Exo 25:23-30, 37:10-16, 39:36, 40:22-23, Lev 24:5-9, 2Ch 4:8 | TSK | STEP | a table. shittim wood.{Shittim} wood is probably the acacia Nilotica. St. Jerome says, that the {shittim} wood grows in the deserts of Arabia, and is like white thorn, as to its colour and leaves; but the tree is so large as to furnish very long planks. The wood is hard, tough, and extremely beautiful. It is thought he means the black acacia, because that is the most common tree in the deserts of Arabia. It is of the size of a large mulberry tree. The spreading branches and larger limbs are armed with thorns, which grow three together. The bark is rough; and the leaves are oblong, standing opposite each other. The flowers, though sometimes white, are generally of a bright yellow; and the fruit, which resembles a bean, is contained in pods like those of the lupin. "The acacia," says Dr. Shaw, "being by much the largest and most common tree in the deserts," (Arabia Petræa,) we have some reason to conjecture that the {shittim} wood was the wood of the acacia, especially as its flowers are of an excellent smell; for the {shittah} tree is, in Isa 41:19, joined with the myrtle and other fragrant shrubs. It may be remarked, that of the two Hebrew names, {shittim} is masculine, and {shittah} feminine. So Mr. Bruce says, "the male is called {saiel;} from it proceeds the {gula} Arabic, on incision with an axe."

Exodus 25:23-30

a table.

37:10-16; 40:22,23; Le 24:6; Nu 3:31; 1Ki 7:48; 1Ch 28:16

shittim wood.{Shittim} wood is probably the acacia Nilotica. St. Jerome says, that the {shittim} wood grows in the deserts of Arabia, and is like white thorn, as to its colour and leaves; but the tree is so large as to furnish very long planks. The wood is hard, tough, and extremely beautiful. It is thought he means the black acacia, because that is the most common tree in the deserts of Arabia. It is of the size of a large mulberry tree. The spreading branches and larger limbs are armed with thorns, which grow three together. The bark is rough; and the leaves are oblong, standing opposite each other. The flowers, though sometimes white, are generally of a bright yellow; and the fruit, which resembles a bean, is contained in pods like those of the lupin. "The acacia," says Dr. Shaw, "being by much the largest and most common tree in the deserts," (Arabia Petræa,) we have some reason to conjecture that the {shittim} wood was the wood of the acacia, especially as its flowers are of an excellent smell; for the {shittah} tree is, in Isa 41:19, joined with the myrtle and other fragrant shrubs. It may be remarked, that of the two Hebrew names, {shittim} is masculine, and {shittah} feminine. So Mr. Bruce says, "the male is called {saiel;} from it proceeds the {gula} Arabic, on incision with an axe."

11; 1Ki 6:20-22

a golden crown to the border.

30:3; 37:2

four rings of gold.

for places of the staves.

14,28

the table.

14,27; Nu 10:17; Ac 9:15

the.

37:16; Nu 4:7; 7:13,19,31-33; 1Ki 7:50; 2Ch 4:22; Ezr 1:9-11

Jer 52:18,19

to cover. or, to pour out.

Le 24:5-9; So 5:1; Re 3:20

35:13; 39:36; Le 24:5,6; Nu 4:7; 1Sa 21:6; 1Ch 9:32; 23:29

2Ch 13:11; Mal 1:7,12; Mt 12:4

Exodus 37:10-16

25:23-30; 35:13; 40:4,22,23; Eze 40:39-42; Mal 1:12; Joh 1:14,16

Col 1:27Nothing but the ark of the covenant, with the mercy-seat, was put within the most holy place; but without the vail this "table of {shittim} wood" was fixed, of the same height as the ark, but neither so long nor so broad. It was made of the same materials as the ark, and with a golden cornice; but it had also another cornice below the edge, and one at the bottom, with a border between the two of a hand breadth; though some think one border only was below the edge, and that this was towards the bottom, to keep the feet or legs more closely united. The table also had rings and staves for the convenience of removing it. To it were annexed several vessels; as dishes, in which some think the shewbread was placed; or, according to others, the flour of which it was made, or the oil used for various purposes; spoons, which were employed about the incense offered on the golden altar, or carried within the vail in a censer on the day of atonement. Some have supposed the word to denote vials, as we read of vials full of odours and incense (Rev 5:3): covers, which seem to have been put over both the loaves and the incense, yet some suppose they were vessels used in drink-offerings; but that is more reasonably considered as the use of the bowls.

dishes.

25:29; 1Ki 7:50; 2Ki 12:13; Jer 52:18,19; 2Ti 2:20

cover withal. or, pour out withal.

Exodus 39:36

the shewbread.

25:30; 1Ki 7:48

Exodus 40:22-23

he put.

Joh 6:53-57; Eph 3:8

northward.

24; 26:35

4; 25:30; Mt 12:4; Heb 9:2

Leviticus 24:5-9

The loaves of bread which the officiating priest placed every sabbath day upon the golden table in the Sanctum, before the Lord, were twelve in number, representing the twelve tribes of Israel. The loaves must have been large, since two tenth deals (about six pints) of flour were used for each, Le 24:3, 6, 7. They were served up hot on the sabbath day in the Sanctum, when the stale ones, which had been exposed the whole week, were taken away, and none but the priests were allowed to eat them. In an extraordinary extremity, David and his men partook of the shew-bread, (see 1 Sa 21:6,) the urgent necessity alone justifying the act. The Hebrew signifies bread of faces, or, of the face.

See

Ex 25:30; 40:23; 1Ki 18:31; 1Sa 21:4,5; Mt 12:4; Ac 26:7; Jas 1:1

in two rows.

1Co 14:40

pure.

Ex 25:23,24; 37:10-16; 39:36; 40:22,23; 1Ki 7:48; 2Ch 4:19; 13:11

Heb 9:2

pure.

2:2; Eph 1:6; Heb 7:25; Re 8:3,4

the bread.

Joh 6:35,51

a memorial.