Numbers 7

1 And it came to pass in the day in which Moses finished the setting-up of the tabernacle, that he anointed it, and consecrated it, and all its furniture, and the altar and all its furniture, he even anointed them, and consecrated them.
2 And the princes of Israel brought , twelve princes of their fathers' houses: these were the heads of tribes, these are they that presided over the numbering.
3 And they brought their gift before the Lord, six covered waggons, and twelve oxen; a waggon from two princes, and a calf from each: and they brought them before the tabernacle.
4 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,
5 Take of them, and they shall be for the works of the services of the tabernacle of witness: and thou shalt give them to the Levites, to each one according to his ministration.
6 And Moses took the waggons and the oxen, and gave them to the Levites.
7 And he gave two waggons and four oxen to the sons of Gedson, according to their ministrations.
8 And four waggons and eight oxen he gave to the sons of Merari according to their ministrations, by Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.
9 But to the sons of Caath he gave them not, because they have the ministrations of the sacred things: they shall bear them on their shoulders.
10 And the rulers brought for the dedication of the altar, in the day in which he anointed it, and the rulers brought their gifts before the altar.
11 And the Lord said to Moses, One chief each day, they shall offer their gifts a chief each day for the dedication of the altar.
12 And he that offered his gift on the first day, was Naasson the son of Aminadab, prince of the tribe of Juda.
13 And he brought his gift, one silver charger of a hundred and thirty shekels was its weight, one silver bowl, of seventy shekels according to the holy shekel; both full of fine flour kneaded with oil for a meat-offering.
14 One golden censer of ten shekels full of incense.
15 One calf of the herd, one ram, one he-lamb of a year old for a whole-burnt-offering;
16 and one kid of the goats for a sin-offering.
17 And for a sacrifice of peace-offering, two heifers, five rams, five he goats, five ewe-lambs of a year old: this the gift of Naasson the son of Aminadab.
18 On the second day Nathanael son of Sogar, the prince of the tribe of Issachar, brought .
19 And he brought his gift, one silver charger, its weight a hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels according to the holy shekel; both full of fine flour kneaded with oil for a meat-offering.
20 One censer of ten golden shekels, full of incense.
21 One calf of the herd, one ram, one he-lamb of a year old for a whole-burnt-offering,
22 and one kid of the goats for a sin-offering.
23 And for a sacrifice, a peace-offering, two heifers, five rams, five he-goats, five ewe-lambs of a year old: this the gift of Nathanael the son of Sogar.
24 On the third day the prince of the sons of Zabulon, Eliab the son of Chaelon.
25 his gift, one silver charger, its weight a hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels according to the holy shekel; both full of fine flour kneaded with oil for a meat-offering.
26 One golden censer of ten shekels, full of incense.
27 One calf of the herd, one ram, one he-lamb of a year old for a whole-burnt-offering,
28 and one kid of the goats for a sin-offering.
29 And for a sacrifice of peace-offering, two heifers, five rams, five he-goats, five ewe-lambs of a year old: this the gift of Eliab the son of Chaelon.
30 On the fourth day Elisur the son of Sediur, the prince of the children of Ruben.
31 his gift, one silver charger, its weight a hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels according to the holy shekel; both full of fine flour kneaded with oil for a meat-offering.
32 One golden censer of ten shekels full of incense.
33 One calf of the herd, one ram, one he-lamb of a year old for a whole-burnt-offering,
34 and one kid of the goats for a sin-offering.
35 And for a sacrifice of peace-offering, two heifers, five rams, five he-goats, five ewe-lambs of a year old: this the gift of Elisur the son of Sediur.
36 On the fifth day the prince of the children of Symeon, Salamiel the son of Surisadai.
37 his gift, one silver charger, its weight one hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels according to the holy shekel; both full of fine flour kneaded with oil for a meat-offering.
38 One golden censer of ten shekels, full of incense.
39 One calf of the herd, one ram, one he-lamb of a year old for a whole-burnt-offering,
40 and one kid of the goats for a sin-offering.
41 And for a sacrifice of peace-offering, two heifers, five rams, five he-goats, five ewe-lambs of a year old: this the gift of Salamiel the son of Surisadai.
42 On the sixth day the prince of the sons of Gad, Elisaph the son of Raguel.
43 his gift, one silver charger, its weight a hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels according to the holy shekel; both full of fine flour kneaded with oil for a meat offering.
44 One golden censer of ten shekels, full of incense.
45 One calf of the herd, one ram, one he-lamb of a year old for a whole-burnt-offering,
46 and one kid of the goats for a sin-offering.
47 And for a sacrifice of peace-offering, two heifers, five rams, five he-goats, five ewe-lambs of a year old: this the gift of Elisaph the son of Raguel.
48 On the seventh day the prince of the sons of Ephraim, Elisama the son of Emiud.
49 his gift, one silver charger, its weight was a hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels according to the holy shekel; both full of fine flour kneaded with oil for a meat-offering.
50 One golden censer of ten shekels, full of incense.
51 One calf of the herd, one ram, one he-lamb of a year old for a whole-burnt-offering,
52 and one kid of the goats for a sin-offering.
53 And for a sacrifice of peace-offering, two heifers, five rams, five he-goats, five ewe-lambs of a year old: this the gift of Elisama the son of Emiud.
54 On the eighth day the prince of the sons of Manasse, Gamaliel the son of Phadassur.
55 his gift, one silver charger, its weight one hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels according to the holy shekel; both full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat-offering.
56 One golden censer of ten shekels, full of incense.
57 One calf of the herd, one ram, one he-lamb of a year old for a whole-burnt-offering,
58 and one kid of the goats for a sin-offering.
59 And for a sacrifice of peace-offering two heifers, five rams, five he-goats, five ewe-lambs of a year old: this the gift of Gamaliel the son of Phadassur.
60 On the ninth day the prince of the sons of Benjamin, Abidan the son of Gadeoni.
61 his gift, one silver charger, its weight a hundred and thirty , one silver bowl of seventy shekels according to the holy shekel; both full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat-offering.
62 One golden censer of ten shekels, full of incense.
63 One calf of the herd, one ram, one he-lamb of a year old for a whole-burnt-offering,
64 and one kid of the goats for a sin-offering.
65 And for a sacrifice of peace-offering, two heifers, five rams, five he-goats, five ewe-lambs of a year old: this the gift of Abidan the son of Gadeoni.
66 On the tenth day the prince of the sons of Dan, Achiezer the son of Amisadai.
67 his gift, one silver charger, its weight a hundred and thirty , one silver bowl of seventy shekels according to the holy shekel; both full of fine flour kneaded with oil for a meat-offering.
68 One golden censer of ten shekels, full of incense.
69 One calf of the herd, one ram, one he-lamb of a year old for a whole-burnt-offering,
70 and one kid of the goats for a sin-offering.
71 And for a sacrifice of peace-offering, two heifers, five rams, five he-goats, five ewe-lambs of a year old. This the gift of Achiezer the son of Amisadai.
72 On the eleventh day the prince of the sons of Aser, Phageel the son of Echran.
73 his gift, one silver charger, its weight a hundred and thirty , one silver bowl of seventy shekels according to the holy shekel; both full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat-offering.
74 One golden censer of ten shekels, full of incense.
75 One calf of the herd, one ram, one he-lamb of a year old for a whole-burnt-offering,
76 and one kid of the goats for a sin-offering.
77 And for a sacrifice of peace-offering, two heifers, five rams, five he-goats, five ewe-lambs of a year old: this the gift of Phageel the son of Echran.
78 On the twelfth day the prince of the sons of Nephthali, Achire the son of Aenan.
79 his gift, one silver charger, its weight a hundred and thirty shekels; one silver bowl of seventy shekels according to the holy shekel; both full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering.
80 One golden censer of ten shekels, full of incense.
81 One calf of the herd, one ram, one he-lamb of a year old for a whole-burnt-offering,
82 and one kid of the goats for a sin-offering.
83 And for a sacrifice of peace-offering, two heifers, five rams, five he-goats, five ewe-lambs of a year old: this the gift of Achire the son of Aenan.
84 This was the dedication of the altar in the day in which anointed it, by the princes of the sons of Israel; twelve silver chargers, twelve silver bowls, twelve golden censers:
85 each charger of a hundred and thirty shekels, and each bowl of seventy shekels: all the silver of the vessels two thousand four hundred shekels, the shekels according to the holy shekel.
86 Twelve golden censers full of incense: all the gold of the shekels, a hundred and twenty shekels.
87 All the cattle for whole-burnt-offerings, twelve calves, twelve rams, twelve he-lambs of a year old, and their meat-offerings, and their drink-offerings: and twelve kids of the goats for sin-offering.
88 All the cattle for a sacrifice of peace-offering, twenty-four heifers, sixty rams, sixty he-goats of a year old, sixty ewe-lambs of a year old without blemish: this is the dedication of the altar, after that consecrated , and after he anointed him.
89 When Moses went into the tabernacle of witness to speak to God, then he heard the voice of the Lord speaking to him from off the mercy-seat, which is upon the ark of the testimony, between the two cherubs; 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.

Footnotes 6

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

The Brenton translation of the Septuagint is in the public domain.