Dictionary.net

Among the Jews, the twelve loaves of bread which the priest of the week placed before the Lord on the golden table in the sanctuary, in name of the twelve tribes and in acknowledgment of the Divine bounty in providence and grace.

Usually shew-, among the anc. Jews, the loaves of bread placed weekly on the golden table in the sanctuary.

n. In the Mosaic ritual, loaves of bread placed before the Lord on the golden table in the sanctuary—they were twelve in number, representing the tribes of Israel, ornamented with gold leaves, and served up hot with frankincense and salt: —also Shew-bread.