Numbers 7:1-10

1 On the day Moses finished setting up the Tent of the Lord's presence, he anointed and dedicated the Tent and all its equipment, and the altar and all its equipment.

2 Then the clan chiefs who were leaders in the tribes of Israel, the same men who were in charge of the census,

3 brought their offerings to the Lord: six wagons and twelve oxen, a wagon for every two leaders and an ox for each leader. After they had presented them,

4 the Lord said to Moses,

5 "Accept these gifts for use in the work to be done for the Tent; give them to the Levites according to the work they have to do."

6 So Moses gave the wagons and the oxen to the Levites.

7 He gave two wagons and four oxen to the Gershonites,

8 and four wagons and eight oxen to the Merarites. All their work was to be done under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron.

9 But Moses gave no wagons or oxen to the Kohathites, because the sacred objects they took care of had to be carried on their shoulders.

10 The leaders also brought offerings to celebrate the dedication of the altar. When they were ready to present their gifts at the altar,

Numbers 7:1-10 Meaning and Commentary

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.