25:23-30  35:13  40:4,22,23  Eze 40:39-42  Mal 1:12  Joh 1:14,16 
  Col 1:27 
   Nothing but the ark of the covenant, with the mercy-seat, was
   put within the most holy place; but without the vail this
   "table of {shittim} wood" was fixed, of the same height as
   the ark, but neither so long nor so broad.  It was made of
   the same materials as the ark, and with a golden cornice; but
   it had also another cornice below the edge, and one at the
   bottom, with a border between the two of a hand breadth;
   though some think one border only was below the edge, and
   that this was towards the bottom, to keep the feet or legs
   more closely united.  The table also had rings and staves for
   the convenience of removing it.  To it were annexed several
   vessels; as dishes, in which some think the shewbread was
   placed; or, according to others, the flour of which it was
   made, or the oil used for various purposes; spoons, which
   were employed about the incense offered on the golden altar,
   or carried within the vail in a censer on the day of
   atonement.  Some have supposed the word to denote vials, as
   we read of vials full of odours and incense (Rev 5:3):
   covers, which seem to have been put over both the loaves and
   the incense, yet some suppose they were vessels used in
   drink-offerings; but that is more reasonably considered as
   the use of the bowls.