9:2 What is the significance of the showbread here?
9:2 What is the significance of the showbread here?
It is not known for sure what the showbread represents - the bible does not say, but there are two views held by Christians.
One is that it represents the twelve tribes of Israel, called to be the children of light - the table on which the showbread lay had to be positioned in the Holy of Holies where it would reflect the light from the candlestick (CP Ex 25:23, 30-31; 26:35 with Mt 5:14-16).
The other view is that the loaves symbolized the fact that on the basis of the sacrificial atonement of the cross, believers are nourished by God in the person of the supreme sacrifice, Christ, who is the true bread of life (CP Jn 6:31-35; 1Pe 2:5, 9).
The first view is most likely the correct one because the true bread of life is already represented in the Holy of Holies by the manna in the Ark of the Covenant (CP Ex 16:32-36; He 9:4).
However, neither view is relevant to salvation, so whichever one we hold to, let us agree to disagree with the other in love.
9:11-12 See comments on He 8:1-2