שֻׁלְחָן

From the study of 2 Samuel 9:7

Range of meaning

Shulchan is a table, and in royal settings it stands for the king's provision and the circle of people he feeds and keeps. Tamid means continually, regularly, perpetually. It is the word used for standing, scheduled arrangements, such as the daily "regular" burnt offering (Exod 29:42; Num 28:3).

Against the English

KJV and WEB "eat bread at my table continually," BSB "always eat at my table," and NASB "regularly." All are accurate, but readers easily hear a dinner invitation. The Hebrew describes a permanent court position.

How it drifted

Modern readers think of a table as private family hospitality. In the ancient Near East, the king's table was a political institution: those who ate there were dependents and clients of the crown, and their place there was public and official.

Used elsewhere in the period

Barzillai's sons are to be "among those who eat at your table" as a reward for loyalty (1 Kgs 2:7). Solomon's daily provisions fed "all who came to King Solomon's table" (1 Kgs 4:27). Jezebel fed 850 prophets "at her table" (1 Kgs 18:19). Most striking is the exiled Judean king Jehoiachin, released by the Babylonian king Evil-Merodach, who "ate bread before him continually all the days of his life" and received a regular allowance (2 Kgs 25:29–30, with tamid). Babylonian ration tablets from Nebuchadnezzar's palace actually list oil rations for "Ya'u-kinu, king of the land of Yahudu." Grants to a defeated rival's royal heir, at the court of the victor, follow a recognizable pattern.

From the study of Ezekiel 44:16

Range of meaning

Table, usually a table for eating: the king's table (2 Sam 9:7; 1 Kgs 2:7), a host's table (Ps 23:5). In the sanctuary it is the table of the Bread of the Presence (Exod 25:23–30). Figuratively it can mean the altar as the place where God's 'food' is presented (Mal 1:7, 12). Ezek 39:20 uses 'my table' for the sacrificial feast God holds.

Against the English

Every major version says 'table'. Readers may picture a dining table or a church communion table and miss that the altar is almost certainly meant.

How it drifted

In Christian use 'the Lord's table' means the Eucharist or communion table. Here the phrase belongs to the language of Israel's sacrifices.

Used elsewhere in the period

Across the ancient Near East, temple offerings were presented as meals laid on the gods' tables. Israel kept the meal language, calling sacrifices 'the food of God' (Lev 21:6, 8, 17, 21; Num 28:2; Ezek 44:7, 'my food, the fat and the blood'), while denying that God needs to eat (Ps 50:12–13). Ezek 41:22 describes a wooden altar in the temple: 'This is the table that is before the LORD.'

From the study of Isaiah 65:11

Range of meaning

Šulḥān is a table, especially one for a meal or offering. 'Āraḵ means to set in order or arrange: troops in battle lines, wood on an altar, food on a table.

Against the English

'Set a table' is accurate, but English readers may picture an ordinary dinner. The setting is a sacred meal offered to a god.

Used elsewhere in the period

The same pairing appears for hospitality and worship: 'You prepare (ta'ărōḵ) a table before me' (Psalm 23:5); 'Can God spread (la'ărōḵ) a table in the wilderness?' (Psalm 78:19); Lady Wisdom 'has mixed her wine and set (ʿārəḵāh) her table' (Proverbs 9:2). The tabernacle had a sacred table for the bread of the Presence (Exodus 25:23–30). Malachi 1:7, 12 calls the altar 'the table of the LORD'. Feeding gods with set tables is well known in the ancient Near East and the later Greco-Roman world.