Numbers7
New Living Translation
1On 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.
2Then the leaders of Israel—the tribal leaders who had registered the troops—came and brought their offerings.
3Together 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.
4Then 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.”
6So Moses took the wagons and oxen and presented them to the Levites.
7He gave two wagons and four oxen to the Gershonite division for their work,
8and 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.
9But 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.
10The leaders also presented dedication gifts for the altar at the time it was anointed. They each placed their gifts before the altar.
11The Lord said to Moses, “Let one leader bring his gift each day for the dedication of the altar.”
12On the first day Nahshon son of Amminadab, leader of the tribe of Judah, presented his offering.
13His 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.
14He also brought a gold container weighing four ounces, which was filled with incense.
15He brought a young bull, a ram, and a one-year-old male lamb for a burnt offering,
16and a male goat for a sin offering.
17For 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.
18On the second day Nethanel son of Zuar, leader of the tribe of Issachar, presented his offering.
19His 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.
20He also brought a gold container weighing four ounces, which was filled with incense.
21He brought a young bull, a ram, and a one-year-old male lamb for a burnt offering,
22and a male goat for a sin offering.
23For 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.
24On the third day Eliab son of Helon, leader of the tribe of Zebulun, presented his offering.
25His 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.
26He also brought a gold container weighing four ounces, which was filled with incense.
27He brought a young bull, a ram, and a one-year-old male lamb for a burnt offering,
28and a male goat for a sin offering.
29For 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.
30On the fourth day Elizur son of Shedeur, leader of the tribe of Reuben, presented his offering.
31His 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.
32He also brought a gold container weighing four ounces, which was filled with incense.
33He brought a young bull, a ram, and a one-year-old male lamb for a burnt offering,
34and a male goat for a sin offering.
35For 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.
36On the fifth day Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai, leader of the tribe of Simeon, presented his offering.
37His 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.
38He also brought a gold container weighing four ounces, which was filled with incense.
39He brought a young bull, a ram, and a one-year-old male lamb for a burnt offering,
40and a male goat for a sin offering.
41For 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.
42On the sixth day Eliasaph son of Deuel, leader of the tribe of Gad, presented his offering.
43His 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.
44He also brought a gold container weighing four ounces, which was filled with incense.
45He brought a young bull, a ram, and a one-year-old male lamb for a burnt offering,
46and a male goat for a sin offering.
47For 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.
48On the seventh day Elishama son of Ammihud, leader of the tribe of Ephraim, presented his offering.
49His 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.
50He also brought a gold container weighing four ounces, which was filled with incense.
51He brought a young bull, a ram, and a one-year-old male lamb for a burnt offering,
52and a male goat for a sin offering.
53For 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.
54On the eighth day Gamaliel son of Pedahzur, leader of the tribe of Manasseh, presented his offering.
55His 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.
56He also brought a gold container weighing four ounces, which was filled with incense.
57He brought a young bull, a ram, and a one-year-old male lamb for a burnt offering,
58and a male goat for a sin offering.
59For 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.
60On the ninth day Abidan son of Gideoni, leader of the tribe of Benjamin, presented his offering.
61His 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.
62He also brought a gold container weighing four ounces, which was filled with incense.
63He brought a young bull, a ram, and a one-year-old male lamb for a burnt offering,
64and a male goat for a sin offering.
65For 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.
66On the tenth day Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai, leader of the tribe of Dan, presented his offering.
67His 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.
68He also brought a gold container weighing four ounces, which was filled with incense.
69He brought a young bull, a ram, and a one-year-old male lamb for a burnt offering,
70and a male goat for a sin offering.
71For 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.
72On the eleventh day Pagiel son of Ocran, leader of the tribe of Asher, presented his offering.
73His 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.
74He also brought a gold container weighing four ounces, which was filled with incense.
75He brought a young bull, a ram, and a one-year-old male lamb for a burnt offering,
76and a male goat for a sin offering.
77For 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.
78On the twelfth day Ahira son of Enan, leader of the tribe of Naphtali, presented his offering.
79His 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.
80He also brought a gold container weighing four ounces, which was filled with incense.
81He brought a young bull, a ram, and a one-year-old male lamb for a burnt offering,
82and a male goat for a sin offering.
83For 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.
84So 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.
85Each 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).
86Each 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.
87Twelve 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.
88Twenty-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.
89Whenever 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.
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