shewbread: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowFormal, Archaic, Religious
Quick answer
What does “shewbread” mean?
Unleavened bread consecrated and placed in the Jewish Temple as an offering to God, renewed weekly.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Unleavened bread consecrated and placed in the Jewish Temple as an offering to God, renewed weekly.
Refers specifically to the twelve loaves of bread presented in the Temple of Jerusalem as described in the Hebrew Bible; a term used in religious and historical contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The spelling 'shewbread' is an archaic form retained in older Bible translations (e.g., KJV). In contemporary usage, 'showbread' is preferred in both regions.
Connotations
Connotes antiquated, formal, specifically King James Version biblical language.
Frequency
Extremely rare in both modern British and American English. Appears primarily in theological texts or discussions of historical liturgy.
Grammar
How to Use “shewbread” in a Sentence
The [priests] placed the [shewbread] on the [table]The [shewbread] was [renewed] [weekly]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “shewbread” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [Not applicable as a verb]
American English
- [Not applicable as a verb]
adverb
British English
- [Not applicable as an adverb]
American English
- [Not applicable as an adverb]
adjective
British English
- [Not applicable as an adjective]
American English
- [Not applicable as an adjective]
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Used in biblical studies, theology, and religious history.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
A specific term in liturgical history and archaeology.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “shewbread”
- Mispronouncing 'shew' as /ʃuː/ or /ʃjuː/ instead of /ʃəʊ/ or /ʃoʊ/.
- Using it in a non-religious context.
- Confusing it with communion bread or other types of ritual bread.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Shewbread' is the archaic spelling found in older English Bible translations like the King James Version. 'Showbread' is the modernized spelling with the same meaning and pronunciation.
Almost never. It is a specialist term used primarily by theologians, historians, and scholars discussing specific biblical texts or ancient Jewish practice.
The spelling reflects Early Modern English, where 'shew' was a common spelling for what we now write as 'show'. The term was fossilized in the 1611 King James Bible.
According to biblical law, only the priests could eat the shewbread, and only in a holy place, after it had been replaced with fresh loaves.
Unleavened bread consecrated and placed in the Jewish Temple as an offering to God, renewed weekly.
Shewbread is usually formal, archaic, religious in register.
Shewbread: in British English it is pronounced /ˈʃəʊbrɛd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈʃoʊˌbrɛd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
SHEW your reverence with sacred BREAD.
Conceptual Metaphor
FOOD AS A SACRED OFFERING; BREAD AS A SYMBOL OF SUSTENANCE FOR THE DIVINE.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary context for the word 'shewbread'?