Numbers 7

CHAPTER 7

Offerings at the Dedication of the Tabernacle (7:1–89)

1 When Moses finished setting up the tabernacle. . . Chronologically the events of this chapter start from the end of the book of Exodus when Moses finished the work of setting up the tabernacle²⁶ (Exodus 40:33). Here in this chapter we are told that Moses anointed and consecrated²⁷ the tabernacle with its furnishings (Exodus 26:1–37) and also the altar of burnt offering with its utensils (Exodus 27:1–8).

2–9 The first gifts to be offered were six covered carts and twelve oxen (verse 3). The Levites were to use these carts for transporting the tabernacle when the Israelites began their journey to Canaan. No carts were given to the Kohathites, however; they were required to carry on their shoulders the holy objects for which they were responsible (verse 9).

10–83 When the altar (of burnt offering) was anointed (see Exodus 29:35–37), then the Israelites brought their offerings with which to dedicate it (verse 10). The leaders of each tribe brought identical offerings; these leaders have already been mentioned in Numbers 1:5–15. The order in which the tribes are mentioned here is the same as the order of march outlined in Numbers 2:3–31.

84–88 These verses give the totals of all the offerings brought by the twelve tribes. Since one shekel weighed about twelve grams, all the silver dishes together weighed approximately twenty–eight kilograms, and the gold dishes weighed about one and a half kilograms. In addition, over two hundred and fifty animals were sacrificed. All of these offerings were given over a period of twelve days, one day for each tribe. In view of the tremendous promise of God’s blessing (Numbers 6:22–26), giving these gifts was the least the Israelites could do to show their gratitude.

89 The climax of the chapter comes in this verse: Moses went into the tabernacle and heard the voice speaking to him—the voice of God. It spoke from between the two cherubim above the atonement cover on the ark (see Exodus 25:17–22 and comment). Here Moses (and later on, the high priests) would serve as mediators between God and His people. The high priest would convey the word of God to the people, and in turn he would speak to God on behalf of the people. Here at the atonement cover of the ark God would fulfill His covenant promise to be Israel’s God (Genesis 17:8).

Two other passages also describe what took place at the conclusion of the tabernacle’s dedication: Exodus 40:34–35 and Leviticus 9:23–24. These passages supplement what is reported here in verse 89. In the Exodus passage, the Lord’s GLORY filled the tabernacle; in the Leviticus passage, fire from the Lord consumed the offerings. And here in verse 89, the Lord is heard speaking with Moses. In these ways, the Lord indicated that He would dwell with the Israelites, accept their offerings, and speak to them through their anointed leaders. Only one thing now remained and then the Is-ting apart (consecrating) of the Levites, raelites would be ready to march: the set-which is described in the next chapter.