Prothesis denotes an intended aim or plan, and in bread references a designated presentation.

The term most often marks an intended aim or plan: it is linked with God’s calling, working, and election, as well as with personal resolve and a voyage’s intended course. In four bread passages, it occurs in the designation of bread connected with the house of God and the prepared tent.

1. Intended aim, plan, or resolve · dominant

   In 2 Timothy 1:9, Ephesians 1:11, Ephesians 3:11, Romans 8:28, and Romans 9:11, the noun occurs in clauses about God’s calling, working, and election; the APB renders these clauses with “purpose” or “plan.” In 2 Timothy 3:10 and Acts 11:23 it stands with personal conduct or steadfastness of heart, while in Acts 27:13 the APB describes the travelers as thinking they had grasped their intended course.

   2 Timothy 1:92 Timothy 3:10Acts 11:23Acts 27:13Ephesians 1:11Romans 9:11
2. Designation associated with bread · common

   In Matthew 12:4, Mark 2:26, and Luke 6:4, the genitive singular form occurs in the phrase describing bread eaten in the house of God; the APB renders it as “bread of the Presence” or “bread of the purpose.” In Hebrews 9:2, the nominative singular occurs in the description of the prepared first tent, where the APB names the table and “the bread of the Presence.”

   Matthew 12:4Mark 2:26Luke 6:4Hebrews 9:2

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB commonly presents the planning use with “purpose,” and once with “plan”; in the bread passages it uses “bread of the Presence,” except for “bread of the purpose” in Luke 6:4. These renderings present the clauses rather than establish a separate English equivalent in every occurrence.