Numbers 7:2

2 Then the leaders of Israel made offerings. These were the heads of the families, the leaders of each tribe who counted the people.

Numbers 7:2 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 7:2

That the princes of Israel
The princes of the twelve tribes of Israel:

heads of the house of their fathers;
of the each of the houses and families the tribes were divided into, and took their name from each of their ancestors, as is next explained:

who were princes of the tribes;
the twelve tribes, as before observed, ( Numbers 1:4-16 ) ;

and were over them that were numbered;
over the children of Israel that were numbered, ( Numbers 1:19-46 ) ; by which it that these princes are the very same persons that are mentioned by name there, as they are here afterwards; and were with Moses and Aaron, and assisting to them when they took the number of them; but according to the Targum of Jonathan, and Jarchi, these were appointed over them in Egypt; but the former is right: these now

offered
not sacrifices but gifts; they brought their presents to the Lord for the service of his sanctuary, and set them before him, as follows.

Numbers 7:2 In-Context

1 When Moses finished setting up the Holy Tent, he gave it for service to the Lord by pouring olive oil on the Tent and on everything used in it. He also poured oil on the altar and all its tools to prepare them for service to the Lord.

2 Then the leaders of Israel made offerings. These were the heads of the families, the leaders of each tribe who counted the people.

3 They brought to the Lord six covered carts and twelve oxen -- each leader giving an ox, and every two leaders giving a cart. They brought these to the Holy Tent.

4 The Lord said to Moses,

5 "Accept these gifts from the leaders and use them in the work of the Meeting Tent. Give them to the Levites as they need them."