The answer is: 12

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

In the ancient Tabernacle, this fascinating detail about the twelve loaves of bread—known as the "Showbread"—was much more than just a snack for the priests. Each loaf represented one of the twelve tribes of Israel, bringing to mind the unity and communal spirit among them.

These loaves have great significance in a spiritual sense! By placing the bread on the table and renewing it every Sabbath, the tradition underscored the idea that God is ever providing for His people. A bit of trivia: In the Eastern Orthodox tradition, this showbread has evolved into what is known as "Prosphora," a ritual bread used during the Divine Liturgy, symbolizing Christ and nourishing the community.

Additionally, when Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life" (John 6:35), there's a beautiful echo in the context of the Tabernacle. This statement connects Jesus back into the Hebrew Scriptures and exemplifies the continuity of God's provision—from physical bread in the Tabernacle to spiritual sustenance through Jesus.

Interestingly, Jewish traditions taught that this showbread stayed fresh for an entire Sabbath, a miracle of divine provision. It highlights the contrast between the impermanence of worldly bread and the everlasting nature of divine sustenance! Each time the loaves were replaced and the table met in careful arrangement, it was also a testament to the covenant relationship between God and His people—a binding that remains strong through tests of time and intention.