Numbers7
American Standard Version · Public Domain
1And it came to pass on the day that Moses had made an end of setting up the tabernacle, and had anointed it and sanctified it, and all the furniture thereof, and the altar and all the vessels thereof, and had anointed them and sanctified them;
2that the princes of Israel, the heads of their fathers’ houses, offered. These were the princes of the tribes, these are they that were over them that were numbered:
3and they brought their oblation before Jehovah, six covered wagons, and twelve oxen; a wagon for every two of the princes, and for each one an ox: and they presented them before the tabernacle.
4And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying,
5Take it of them, that they may be used in doing the service of the tent of meeting; and thou shalt give them unto the Levites, to every man according to his service.
6And Moses took the wagons and the oxen, and gave them unto the Levites.
7Two wagons and four oxen he gave unto the sons of Gershon, according to their service:
8and four wagons and eight oxen he gave unto the sons of Merari, according unto their service, under the hand of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.
9But unto the sons of Kohath he gave none, because the service of the sanctuary belonged unto them; they bare it upon their shoulders.
10And the princes offered for the dedication of the altar in the day that it was anointed, even the princes offered their oblation before the altar.
11And Jehovah said unto Moses, They shall offer their oblation, each prince on his day, for the dedication of the altar.
12And he that offered his oblation the first day was Nahshon the son of Amminadab, of the tribe of Judah:
13and his oblation was one silver platter, the weight whereof was a hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meal-offering;
14one golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense;
15one young bullock, one ram, one he-lamb a year old, for a burnt-offering;
16one male of the goats for a sin-offering;
17and for the sacrifice of peace-offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he-goats, five he-lambs a year old: this was the oblation of Nahshon the son of Amminadab.
18On the second day Nethanel the son of Zuar, prince of Issachar, did offer:
19he offered for his oblation one silver platter, the weight whereof was a hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meal-offering;
20one golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense;
21one young bullock, one ram, one he-lamb a year old, for a burnt-offering;
22one male of the goats for a sin-offering;
23and for the sacrifice of peace-offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he-goats, five he-lambs a year old: this was the oblation of Nethanel the son of Zuar.
24On the third day Eliab the son of Helon, prince of the children of Zebulun:
25his oblation was one silver platter, the weight whereof was a hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meal-offering;
26one golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense;
27one young bullock, one ram, one he-lamb a year old, for a burnt-offering;
28one male of the goats for a sin-offering;
29and for the sacrifice of peace-offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he-goats, five he-lambs a year old: this was the oblation of Eliab the son of Helon.
30On the fourth day Elizur the son of Shedeur, prince of the children of Reuben:
31his oblation was one silver platter, the weight whereof was a hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meal-offering;
32one golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense;
33one young bullock, one ram, one he-lamb a year old, for a burnt-offering;
34one male of the goats for a sin-offering;
35and for the sacrifice of peace-offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he-goats, five he-lambs a year old: this was the oblation of Elizur the son of Shedeur.
36On the fifth day Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai, prince of the children of Simeon:
37his oblation was one silver platter, the weight whereof was a hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meal-offering;
38one golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense;
39one young bullock, one ram, one he-lamb a year old, for a burnt-offering;
40one male of the goats for a sin-offering;
41and for the sacrifice of peace-offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he-goats, five he-lambs a year old: this was the oblation of Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai.
42On the sixth day Eliasaph the son of Deuel, prince of the children of Gad:
43his oblation was one silver platter, the weight whereof was a hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meal-offering;
44one golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense;
45one young bullock, one ram, one he-lamb a year old, for a burnt-offering;
46one male of the goats for a sin-offering;
47and for the sacrifice of peace-offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he-goats, five he-lambs a year old: this was the oblation of Eliasaph the son of Deuel.
48On the seventh day Elishama the son of Ammihud, prince of the children of Ephraim:
49his oblation was one silver platter, the weight whereof was a hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meal-offering;
50one golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense;
51one young bullock, one ram, one he-lamb a year old, for a burnt-offering;
52one male of the goats for a sin-offering;
53and for the sacrifice of peace-offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he-goats, five he-lambs a year old: this was the oblation of Elishama the son of Ammihud.
54On the eighth day Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur, prince of the children of Manasseh:
55his oblation was one silver platter, the weight whereof was a hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meal-offering;
56one golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense;
57one young bullock, one ram, one he-lamb a year old, for a burnt-offering;
58one male of the goats for a sin-offering;
59and for the sacrifice of peace-offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he-goats, five he-lambs a year old: this was the oblation of Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur.
60On the ninth day Abidan the son of Gideoni, prince of the children of Benjamin:
61his oblation was one silver platter, the weight whereof was a hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meal-offering;
62one golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense;
63one young bullock, one ram, one he-lamb a year old, for a burnt-offering;
64one male of the goats for a sin-offering;
65and for the sacrifice of peace-offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he-goats, five he-lambs a year old: this was the oblation of Abidan the son of Gideoni.
66On the tenth day Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai, prince of the children of Dan:
67his oblation was one silver platter, the weight whereof was a hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meal-offering;
68one golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense;
69one young bullock, one ram, one he-lamb a year old, for a burnt-offering;
70one male of the goats for a sin-offering;
71and for the sacrifice of peace-offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he-goats, five he-lambs a year old: this was the oblation of Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai.
72On the eleventh day Pagiel the son of Ochran, prince of the children of Asher:
73his oblation was one silver platter, the weight whereof was a hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meal-offering;
74one golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense;
75one young bullock, one ram, one he-lamb a year old, for a burnt-offering;
76one male of the goats for a sin-offering;
77and for the sacrifice of peace-offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he-goats, five he-lambs a year old: this was the oblation of Pagiel the son of Ochran.
78On the twelfth day Ahira the son of Enan, prince of the children of Naphtali:
79his oblation was one silver platter, the weight whereof was a hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meal-offering;
80one golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense;
81one young bullock, one ram, one he-lamb a year old, for a burnt-offering;
82one male of the goats for a sin-offering;
83and for the sacrifice of peace-offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he-goats, five he-lambs a year old: this was the oblation of Ahira the son of Enan.
84This was the dedication of the altar, in the day when it was anointed, by the princes of Israel: twelve silver platters, twelve silver bowls, twelve golden spoons;
85each silver platter weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, and each bowl seventy; all the silver of the vessels two thousand and four hundred shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary;
86the twelve golden spoons, full of incense, weighing ten shekels apiece, after the shekel of the sanctuary; all the gold of the spoons a hundred and twenty shekels;
87all the oxen for the burnt-offering twelve bullocks, the rams twelve, the he-lambs a year old twelve, and their meal-offering; and the males of the goats for a sin-offering twelve;
88and all the oxen for the sacrifice of peace-offerings twenty and four bullocks, the rams sixty, the he-goats sixty, the he-lambs a year old sixty. This was the dedication of the altar, after that it was anointed.
89And when Moses went into the tent of meeting to speak with him, then he heard the Voice speaking unto him from above the mercy-seat that was upon the ark of the testimony, from between the two cherubim: and he spake unto him.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Numbers 7.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The offerings of the princes at the dedication of the tabernacle. (1–9). The offerings of the princes at the dedication of the altar. (10–89).
vv1-9
The offering of the princes to the service of the tabernacle was not made till it was fully set up. Necessary observances must always take place of free-will offerings. The more any are advanced, the greater opportunity they have of serving God and their generation. No sooner was the tabernacle set up, than provision is made for the removal of it. Even when but just settled in the world, we must be preparing for changes and removes, especially for the great change.
vv10-89
The princes and great men were most forward in the service of God. Here is an example to those in authority, and of the highest rank; they ought to use their honour and power, their estate and interest, to promote religion and the service of God in the places where they live. Though it was a time of joy and rejoicing, yet still, in the midst of their sacrifices, we find a sin-offering. As, in our best services, we are conscious that there is sin, there should be repentance, even in our most joyful services. In all approaches to God we must by faith look to Christ as the Sin-offering. They brought their offerings each on a day. God's work should not be done confusedly, or in a hurry; take time, and we shall have done the sooner, or, at least, we shall have done the better. If services are to be done for twelve days together, we must not call it a task and a burden. All their offerings were the same; all the tribes of Israel had an equal share in the altar, and an equal interest in the sacrifices offered upon it. He who now spake to Moses, as the Shechinah or Divine Majesty, from between the Cherubim, was the Eternal Word, the second Person in the Trinity; for all God's communion with man is by his Son, by whom he made the world, and rules the church, who is the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever.
Key Words
יוֹם: a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated term), (often used adverb)
מֹשֶׁה: Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver
כָּלָה: to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitived (to complete, prepare, consume)
קוּם: to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
מִשְׁכָּן: a residence (including a shepherd's hut, the lair of animals, figuratively, the grave; also the Temple); specifically, the Tabernacle (properly, its wooden walls)
מָשַׁח: to rub with oil, i.e. to anoint; by implication, to consecrate; also to paint
קָדַשׁ: to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally)
כֹּל: properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
כְּלִי: something prepared, i.e. any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)
מִזְבֵּחַ: an altar
Cross References
Numbers 7Explains why the sons of Kohath received no wagons: their service required carrying holy things on shoulders.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
Fulfilled promise of God speaking to Moses from above the mercy seat between the cherubim.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Establishes the chronological date when the tabernacle was fully set up and reared.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Details the historic anointing and sanctification of the tabernacle, altar, and vessels mentioned in verse 1.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Points to the original pattern of the sanctuary vessels (chargers and bowls) described in Exodus 25:29.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Elishama of Ephraim presents his offering in the exact order of Israel's camp arrangement.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Establishes Ahiezer's role as prince of Dan following the specified order of the camp.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Establishes Pagiel's role as prince of Asher matching the structural order of the camp.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Identifies Ahira as prince of Naphtali, aligning his offering day with the camp structure.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Describes the physical structure of the mercy seat and cherubim where God's voice was heard.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Lists the exact same princes who were chosen and numbered to lead their tribes.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Defines the service of the sons of Gershon, justifying the allocation of two wagons.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Defines the heavy service of Merari under Ithamar, justifying their allocation of four wagons.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Illustrates the judgment when David's men used a cart instead of bearing the ark on shoulders.
Supported by Matthew Poole
David corrects his error, acknowledging the Levites must carry the ark on their shoulders as prescribed.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Confirms Eliab's presentation order on the third day corresponds to Zebulun's camp position.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Links Elizur's offering on the fourth day to Reuben's position as leader of the southern camp.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Connects Shelumiel's offering on the fifth day to Simeon's place in the camp configuration.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Identifies Elishama son of Ammihud and Gamaliel son of Pedahzur as the chosen tribal princes.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Ephraim's prince offers before Manasseh's, reflecting Jacob's blessing placing Ephraim before his older brother.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Identifies Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai as the appointed head of Dan in the census.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Identifies Pagiel son of Ocran as the appointed head of Asher in the census.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Identifies Ahira son of Enan as the appointed head of Naphtali in the census.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Poetic portrayal of God dwelling and shining forth from between the cherubim.
Supported by Matthew Henry
New Testament description of the ark, cherubim, and the mercy seat of God's presence.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Judah camps on the east side; Nahshon's precedence in offering reflects Judah's lead position.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Describes the original design and purpose of the sanctuary dishes and bowls (chargers).
Supported by Matthew Poole
Relates the gold spoon of incense to Aaron's daily incense offering on the golden altar.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Relates the prince's offering of a kid of the goats to the prescribed sin offering.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Provides a thematic parallel in the massive volume of peace offerings at Solomon's temple dedication.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Aligns the peace offerings brought by Nethaneel with the levitical laws of peace offerings.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Eliasaph is listed here as son of Deuel (or Reuel), aligning with the camp arrangement.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Gamaliel leads the offering for Manasseh, corresponding to their camp order next to Ephraim.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Abidan of Benjamin offers ninth, completing the three tribes of the camp of Ephraim.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Shows Ahiezer leading the camp of Dan in their subsequent journeys.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Shows Pagiel leading the tribe of Asher in the wilderness march.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB