New International Reader s Version - NIrV - 1996
Numbers 7
1
Moses finished setting up the holy tent. Then he anointed it with olive oil. He set it apart to the Lord. He did the same thing with everything that belonged to it. He also anointed the altar. And he set apart to the Lord the altar and all of its tools.
Reference
2
Then the leaders of Israel brought their offerings. The leaders were the heads of the families. They were the leaders of the tribes. They were in charge of the men who had been counted.
Reference
Parallel theme
2 Chronicles 35:8
3
They brought gifts to the Lord. They brought six covered carts and 12 oxen. Each leader gave an ox. And every two leaders gave a cart. They put their gifts in front of the holy tent.
4
The Lord spoke to Moses. He said,
5
"Accept the gifts from the leaders. I want their gifts to be used in the work at the Tent of Meeting. Give them to the Levites. They need them to do their work."
6
So Moses gave the carts and the oxen to the Levites.
7
He gave two carts and four oxen to the men from the family of Gershon. They needed them to do their work.
8
He gave four carts and eight oxen to the men from the family of Merari. They needed them to do their work. All of those men were under the direction of the priest Ithamar, the son of Aaron.
9
But Moses didn't give any carts or oxen to the men from the family of Kohath. They had to carry the holy things on their shoulders. They were accountable for the holy things.
Reference
10
When the altar was anointed, the leaders brought their offerings. They placed them in front of the altar. They brought their offerings to set the altar apart.
Reference
Parallel theme
Nehemiah 12:27
Deuteronomy 20:5
Sacrifice
2 Chronicles 7:9
1 Kings 8:63
2 Chronicles 7:5
11
The Lord had spoken to Moses. He had said, "Each day one leader must bring his offering. He must bring it to set the altar apart."
12
On the first day Nahshon, the son of Amminadab, brought his offering. Nahshon was from the tribe of Judah.
13
He brought one silver plate and one silver sprinkling bowl. The plate weighed three pounds four ounces. The sprinkling bowl weighed one pound 12 ounces. They were weighed in keeping with the standard weights that are used in the sacred tent. Each plate and bowl was filled with fine flour that was mixed with olive oil. It was a grain offering.
Reference
14
He brought one gold dish. It weighed four ounces. It was filled with incense.
15
Nahshon brought one young bull, one ram, and one male lamb that was a year old. They would be sacrificed as a burnt offering.
16
He brought one male goat to be sacrificed as a sin offering.
Reference
Sin
Leviticus 4:23
17
He brought two oxen, five rams and five male goats. He also brought five male lambs that were a year old. All of them would be sacrificed as a friendship offering. That was everything that Nahshon, the son of Amminadab, brought as his offering.
18
On the second day Nethanel, the son of Zuar, brought his offering. Nethanel was the leader of the tribe of Issachar.
Reference
Parallel theme
Numbers 1:8
19
He brought one silver plate and one silver sprinkling bowl. The silver plate weighed three pounds four ounces. The sprinkling bowl weighed one pound 12 ounces. Both were weighed in keeping with the standard weights that are used in the sacred tent. Each plate and bowl was filled with fine flour that was mixed with olive oil. It was a grain offering.
20
He brought one gold dish. It weighed four ounces. It was filled with incense.
21
Nethanel brought one young bull, one ram, and one male lamb that was a year old. They would be sacrificed as a burnt offering.
22
He brought one male goat to be sacrificed as a sin offering.
23
He brought two oxen, five rams and five male goats. He also brought five male lambs that were a year old. All of them would be sacrificed as a friendship offering. That was everything that Nethanel, the son of Zuar, brought as his offering.
24
On the third day Eliab, the son of Helon, brought his offering. Eliab was the leader of the people of Zebulun.
Reference
Parallel theme
Numbers 1:9
25
He brought one silver plate and one silver sprinkling bowl. The plate weighed three pounds four ounces. The sprinkling bowl weighed one pound 12 ounces. They were weighed in keeping with the standard weights that are used in the sacred tent. Each plate and bowl was filled with fine flour that was mixed with olive oil. It was a grain offering.
26
He brought one gold dish. It weighed four ounces. It was filled with incense.
27
Eliab brought one young bull, one ram, and one male lamb that was a year old. They would be sacrificed as a burnt offering.
28
He brought one male goat to be sacrificed as a sin offering.
29
He brought two oxen, five rams and five male goats. He also brought five male lambs that were a year old. All of them would be sacrificed as a friendship offering. That was everything that Eliab, the son of Helon, brought as his offering.
30
On the fourth day Elizur, the son of Shedeur, brought his offering. Elizur was the leader of the people of Reuben.
Reference
Parallel theme
Numbers 1:5
31
He brought one silver plate and one silver sprinkling bowl. The plate weighed three pounds four ounces. The sprinkling bowl weighed one pound 12 ounces. They were weighed in keeping with the standard weights that are used in the sacred tent. Each plate and bowl was filled with fine flour that was mixed with olive oil. It was a grain offering.
32
He brought one gold dish. It weighed four ounces. It was filled with incense.
33
Elizur brought one young bull, one ram, and one male lamb that was a year old. They would be sacrificed as a burnt offering.
34
He brought one male goat to be sacrificed as a sin offering.
35
He brought two oxen, five rams and five male goats. He also brought five male lambs that were a year old. All of them would be sacrificed as a friendship offering. That was everything that Elizur, the son of Shedeur, brought as his offering.
36
On the fifth day Shelumiel, the son of Zurishaddai, brought his offering. Shelumiel was the leader of the people of Simeon.
Reference
Parallel theme
Numbers 1:6
37
He brought one silver plate and one silver sprinkling bowl. The plate weighed three pounds four ounces. The sprinkling bowl weighed one pound 12 ounces. They were weighed in keeping with the standard weights that are used in the sacred tent. Each plate and bowl were filled with fine flour that was mixed with olive oil. It was a grain offering.
38
He brought one gold dish. It weighed four ounces. It was filled with incense.
39
Shelumiel brought one young bull, one ram, and one male lamb that was a year old. They would be sacrificed as a burnt offering.
40
He brought one male goat to be sacrificed as a sin offering.
41
He brought two oxen, five rams and five male goats. He also brought five male lambs that were a year old. All of them would be sacrificed as a friendship offering. That was everything that Shelumiel, the son of Zurishaddai, brought as his offering.
42
On the sixth day Eliasaph, the son of Deuel, brought his offering. Eliasaph was the leader of the people of Gad.
Reference
43
He brought one silver plate and one silver sprinkling bowl. The plate weighed three pounds four ounces. The sprinkling bowl weighed one pound 12 ounces. They were weighed in keeping with the standard weights that are used in the sacred tent. Each plate and bowl was filled with fine flour that was mixed with olive oil. It was a grain offering.
Reference
44
He brought one gold dish. It weighed four ounces. It was filled with incense.
45
Eliasaph brought one young bull, one ram, and one male lamb that was a year old. They would be sacrificed as a burnt offering.
46
He brought one male goat to be sacrificed as a sin offering.
47
He brought two oxen, five rams and five male goats. He also brought five male lambs that were a year old. All of them would be sacrificed as a friendship offering. That was everything that Eliasaph, the son of Deuel, brought as his offering.
48
On the seventh day Elishama, the son of Ammihud, brought his offering. Elishama was the leader of the people of Ephraim.
Reference
49
He brought one silver plate and one silver sprinkling bowl. The plate weighed three pounds four ounces. The sprinkling bowl weighed one pound 12 ounces. They were weighed in keeping with the standard weights that are used in the sacred tent. Each plate and bowl was filled with fine flour that was mixed with olive oil. It was a grain offering.
50
He brought one gold dish. It weighed four ounces. It was filled with incense.
51
Elishama brought one young bull, one ram, and one male lamb that was a year old. They would be sacrificed as a burnt offering.
52
He brought one male goat to be sacrificed as a sin offering.
53
He brought two oxen, five rams and five male goats. He also brought five male lambs that were a year old. All of them would be sacrificed as a friendship offering. That was everything that Elishama, the son of Ammihud, brought as his offering.
54
On the eighth day Gamaliel, the son of Pedahzur, brought his offering. Gamaliel was the leader of the people of Manasseh.
Reference
55
He brought one silver plate and one silver sprinkling bowl. The plate weighed three pounds four ounces. The sprinkling bowl weighed one pound 12 ounces. They were weighed in keeping with the standard weights that are used in the sacred tent. Each plate and bowl was filled with fine flour that was mixed with olive oil. It was a grain offering.
56
He also brought one gold dish. It weighed four ounces. It was filled with incense.
57
Gamaliel brought one young bull, one ram, and one male lamb that was a year old. They would be sacrificed as a burnt offering.
58
He brought one male goat to be sacrificed as a sin offering.
59
He brought two oxen, five rams and five male goats. He also brought five male lambs that were a year old. All of them would be sacrificed as a friendship offering. That was everything that Gamaliel, the son of Pedahzur, brought as his offering.
60
On the ninth day Abidan, the son of Gideoni, brought his offering. Abidan was the leader of the people of Benjamin.
Reference
61
He brought one silver plate and one silver sprinkling bowl. The plate weighed three pounds four ounces. The sprinkling bowl weighed one pound 12 ounces. They were weighed in keeping with the standard weights that are used in the sacred tent. Each plate and bowl was filled with fine flour that was mixed with olive oil. It was a grain offering.
62
He brought one gold dish. It weighed four ounces. It was filled with incense.
63
Abidan brought one young bull, one ram, and one male lamb that was a year old. They would be sacrificed as a burnt offering.
64
He brought one male goat to be sacrificed as a sin offering.
65
He brought two oxen, five rams and five male goats. He also brought five male lambs that were a year old. All of them would be sacrificed as a friendship offering. That was everything that Abidan, the son of Gideoni, brought as his offering.
66
On the tenth day Ahiezer, the son of Ammishaddai, brought his offering. Ahiezer was the leader of the people of Dan.
Reference
67
He brought one silver plate and one silver sprinkling bowl. The plate weighed three pounds four ounces. The sprinkling bowl weighed one pound 12 ounces. They were weighed in keeping with the standard weights that are used in the sacred tent. Each plate and bowl was filled with fine flour that was mixed with olive oil. It was a grain offering.
68
He brought one gold dish. It weighed four ounces. It was filled with incense.
69
Ahiezer brought one young bull, one ram, and one male lamb that was a year old. They would be sacrificed as a burnt offering.
70
He brought one male goat to be sacrificed as a sin offering.
71
He brought two oxen, five rams and five male goats. He also brought five male lambs that were a year old. All of them would be sacrificed as a friendship offering. That was everything that Ahiezer, the son of Ammishaddai, brought as his offering.
72
On the eleventh day Pagiel, the son of Ocran, brought his offering. Pagiel was the leader of the people of Asher.
Reference
73
He brought one silver plate and one silver sprinkling bowl. The plate weighed three pounds four ounces. The sprinkling bowl weighed one pound 12 ounces. They were weighed in keeping with the standard weights that are used in the sacred tent. Each plate and bowl was filled with fine flour that was mixed with olive oil. It was a grain offering.
74
He brought one gold dish. It weighed four ounces. It was filled with incense.
75
Pagiel brought one young bull, one ram, and one male lamb that was a year old. They would be sacrificed as a burnt offering.
76
He brought one male goat to be sacrificed as a sin offering.
77
He brought two oxen, five rams and five male goats. He also brought five male lambs that were a year old. All of them would be sacrificed as a friendship offering. That was everything that Pagiel, the son of Ocran, brought as his offering.
78
On the twelfth day Ahira, the son of Enan, brought his offering. Ahira was the leader of the people of Naphtali.
Reference
79
He brought one silver plate and one silver sprinkling bowl. The plate weighed three pounds four ounces. The sprinkling bowl weighed one pound 12 ounces. They were weighed in keeping with the standard weights that are used in the sacred tent. Each plate and bowl was filled with fine flour that was mixed with olive oil. It was a grain offering.
80
He brought one gold dish. It weighed four ounces. It was filled with incense.
81
Ahira brought one young bull, one ram, and one male lamb that was a year old. They would be sacrificed as a burnt offering.
82
He brought one male goat to be sacrificed as a sin offering.
83
He brought two oxen, five rams and five male goats. He also brought five male lambs that were a year old. All of them would be sacrificed as a friendship offering. That was everything that Ahira, the son of Enan, brought as his offering.
84
Those were the offerings the leaders of the people of Israel brought. They gave them to set the altar apart when it was anointed with olive oil. They gave 12 silver plates, 12 silver sprinkling bowls and 12 gold dishes.
Reference
Sacrifice
Numbers 7:10
85
Each silver plate weighed three pounds four ounces. Each sprinkling bowl weighed one pound 12 ounces. The total weight of the silver dishes was 60 pounds. Everything was weighed in keeping with the standard weights that are used in the sacred tent.
86
Each of the 12 gold dishes weighed four ounces. They were filled with incense. They were weighed in keeping with the weights used in the sacred tent. The total weight of the gold dishes was three pounds.
87
The leaders brought 12 young bulls, 12 rams and 12 male lambs that were a year old. That was the total number of animals they gave for the burnt offering. They gave them together with the grain offering. They brought 12 male goats for the sin offering.
88
The leaders brought 24 oxen, 60 rams, 60 male goats and 60 male lambs that were a year old. That was the total number of animals that were sacrificed as the friendship offering. Those were the offerings they brought to set the altar apart. The leaders brought them after the altar was anointed with oil.
Reference
89
Moses entered the Tent of Meeting. He wanted to speak with the Lord. There Moses heard the Lord talking to him. The Lord's voice was speaking to him from between the two cherubim. The cherubim were over the place where sin is paid for. It was the cover on the ark where the tablets of the covenant were kept. The Lord spoke with Moses there.
Reference
Grace
Hebrews 4:16
Kingdom
Psalm 99:1
Parallel theme
Psalm 80:1
1 Kings 6:23
1 Samuel 4:4
1 Peter 1:12
References Moses
Numbers 12:8
Temple
Leviticus 1:1
Numbers 1:1
Summary of Numbers 7
Numbers chapter 7 provides the accounts of offerings by the leaders of the twelve tribes of Israel after Moses had completed organizing and anointing the tabernacle. The chapter is one of the longest in the Book of Numbers because it provides accounts about offerings from each tribe separately. Although the tribes offered similar gifts, each leader of the tribe has been named and his offering is recorded. The chapter emphasizes the importance that the Israelites placed on the tabernacle and its service with each tribe participating.
The chapter begins when Moses had completed the task of organizing the tabernacle. He had anointed the tabernacle and its vessels and the altar, which had been anointed and sanctified. The Israelites’ leaders brought offerings to the tabernacle after Moses had set it up.
The leaders were the ones who helped Moses take the census of Israelites and they brought six covered wagons and twelve oxen. Two leaders shared each wagon while each leader brought an ox. Moses received the gifts and assigned the wagons and oxen to the Levites according to the tasks given to them.
The Gershonites received two wagons and four oxen as compared to the Merarites who received four wagons and eight oxen. This was because Gershon’s task involved carrying the curtains, coverings, hangings, and various materials used for the tabernacle while those of Merari involved carrying the heaver boards, pillars, sockets, bars, and other furnishings.
The Kohathites did not receive either wagons or oxen. Theirs was the task of shouldering the furnishings of the tabernacle and this was not to be done using any carts. The difference in the tasks of the three families of the Levites indicates that the manner in which they carried out their duties was different.
After the distribution of gifts to these families, the tribal leaders began to bring their offerings for the dedication of the altar. It took twelve days for the offerings to complete with each leader bringing his offering on a separate day. Each leader was able to present his offering as a representative of the twelve tribes of Israel.
The first was Nahshon the son of Amminadab, the leader of the tribe of Judah, who brought a silver charger, a silver bowl, and a golden spoon containing incense. He also brought a young bullock, a ram, and a lamb for a burnt offering, a goat for a sin offering, and two oxen, five rams, five goats for a peace offering and five lambs.
The other tribal leaders followed. Nethaneel the son of Zuar brought the offering for Issachar while Eliab the son of Helon represented Zebulun. Elizur the son of Shedeur represented Reuben and Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai represented Simeon. Eliasaph the son of Deuel represented Gad and Elishama the son of Ammihud brought the offering for Ephraim. Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur represented Manasseh while Abidan the son of Gideoni brought the offering for Benjamin. Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai represented Dan while Pagiel the son of Ocran brought the offering for Asher and Ahira the son of Enan represented Naphtali.
Each leader brought an offering with the same pattern being repeated. The repetition of the same account of gifts seems monotonous but this is to emphasize the fact that no tribe was considered less important than the other. Each leader was named and his offering was recorded. The offerings from one tribe were not considered more valuable than those of another tribe.
The offerings included silver vessels full of fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering, a golden spoon of incense as a gift, and animals that were to be offered as burnt, sin, and peace offerings. Each included a young bullock, a ram, and a lamb for a burnt offering, a goat for a sin offering, and additional animals for a peace offering.
The total number of gifts from the twelve leaders was great. It included twelve silver chargers, twelve silver bowls, and twelve golden spoons filled with incense. The numbers of animals were also large and included twelve young bullocks and twelve rams for burnt offerings and twelve lambs and their accompanying offerings, twelve goats for sin offerings and large numbers of animals for peace offerings.
The final part of the chapter describes what happened when Moses went into the tabernacle to speak to God. He heard the voice of God speaking to him from above the mercy seat, which was above the ark of the testimony between the two cherubims.
This was one of the most significant events recorded in Numbers chapter 7. The offerings that had been made by the Israelites’ tribal leaders had enabled Moses to enter the tabernacle and speak to God. Moses was able to hear God’s voice from above the mercy seat as the Israelites’ leaders had dedicated the tabernacle by making the offerings.
Numbers chapter 7 emphasizes the importance of the leadership of the Israelites. The leaders represented their tribes and they had the responsibility of helping to support the Israelites’ worship. The gifts that the leaders brought were not made to appear that one was richer than the other. The leaders brought gifts toward the dedication of the sanctuary and Moses had the opportunity to speak to God.
The wagons and the oxen that the leaders brought were used in the transport of the various items that had been used in the tabernacle. These included the curtains, the boards and the pillars. The gifts from the leaders enabled the Levites to perform their duties.
However, it was emphasized that the Kohathites should not use carts to carry the different furnishings that had been used in the tabernacle. Theirs was the responsibility of shouldering the furnishings of the tabernacle and this included moving the most sacred items as well as the other items.
The offerings of the leaders to the tabernacle show that there was unity among the twelve tribes of Israel. Each tribe had a leader who was able to represent his tribe. The leaders brought offerings that were almost the same indicating that each of the tribes contributed toward the worship of God.
Numbers chapter 7 provides the account of the dedication of the altar and the beginning of the regular service at the tabernacle. The Israelites’ leaders brought gifts that enabled the transport of the equipment at the sanctuary. They also brought sacrifices for the dedication of the tabernacle. Each tribe brought offerings with their leaders being named and each offering was recorded. Moses was able to enter the tabernacle to speak with God which showed that the worship of God was the most important activity of the Israelites’ lives.
The chapter begins when Moses had completed the task of organizing the tabernacle. He had anointed the tabernacle and its vessels and the altar, which had been anointed and sanctified. The Israelites’ leaders brought offerings to the tabernacle after Moses had set it up.
The leaders were the ones who helped Moses take the census of Israelites and they brought six covered wagons and twelve oxen. Two leaders shared each wagon while each leader brought an ox. Moses received the gifts and assigned the wagons and oxen to the Levites according to the tasks given to them.
The Gershonites received two wagons and four oxen as compared to the Merarites who received four wagons and eight oxen. This was because Gershon’s task involved carrying the curtains, coverings, hangings, and various materials used for the tabernacle while those of Merari involved carrying the heaver boards, pillars, sockets, bars, and other furnishings.
The Kohathites did not receive either wagons or oxen. Theirs was the task of shouldering the furnishings of the tabernacle and this was not to be done using any carts. The difference in the tasks of the three families of the Levites indicates that the manner in which they carried out their duties was different.
After the distribution of gifts to these families, the tribal leaders began to bring their offerings for the dedication of the altar. It took twelve days for the offerings to complete with each leader bringing his offering on a separate day. Each leader was able to present his offering as a representative of the twelve tribes of Israel.
The first was Nahshon the son of Amminadab, the leader of the tribe of Judah, who brought a silver charger, a silver bowl, and a golden spoon containing incense. He also brought a young bullock, a ram, and a lamb for a burnt offering, a goat for a sin offering, and two oxen, five rams, five goats for a peace offering and five lambs.
The other tribal leaders followed. Nethaneel the son of Zuar brought the offering for Issachar while Eliab the son of Helon represented Zebulun. Elizur the son of Shedeur represented Reuben and Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai represented Simeon. Eliasaph the son of Deuel represented Gad and Elishama the son of Ammihud brought the offering for Ephraim. Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur represented Manasseh while Abidan the son of Gideoni brought the offering for Benjamin. Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai represented Dan while Pagiel the son of Ocran brought the offering for Asher and Ahira the son of Enan represented Naphtali.
Each leader brought an offering with the same pattern being repeated. The repetition of the same account of gifts seems monotonous but this is to emphasize the fact that no tribe was considered less important than the other. Each leader was named and his offering was recorded. The offerings from one tribe were not considered more valuable than those of another tribe.
The offerings included silver vessels full of fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering, a golden spoon of incense as a gift, and animals that were to be offered as burnt, sin, and peace offerings. Each included a young bullock, a ram, and a lamb for a burnt offering, a goat for a sin offering, and additional animals for a peace offering.
The total number of gifts from the twelve leaders was great. It included twelve silver chargers, twelve silver bowls, and twelve golden spoons filled with incense. The numbers of animals were also large and included twelve young bullocks and twelve rams for burnt offerings and twelve lambs and their accompanying offerings, twelve goats for sin offerings and large numbers of animals for peace offerings.
The final part of the chapter describes what happened when Moses went into the tabernacle to speak to God. He heard the voice of God speaking to him from above the mercy seat, which was above the ark of the testimony between the two cherubims.
This was one of the most significant events recorded in Numbers chapter 7. The offerings that had been made by the Israelites’ tribal leaders had enabled Moses to enter the tabernacle and speak to God. Moses was able to hear God’s voice from above the mercy seat as the Israelites’ leaders had dedicated the tabernacle by making the offerings.
Numbers chapter 7 emphasizes the importance of the leadership of the Israelites. The leaders represented their tribes and they had the responsibility of helping to support the Israelites’ worship. The gifts that the leaders brought were not made to appear that one was richer than the other. The leaders brought gifts toward the dedication of the sanctuary and Moses had the opportunity to speak to God.
The wagons and the oxen that the leaders brought were used in the transport of the various items that had been used in the tabernacle. These included the curtains, the boards and the pillars. The gifts from the leaders enabled the Levites to perform their duties.
However, it was emphasized that the Kohathites should not use carts to carry the different furnishings that had been used in the tabernacle. Theirs was the responsibility of shouldering the furnishings of the tabernacle and this included moving the most sacred items as well as the other items.
The offerings of the leaders to the tabernacle show that there was unity among the twelve tribes of Israel. Each tribe had a leader who was able to represent his tribe. The leaders brought offerings that were almost the same indicating that each of the tribes contributed toward the worship of God.
Numbers chapter 7 provides the account of the dedication of the altar and the beginning of the regular service at the tabernacle. The Israelites’ leaders brought gifts that enabled the transport of the equipment at the sanctuary. They also brought sacrifices for the dedication of the tabernacle. Each tribe brought offerings with their leaders being named and each offering was recorded. Moses was able to enter the tabernacle to speak with God which showed that the worship of God was the most important activity of the Israelites’ lives.