Life (John 6), who feeds His Church with Himself, represents every tribe and tongue before the Father, and is the substance the showbread only shadowed.