Showbread of the Temple of Jerusalem
Twelve loaves of fine wheat flour, unleavened, arranged in two piles before the sanctuary and changed each week. Pure frankincense was added alongside. A dense bread, barely salted, whose sacred fragrance comes from the olibanum burned beside it.
Twelve loaves of fine wheat flour, unleavened, arranged in two piles before the sanctuary and changed each week. Pure frankincense was added alongside. A dense bread, barely salted, whose sacred fragrance comes from the olibanum burned beside it.
Fear not to approach this table. I am Gabriel, who stand before the face of the Most High, and I show you the bread of the Presence. See: twelve loaves for the twelve tribes, arranged in two columns on pure gold, and the incense watching beside them like a silent flame. They were kneaded from the finest wheat, without any leaven, for before the Holy One nothing must swell with pride. On the seventh day the priests replaced them, and ate the old ones in a holy place — thus the bread of men became a portion of heaven.
- •Fine wheat flour (semolina) — two tenths of an ephah per loaf (base, dense unleavened bread)
- •Spring water — as needed (binds the dough)
- •Salt — a pinch (seasoning of the offering)
- •Frankincense (olibanum) — two handfuls, to burn alongside (sacred fragrance accompanying the loaves)
Showbread of the Temple of Jerusalem
Twelve loaves of fine wheat flour, unleavened, arranged in two piles before the sanctuary and changed each week. Pure frankincense was added alongside. A dense bread, barely salted, whose sacred fragrance comes from the olibanum burned beside it.
Why this dish? Gabriel is linked to the Temple of Jerusalem: it is there, near the altar of incense, that he announces the birth of John to the priest Zechariah. On the golden table of that same Temple rested twelve loaves permanently, placed each Sabbath before the Presence. No food is more fitting for an angel "who stands before God" than this bread of the Presence.
Fear not to approach this table. I am Gabriel, who stand before the face of the Most High, and I show you the bread of the Presence. See: twelve loaves for the twelve tribes, arranged in two columns on pure gold, and the incense watching beside them like a silent flame. They were kneaded from the finest wheat, without any leaven, for before the Holy One nothing must swell with pride. On the seventh day the priests replaced them, and ate the old ones in a holy place — thus the bread of men became a portion of heaven.
Ingredients (period version)
- Fine wheat flour (semolina) — two tenths of an ephah per loaf (base, dense unleavened bread)
- Spring water — as needed (binds the dough)
- Salt — a pinch (seasoning of the offering)
- Frankincense (olibanum) — two handfuls, to burn alongside (sacred fragrance accompanying the loaves)
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour or fine semolina — 500 g (base)
- Warm water — 230 ml (binder)
- Olive oil — 2 tbsp (dough softness)
- Salt — 1 tsp (seasoning)
Method
- Mix the flour and salt, then pour in the water and oil, kneading until a firm, smooth dough forms (no yeast: this is a dense unleavened bread).
- Let the dough rest for 30 minutes under a cloth to relax.
- Divide into 12 small portions and shape thick flatbreads about 2 cm thick.
- Bake for 18-22 minutes at 200°C until the surface is golden and dry.
- Arrange the loaves in two piles of six, like the Temple table, and scent the room with a little frankincense or olibanum resin (without placing it on the bread).
How it was made : The showbread is meticulously described in the Torah (Leviticus 24, Exodus 25). Twelve loaves of fine flour were renewed each Sabbath on the golden table; pure frankincense was added, and only the priests could eat them in a holy place. It is one of the few ancient ritual recipes whose proportions have come down to us.
The contemporary twist : For a family table, brush the top with a veil of olive oil and mark each loaf with a cross using a knife before baking — a nod to the gesture of sharing that runs through the three traditions.
Sources : Leviticus 24:5-9 (showbread) · Exodus 25:30 (table of showbread) · Gospel of Luke 1:8-20 (Gabriel appears to Zechariah in the Temple)
Archangel Gabriel · Charactorium
