Numbers 7

1 On the day Moshe finished putting up the tabernacle, he anointed and consecrated it, all its furnishings, and the altar with its utensils. After anointing and consecrating them,
2 the leaders of Isra'el, who were heads of their father's clans, made an offering. These were the tribal leaders in charge of those counted in the census.
3 They brought their offering before ADONAI, six covered wagons and twelve oxen -a wagon for every two leaders and for each an ox -and presented them in front of the tabernacle.
4 ADONAI said to Moshe,
5 "Receive these from them; they are to be used for the service in the tent of meeting. Give them to the L'vi'im, to each as needed for his duties."
6 So Moshe took the wagons and oxen and gave them to the L'vi'im.
7 He gave two wagons and four oxen to the descendants of Gershon, in keeping with the needs of their duties.
8 Four wagons and eight oxen he gave to the descendants of M'rari, in keeping with the needs of their duties, directed by Itamar the son of Aharon the cohen.
9 But to the descendants of K'hat he gave none, because their duties involved the holy articles, which they carried on their own shoulders.
10 The leaders brought the offering for dedicating the altar on the day it was anointed. The leaders brought their offering before the altar,
11 and ADONAI said to Moshe, "They are to present their offerings to dedicate the altar, each leader on his own day."
12 Nachshon the son of 'Amminadav, from the tribe of Y'hudah, presented his offering on the first day.
13 He offered one silver dish weighing 130 shekels [three-and-a-quarter pounds] and one silver basin of seventy shekels (using the sanctuary shekel) [one-and-three-quarters pounds], both full of fine flour mixed with olive oil for a grain offering;
14 one gold pan of ten shekels [one-quarter pound], full of incense;
15 one young bull, one ram, one male lamb in its first year as a burnt offering,
16 one male goat as a sin offering,
17 and, for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs in their first year. This was the offering of Nachshon the son of 'Amminadav.
18 On the second day N'tan'el the son of Tzu'ar, leader of Yissakhar, presented his offering.
19 He offered one silver dish weighing 130 shekels [three-and-a-quarter pounds] and one silver basin of seventy shekels (using the sanctuary shekel) [one-and-three-quarters pounds], both full of fine flour mixed with olive oil for a grain offering;
20 one gold pan of ten shekels [one-quarter pound], full of incense;
21 one young bull, one ram, one male lamb in its first year as a burnt offering,
22 one male goat as a sin offering,
23 and, for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs in their first year. This was the offering of N'tan'el the son of Tzu'ar.
24 On the third day Eli'av the son of Helon, leader of Z'vulun, presented his offering.
25 He offered one silver dish weighing 130 shekels [three-and-a-quarter pounds] and one silver basin of seventy shekels (using the sanctuary shekel) [one-and-three-quarters pounds], both full of fine flour mixed with olive oil for a grain offering;
26 one gold pan of ten shekels [one-quarter pound], full of incense;
27 one young bull, one ram, one male lamb in its first year as a burnt offering,
28 one male goat as a sin offering,
29 and, for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs in their first year. This was the offering of Eli'av the son of Helon.
30 On the fourth day was Elitzur the son of Sh'de'ur, leader of the descendants of Re'uven.
31 He offered one silver dish weighing 130 shekels [three-and-a-quarter pounds] and one silver basin of seventy shekels (using the sanctuary shekel) [one-and-three-quarters pounds], both full of fine flour mixed with olive oil for a grain offering;
32 one gold pan of ten shekels [one-quarter pound], full of incense;
33 one young bull, one ram, one male lamb in its first year as a burnt offering,
34 one male goat as a sin offering,
35 and, for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs in their first year. This was the offering of Elitzur the son of Sh'de'ur.
36 On the fifth day was Shlumi'el the son of Tzurishaddai, leader of the descendants of Shim'on.
37 He offered one silver dish weighing 130 shekels [three-and-a-quarter pounds] and one silver basin of seventy shekels (using the sanctuary shekel) [one-and-three-quarters pounds], both full of fine flour mixed with olive oil for a grain offering;
38 one gold pan of ten shekels [one-quarter pound], full of incense;
39 one young bull, one ram, one male lamb in its first year as a burnt offering,
40 one male goat as a sin offering,
41 and, for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs in their first year. This was the offering of Shlumi'el the son of Tzurishaddai.
42 On the sixth day was Elyasaf the son of De'u'el, leader of the descendants of Gad.
43 He offered one silver dish weighing 130 shekels [three-and-a-quarter pounds] and one silver basin of seventy shekels (using the sanctuary shekel) [one-and-three-quarters pounds], both full of fine flour mixed with olive oil for a grain offering;
44 one gold pan of ten shekels [one-quarter pound], full of incense;
45 one young bull, one ram, one male lamb in its first year as a burnt offering,
46 one male goat as a sin offering,
47 and, for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs in their first year. This was the offering of Elyasaf the son of De'u'el.
48 On the seventh day was Elishama the son of 'Ammihud, leader of the descendants of Efrayim.
49 He offered one silver dish weighing 130 shekels [three-and-a-quarter pounds] and one silver basin of seventy shekels (using the sanctuary shekel) [one-and-three-quarters pounds], both full of fine flour mixed with olive oil for a grain offering;
50 one gold pan of ten shekels [one-quarter pound], full of incense;
51 one young bull, one ram, one male lamb in its first year as a burnt offering,
52 one male goat as a sin offering,
53 and, for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs in their first year. This was the offering of Elishama the son of 'Ammihud.
54 On the eighth day was Gamli'el the son of P'dahtzur, leader of the descendants of M'nasheh.
55 He offered one silver dish weighing 130 shekels [three-and-a-quarter pounds] and one silver basin of seventy shekels (using the sanctuary shekel) [one-and-three-quarters pounds], both full of fine flour mixed with olive oil for a grain offering;
56 one gold pan of ten shekels [one-quarter pound], full of incense;
57 one young bull, one ram, one male lamb in its first year as a burnt offering,
58 one male goat as a sin offering,
59 and, for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs in their first year. This was the offering of Gamli'el the son of P'dahtzur.
60 On the ninth day was Avidan the son of Gid'oni, leader of the descendants of Binyamin.
61 He offered one silver dish weighing 130 shekels [three-and-a-quarter pounds] and one silver basin of seventy shekels (using the sanctuary shekel) [one-and-three-quarters pounds], both full of fine flour mixed with olive oil for a grain offering;
62 one gold pan of ten shekels [one-quarter pound], full of incense;
63 one young bull, one ram, one male lamb in its first year as a burnt offering,
64 one male goat as a sin offering,
65 and, for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs in their first year. This was the offering of Avidan the son of Gid'oni.
66 On the tenth day was Achi'ezer the son of 'Ammishaddai, leader of the descendants of Dan.
67 He offered one silver dish weighing 130 shekels [three-and-a-quarter pounds] and one silver basin of seventy shekels (using the sanctuary shekel) [one-and-three-quarters pounds], both full of fine flour mixed with olive oil for a grain offering;
68 one gold pan of ten shekels [one-quarter pound], full of incense;
69 one young bull, one ram, one male lamb in its first year as a burnt offering,
70 one male goat as a sin offering,
71 and, for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs in their first year. This was the offering of Achi'ezer the son of 'Ammishaddai.
72 On the eleventh day was Pag'i'el the son of 'Okhran, leader of the descendants of Asher.
73 He offered one silver dish weighing 130 shekels [three-and-a-quarter pounds] and one silver basin of seventy shekels (using the sanctuary shekel) [one-and-three-quarters pounds], both full of fine flour mixed with olive oil for a grain offering;
74 one gold pan of ten shekels [one-quarter pound], full of incense;
75 one young bull, one ram, one male lamb in its first year as a burnt offering,
76 one male goat as a sin offering,
77 and, for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs in their first year. This was the offering of Pag'i'el the son of 'Okhran.
78 On the twelfth day was Achira the son of 'Enan, leader of the descendants of Naftali.
79 He offered one silver dish weighing 130 shekels [three-and-a-quarter pounds] and one silver basin of seventy shekels (using the sanctuary shekel) [one-and-three-quarters pounds], both full of fine flour mixed with olive oil for a grain offering;
80 one gold pan of ten shekels [one-quarter pound], full of incense;
81 one young bull, one ram, one male lamb in its first year as a burnt offering,
82 one male goat as a sin offering,
83 and, for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs in their first year. This was the offering of Achira the son of 'Enan.
84 This was the offering for dedicating the altar which was given by the leaders of Isra'el on the day of its anointing: twelve silver dishes, twelve silver basins and twelve gold pans.
85 Each silver dish weighed 130 shekels [three-and-a-quarter pounds] and each basin seventy shekels [one-and-three-quarters pounds]; all the silver of the vessels weighed 2,400 shekels (using the sanctuary shekel) [just over sixty pounds].
86 The twelve gold pans, full of incense, weighed ten shekels apiece (using the sanctuary shekel) [one-quarter pound]; all the gold of the pans weighed 120 shekels [three pounds].
87 The livestock for the burnt offering consisted of twelve bulls, twelve rams and twelve male lambs in their first year, with their grain offering. There were twelve male goats for a sin offering.
88 The livestock for the sacrifice of peace offerings consisted of twenty-four bulls, sixty rams, sixty male goats and sixty male lambs in their first year. This was the offering for dedicating the altar after it had been anointed.
89 When Moshe went into the tent of meeting in order to speak with ADONAI, he heard the voice speaking to him from above the ark-cover on the ark for the testimony, from between the two k'ruvim; and he spoke to him.

Numbers 7 Commentary

Chapter 7

The offerings of the princes at the dedication of the tabernacle. (1-9) The offerings of the princes at the dedication of the altar. (10-89)

Verses 1-9 The offering of the princes to the service of the tabernacle was not made till it was fully set up. Necessary observances must always take place of free-will offerings. The more any are advanced, the greater opportunity they have of serving God and their generation. No sooner was the tabernacle set up, than provision is made for the removal of it. Even when but just settled in the world, we must be preparing for changes and removes, especially for the great change.

Verses 10-89 The princes and great men were most forward in the service of God. Here is an example to those in authority, and of the highest rank; they ought to use their honour and power, their estate and interest, to promote religion and the service of God in the places where they live. Though it was a time of joy and rejoicing, yet still, in the midst of their sacrifices, we find a sin-offering. As, in our best services, we are conscious that there is sin, there should be repentance, even in our most joyful services. In all approaches to God we must by faith look to Christ as the Sin-offering. They brought their offerings each on a day. God's work should not be done confusedly, or in a hurry; take time, and we shall have done the sooner, or, at least, we shall have done the better. If services are to be done for twelve days together, we must not call it a task and a burden. All their offerings were the same; all the tribes of Israel had an equal share in the altar, and an equal interest in the sacrifices offered upon it. He who now spake to Moses, as the Shechinah or Divine Majesty, from between the Cherubim, was the Eternal Word, the second Person in the Trinity; for all God's communion with man is by his Son, by whom he made the world, and rules the church, who is the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO NUMBERS 7

This chapter gives an account of the presents brought, by the princes of the twelve tribes at the setting up of the tabernacle, for the use of it, Nu 7:1-9; and at the dedication of the altar, and the service of that, Nu 7:10,11; first of the prince of the tribe of Judah, Nu 7:12-17; then of the prince of Issachar, Nu 7:18-23; of the prince of Zebulun, Nu 7:24-29; of the prince of Reuben, Nu 7:30-35; of the prince of Simeon, Nu 7:36-41; of the prince of Gad, Nu 7:42-47; of the prince of Ephraim, Nu 7:48-53; of the prince of Manasseh, Nu 7:54-59; of the prince of Benjamin, Nu 7:60-65; of the prince of Dan, Nu 7:66-71; of the prince of Asher, Nu 7:72-77; of the prince of Naphtali, Nu 7:78-83; the sum of all which follows, Nu 7:84-88; and the chapter is concluded with a token of God's approbation and acceptance of the whole, Nu 7:89.

Numbers 7 Commentaries

Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.