מַעֲרֶ֫כֶת

From the study of 1 Chronicles 28:16

Range of meaning

A noun from the verb 'arakh, 'to set in order, lay out in rows, arrange' (used of drawing up troops for battle, setting out a meal, stacking wood on an altar). Ma'arekhet means 'a row' or 'an arrangement'. In worship texts it means the ordered rows of sacred loaves (Lev 24:6–7: two rows of six). Related forms (ma'arakhah) are used for battle lines.

Against the English

English versions turn it into 'showbread' (KJV, ESV, NASB, BSB), 'consecrated bread' (NIV) or 'Bread of the Presence' (NLT and others). None of these is literal. The Hebrew here does not use the word 'bread' at all, only 'the arrangement'. YLT alone keeps 'tables of the arrangement'.

How it drifted

'Shewbread' entered English through Tyndale, who followed Luther's 'Schaubrot' ('display bread'). Luther was building on the Latin 'panes propositionis' ('loaves of setting-forth'). Today 'show' suggests something put on display for people to look at. The Hebrew idea was bread set out in order before God.

Used elsewhere in the period

Exodus and Leviticus call it 'bread of the face/presence' (lechem panim, Exod 25:30) and describe the 'rows' (Lev 24:6). Chronicles prefers its own term, 'bread of the arrangement' (lechem hamma'arekhet, 1 Chr 9:32; 23:29), or just 'the arrangement' (2 Chr 13:11; 29:18 'the table of the arrangement'; Neh 10:33). The Greek Septuagint renders it prothesis, 'setting-forth', the term behind 'the presentation of the loaves' in Heb 9:2.

From the study of 2 Chronicles 13:11

Range of meaning

Maʿarekhet means 'something set in order': a row, an arrangement, a layout. With 'bread' it is Chronicles' usual name (1 Chr 9:32; 23:29; 2 Chr 2:4; 29:18) for the twelve loaves set in two rows on the sanctuary table and renewed every Sabbath (Lev 24:5–9). Elsewhere they are called lechem ha-panim, 'bread of the face/Presence' (Exod 25:30). Tahor means clean or pure: ritually fit for holy use, and also refined, unalloyed metal ('pure gold').

Against the English

KJV 'shewbread… pure table', BSB 'rows of showbread on the ceremonially clean table', YLT 'the arrangement of bread… on the pure table'. YLT keeps the Hebrew idea of an ordered arrangement. BSB's 'ceremonially clean' chooses the ritual sense and loses the gold overtone.

How it drifted

'Shewbread' comes from Tyndale (1530), modeled on Luther's 'Schaubrot', 'show-bread'. It reflects the Greek and Latin idea of bread 'set forth'. The Hebrew here speaks of an ordered arrangement, and elsewhere of bread 'of the Presence'.

Used elsewhere in the period

Lev 24:6 has the exact phrase 'the pure table'. The Greek Old Testament (Septuagint) usually renders this bread as artoi tēs protheseōs, 'loaves of the setting-forth', the phrase that reappears in Mark 2:26 and Heb 9:2. 1 Macc 1:22 and 4:49–51 show that a single table for this bread was a central item of the Second Temple.

From the study of 2 Chronicles 2:4

Range of meaning

An arrangement or layout, a row or stack set in order. In the cult it means the loaves laid in two rows on the golden table (Lev 24:6). The related verb ʿārak means 'to set in order' and is also used for arranging wood on an altar and drawing up battle lines.

Against the English

BSB, KJV, WEB and ESV say 'showbread'. YLT keeps 'continual arrangement'. NIV's 'consecrated bread' names the object but not the 'arrangement' idea. Every version except YLT supplies 'bread', which is not in the Hebrew of this verse.

How it drifted

'Shewbread' came from Tyndale, who followed Luther's Schaubrot ('show-bread'), which goes back to the Greek and Latin 'bread of setting-forth'. To a modern ear 'show' suggests display or exhibition. The fuller Hebrew phrase elsewhere is leḥem happānîm, 'bread of the face/presence' (Exod 25:30): bread set before God's face.

Used elsewhere in the period

Lev 24:5–9: twelve loaves in two rows, renewed every Sabbath, a 'covenant forever'. 1 Chr 9:32 and 23:29 have leḥem hammaʿăreket, 'bread of the arrangement'. 2 Chr 13:11 and 29:18 speak of the table and its arrangement. LXX: πρόθεσις, 'setting-forth'.