Exodus 40:23
And he set the bread in order upon it before the LORD; as the LORD had commanded Moses.
Original Language Analysis
וַיַּֽעֲרֹ֥ךְ
in order
H6186
וַיַּֽעֲרֹ֥ךְ
in order
Strong's:
H6186
Word #:
1 of 11
to set in a row, i.e., arrange, put in order (in a very wide variety of applications)
עָלָ֛יו
H5921
עָלָ֛יו
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
2 of 11
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
לֶ֖חֶם
the bread
H3899
לֶ֖חֶם
the bread
Strong's:
H3899
Word #:
4 of 11
food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)
לִפְנֵ֣י
upon it before
H6440
לִפְנֵ֣י
upon it before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
5 of 11
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
יְהוָ֖ה
as the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֖ה
as the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
6 of 11
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֛ר
H834
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֛ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
7 of 11
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יְהוָ֖ה
as the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֖ה
as the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
9 of 11
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
Cross References
Exodus 40:4And thou shalt bring in the table, and set in order the things that are to be set in order upon it; and thou shalt bring in the candlestick, and light the lamps thereof.Exodus 25:30And thou shalt set upon the table shewbread before me alway.Hebrews 9:2For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary.Matthew 12:4How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests?
Historical Context
The twelve loaves, arranged in two rows of six (Leviticus 24:6), remained on the table continuously, replaced fresh each Sabbath. The old loaves, eaten by priests, demonstrated God feeding His ministers through His provision. This perpetual bread offering symbolized Israel's constant dependence on divine sustenance.
Questions for Reflection
- How does 'arranged in order' bread challenge contemporary casual or disorganized corporate worship?
- What does the perpetual bread 'before the LORD' teach about believers' constant need for Christ's sustenance?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Moses 'set the bread in order upon' the table (וַיַּעֲרֹךְ עָלָיו עֵרֶךְ לֶחֶם, vaya'arokh alav erekh lechem, arranged upon it an arrangement of bread) 'before the LORD' teaches ordered worship. The Hebrew עָרַךְ (arakh, to arrange) emphasizes pattern—the twelve loaves represented twelve tribes in specific configuration. This prefigures the church's ordered worship (1 Corinthians 14:40) and organized structure (Titus 1:5). The phrase 'as the LORD commanded Moses' (4th in ch 40) maintains emphasis on prescribed worship. The bread's perpetual presence 'before the LORD' symbolizes constant covenant relationship.