Skip to content
Numbers 7

Numbers7

New Living Translation

Study

1 On the day Moses set up the Tabernacle, he anointed it and set it apart as holy. He also anointed and set apart all its furnishings and the altar with its utensils.

2 Then the leaders of Israel—the tribal leaders who had registered the troops—came and brought their offerings.

3 Together they brought six large wagons and twelve oxen. There was a wagon for every two leaders and an ox for each leader. They presented these to the Lord in front of the Tabernacle.

4 Then the Lord said to Moses,

5 “Receive their gifts, and use these oxen and wagons for transporting the Tabernacle. Distribute them among the Levites according to the work they have to do.”

6 So Moses took the wagons and oxen and presented them to the Levites.

7 He gave two wagons and four oxen to the Gershonite division for their work,

8 and he gave four wagons and eight oxen to the Merarite division for their work. All their work was done under the leadership of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest.

9 But he gave none of the wagons or oxen to the Kohathite division, since they were required to carry the sacred objects of the Tabernacle on their shoulders.

10 The leaders also presented dedication gifts for the altar at the time it was anointed. They each placed their gifts before the altar.

11 The Lord said to Moses, “Let one leader bring his gift each day for the dedication of the altar.”

12 On the first day Nahshon son of Amminadab, leader of the tribe of Judah, presented his offering.

13 His offering consisted of a silver platter weighing 3 1⁄4 pounds and a silver basin weighing 1 3⁄4 pounds (as measured by the weight of the sanctuary shekel). These were both filled with grain offerings of choice flour moistened with olive oil.

14 He also brought a gold container weighing four ounces, which was filled with incense.

15 He brought a young bull, a ram, and a one-year-old male lamb for a burnt offering,

16 and a male goat for a sin offering.

17 For a peace offering he brought two bulls, five rams, five male goats, and five one-year-old male lambs. This was the offering brought by Nahshon son of Amminadab.

18 On the second day Nethanel son of Zuar, leader of the tribe of Issachar, presented his offering.

19 His offering consisted of a silver platter weighing 3 1⁄4 pounds and a silver basin weighing 1 3⁄4 pounds (as measured by the weight of the sanctuary shekel). These were both filled with grain offerings of choice flour moistened with olive oil.

20 He also brought a gold container weighing four ounces, which was filled with incense.

21 He brought a young bull, a ram, and a one-year-old male lamb for a burnt offering,

22 and a male goat for a sin offering.

23 For a peace offering he brought two bulls, five rams, five male goats, and five one-year-old male lambs. This was the offering brought by Nethanel son of Zuar.

24 On the third day Eliab son of Helon, leader of the tribe of Zebulun, presented his offering.

25 His offering consisted of a silver platter weighing 3 1⁄4 pounds and a silver basin weighing 1 3⁄4 pounds (as measured by the weight of the sanctuary shekel). These were both filled with grain offerings of choice flour moistened with olive oil.

26 He also brought a gold container weighing four ounces, which was filled with incense.

27 He brought a young bull, a ram, and a one-year-old male lamb for a burnt offering,

28 and a male goat for a sin offering.

29 For a peace offering he brought two bulls, five rams, five male goats, and five one-year-old male lambs. This was the offering brought by Eliab son of Helon.

30 On the fourth day Elizur son of Shedeur, leader of the tribe of Reuben, presented his offering.

31 His offering consisted of a silver platter weighing 3 1⁄4 pounds and a silver basin weighing 1 3⁄4 pounds (as measured by the weight of the sanctuary shekel). These were both filled with grain offerings of choice flour moistened with olive oil.

32 He also brought a gold container weighing four ounces, which was filled with incense.

33 He brought a young bull, a ram, and a one-year-old male lamb for a burnt offering,

34 and a male goat for a sin offering.

35 For a peace offering he brought two bulls, five rams, five male goats, and five one-year-old male lambs. This was the offering brought by Elizur son of Shedeur.

36 On the fifth day Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai, leader of the tribe of Simeon, presented his offering.

37 His offering consisted of a silver platter weighing 3 1⁄4 pounds and a silver basin weighing 1 3⁄4 pounds (as measured by the weight of the sanctuary shekel). These were both filled with grain offerings of choice flour moistened with olive oil.

38 He also brought a gold container weighing four ounces, which was filled with incense.

39 He brought a young bull, a ram, and a one-year-old male lamb for a burnt offering,

40 and a male goat for a sin offering.

41 For a peace offering he brought two bulls, five rams, five male goats, and five one-year-old male lambs. This was the offering brought by Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai.

42 On the sixth day Eliasaph son of Deuel, leader of the tribe of Gad, presented his offering.

43 His offering consisted of a silver platter weighing 3 1⁄4 pounds and a silver basin weighing 1 3⁄4 pounds (as measured by the weight of the sanctuary shekel). These were both filled with grain offerings of choice flour moistened with olive oil.

44 He also brought a gold container weighing four ounces, which was filled with incense.

45 He brought a young bull, a ram, and a one-year-old male lamb for a burnt offering,

46 and a male goat for a sin offering.

47 For a peace offering he brought two bulls, five rams, five male goats, and five one-year-old male lambs. This was the offering brought by Eliasaph son of Deuel.

48 On the seventh day Elishama son of Ammihud, leader of the tribe of Ephraim, presented his offering.

49 His offering consisted of a silver platter weighing 3 1⁄4 pounds and a silver basin weighing 1 3⁄4 pounds (as measured by the weight of the sanctuary shekel). These were both filled with grain offerings of choice flour moistened with olive oil.

50 He also brought a gold container weighing four ounces, which was filled with incense.

51 He brought a young bull, a ram, and a one-year-old male lamb for a burnt offering,

52 and a male goat for a sin offering.

53 For a peace offering he brought two bulls, five rams, five male goats, and five one-year-old male lambs. This was the offering brought by Elishama son of Ammihud.

54 On the eighth day Gamaliel son of Pedahzur, leader of the tribe of Manasseh, presented his offering.

55 His offering consisted of a silver platter weighing 3 1⁄4 pounds and a silver basin weighing 1 3⁄4 pounds (as measured by the weight of the sanctuary shekel). These were both filled with grain offerings of choice flour moistened with olive oil.

56 He also brought a gold container weighing four ounces, which was filled with incense.

57 He brought a young bull, a ram, and a one-year-old male lamb for a burnt offering,

58 and a male goat for a sin offering.

59 For a peace offering he brought two bulls, five rams, five male goats, and five one-year-old male lambs. This was the offering brought by Gamaliel son of Pedahzur.

60 On the ninth day Abidan son of Gideoni, leader of the tribe of Benjamin, presented his offering.

61 His offering consisted of a silver platter weighing 3 1⁄4 pounds and a silver basin weighing 1 3⁄4 pounds (as measured by the weight of the sanctuary shekel). These were both filled with grain offerings of choice flour moistened with olive oil.

62 He also brought a gold container weighing four ounces, which was filled with incense.

63 He brought a young bull, a ram, and a one-year-old male lamb for a burnt offering,

64 and a male goat for a sin offering.

65 For a peace offering he brought two bulls, five rams, five male goats, and five one-year-old male lambs. This was the offering brought by Abidan son of Gideoni.

66 On the tenth day Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai, leader of the tribe of Dan, presented his offering.

67 His offering consisted of a silver platter weighing 3 1⁄4 pounds and a silver basin weighing 1 3⁄4 pounds (as measured by the weight of the sanctuary shekel). These were both filled with grain offerings of choice flour moistened with olive oil.

68 He also brought a gold container weighing four ounces, which was filled with incense.

69 He brought a young bull, a ram, and a one-year-old male lamb for a burnt offering,

70 and a male goat for a sin offering.

71 For a peace offering he brought two bulls, five rams, five male goats, and five one-year-old male lambs. This was the offering brought by Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai.

72 On the eleventh day Pagiel son of Ocran, leader of the tribe of Asher, presented his offering.

73 His offering consisted of a silver platter weighing 3 1⁄4 pounds and a silver basin weighing 1 3⁄4 pounds (as measured by the weight of the sanctuary shekel). These were both filled with grain offerings of choice flour moistened with olive oil.

74 He also brought a gold container weighing four ounces, which was filled with incense.

75 He brought a young bull, a ram, and a one-year-old male lamb for a burnt offering,

76 and a male goat for a sin offering.

77 For a peace offering he brought two bulls, five rams, five male goats, and five one-year-old male lambs. This was the offering brought by Pagiel son of Ocran.

78 On the twelfth day Ahira son of Enan, leader of the tribe of Naphtali, presented his offering.

79 His offering consisted of a silver platter weighing 3 1⁄4 pounds and a silver basin weighing 1 3⁄4 pounds (as measured by the weight of the sanctuary shekel). These were both filled with grain offerings of choice flour moistened with olive oil.

80 He also brought a gold container weighing four ounces, which was filled with incense.

81 He brought a young bull, a ram, and a one-year-old male lamb for a burnt offering,

82 and a male goat for a sin offering.

83 For a peace offering he brought two bulls, five rams, five male goats, and five one-year-old male lambs. This was the offering brought by Ahira son of Enan.

84 So this was the dedication offering brought by the leaders of Israel at the time the altar was anointed: twelve silver platters, twelve silver basins, and twelve gold incense containers.

85 Each silver platter weighed 3 1⁄4 pounds, and each silver basin weighed 1 3⁄4 pounds. The total weight of the silver was 60 pounds (as measured by the weight of the sanctuary shekel).

86 Each of the twelve gold containers that was filled with incense weighed four ounces (as measured by the weight of the sanctuary shekel). The total weight of the gold was three pounds.

87 Twelve young bulls, twelve rams, and twelve one-year-old male lambs were donated for the burnt offerings, along with their prescribed grain offerings. Twelve male goats were brought for the sin offerings.

88 Twenty-four bulls, sixty rams, sixty male goats, and sixty one-year-old male lambs were donated for the peace offerings. This was the dedication offering for the altar after it was anointed.

89 Whenever Moses went into the Tabernacle to speak with the Lord, he heard the voice speaking to him from between the two cherubim above the Ark’s cover—the place of atonement—that rests on the Ark of the Covenant. The Lord spoke to him from there.

People in this chapter — 44

All people →
+20 more

Study

Numbers 7

Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Numbers 7. The full AI study guide (summary, themes, context) has its own page.

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.

Cross References

Numbers 7
v9Numbers 4:4-15thematic

Explains why the sons of Kohath received no wagons: their service required carrying holy things on shoulders.

Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB

v89Exodus 25:22fulfillment

Fulfilled promise of God speaking to Moses from above the mercy seat between the cherubim.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v1Exodus 40:17-19thematic

Establishes the chronological date when the tabernacle was fully set up and reared.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v1Leviticus 8:10thematic

Details the historic anointing and sanctification of the tabernacle, altar, and vessels mentioned in verse 1.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v31Exodus 25:29thematic

Points to the original pattern of the sanctuary vessels (chargers and bowls) described in Exodus 25:29.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v48Numbers 2:18thematic

Elishama of Ephraim presents his offering in the exact order of Israel's camp arrangement.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v66Numbers 2:25thematic

Establishes Ahiezer's role as prince of Dan following the specified order of the camp.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v72Numbers 2:27thematic

Establishes Pagiel's role as prince of Asher matching the structural order of the camp.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v78Numbers 2:29thematic

Identifies Ahira as prince of Naphtali, aligning his offering day with the camp structure.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v89Exodus 25:18-21thematic

Describes the physical structure of the mercy seat and cherubim where God's voice was heard.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v2Numbers 1:4-16thematic

Lists the exact same princes who were chosen and numbered to lead their tribes.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v7Numbers 4:24-28thematic

Defines the service of the sons of Gershon, justifying the allocation of two wagons.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v8Numbers 4:28-33thematic

Defines the heavy service of Merari under Ithamar, justifying their allocation of four wagons.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v92 Samuel 6:6thematic

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

v24Numbers 2:7thematic

Confirms Eliab's presentation order on the third day corresponds to Zebulun's camp position.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v30Numbers 2:10thematic

Links Elizur's offering on the fourth day to Reuben's position as leader of the southern camp.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v36Numbers 2:12thematic

Connects Shelumiel's offering on the fifth day to Simeon's place in the camp configuration.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v48Numbers 1:10thematic

Identifies Elishama son of Ammihud and Gamaliel son of Pedahzur as the chosen tribal princes.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v48Genesis 48:20thematic

Ephraim's prince offers before Manasseh's, reflecting Jacob's blessing placing Ephraim before his older brother.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v66Numbers 1:12thematic

Identifies Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai as the appointed head of Dan in the census.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v72Numbers 1:13thematic

Identifies Pagiel son of Ocran as the appointed head of Asher in the census.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v78Numbers 1:15thematic

Identifies Ahira son of Enan as the appointed head of Naphtali in the census.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v89Psalms 80:1allusion

Poetic portrayal of God dwelling and shining forth from between the cherubim.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v89Hebrews 9:5thematic

New Testament description of the ark, cherubim, and the mercy seat of God's presence.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v12Numbers 2:3thematic

Judah camps on the east side; Nahshon's precedence in offering reflects Judah's lead position.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v13Exodus 25:29thematic

Describes the original design and purpose of the sanctuary dishes and bowls (chargers).

Supported by Matthew Poole

v14Exodus 30:7thematic

Relates the gold spoon of incense to Aaron's daily incense offering on the golden altar.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v22Leviticus 4:23thematic

Relates the prince's offering of a kid of the goats to the prescribed sin offering.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v231 Kings 8:63thematic

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

v42Numbers 2:14thematic

Eliasaph is listed here as son of Deuel (or Reuel), aligning with the camp arrangement.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v54Numbers 2:20thematic

Gamaliel leads the offering for Manasseh, corresponding to their camp order next to Ephraim.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v60Numbers 2:22thematic

Abidan of Benjamin offers ninth, completing the three tribes of the camp of Ephraim.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v66Numbers 10:25thematic

Shows Ahiezer leading the camp of Dan in their subsequent journeys.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v72Numbers 10:26thematic

Shows Pagiel leading the tribe of Asher in the wilderness march.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB