Numbers 7:2-12

2 Then the leaders of Israel, the heads of the households--those tribal leaders who helped in the census--came to give their offerings.

3 They brought these gifts to the LORD: six freight wagons and twelve oxen, one wagon from every two leaders and one ox from each leader. They brought them in front of the tent.

4 The LORD said to Moses,

5 "Accept these gifts from them to use in the work done for the tent of meeting. Give them to the Levites to use wherever they need these gifts for their work."

6 Moses took the wagons and the oxen and gave them to the Levites.

7 He gave two wagons and four oxen to the Gershonites for the work they had to do.

8 He gave four wagons and eight oxen to the Merarites for the work they had to do under the direction of Ithamar, son of the priest Aaron.

9 But Moses gave none of these gifts to the Kohathites, because they took care of the holy things. They had to carry the holy things on their own shoulders.

10 The leaders also brought offerings for the dedication of the altar when it was anointed. They presented their gifts in front of the altar.

11 The LORD said to Moses, "Each day a different leader will bring his gift for the dedication of the altar."

12 The one who brought his gifts on the first day was Nahshon, son of Amminadab, from the tribe of Judah.

Numbers 7:2-12 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.