What do we think of when we read this well known verse?
Do we think or visualize a table full of food?
Do we think of physical provision to sustain bodily strength and stamina?
Or do we think more of the spiritual provision of the abundant life in our Father by His Spirit through Yeshua/Messiah?
Why would David be eating at a table in front of enemies?
Why is this table coupled with anointing his head with oil?
There is a similar scripture in Psalm 78:19 about
a table in the wilderness.
Is this a reference to our Heavenly Father being able to provide supernatural sustenance, as in manna from heaven; in the same way He did for the children of Israel during their desert wilderness journey?
What kind of table does David mean?
As we look a little more closely at the Hebrew words we get a wider picture of the context in which David, as King, was thinking.
“Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.”
Psalm 23:5 HEB:תַּעֲרֹ֬ךְ לְפָנַ֨י ׀ שֻׁלְחָ֗ן נֶ֥גֶד צֹרְרָ֑י NAS:You prepare a table before KJV:Thou preparest a table before INT:prepare before A table the presence of my enemies
In some translations the word prepare reads as
Furnish, meaning:make available.
“Yea, they spoke against God; they said,
Can God furnish a table in the wilderness?”
Psalm 78:19 HEB:אֵ֑ל לַעֲרֹ֥ךְ שֻׁ֝לְחָ֗ן בַּמִּדְבָּֽר׃ NAS:God prepare a table in the wilderness? KJV:God furnish a table in the wilderness? INT:God prepare A table desert
Original Word:שֻׁלְחָן Transliteration: shulchan Pronunciation: shool-khawn’ Phonetic Spelling:shool-khawn’ Definition: Table Meaning:a table, a meal, from an unused root meaning:
to spread out.
G5132 (trapeza): Often used in the New Testament to refer to a table, including the table of the Lord’s Supper.
The Hebrew word “shulchan” primarily refers to a table, often used for eating, displaying items, or conducting business. In the biblical context, it can denote both ordinary household tables and sacred tables used in religious rituals, such as the Table of Showbread in the Tabernacle and Temple.
In ancient Near Eastern culture, the table was a piece of furniture in both domestic and religious settings. It symbolized fellowship, hospitality, and provision. The Table of Showbread in the Tabernacle, for instance, held twelve loaves representing the twelve tribes of Israel, signifying God’s continual provision and presence among His people.
Tables were also places of negotiation and covenant-making, reflecting their role in social and communal life.
Brown-Driver-Briggs
שֻׁלְחָן71noun masculineExodus 25:23table (on form of word compare GFMl.c.; properly (see above) skin or leather mat spread on ground, see also, on early Semitic ‘table,’ Thes1417 WeSkizzen iv. 157 RSSemitic i. 184; 2nd ed. 201KennedyEncy. Bib iii. 2991); — absolute ׳שׁ 1 Samuel 20:34 +; construct שֻׁלְחַן 1 Kings 5:7 +; suffix שֻׁלְחָנִי Judges 1:7 +, etc.; plural שֻׁלְחָנוֺת Isaiah 28:8 +, construct שֻׁלְחֲנוֺת 1 Chronicles 28:16 (twice in verse); —
The Hebrew verb “shalach” primarily means “to send” or “to let go.” It is used extensively in the Old Testament to describe:
the act of sending someone or something away,
dispatching a message, or
extending one’s hand.
The term can also imply
releasing or setting free,
as well as the act of stretching out one’s hand,
often in the context of reaching or attacking.
In ancient Hebrew culture, the act of sending was significant in various contexts, including familial, military, and religious settings. Sending a messenger or emissary was a common practice for communication between tribes and nations.
The concept of sending also held spiritual significance, as seen in the sending of prophets or divine messages.
The act of stretching out one’s hand could symbolize authority, blessing, or aggression, depending on the context.
again (5), bade his farewell (1), burned* (1), cast (2), cast off (1), casting (1), certainly let (1), certainly let the go (1), delivered (1), direct (1), dismissed (2), dispatch (1), divorce (3), divorces (1), drive (1), driving them away (1), escort (1), escorted him away (1), extended (2), extends (1), forlorn (1), gave (1), gave them over (1), get rid (1), gets his own way (1), go (11), go away (1), go free (4), grow long (1), laid (2), lay (8), let (8), let her go (2), let him go (3), let me go (4), let my go (11), let my go free (1), let out freely (1), let the go (8), let them down (1), let them go (6), let you go (7), let your loose (1), let go (1), let loose (2), let…down (1), let…go (3), lets his loose (1), lets you go (1), letting the go (1), letting them go (1), letting us go (1), loot (1), pointing (1), put (10), put forth (7), puts (2), putting (1), reached (3), reached* (1), release (2), released (3), remove (1), rushed (1), scattered (1), send (139), send him away (2), send it away (2), send me away (4), send them away (1), send you away (2), send away (4), sending (13), sending me away (1), sending them and again (1), sends (10), sent (420), sent her away (5), sent him away (5), sent his away (1), sent me away (2), sent the away (3), sent them away (9), sent you away (3), sent your away (1), sent away (7), sent…away (3), set (12), set your free (1), set free (1), shot (1), spread (2), spreads (3), stretch (13), stretch forth (3), stretched (11), stretches (2), surely let (1), surely let me go (1), throw (1), thrown (1), thrust (1), urgently send (1), use (1), will (1).
… :11 ; figurative of ׳ י’s sacrificial feast Ezekiel 39:20 (eschatological) . Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance table From shalach; a table (as spread out); by implication, a meal- table. see HEBREW shalach Forms …
As a verb shalach means to send someone away,
to lay a hand on a person.
In other words to forcibly remove a person.
Its very origins lie in the idea of separation.
It is also a word that is sometimes used for a divorce where a woman is forced to leave against her own desires. As a noun, it has been used to represent a spear which follows the idea of sending away as you would throw a spear.
In rare cases, it is used for a table.
We automatically assume that a table represents a place to eat.
Historical information records that tables used for eating were invented by the Greek and Roman cultures.
In Egypt those who were wealthy used pedestals for eating, however the general rule was that everyone else sat and ate on the ground.
When the children of Israel heard the word shalach/table
in their minds it was referring to
the table in the mishkan/tabernacle
where the shewbread was placed
by the priests to show this
separation from the cursed earth.
When kings, leaders or chieftains of different tribes and nations would negotiate peace treaties in ancient times, a table was used. They would serve and share a drink or a meal as a sign of good faith and trust in their agreement; and clearly showed that they weren’t using the opportunity to poison each other.
When people wanted to settle a dispute, the table became a symbol of that desire. It’s a well known phrase that today where situations need to be resolved, we speak about moving to the negotiating table; and so the origin of the Hebrew word shalak meaning: table, comes from the idea of separating one from each other’s differences.
Because the context clearly speaks of the Hebrews complaining about manna, and desiring some variety in their diet, translations associate the table with food and eating. This is not eliminating the association as there are PaRDeS to consider.
However the question remains why David used the word shalach in this verse which merely suggests food, and not the word ‘okel which clearly indicates a variety of food?
We may find an answer in the other psalm where a table in the wilderness was mentioned.
Psalm 78:19: “Yea, they spoke against God; they said, Can God furnish a table in the wilderness?”
This verse tells us that they spoke against God. The word spoke is dabar which are words from one’s heart. Ps. 78:19.
Definition:to speak, declare, converse, command, promise, warn, threaten, sing
Meaning:to arrange, to speak, to subdue
Greek 2980 (λαλέω, laleo) – to speak, to talk
– G2036 (εἶπον, eipon) – to say, to speak
– G4487 (ῥῆμα, rhema) – word, saying
The Hebrew verb “dabar” primarily means “to speak” or “to declare.” It is used extensively throughout the Old Testament to denote the act of speaking, whether it is God speaking to humans,humans speaking to each other, or even the act of declaring or commanding. The word can also imply a formal or authoritative speech, such as a command or a promise. It is a versatile term that encompasses a wide range of verbal communication.
In ancient Hebrew culture, spoken words held significant power and authority. The act of speaking was not merely a means of communication but was often seen as an expression of one’s will or intent. This is particularly evident in the context of divine speech, where God’s words are seen as creative and authoritative, bringing about reality and change. The concept of “dabar” reflects the importance of speech in covenantal relationships, legal settings, and prophetic declarations.
There is a hebrew letter beth placed as a prefix before the word Elohim – God. The Beth is often used for the preposition in or on. And sometimes it can read as meaning: against. So we can read this as they spoke in authority in God.The individuals in question were not foolish enough to speak against Elohim, however they spoke in God suggesting they were speaking God’s will.
If we are honest, many times we tend to do the same, we state God’s will as being our will; with the authority that who can argue against God’s will?
Psalm 78:19 HEB: הֲי֣וּכַל אֵ֑ל לַעֲרֹ֥ךְ שֻׁ֝לְחָ֗ן בַּמִּדְבָּֽר׃ NAS:God prepare a table KJV:God furnish a table INT:Can God prepare A table desert
The word la’arok is in an infinitive construct state which would express a purpose or result. This comes from the root word ‘arak which means: to set in order or arrange.
6186 arak: To arrange, set in order, prepare, compare, value
Original Word:עָרַךְ Transliteration:`arak Pronunciation: ah-RAHK Phonetic Spelling:(aw-rak’) Definition: To arrange, set in order, prepare, compare, value Meaning:to set in a, row, arrange, put in order
G3903 (paratithemi): To set before, to place beside, to present
– G5021 (tasso): To arrange, to appoint, to ordain
The Hebrew verb “arak” primarily means to arrange or set in order. It is used in various contexts, including the preparation of items, the arrangement of troops for battle, and the setting of a table. The word can also imply the act of comparing or valuing something, indicating a process of evaluation or judgment.
In ancient Israelite culture, the concept of order and arrangement was significant, reflecting the broader biblical theme of God bringing order out of chaos. The act of arranging or setting things in order was not only practical but also symbolic of divine order and purpose. In the context of worship, for example, the careful arrangement of offerings and the setting of the table for the showbread in the Tabernacle were acts of reverence and obedience to God’s commands.
in common life (compare RSSem i. 189 f., 2nd ed. 200 f.), arrange a table
NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin fem. of okel Definition food, eating NASB Translation eat (1 ), food (13), fuel (3 ) . …
https://biblehub.com/hebrew/402.htm
The Psalmist was showing that by wanting to
negotiate with God
they were stating that
redemption was not enough,
the presence of God was not enough,
they wanted more, and they wanted their own fleshly desires satisfied as well.
What they were saying was that, God was big enough to give them all they desired and they could still have His presence as well.
As we often do too, Israel was only fooling themselves. If we are really honest In our hearts, there have been times we do not want a father or a husband/wife, instead we want a sugar daddy who will give us everything on demand.
Instead of visualizing a banqueting table or smorgasbord of physical food to satisfy our flesh life and carnal desires; let’s re-read these verses with our renewed Hebraic mindset, and think more of King David’s position and of the spiritual provision of the abundant life available from our Heavenly Father by His Spirit, through Yeshua/Messiah. Final thoughts in next post…
Shalom, shalom mishpachah/family
and cheverim/friends!
It’s all about Life and Relationship,
NOT Religion.
You are greatly loved and precious in His sight.
NOT SURE?
YOU CAN BE..
SAY THE FOLLOWING FROM YOUR HEART RIGHT NOW…
Heavenly Father I come to you in the Name of Jesus/Yeshua asking for forgiveness of my sins for which I am truly sorry. I repent of them all and turn away from my past.
I believe with my heart and confess with my mouth that Jesus/Yeshua is your Son and that He died on the cross at calvary to pay the price for my sin, so that I might be forgiven and have eternal life in the kingdom of Heaven. Father I believe that Jesus/Yeshua rose from the dead and I ask you to come into my life right now and be my personal Savior and Lord and I will worship you all the days of my life. Because your word is truth I say that I am now forgiven and born again and by faith I am washed clean with the blood of Jesus/Yeshua. Thank you that you have accepted me into your family in Jesus’/Yeshua’s name. Amen.
Psalms 23:5: 
