H. Rules Concerning Oil and Bread at the Tabernacle (24:1-9)

This law establishes the providing of oil for the lamp in the Holy Place and bread for the table of the Presence. The lamps had to be trimmed daily, and the bread of the Presence was changed weekly. The oil was to be of the highest quality; such oil gives a bright light and produces less smoke. In ancient times the lamp burned all night. Later some of the lamps were kept lighted at all times (Josephus, Antiquities 3.8.3). The bread was made of fine flour. The amount of flour stated here would produce very large loaves. Some suggest that the loaves were stacked into two columns of six loaves each. When the bread was replaced, the priests ate the old bread, symbolizing that all twelve tribes were in fellowship with Yahweh about the table.