CLARITY EDITION · OLD TESTAMENT
Numbers 7
Chapter 7 of 36
Chapter Overview
What happens in Numbers 7
The tribal leaders bring gifts for the tabernacle and offerings for the dedication of the altar. Each of the twelve leaders brings the exact same offering on successive days. The chapter ends with Moses hearing God's voice from the ark.
Scripture
Numbers 7
Wagons and Oxen for the Levites
Study note
After the tabernacle was set up and anointed, the tribal leaders brought six covered wagons and twelve oxen as gifts. These were divided among the Levite clans to help them transport the tabernacle. The Gershonites and Merarites received wagons, but the Kohathites did not, because they had to carry the holy objects on their shoulders.
1 On the day Moses finished setting up the tabernacle, he dedicated it by anointing it and making it holy. He did the same for all its furnishings, the altar, and all the altar's tools. And it came to pass on the day that Moses had fully set up the tabernacle, and had anointed it, and sanctified it, and all the instruments thereof, both the altar and all the vessels thereof, and had anointed them, and sanctified them;
2 Then the Israelite leaders brought their offerings. These were the same family heads and tribal chiefs who had helped run the census. That the princes of Israel, heads of the house of their fathers, who were the princes of the tribes, and were over them that were numbered, offered:
3 They presented their gifts to the Lord: six covered wagons and twelve oxen, which meant one wagon for every two leaders and one ox per leader. They brought everything to the front of the tabernacle. And they brought their offering before the LORD, six covered wagons, and twelve oxen; a wagon for two of the princes, and for each one an ox: and they brought them before the tabernacle.
4 The Lord told Moses, And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
5 "Accept their gifts. The wagons and oxen will be used for the work at the tent of meeting. Distribute them to the Levites based on the work each group does." Take it of them, that they may be to do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation; and thou shalt give them unto the Levites, to every man according to his service.
6 Moses accepted the wagons and oxen and distributed them to the Levites. And Moses took the wagons and the oxen, and gave them unto the Levites.
7 The Gershonites received two wagons and four oxen for their work. Two wagons and four oxen he gave unto the sons of Gershon, according to their service:
8 The Merarites received four wagons and eight oxen for their work, all under Ithamar the priest's supervision. And 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.
9 The Kohathites did not get any wagons because their job was to carry the sacred objects on their shoulders. But unto the sons of Kohath he gave none: because the service of the sanctuary belonging unto them was that they should bear upon their shoulders.
Twelve Days of Dedication Offerings
Study note
Over twelve days, each tribal leader brought the same offering for the dedication of the altar: a silver plate, a silver bowl filled with grain, a gold dish of incense, animals for burnt offerings, a goat for a sin offering, and animals for peace offerings. The identical gifts showed that every tribe was equal before God.
10 The leaders also brought dedication offerings for the altar on the day it was anointed. They presented their gifts at the altar. And the princes offered for dedicating of the altar in the day that it was anointed, even the princes offered their offering before the altar.
11 The Lord told Moses, "Have one leader bring his offering each day for the altar's dedication." And the LORD said unto Moses, They shall offer their offering, each prince on his day, for the dedicating of the altar.
12 On the first day, Nahshon son of Amminadab from the tribe of Judah brought his offering. And he that offered his offering the first day was Nahshon the son of Amminadab, of the tribe of Judah:
13 He brought a silver plate weighing 130 shekels and a silver sprinkling bowl weighing 70 shekels, both measured by the sanctuary standard. Each was filled with fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering. And his offering was one silver charger, the weight thereof was an hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them were full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering:
14 He also brought a gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense. One spoon of ten shekels of gold, full of incense:
15 For a burnt offering, he brought a young bull, a ram, and a one-year-old male lamb. One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering:
16 For a sin offering, he brought a male goat. One kid of the goats for a sin offering:
17 For the peace offering, he brought two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five one-year-old male lambs. That was the complete offering of Nahshon son of Amminadab. And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Nahshon the son of Amminadab.
18 On the second day, Nethanel son of Zuar, Issachar's leader, brought his offering. On the second day Nethaneel the son of Zuar, prince of Issachar, did offer:
19 He brought a silver plate weighing 130 shekels and a silver sprinkling bowl weighing 70 shekels, both measured by the sanctuary standard. Each was filled with fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering. He offered for his offering one silver charger, the weight whereof was an 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 meat offering:
20 He also brought a gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense. One spoon of gold of ten shekels, full of incense:
21 For a burnt offering, he brought a young bull, a ram, and a one-year-old male lamb. One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering:
22 For a sin offering, he brought a male goat. One kid of the goats for a sin offering:
23 For the peace offering, he brought two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five one-year-old male lambs. That was the complete offering of Nethanel son of Zuar. And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Nethaneel the son of Zuar.
24 On the third day, Eliab son of Helon, Zebulun's leader, brought his offering. On the third day Eliab the son of Helon, prince of the children of Zebulun, did offer:
25 He brought a silver plate weighing 130 shekels and a silver sprinkling bowl weighing 70 shekels, both measured by the sanctuary standard. Each was filled with fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering. His offering was one silver charger, the weight whereof was an 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 meat offering:
26 He also brought a gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense. One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense:
27 For a burnt offering, he brought a young bull, a ram, and a one-year-old male lamb. One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering:
28 For a sin offering, he brought a male goat. One kid of the goats for a sin offering:
29 For the peace offering, he brought two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five one-year-old male lambs. That was the complete offering of Eliab son of Helon. And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Eliab the son of Helon.
30 On the fourth day, Elizur son of Shedeur, Reuben's leader, brought his offering. On the fourth day Elizur the son of Shedeur, prince of the children of Reuben, did offer:
31 He brought a silver plate weighing 130 shekels and a silver sprinkling bowl weighing 70 shekels, both measured by the sanctuary standard. Each was filled with fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering. His offering was one silver charger of the weight of an 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 meat offering:
32 He also brought a gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense. One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense:
33 For a burnt offering, he brought a young bull, a ram, and a one-year-old male lamb. One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering:
34 For a sin offering, he brought a male goat. One kid of the goats for a sin offering:
35 For the peace offering, he brought two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five one-year-old male lambs. That was the complete offering of Elizur son of Shedeur. And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Elizur the son of Shedeur.
36 On the fifth day, Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai, Simeon's leader, brought his offering. On the fifth day Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai, prince of the children of Simeon, did offer:
37 He brought a silver plate weighing 130 shekels and a silver sprinkling bowl weighing 70 shekels, both measured by the sanctuary standard. Each was filled with fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering. His offering was one silver charger, the weight whereof was an 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 meat offering:
38 He also brought a gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense. One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense:
39 For a burnt offering, he brought a young bull, a ram, and a one-year-old male lamb. One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering:
40 For a sin offering, he brought a male goat. One kid of the goats for a sin offering:
41 For the peace offering, he brought two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five one-year-old male lambs. That was the complete offering of Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai. And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai.
42 On the sixth day, Eliasaph son of Deuel, Gad's leader, brought his offering. On the sixth day Eliasaph the son of Deuel, prince of the children of Gad, offered:
43 He brought a silver plate weighing 130 shekels and a silver sprinkling bowl weighing 70 shekels, both measured by the sanctuary standard. Each was filled with fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering. His offering was one silver charger of the weight of an hundred and thirty shekels, a silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering:
44 He also brought a gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense. One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense:
45 For a burnt offering, he brought a young bull, a ram, and a one-year-old male lamb. One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering:
46 For a sin offering, he brought a male goat. One kid of the goats for a sin offering:
47 For the peace offering, he brought two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five one-year-old male lambs. That was the complete offering of Eliasaph son of Deuel. And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Eliasaph the son of Deuel.
48 On the seventh day, Elishama son of Ammihud, Ephraim's leader, brought his offering. On the seventh day Elishama the son of Ammihud, prince of the children of Ephraim, offered:
49 He brought a silver plate weighing 130 shekels and a silver sprinkling bowl weighing 70 shekels, both measured by the sanctuary standard. Each was filled with fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering. His offering was one silver charger, the weight whereof was an 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 meat offering:
50 He also brought a gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense. One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense:
51 For a burnt offering, he brought a young bull, a ram, and a one-year-old male lamb. One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering:
52 For a sin offering, he brought a male goat. One kid of the goats for a sin offering:
53 For the peace offering, he brought two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five one-year-old male lambs. That was the complete offering of Elishama son of Ammihud. And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Elishama the son of Ammihud.
54 On the eighth day, Gamaliel son of Pedahzur, Manasseh's leader, brought his offering. On the eighth day offered Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur, prince of the children of Manasseh:
55 He brought a silver plate weighing 130 shekels and a silver sprinkling bowl weighing 70 shekels, both measured by the sanctuary standard. Each was filled with fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering. His offering was one silver charger of the weight of an 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 meat offering:
56 He also brought a gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense. One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense:
57 For a burnt offering, he brought a young bull, a ram, and a one-year-old male lamb. One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering:
58 For a sin offering, he brought a male goat. One kid of the goats for a sin offering:
59 For the peace offering, he brought two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five one-year-old male lambs. That was the complete offering of Gamaliel son of Pedahzur. And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur.
60 On the ninth day, Abidan son of Gideoni, Benjamin's leader, brought his offering. On the ninth day Abidan the son of Gideoni, prince of the children of Benjamin, offered:
61 He brought a silver plate weighing 130 shekels and a silver sprinkling bowl weighing 70 shekels, both measured by the sanctuary standard. Each was filled with fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering. His offering was one silver charger, the weight whereof was an 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 meat offering:
62 He also brought a gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense. One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense:
63 For a burnt offering, he brought a young bull, a ram, and a one-year-old male lamb. One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering:
64 For a sin offering, he brought a male goat. One kid of the goats for a sin offering:
65 For the peace offering, he brought two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five one-year-old male lambs. That was the complete offering of Abidan son of Gideoni. And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Abidan the son of Gideoni.
66 On the tenth day, Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai, Dan's leader, brought his offering. On the tenth day Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai, prince of the children of Dan, offered:
67 He brought a silver plate weighing 130 shekels and a silver sprinkling bowl weighing 70 shekels, both measured by the sanctuary standard. Each was filled with fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering. His offering was one silver charger, the weight whereof was an 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 meat offering:
68 He also brought a gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense. One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense:
69 For a burnt offering, he brought a young bull, a ram, and a one-year-old male lamb. One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering:
70 For a sin offering, he brought a male goat. One kid of the goats for a sin offering:
71 For the peace offering, he brought two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five one-year-old male lambs. That was the complete offering of Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai. And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai.
72 On the eleventh day, Pagiel son of Ocran, Asher's leader, brought his offering. On the eleventh day Pagiel the son of Ocran, prince of the children of Asher, offered:
73 He brought a silver plate weighing 130 shekels and a silver sprinkling bowl weighing 70 shekels, both measured by the sanctuary standard. Each was filled with fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering. His offering was one silver charger, the weight whereof was an 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 meat offering:
74 He also brought a gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense. One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense:
75 For a burnt offering, he brought a young bull, a ram, and a one-year-old male lamb. One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering:
76 For a sin offering, he brought a male goat. One kid of the goats for a sin offering:
77 For the peace offering, he brought two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five one-year-old male lambs. That was the complete offering of Pagiel son of Ocran. And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Pagiel the son of Ocran.
78 On the twelfth day, Ahira son of Enan, Naphtali's leader, brought his offering. On the twelfth day Ahira the son of Enan, prince of the children of Naphtali, offered:
79 He brought a silver plate weighing 130 shekels and a silver sprinkling bowl weighing 70 shekels, both measured by the sanctuary standard. Each was filled with fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering. His offering was one silver charger, the weight whereof was an 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 meat offering:
80 He also brought a gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense. One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense:
81 For a burnt offering, he brought a young bull, a ram, and a one-year-old male lamb. One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering:
82 For a sin offering, he brought a male goat. One kid of the goats for a sin offering:
83 For the peace offering, he brought two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five one-year-old male lambs. That was the complete offering of Ahira son of Enan. And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Ahira the son of Enan.
Summary of All the Offerings
Study note
The totals from all twelve leaders added up to a huge amount: 2,400 shekels of silver, 120 shekels of gold, and 240 animals for the various sacrifices. This showed the great generosity and devotion of Israel's leaders.
84 Here is a summary of all the gifts the Israelite leaders brought on the day the altar was anointed. They brought twelve silver plates, twelve silver sprinkling bowls, and twelve gold dishes. This was the dedication of the altar, in the day when it was anointed, by the princes of Israel: twelve chargers of silver, twelve silver bowls, twelve spoons of gold:
85 Each silver plate weighed 130 shekels and each bowl weighed 70 shekels. All the silver totaled 2,400 shekels by the sanctuary standard. Each charger of silver weighing an hundred and thirty shekels, each bowl seventy: all the silver vessels weighed two thousand and four hundred shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary:
86 Each of the twelve gold dishes weighed ten shekels by the sanctuary standard, filled with incense. The gold totaled 120 shekels. The golden spoons were twelve, full of incense, weighing ten shekels apiece, after the shekel of the sanctuary: all the gold of the spoons was an hundred and twenty shekels.
87 The total animals for burnt offerings were twelve young bulls, twelve rams, and twelve one-year-old male lambs with their grain offerings. Twelve male goats were offered for sin offerings. All the oxen for the burnt offering were twelve bullocks, the rams twelve, the lambs of the first year twelve, with their meat offering: and the kids of the goats for sin offering twelve.
88 Here are the total animals for peace offerings. They gave 24 oxen, 60 rams, 60 male goats, and 60 one-year-old lambs. This finished the altar's setting apart. And all the oxen for the sacrifice of the peace offerings were twenty and four bullocks, the rams sixty, the he goats sixty, the lambs of the first year sixty. This was the dedication of the altar, after that it was anointed.
God Speaks from the Ark
Study note
After all the dedication was finished, Moses went into the tent of meeting. There he heard God's voice speaking from above the mercy seat on the ark, between the two golden winged figures called cherubim. This confirmed that God was truly present among his people.
89 Whenever Moses went inside the tent of meeting to talk with the Lord, he could hear a voice speaking to him from above the cover on the ark of the testimony, from the space between the two winged figures. That is how the Lord spoke to him. And when Moses was gone into the tabernacle of the congregation to speak with him, then he heard the voice of one speaking unto him from off the mercy seat that was upon the ark of testimony, from between the two cherubims: and he spake unto him.
Key Themes
Themes in Numbers 7
Generous worship and givingEquality among God's peopleDedication and commitmentGod's presence confirmed
Apply This Today
Living Numbers 7
The identical offerings from each tribe show that all are equal before God. Generosity in worship is not about competition but about wholehearted devotion. When we dedicate our best to God, He confirms His presence among us.
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