Exodus 25:23 kjv

Thou shalt also make a table of shittim wood: two cubits shall be the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof.

Exodus 25:23 nkjv

"You shall also make a table of acacia wood; two cubits shall be its length, a cubit its width, and a cubit and a half its height.

Exodus 25:23 niv

"Make a table of acacia wood?two cubits long, a cubit wide and a cubit and a half high.

Exodus 25:23 esv

"You shall make a table of acacia wood. Two cubits shall be its length, a cubit its breadth, and a cubit and a half its height.

Exodus 25:23 nlt

"Then make a table of acacia wood, 36 inches long, 18 inches wide, and 27 inches high.

Exodus 25 verses

Exodus 25 23 Meaning

Exodus 25:23 introduces the divine blueprint for constructing the Table of Showbread, a significant piece of furniture within the Holy Place of the Tabernacle. It specifically commands Moses to fashion this table from durable acacia wood, detailing its precise length, breadth, and height, thereby establishing God's meticulous design for the portable sanctuary and the ordered worship within it.

Exodus 25 23 Context

Exodus chapter 25 marks a pivotal shift from narrative accounts of Israel's journey and God's law-giving to precise divine instructions for the construction of the Tabernacle and its sacred furnishings. This verse specifically introduces the second main item in the Holy Place, after the Ark of the Covenant, and prior to the Menorah (lampstand). This section on the Tabernacle serves as the physical manifestation of God's dwelling among His people and the ordained means by which they could approach Him in worship. Historically, these commands were given to Moses on Mount Sinai while Israel was encamped in the wilderness, emphasizing God's meticulous concern for order, holiness, and the appropriate means of relating to His divine presence for a people on a journey. The detailed specifications prevent human invention in worship and ensure the Tabernacle's role as a prefigurement of greater spiritual realities.

Exodus 25 23 Word analysis

• Thou shalt also make: (wə‘āśîṯā) This phrase employs a divine imperative, "and you shall make," highlighting the authoritative and non-negotiable nature of God's command. It signifies that the Tabernacle and its components were not human inventions but divinely mandated designs, crucial for proper worship.
• a table: (šulḥān) The Hebrew word for "table." While tables are common, in this context, it is no ordinary table but a sacred furnishing specifically designated to hold the "bread of presence" (leḥem pānîm), also known as showbread. This table represented God's provision for His people and a place for holy fellowship, contrasting with pagan altars where food might be offered to idols.
• of shittim wood: (‘ăṣê šittîm) Refers to acacia wood. This type of wood was plentiful in the Sinai wilderness. It is known for its hardiness, durability, and resistance to decay and insect infestation, making it suitable for enduring use. Its practical resilience in the harsh desert environment symbolically suggests the lasting nature and endurance of God's covenant presence amidst a nomadic people. Later, this wood would be overlaid with gold, symbolizing the union of humanity (wood) and divine purity/glory (gold).
• two cubits shall be the length thereof: (’ammāṯayim ’ārkō) A cubit (ammah) was a standard ancient unit of measurement, roughly from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger, approximating 18 to 20.7 inches. Therefore, the length of the table was approximately 36-41.4 inches. This precise measurement, along with others, demonstrates God's exacting nature and the absolute requirement for strict adherence to His divine blueprint for sacred worship objects.
• and a cubit the breadth thereof: (wə’ammah raḥbō) This dimension implies a table approximately 18-20.7 inches wide. Its relatively narrow width suggests it was not designed for casual use but specifically for presenting the twelve loaves of showbread, emphasizing its ceremonial function rather than a large dining surface.
• and a cubit and a half the height thereof: (wə’ammah wāḥēṣī qōmāṯō) This specified height, roughly 27-31 inches, would place the top of the table at a convenient level for priests attending to the showbread, indicating practicality within its sacred context. The precise measurements convey the divine order and sacredness of the Tabernacle, leaving no room for human arbitrariness in divine service.

Exodus 25 23 Bonus section

• The Table of Showbread is often referred to as the "Table of Presence" (shulchan panim in Hebrew, literally "table of face" or "table of presence"), because the bread upon it was perpetually "before the face of the LORD." This emphasized the unbroken fellowship between God and His people, represented by the twelve loaves (for the twelve tribes).
• While this verse describes the raw shittim (acacia) wood, subsequent verses (Exo 25:24) command it to be overlaid with pure gold. This combination symbolizes the enduring strength and resistance of the acacia wood (representing humanity, and God's choice of the earthly materials) completely covered and sanctified by the purity and glory of gold (representing God's divine nature and presence).
• The three items in the Holy Place – the Table of Showbread, the Menorah (lampstand), and the Altar of Incense – symbolically represented provision (bread), enlightenment (light), and prayer/worship (incense) as integral aspects of God's relationship with His people within the consecrated space.
• The precise dimensions of the table were half a cubit less in height than the Ark of the Covenant, placing it metaphorically "lower" than God's ultimate throne and covenant, serving as a reminder of its function in relation to God's supreme authority.

Exodus 25 23 Commentary

Exodus 25:23 sets forth the divine command for the construction of the Table of Showbread, emphasizing God's precise and non-negotiable standards for His Tabernacle and the worship therein. The instruction for "shittim wood" highlights the use of readily available yet durable acacia wood, signifying that divine structures, though divinely inspired, were also constructed from the realities of the wilderness. This practicality contrasts with its ultimate overlaying of pure gold (mentioned in subsequent verses), blending earthly resilience with heavenly glory. The meticulously provided dimensions (two cubits length, one cubit breadth, one and a half cubits height) underscore the divine mandate for exact obedience in creating sacred objects. These detailed specifications are not arbitrary; they reflect God's perfect order, the sacredness of His presence, and the intended ceremonial function of the table. As a recipient of the perpetual showbread, the table symbolized God's unwavering faithfulness in providing spiritual and physical sustenance to His covenant people, constantly presenting their identity before Him. It also prefigured Christ, who declares Himself the "Bread of Life," the true and living sustenance that fully satisfies God's people in communion with Him. The instruction here laid the foundational pattern for all future aspects of the table's significance and function within Israel's worship.