וְנָתַתָּ֧ עַֽל־הַשֻּׁלְחָ֛ן לֶ֥חֶם פָּנִ֖ים לְפָנַ֥י תָּמִֽיד׃ (פ)
상 위에 진설병을 두어 항상 내 앞에 있게 할지니라
Rashi
לחם הפנים SHEW-BREAD (lit., bread of faces) — It was so called because it had “faces” (פנים) as I have explained (v. 29). The number of loaves and the way they were set in piles are fully explained in the Sidrah אמר אל הכהנים (Leviticus 24:5—9).
Ramban
LECHEM PANIM’ (SHOWBREAD). “It is called lechem panim [which literally means ‘bread of faces’] because it had ‘faces’ [surfaces] looking in both directions towards the sides of the House [Tabernacle or Sanctuary]. The loaf was set lengthwise across the breadth of the table with its sides standing up exactly in a line with the edge of the table.” This is the language of Rashi. This conforms with the language of the Mishnah:158Menachoth 96a. “Ben Zoma says: lechem panim — [it is so called] because it is to have surfaces” [looking in both directions]. But all this is in accordance with the opinion of the Sage159Rabbi Chanina (ibid., 94 b). who says: “How did they make the showbread? Like a case broken open.”160“With its cover and two of its opposite sides removed, thus leaving the bread the two sides [facing each other] and the bottom underneath” (Rashi ibid.). The figure thus is: ⌴. But according to the Sage161Rabbi Yochanan (ibid). who says that it was shaped “like a rocking boat,”162The sides of which narrowed downwards until there was but a fingerbreadth at the bottom and it had no covering on top (Rashi ibid.). The figure is: V. then it could not have been [called lechem panim because of the parallel surfaces looking in both directions, as it had none]! And Rabbi Abraham ibn Ezra wrote that it is called lechem panim because it is before Me always.163The word panim meaning “face” is thus explained by l’phanai tamid (before Me always): it is lechem panim literally: “bread of the face” because it is before Me always.
By way of the Truth, [the mystic lore of the Cabala], when you will understand the word l’phanai (before Me)164Literally: “to My face.” you will understand its name [i.e., why it is called “the bread of panim”] and its secret, for because of that [the table] was placed on the north side [of the Tabernacle],165Further, 26:35. seeing that the blessing of the Eternal maketh rich,166Proverbs 10:22. similar to what is said, in every place where I cause My name to be mentioned I will come unto thee and bless thee.167Above, 20:24. I have already alluded to this.168Ibid., 20:3. — So explained in Bachya.
Where shall be found the wisdom embodied in the candelabrum, its cups and knops and flowers, seeing that it is so hidden from the eyes of all living!169See Job 28:20-21. But as to the reason for its being of beaten work, with the six branches coming out of the seventh, and upon them the lamp of G-d170I Samuel 3:3. and all [six lamps] to give light over against it171Further, Verse 37. — all this you can understand from our words that we have written in another place.172I have not been able to identify that “other place.” The basic concept though is explained by Abusaula that it is an allusion to the lower six emanations all being one beaten work (Verse 36), symbolizing a perfect Unity, with the lamp of G-d, alluding to the Supreme One, above them. This is the intent of the saying of the Sages173Menachoth 29a. that Moses found difficulty with the candelabrum.174Meaning, that he found it perplexing to understand the secret of its cups and knops and flowers, for it is extremely hidden from the eyes of all living (Abusaula).
By way of the Truth, [the mystic lore of the Cabala], when you will understand the word l’phanai (before Me)164Literally: “to My face.” you will understand its name [i.e., why it is called “the bread of panim”] and its secret, for because of that [the table] was placed on the north side [of the Tabernacle],165Further, 26:35. seeing that the blessing of the Eternal maketh rich,166Proverbs 10:22. similar to what is said, in every place where I cause My name to be mentioned I will come unto thee and bless thee.167Above, 20:24. I have already alluded to this.168Ibid., 20:3. — So explained in Bachya.
Where shall be found the wisdom embodied in the candelabrum, its cups and knops and flowers, seeing that it is so hidden from the eyes of all living!169See Job 28:20-21. But as to the reason for its being of beaten work, with the six branches coming out of the seventh, and upon them the lamp of G-d170I Samuel 3:3. and all [six lamps] to give light over against it171Further, Verse 37. — all this you can understand from our words that we have written in another place.172I have not been able to identify that “other place.” The basic concept though is explained by Abusaula that it is an allusion to the lower six emanations all being one beaten work (Verse 36), symbolizing a perfect Unity, with the lamp of G-d, alluding to the Supreme One, above them. This is the intent of the saying of the Sages173Menachoth 29a. that Moses found difficulty with the candelabrum.174Meaning, that he found it perplexing to understand the secret of its cups and knops and flowers, for it is extremely hidden from the eyes of all living (Abusaula).
Rashbam
לחם פנים, according to the plain meaning of the text the word פנים means that the quality of the bread was such that it was fit to be served, to be displayed for approval to ministers and kings. In other words: “beautiful, first rate bread.” Compare Leviticus 24,5 “take choice flour and bake of it twelve loaves, etc.” Other verses in which gifts are associated with the expression פנים are found in Genesis 43,34 וישא משאת מאת פניו אליהם, “He served portions to them from his (Joseph’s, the viceroy) table.” Clearly a reference to the choicest which was served in the palace. In Samuel I,1,5 similar language is used to describe Elkanah giving his childless wife Channah the choice portion of the meal, apparently from the bowl placed before her husband. The master of the house is always given the best and choicest. Seeing that we are told that G’d had sealed her womb, but that her husband loved her best in spite of this, it is clear that he did what he could to pamper her as compensation for her grieving that she had not been able to provide her husband with children.