The answer is: 12

Lev 24:5-6 - They were renewed each Sabbath.

In the Old Testament, the Table of Showbread, located in the Holy Place of the Tabernacle, held twelve loaves of bread that represented the twelve tribes of Israel. This periodic renewal every Sabbath wasn't just a cooking routine; it was a significant symbolic act. Each loaf highlighted the ongoing relationship between God and His people, emphasizing grace and sustenance.

Interestingly, "showbread" literally means "bread of the presence," signifying that this bread was always before the presence of God. Every time the bread was replaced, the priests would eat the old loaves in a sanctified manner, connecting their sustenance to divine provisions. Just imagine the aroma of freshly baked bread wafting through the desert air—a heady reminder of God sustaining His people with physical and spiritual nourishment!

Moreover, this practice finds its echoes in the New Testament. Jesus refers to the showbread in Matthew 12:3, illustrating His authority over traditional laws as he reminds the Pharisees that the spirit of the law outweighs rigid adherence. Additionally, during the Last Supper, He illustrated the significance of bread (and wine) as symbols of His body and sacrifice, furthering the elements of sustenance and relationship exemplified by the showbread.

So next time bread is broken at your table, think about how food has been a central piece in the storytelling of faith through ages, symbolizing more than just physical nourishment but a profound connection with the divine.