Numbers 7

1 When Moses finished setting up The Dwelling, he anointed it and consecrated it along with all that went with it. At the same time he anointed and consecrated the Altar and its accessories.
2 The leaders of Israel, the heads of the ancestral tribes who had carried out the census, brought offerings.
3 They presented before God six covered wagons and twelve oxen, a wagon from each pair of leaders and an ox from each leader.
4 God spoke to Moses:
5 ''Receive these so that they can be used to transport the Tent of Meeting. Give them to the Levites according to what they need for their work."
6 Moses took the wagons and oxen and gave them to the Levites.
7 He gave two wagons and four oxen to the Gershonites for their work
8 and four wagons and eight oxen to the Merarites for their work. They were all under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest.
9 Moses didn't give any to the Kohathites because they had to carry the holy things for which they were responsible on their shoulders.
10 When the Altar was anointed, the leaders brought their offerings for its dedication and presented them before the Altar
11 because God had instructed Moses, "Each day one leader is to present his offering for the dedication of the Altar."
12 On the first day, Nahshon son of Amminadab, of the tribe of Judah, brought his offering.
13 His offering was: a silver plate weighing three and a quarter pounds and a silver bowl weighing one and three-quarter pounds (according to the standard Sanctuary weights), each filled with fine flour mixed with oil as a Grain-Offering;
14 a gold vessel weighing four ounces, filled with incense;
15 a young bull, a ram, and a yearling lamb for a Whole-Burnt-Offering;
16 a he-goat for an Absolution-Offering;
17 two oxen, five rams, five he-goats, and five yearling lambs to be sacrificed as a Peace-Offering. This was the offering of Nahshon son of Amminadab.
18 On the second day, Nethanel son of Zuar, the leader of Issachar, brought his offering.
19 His offering was: a silver plate weighing three and a quarter pounds and a silver bowl weighing one and three-quarter pounds (according to the standard Sanctuary weights), each filled with fine flour mixed with oil as a Grain-Offering;
20 a gold vessel weighing four ounces, filled with incense;
21 a young bull, a ram, and a yearling lamb for a Whole-Burnt-Offering;
22 a he-goat for an Absolution-Offering;
23 two oxen, five rams, five he-goats, and five yearling lambs to be sacrificed as a Peace-Offering. This was the offering of Nethanel son of Zuar.
24 On the third day, Eliab son of Helon, the leader of the people of Zebulun, brought his offering.
25 His offering was: a silver plate weighing three and a quarter pounds and a silver bowl weighing one and three-quarter pounds (according to the standard Sanctuary weights), each filled with fine flour mixed with oil as a Grain-Offering;
26 a gold vessel weighing four ounces, filled with incense;
27 a young bull, a ram, and a yearling lamb for a Whole-Burnt-Offering;
28 a he-goat for an Absolution-Offering;
29 two oxen, five rams, five he-goats, and five yearling lambs to be sacrificed as a Peace-Offering. This was the offering of Eliab son of Helon.
30 On the fourth day, Elizur son of Shedeur, the leader of the people of Reuben, brought his offering.
31 His offering was: a silver plate weighing three and a quarter pounds and a silver bowl weighing one and three-quarter pounds (according to the standard Sanctuary weights), each filled with fine flour mixed with oil as a Grain-Offering;
32 a gold vessel weighing four ounces, filled with incense;
33 a young bull, a ram, and a yearling lamb for a Whole-Burnt-Offering;
34 a he-goat for an Absolution-Offering;
35 two oxen, five rams, five he-goats, and five yearling lambs to be sacrificed as a Peace-Offering. This was the offering of Elizur son of Shedeur.
36 On the fifth day, Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai, the leader of the people of Simeon, brought his offering.
37 His offering was: a silver plate weighing three and a quarter pounds and a silver bowl weighing one and three-quarter pounds (according to the standard Sanctuary weights), each filled with fine flour mixed with oil as a Grain-Offering;
38 a gold vessel weighing four ounces, filled with incense;
39 a young bull, a ram, and a yearling lamb for a Whole-Burnt-Offering;
40 a he-goat for an Absolution-Offering;
41 two oxen, five rams, five he-goats, and five yearling lambs to be sacrificed as a Peace-Offering. This was the offering of Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai.
42 On the sixth day, Eliasaph son of Deuel, the leader of the people of Gad, brought his offering.
43 His offering was: a silver plate weighing three and a quarter pounds and a silver bowl weighing one and three-quarter pounds (according to the standard Sanctuary weights), each filled with fine flour mixed with oil as a Grain-Offering;
44 a gold vessel weighing four ounces, filled with incense;
45 a young bull, a ram, and a yearling lamb for a Whole-Burnt-Offering;
46 a he-goat for an Absolution-Offering;
47 two oxen, five rams, five he-goats, and five yearling lambs to be sacrificed as a Peace-Offering. This was the offering of Eliasaph son of Deuel.
48 On the seventh day, Elishama son of Ammihud, the leader of the people of Ephraim, brought his offering.
49 His offering was: a silver plate weighing three and a quarter pounds and a silver bowl weighing one and three-quarter pounds (according to the standard Sanctuary weights), each filled with fine flour mixed with oil as a Grain-Offering;
50 a gold vessel weighing four ounces, filled with incense;
51 a young bull, a ram, and a yearling lamb for a Whole-Burnt-Offering;
52 a he-goat for an Absolution-Offering;
53 two oxen, five rams, five he-goats, and five yearling lambs to be sacrificed as a Peace-Offering. This was the offering of Elishama son of Ammihud.
54 On the eighth day, Gamaliel son of Pedahzur, the leader of the people of Manasseh, brought his offering.
55 His offering was: a silver plate weighing three and a quarter pounds and a silver bowl weighing one and three-quarter pounds (according to the standard Sanctuary weights), each filled with fine flour mixed with oil as a Grain-Offering;
56 a gold vessel weighing four ounces, filled with incense;
57 a young bull, a ram, and a yearling lamb for a Whole-Burnt-Offering;
58 a he-goat for an Absolution-Offering;
59 two oxen, five rams, five he-goats, and five yearling lambs to be sacrificed as a Peace-Offering. This was the offering of Gamaliel son of Pedahzur.
60 On the ninth day, Abidan son of Gideoni, the leader of the people of Benjamin, brought his offering.
61 His offering was: a silver plate weighing three and a quarter pounds and a silver bowl weighing one and three-quarter pounds (according to the standard Sanctuary weights), each filled with fine flour mixed with oil as a Grain-Offering;
62 a gold vessel weighing four ounces, filled with incense;
63 a young bull, a ram, and a yearling lamb for a Whole-Burnt-Offering;
64 a he-goat for an Absolution-Offering;
65 two oxen, five rams, five he-goats, and five yearling lambs to be sacrificed as a Peace-Offering. This was the offering of Abidan son of Gideoni.
66 On the tenth day, Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai, the leader of the people of Dan, brought his offering.
67 His offering was: a silver plate weighing three and a quarter pounds and a silver bowl weighing one and three-quarter pounds (according to the standard Sanctuary weights), each filled with fine flour mixed with oil as a Grain-Offering;
68 a gold vessel weighing four ounces, filled with incense;
69 a young bull, a ram, and a yearling lamb for a Whole-Burnt-Offering;
70 a he-goat for an Absolution-Offering;
71 two oxen, five rams, five he-goats, and five yearling lambs to be sacrificed as a Peace-Offering. This was the offering of Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai.
72 On the eleventh day, Pagiel son of Ocran, the leader of the people of Asher, brought his offering.
73 His offering was: a silver plate weighing three and a quarter pounds and a silver bowl weighing one and three-quarter pounds (according to the standard Sanctuary weights), each filled with fine flour mixed with oil as a Grain-Offering;
74 a gold vessel weighing four ounces, filled with incense;
75 a young bull, a ram, and a yearling lamb for a Whole-Burnt-Offering;
76 a he-goat for an Absolution-Offering;
77 two oxen, five rams, five he-goats, and five yearling lambs to be sacrificed as a Peace-Offering. This was the offering of Pagiel son of Ocran.
78 On the twelfth day, Ahira son of Enan, the leader of the people of Naphtali, brought his offering.
79 His offering was: a silver plate weighing three and a quarter pounds and a silver bowl weighing one and three-quarter pounds (according to the standard Sanctuary weights), each filled with fine flour mixed with oil as a Grain-Offering;
80 a gold vessel weighing four ounces, filled with incense;
81 a young bull, a ram, and a yearling lamb for a Whole-Burnt-Offering;
82 a he-goat for an Absolution-Offering;
83 two oxen, five rams, five he-goats, and five yearling lambs to be sacrificed as a Peace-Offering. This was the offering of Ahira son of Enan.
84 These were the dedication offerings of the leaders of Israel for the anointing of the Altar: twelve silver plates, twelve silver bowls, twelve gold vessels.
85 Each plate weighed three and a quarter pounds and each bowl one and three-quarter pounds. All the plates and bowls together weighed about sixty pounds (using the official Sanctuary weight).
86 The twelve gold vessels filled with incense weighed four ounces each (using the official Sanctuary weight). Altogether the gold vessels weighed about three pounds.
87 The sum total of animals used for the Whole-Burnt-Offering together with the Grain-Offering: twelve bulls, twelve rams, twelve yearling lambs. For the Absolution-Offering: twelve he-goats.
88 The sum total of animals used for the sacrifice of the Peace-Offering: twenty-four bulls, sixty rams, sixty he-goats, sixty yearling lambs. These were the offerings for the dedication of the Altar after it was anointed.
89 When Moses entered the Tent of Meeting to speak with God, he heard the Voice speaking to him from between the two angel-cherubim above the Atonement-Cover on the Chest of The Testimony. He spoke with him.

Numbers 7 Commentary

Chapter 7

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)

Verses 1-9 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.

Verses 10-89 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.

Chapter Summary

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.

Numbers 7 Commentaries

Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.