Numbers 7:84

84 So these were the gifts from the Israelite leaders when oil was poured on the altar and it was given for service to the Lord: twelve silver plates, twelve silver bowls, and twelve gold dishes.

Numbers 7:84 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 7:84

This [was] the dedication of the altar by the princes
These the presents they made, and the offerings they offered when the altar first began to be made use of, after it had been anointed and sanctified for sacred service:

in the day when it was anointed:
this shows that it was not the precise and exact day of the setting up of the tabernacle, and the anointing of the altar, that the above presents and offerings were brought, since they were twelve successive days in bringing; but that the sense is, that about that time, or quickly after it was anointed, the princes dedicated it in the manner before described:

twelve chargers of silver, twelve silver bowls, twelve spoons of gold;
according to the number of the princes, and the tribes they were princes of; a noble instance both of devotion and piety, and of liberality and generosity; and is a standing example on record to all princes and great personages in all successive ages, to promote religion and godliness, by their own personal conduct and behaviour, and to encourage and support it by their generous benefactions and donations: the sum total of what they contributed is in this and the following verses given.

Numbers 7:84 In-Context

82

83 Each of the twelve leaders brought these gifts. Each leader brought one silver plate that weighed about three and one-fourth pounds, and one silver bowl that weighed about one and three-fourths pounds. These weights were set by the Holy Place measure. The bowl and the plate were filled with fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering. Each leader also brought a large gold dish that weighed about four ounces and was filled with incense. In addition, each of the leaders brought one young bull, one male sheep, and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering; one male goat for a sin offering; and two oxen, five male sheep, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old for a fellowship offering. On the first day Nahshon son of Amminadab brought his gifts. He was the leader of the tribe of Judah. On the second day Nethanel son of Zuar brought his gifts. He was the leader of the tribe of Issachar. On the third day Eliab son of Helon brought his gifts. He was the leader of the tribe of Zebulun. On the fourth day Elizur son of Shedeur brought his gifts. He was the leader of the tribe of Reuben. On the fifth day Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai brought his gifts. He was the leader of the tribe of Simeon. On the sixth day Eliasaph son of Deuel brought his gifts. He was the leader of the tribe of Gad. On the seventh day Elishama son of Ammihud brought his gifts. He was the leader of the tribe of Ephraim. On the eighth day Gamaliel son of Pedahzur brought his gifts. He was the leader of the tribe of Manasseh. On the ninth day Abidan son of Gideoni brought his gifts. He was the leader of the tribe of Benjamin. On the tenth day Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai brought his gifts. He was the leader of the tribe of Dan. On the eleventh day Pagiel son of Ocran brought his gifts. He was the leader of the tribe of Asher. On the twelfth day Ahira son of Enan brought his gifts. He was the leader of the tribe of Naphtali.

84 So these were the gifts from the Israelite leaders when oil was poured on the altar and it was given for service to the Lord: twelve silver plates, twelve silver bowls, and twelve gold dishes.

85 Each silver plate weighed about three and one-fourth pounds, and each bowl weighed about one and three-fourths pounds. All the silver plates and silver bowls together weighed about sixty pounds according to a weight set by the Holy Place measure.

86 The twelve gold dishes filled with incense weighed four ounces each, according to the weight set by the Holy Place measure. Together the gold dishes weighed about three pounds.