A table (as spread out); by implication, a meal
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H7979 is a Hebrew noun for a table and, by implication in some contexts, the food, fellowship, or provision associated with it. Exodus 25:23 commands the construction of the acacia-wood table for the sanctuary, where the Bread of the Presence would be arranged before the LORD.
Reader summary
Full entry for שֻׁלְחָן (H7979) · Open the biblical lexicon
H7979 is a Hebrew noun for a table and, by implication in some contexts, the food, fellowship, or provision associated with it. Exodus 25:23 commands the construction of the acacia-wood table for the sanctuary, where the Bread of the Presence would be arranged before the LORD.
The BSB source-word alignment has 71 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include the table (22), table (7), tables (7), a table (6), my table (6).
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Exodus 25:23. Its strongest book concentrations include Exodus (18), Ezekiel (13), 1 Kings (6), 2 Chronicles (5).
H7979 is a Hebrew noun for a table and, by implication in some contexts, the food, fellowship, or provision associated with it. Exodus 25:23 commands the construction of the acacia-wood table for the sanctuary, where the Bread of the Presence would be arranged before the Lord. Second Samuel 9:7 records David promising Mephibosheth restored land and a permanent place at the king's table for Jonathan's sake, making table fellowship a sign of covenant loyalty and royal provision.
Psalm 23:5 praises the Lord for preparing a table in the presence of enemies, an image of abundant care amid threat rather than denial that enemies exist. Scripture also shows tables marked by luxury, deception, domination, defiled worship, and political dependence. H7979 opens teaching on God's provision, holy worship, hospitality, belonging, and the moral use of power.
It corrects the assumption that every shared meal proves safety, reconciliation, equality, or divine approval.
H7979 refers literally to a table in homes, royal courts, sanctuary service, feasts, and prophetic imagery. A table may hold holy bread, welcome a dependent guest, display abundance, host deceit, or reveal corrupt allegiance. Host, guests, food, setting, and action govern its significance.
You are also to make a table of acacia wood two cubits long, a cubit wide, and a cubit and a half high.
The tabernacle instructions require a carefully made table of acacia wood that will serve within the ordered sanctuary furnishings.
“Do not be afraid,” said David, “for surely I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land of your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.”
David promises Mephibosheth restored inheritance and an enduring place at his table because of his covenant bond with Jonathan.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
The psalmist addresses the Lord as the host who prepares abundant provision even while enemies remain present.
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders ItA compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
Hebrew word. Table as place of provision and covenant meal; spreads hospitality, sustenance, and communal belonging
Table as place of provision and covenant meal; spreads hospitality, sustenance, and communal belonging
a table (as spread out); by implication, a meal BDB: table Usage: table.
How this word appears across different grammatical cases and numbers.
Selected passage-level study witnesses for this word. This section is not the full occurrence list.
Showing 1 selected witness from 71 lexical occurrence verses.
שֻׁלְחָן is built from this root:
Compound and idiomatic phrases that include this word. Follow a link to study the phrase and how its parts work together.
H7979 shows that tables gather more than food. The sanctuary table belongs within God's ordered dwelling and bears holy provision before Him. Its significance comes from covenant instruction, not from a magical quality in the furniture. David's table offers Mephibosheth ongoing provision and public belonging because of David's loyalty to Jonathan. Yet Mephibosheth remains dependent on royal power, so faithful teaching should honor the kindness without turning every powerful host into an unquestionable benefactor.
Psalm 23 presents the Lord as the decisive host. The table appears in the presence of enemies, which means divine provision can coexist with danger and opposition rather than pretending they have disappeared. Elsewhere biblical tables expose lies between rulers, oppressive hierarchy, idolatrous patronage, contempt for holy worship, and indulgence without justice.
Sharing a surface does not by itself create communion. A faithful table makes room truthfully, protects vulnerable guests, distributes provision without humiliating dependence, and refuses to use food or access as leverage. Churches and households may learn hospitality from these scenes, but they should not force reconciliation, remove prudent boundaries, or call unsafe proximity unity.
H7979 invites gratitude for God's provision and serious examination of the loyalties and power arrangements every table can embody.
Ps.23.5
H7979 is the common Hebrew noun for a table, a spread-out furnishing that can carry food, vessels, or sacred bread. Context sometimes lets the physical table stand for meals, provision, court membership, or the social relationships organized around it.
New Testament meals, household hospitality, table fellowship, the Lord's Supper, and warnings about divided allegiance continue the canon's concern with provision and belonging. These later settings deepen the theology of fellowship without making every H7979 table a direct prediction of communion or the messianic banquet.