shewbread

or show·bread

[ shoh-bred ]

nounJudaism.

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.

Origin of shewbread

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”)

Words Nearby shewbread

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use shewbread in a sentence

The shewbread, laid on the table in rows of twelve cakes, was eaten by Aaron and his sons.
The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews | Thomas Charles Edwards
But did not David eat of the shewbread in pressing circumstances?
The Last Miracle | M. P. Shiel
In view of the condition of urgent need the priest had given the shewbread to the hungry men.
Jesus the Christ | James Edward Talmage
He also asked for five sacred loaves of shewbread, which no one dared to eat except the priests.
Our Little Jewish Cousin | Mary Hazelton Wade
The altar within the Temple and the table of shewbread were likewise covered with the same precious metal.
The Great Events by Famous Historians, Vol. 1 | Various

British Dictionary definitions for shewbread

shewbread

showbread

/ (ˈʃəʊˌbrɛd) /

noun

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)

Origin of shewbread

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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