Numbers7
New International Version
1When Moses finished setting up the tabernacle, he anointed and consecrated it and all its furnishings. He also anointed and consecrated the altar and all its utensils.
2Then the leaders of Israel, the heads of families who were the tribal leaders in charge of those who were counted, made offerings.
3They brought as their gifts before the Lord six covered carts and twelve oxen—an ox from each leader and a cart from every two. These they presented before the tabernacle.
4The Lord said to Moses,
5“Accept these from them, that they may be used in the work at the tent of meeting. Give them to the Levites as each man’s work requires.”
6So Moses took the carts and oxen and gave them to the Levites.
7He gave two carts and four oxen to the Gershonites, as their work required,
8and he gave four carts and eight oxen to the Merarites, as their work required. They were all under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron, the priest.
9But Moses did not give any to the Kohathites, because they were to carry on their shoulders the holy things, for which they were responsible.
10When the altar was anointed, the leaders brought their offerings for its dedication and presented them before the altar.
11For the Lord had said to Moses, “Each day one leader is to bring his offering for the dedication of the altar.”
12The one who brought his offering on the first day was Nahshon son of Amminadab of the tribe of Judah.
13His offering was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels and one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel, each filled with the finest flour mixed with olive oil as a grain offering;
14one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense;
15one young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering;
16one male goat for a sin offering;
17and two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Nahshon son of Amminadab.
18On the second day Nethanel son of Zuar, the leader of Issachar, brought his offering.
19The offering he brought was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels and one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel, each filled with the finest flour mixed with olive oil as a grain offering;
20one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense;
21one young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering;
22one male goat for a sin offering;
23and two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Nethanel son of Zuar.
24On the third day, Eliab son of Helon, the leader of the people of Zebulun, brought his offering.
25His offering was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels and one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel, each filled with the finest flour mixed with olive oil as a grain offering;
26one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense;
27one young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering;
28one male goat for a sin offering;
29and two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Eliab son of Helon.
30On the fourth day Elizur son of Shedeur, the leader of the people of Reuben, brought his offering.
31His offering was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels and one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel, each filled with the finest flour mixed with olive oil as a grain offering;
32one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense;
33one young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering;
34one male goat for a sin offering;
35and two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Elizur son of Shedeur.
36On the fifth day Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai, the leader of the people of Simeon, brought his offering.
37His offering was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels and one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel, each filled with the finest flour mixed with olive oil as a grain offering;
38one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense;
39one young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering;
40one male goat for a sin offering;
41and two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai.
42On the sixth day Eliasaph son of Deuel, the leader of the people of Gad, brought his offering.
43His offering was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels and one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel, each filled with the finest flour mixed with olive oil as a grain offering;
44one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense;
45one young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering;
46one male goat for a sin offering;
47and two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Eliasaph son of Deuel.
48On the seventh day Elishama son of Ammihud, the leader of the people of Ephraim, brought his offering.
49His offering was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels and one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel, each filled with the finest flour mixed with olive oil as a grain offering;
50one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense;
51one young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering;
52one male goat for a sin offering;
53and two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Elishama son of Ammihud.
54On the eighth day Gamaliel son of Pedahzur, the leader of the people of Manasseh, brought his offering.
55His offering was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels and one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel, each filled with the finest flour mixed with olive oil as a grain offering;
56one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense;
57one young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering;
58one male goat for a sin offering;
59and two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Gamaliel son of Pedahzur.
60On the ninth day Abidan son of Gideoni, the leader of the people of Benjamin, brought his offering.
61His offering was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels and one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel, each filled with the finest flour mixed with olive oil as a grain offering;
62one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense;
63one young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering;
64one male goat for a sin offering;
65and two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Abidan son of Gideoni.
66On the tenth day Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai, the leader of the people of Dan, brought his offering.
67His offering was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels and one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel, each filled with the finest flour mixed with olive oil as a grain offering;
68one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense;
69one young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering;
70one male goat for a sin offering;
71and two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai.
72On the eleventh day Pagiel son of Okran, the leader of the people of Asher, brought his offering.
73His offering was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels and one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel, each filled with the finest flour mixed with olive oil as a grain offering;
74one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense;
75one young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering;
76one male goat for a sin offering;
77and two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Pagiel son of Okran.
78On the twelfth day Ahira son of Enan, the leader of the people of Naphtali, brought his offering.
79His offering was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels and one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel, each filled with the finest flour mixed with olive oil as a grain offering;
80one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense;
81one young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering;
82one male goat for a sin offering;
83and two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Ahira son of Enan.
84These were the offerings of the Israelite leaders for the dedication of the altar when it was anointed: twelve silver plates, twelve silver sprinkling bowls and twelve gold dishes.
85Each silver plate weighed a hundred and thirty shekels, and each sprinkling bowl seventy shekels. Altogether, the silver dishes weighed two thousand four hundred shekels, according to the sanctuary shekel.
86The twelve gold dishes filled with incense weighed ten shekels each, according to the sanctuary shekel. Altogether, the gold dishes weighed a hundred and twenty shekels.
87The total number of animals for the burnt offering came to twelve young bulls, twelve rams and twelve male lambs a year old, together with their grain offering. Twelve male goats were used for the sin offering.
88The total number of animals for the sacrifice of the fellowship offering came to twenty-four oxen, sixty rams, sixty male goats and sixty male lambs a year old. These were the offerings for the dedication of the altar after it was anointed.
89When Moses entered the tent of meeting to speak with the Lord, he heard the voice speaking to him from between the two cherubim above the atonement cover on the ark of the covenant law. In this way the Lord spoke to 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