Numbers 7:1

Numbers Old Testament

WEB

It happened on the day that Moses had finished setting up the tabernacle, and had anointed it and sanctified it, with all its furniture, and the altar with all its vessels, and had anointed and sanctified them;

KJV

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;

Commentary

Commentary

God having set up house (as it were) in the midst of the camp of Israel, the princes of Israel here come a visiting with their presents, as tenants to their landlord, in the name of their respective tribes. I. They brought presents, 1. Upon the dedication of the tabernacle, for the service of that, ver. 1-9 . 2. Upon the dedication of the altar, for the use of that, ver. 10-88 . And, II. God graciously signified his acceptance of them, ver. 89 . The two foregoing chapters were the records of additional laws which God gave to Israel, this is the history of the additional services which Israel performed to God. 1 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 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 And they brought their offering before the L ORD , six covered waggons, and twelve oxen; a waggon for two of the princes, and for each one an ox: and they brought them before the tabernacle.   4 And the L ORD spake unto Moses, saying,   5 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 And Moses took the waggons and the oxen, and gave them unto the Levites.   7 Two waggons and four oxen he gave unto the sons of Gershon, according to their service:   8 And four waggons 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 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. Here is the offering of the princes to the service of the tabernacle. Observe, I. When it was; not till it was fully set up, v. 1 . When all things were done both about the tabernacle itself, and the camp of Israel which surrounded it, according to the directions given, then they began their presents, probably about the eighth day of the second month. Note, Necessary observances must always take place of free-will offerings: first those, and then these. II. Who it was that offered: The princes of Israel, heads of the house of their fathers, v. 2 . Note, Those that are above others in power and dignity ought to go before others, and endeavour to go beyond them, in every thing that is good. The more any are advanced the more is expected from them, on account of the greater opportunity they have of serving God and their generation. What are wealth and authority good for, but as they enable a man to do so much the more good in the world? III. What was offered: six wagons, with each of them a yoke of oxen to draw them, v. 3 . Doubtless these wagons were agreeable to the rest of the furniture of the tabernacle and its appurtenances, the best of the kind, like the carriages which great princes use when they go in procession. Some think that God, by Moses, intimated to them what they should bring, or their own consideration perhaps suggested to them to make this present. Though God's wisdom had ordained all the essentials of the tabernacle, yet it seems these accidental conveniences were left to be provided by their own discretion, which was to set in order that which was wanting ( Tit. i. 5 ), and these wagons were not refused, though no pattern of them was shown to Moses in the mount. Note, It must not be expected that the divine institution of ordinances should descend to all those circumstances which are determinable, and are fit to be left alterable, by human prudence, that wisdom which is profitable to direct. Observe, No sooner is the tabernacle fully set up than this provision is made for the removal of it. Note, Even when we are but just settled in the world, and think we are beginning to take root, we must be preparing for changes and removes, especially for the great change. While we are here in this world, every thing must be accommodated to a militant and movable state. When the tabernacle was framing, the princes were very generous in their offerings, for then they brought precious stones, and stones to be set ( Exod. xxxv. 27 ), yet now they bring more presents. Note, Those that have done good should study to abound therein yet more and more, and not be weary of well-doing. IV. How the offering was disposed of, and what use was made of it: the wagons and oxen were given to the Levites, to be used in carrying the tabernacle, both for their ease (for God would not have any of his servants overburdened with work), and for the more safe and right conveyance of the several parts of the tabernacle, which would be best kept together, and sheltered from the weather, in wagons. 1. The Gershonites, that had the light carriage, the curtains and hangings, had but two wagons, and two yoke of oxen ( v. 7 ); when they had loaded these, they must carry the rest, if any remained, upon their shoulders. 2. The Merarites, that had the heavy carriage, and that which was most unwieldy, the boards, pillars, sockets, &c., had four wagons, and four yoke of oxen allotted them ( v. 8 ); and yet, if they had not more wagons of their own, they would be obliged to carry a great deal upon their backs too, for the silver sockets alone weighed 100 talents, which was above four tons, and that was enough to load four wagons that were drawn but by one yoke of oxen a-piece. But each socket being a talent weight, which is about a man's burden (as appears, 2 Kings v. 23 ) probably they carried those on their backs, and put the boards and pillars into the wagons. Observe here, How God wisely and graciously ordered the most strength to those that had the most work. Each had wagons according to their service. Whatever burden God in his providence lays upon us, he will by his sufficient grace proportion the strength to it, 1 Cor. x. 13 . 3. The Kohathites, that had the most sacred carriage, had no wagons at all, because they were to carry their charge upon their shoulders ( v. 9 ), with a particular care and veneration. When in David's time they carried the ark in a cart, God made them to know to their terror, by the death of Uzza, that they did not seek him in the due order. See 1 Chron. xv. 13 . 10 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 And the L ORD said unto Moses, They shall offer their offering, each prince on his day, for the dedicating of the altar.   12 And he that offered his offering the first day was Nahshon the son of Amminadab, of the tribe of Judah:   13 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 One spoon of ten shekels of gold, full of incense:   15 One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering:   16 One kid of the goats for a sin offering:   17 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 Nethaneel the son of Zuar, prince of Issachar, did offer:   19 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 One spoon of gold of ten shekels, full of incense:   21 One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering:   22 One kid of the goats for a sin offering:   23 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 the son of Helon, prince of the children of Zebulun, did offer: 25 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 One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense:   27 One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering:   28 One kid of the goats for a sin offering:   29 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 the son of Shedeur, prince of the children of Reuben, did offer: 31 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 One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense:   33 One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering:   34 One kid of the goats for a sin offering:   35 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 the son of Zurishaddai, prince of the children of Simeon, did offer: 37 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 One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense:   39 One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering:   40 One kid of the goats for a sin offering:   41 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 the son of Deuel, prince of the children of Gad, offered: 43 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 One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense:   45 One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering:   46 One kid of the goats for a sin offering:   47 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 the son of Ammihud, prince of the children of Ephraim, offered: 49 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 One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense:   51 One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering:   52 One kid of the goats for a sin offering:   53 And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the fir st year: this was the offering of Elishama the son of Ammihud.   54 On the eighth day offered Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur, prince of the children of Manasseh:   55 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 One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense:   57 One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering:   58 One kid of the goats for a sin offering:   59 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 the son of Gideoni, prince of the children of Benjamin, offered: 61 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 One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense:   63 One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering:   64 One kid of the goats for a sin offering:   65 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 the son of Ammishaddai, prince of the children of Dan, offered: 67 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 One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense:   69 One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering:   70 One kid of the goats for a sin offering:   71 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 the son of Ocran, prince of the children of Asher, offered: 73 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 One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense:   75 One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering:   76 One kid of the goats for a sin offering:   77 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 the son of Enan, prince of the children of Naphtali, offered: 79 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 One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense:   81 One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering:   82 One kid of the goats for a sin offering:   83 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.   84 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 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 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 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 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.   89 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. We have here an account of the great solemnity of dedicating the altars, both that of burnt-offerings and that of incense; they had been sanctified before, when they were anointed ( Lev. viii. 10, 11 ), but now they were handselled, as it were, by the princes, with their free-will offerings. They began the use of them with rich presents, great expressions of joy and gladness, and extraordinary respect to those tokens of God's presence with them. Now observe here, I. That the princes and great men were first and forwardest in the service of God. Those that are entitled to precedency should go before in good works, and that is true honour. Here is an example to the nobility and gentry, those that are in authority and of the first rank in their country; they ought to improve their honour and power, their estate and interest, for the promoting of religion, and the service of God, in the places where they live. It is justly expected that those who have more than others should do more good than others with what they have, else they are unfaithful stewards, and will not make up their account with joy. Nay, great men must not only with their wealth and power assist and protect those that serve God, but they must make conscience of being devout and religious themselves, and employing themselves in the exercises of piety, which will greatly redound to the honour of God ( Ps. cxxxviii. 4, 5 ), and have a good influence upon others, who will be the more easily persuaded to acts of devotion when they see them thus brought into reputation. It is certain that the greatest of men is less than the least of the ordinances of God; nor are the meanest services of religion any disparagement to those that make the greatest figure in the world. II. The offerings they brought were very rich and valuable, so rich that some think there was not so great a difference in estate between them and others as that they were able to bear the expense of them themselves, but that the heads of each tribe contributed to the offering which their prince brought. 1. They brought some things to remain for standing service, twelve large silver dishes, each about sixty ounces weight, as many large silver cups, or bowls, of about thirty-five ounces--the former to be used for the meat-offerings, the latter for the drink-offerings--the former for the flesh of the sacrifices, the latter for the blood. The latter was God's table (as it were), and it was fit that so great a King should be served in plate. The golden spoons being filled with incense were intended, it is probable, for the service of the golden altar, for both the altars were anointed at the same time. Note, In works of piety and charity we ought to be generous according as our ability is. He that is the best should be served with the best we have. The Israelites indeed might well afford to part with their gold and silver in abundance to the service of the sanctuary, for they needed it not to buy meat and victual their camp, being daily fed with bread from heaven; nor did they need it to buy land, or pay their army, for they were shortly to be put in possession of Canaan. 2. They brought some things to be used immediately, offerings of each sort, burnt-offerings, sin-offerings, and a great many peace-offerings (on part of which they were to feast with their friends), and the meat-offerings that were to be annexed to them. Hereby they signified their thankful acceptance of, and cheerful submission to, all those laws concerning the sacrifices which God had lately by Moses delivered to them. And, though it was a time of joy and rejoicing, yet it is observable that still in the midst of their sacrifices we find a sin-offering. Since in our best services we are conscious to ourselves that there is a mixture of sin, it is fit that there should be even in our most joyful services a mixture of repentance. In all our approaches to God, we must by faith have an eye to Christ as the great sin-offering, and make mention of him. 3. They brought their offerings each on a separate day, in the order that they had been lately put into, so that the solemnity lasted twelve days. So God appointed ( v. 11 ): They shall bring their offering, each prince on his day, and so they did. One sabbath must needs fall within the twelve days, if not two, but it should seem they did not intermit on the sabbath, for it was holy work, proper enough for a holy day. God appointed that it should thus be done on several days, (1.) That solemnity might be prolonged, and so might be universally taken notice of by all Israel, and the remembrance of it more effectually preserved. (2.) That an equal honour might thereby be put upon each tribe respectively; in Aaron's breast-plate each had his precious stone, so in this offering each had his day. (3.) Thus it would be done more decently and in order; God's work should not be done confusedly, and in a hurry; take time, and we shall have done the sooner, or at least we shall have done the better. (4.) God hereby signified how much pleased he is, and how much pleased we should be, with the exercises of piety and devotion. The repetition of them should be a continual pleasure to us, and we must not be weary of well doing. If extraordinary service be required to be done for twelve days together, we must not shrink from it, nor call it a task and a burden. (5.) The priests and Levites, having this occasion to offer the same sacrifices, and those some of every sort, every day, for so many days together, would have their hands well set in, and would be well versed in the laws concerning them. (6.) The peace-offerings were all to be eaten the same day they were offered, and two oxen, five rams, five he-goats, and five lambs, were enough for one day's festival; had there been more, especially if all had been brought on one day, there might have been danger of excess. The virtue of temperance must not be left, under pretence of the religion of feasting. 4. All their offerings were exactly the same, without any variation, though it is probable that neither the princes nor the tribes were all alike rich; but thus it was intimated that all the tribes of Israel had an equal share in the altar, and an equal interest in the sacrifices that were offered upon it. Though one tribe was posted more honourably in the camp than another, yet they and their services were all alike acceptable to God. Nor must we have faith of our Lord Jesus Christ with respect to persons, Jam. ii. 1 . 5. Nahshon, the prince of the tribe of Judah, offered first, because God had given that tribe the first post of honour in the camp; and the rest of the tribes acquiesced, and offered in the same order in which God had appointed them to encamp. Judah, of which tribe Christ came, first, and then the rest; thus, in the dedication of souls to God, every man is presented in his own order, Christ the first-fruits, 1 Cor. xv. 23 . Some observe that Nahshon is the only one that is not expressly called a prince ( v. 12 ), which the Jews give this account of: he is not called a prince, that he might not be puffed up because he offered first; and all the others are called princes because they (though some of them of the elder house) submitted, and offered after him. Or, because the title of prince of Judah did more properly belong to Christ, for unto him shall the gathering of the people be. 6. Though the offerings were all the same, yet the account of them is repeated at large for each tribe, in the same words. We are sure there are no vain repetitions in scripture; what then shall we make of these repetitions? Might it not have served to say of this noble jury that the same offering which their foreman brought each on his day brought likewise? No, God would have it specified for each tribe: and why so? (1.) It was for the encouragement of these princes, and of their respective tribes, that each of their offerings being recorded at large no slight might seem to be put upon them; for rich and poor meet together before God. (2.) It was for the encouragement of all generous acts of piety and charity, by letting us know that what is so given is lent to the Lord, and he carefully records it, with every one's name prefixed to his gift, because what is so given he will pay again, and even a cup of cold water shall have its reward. He is not unrighteous, to forget either the cost or the labour of love, Heb. vi. 10 . We find Christ taking particular notice of what was cast into the treasury, Mark xii. 41 . Though what is offered be but little, though it be a contribution to the charity of others, yet if it be according to our ability it shall be recorded, that it may be recompensed in the resurrection of the just. 7. The sum total is added at the foot of the account ( v. 84-88 ), to show how much God was pleased with the mention of his freewill-offerings, and what a great deal they amounted to in the whole, when every prince brought in his quota! How greatly would the sanctuary of God be enriched and beautified if all would in their places do their part towards it, by exemplary purity and devotion, extensive charity, and universal usefulness! 8. God signified his gracious acceptance of these presents that were brought him, by speaking familiarly to Moses, as a man speaks to his friend, from off the mercy-seat ( v. 89, ch. xii. 8 ); and in speaking to him he did in effect speak to all Israel, showing them this token for good, Ps. ciii. 7 . Note, By this we may know that God hears and accepts our prayers if he gives us grace to hear and receive his word, for thus our communion with him is maintained and kept up. I know not why we may not suppose that upon each of the days on which these offerings were brought (probably while the priests and offerers were feasting upon the peace-offerings) Moses was in the tabernacle, receiving some of those laws and orders which we have already met with in this and the foregoing book. And here the excellent bishop Patrick observes that God's speaking to Moses thus by an audible articulate voice, as if he had been clothed with a holy body, might be looked upon as an earnest of the incarnation of the Son of God in the fulness of time, when the Word should be made flesh, and speak in the language of the sons of men. For, however God at sundry times and in divers manners spoke unto the fathers, he has in these last days spoken unto us by his Son. And that he who now spoke to Moses, as the shechinah or divine Majesty, from between the cherubim, was the eternal Word, the second person in the Trinity, was the pious conjecture of many of the ancients; for all God's communion with man is by his Son, by whom he made the world, and rules the church, and who is the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever. 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; and at the dedication of the altar, and the service of that, Nu 7:10; first of the prince of the tribe of Judah, Nu 7:12; then of the prince of Issachar, Nu 7:18; of the prince of Zebulun, Nu 7:24; of the prince of Reuben, Nu 7:30; of the prince of Simeon, Nu 7:36; of the prince of Gad, Nu 7:42; of the prince of Ephraim, Nu 7:48; of the prince of Manasseh, Nu 7:54; of the prince of Benjamin, Nu 7:60; of the prince of Dan, Nu 7:66; of the prince of Asher, Nu 7:72; of the prince of Naphtali, Nu 7:78; the sum of all which follows, Nu 7:84; and the chapter is concluded with a token of God's approbation and acceptance of the whole, Nu 7:89. Ver. 1. And it came to pass on the day that Moses had fully set up the tabernacle,.... Not on the very exact day on which it was first reared up, for that was on the first day of the first month of the second year from the coming up of Israel out of Egypt, Ex 40:17; whereas the following offerings of the princes were not offered, and many other things previous to them, recorded in the preceding chapters, were not done, until after the first day of the second month of that year, Nu 1:1; though the Jews say {e} the first of Nisan, or of the first month, was the first for various things, and the first on which the princes offered; but no one particular day can be intended, because the princes were twelve days successively offering their offerings; wherefore "the day" here only denotes the time about which it was when this service was performed; when the tabernacle was not only set up, but "fully" set up, when everything relating to it was in its proper place and order; when not only it was put together, and all the vessels and instruments of it in their due place, but also when the people of Israel, for whose sake it was erected, that the Lord God might dwell among them, were numbered, and their camps formed and pitched around the tabernacle; and the Levites were taken and numbered also, who were to serve at it, and their place and service were appointed unto them about it; for then, and not till then, was the service of it completed, and its proper place and situation fixed and settled: and had anointed it; with the holy oil Moses was directed to make and anoint it with, Ex 30:23; and sanctified it: set it apart for holy use and service, to be an habitation for God, and the place of his worship: and all the instruments thereof; the ark, table, candlestick, &c. both the altars, and all the vessels thereof, and had anointed them, and sanctified them; the altar of incense, and the altar of burnt offering, and all appertaining: thereunto; according to Ben Gersom, this finishing of the whole was at the end of the seven days of consecration of Aaron and his sons, Ex 29:35. {e} Seder Olam Rabba, c. 7. p. 21. Baal Hatturim in loc. Numbers 7:2 Ver. 2. That the princes of Israel,.... The princes of the twelve tribes of Israel: heads of the house of their fathers; of the each of the houses and families the tribes were divided into, and took their name from each of their ancestors, as is next explained: who were princes of the tribes; the twelve tribes, as before observed, Nu 1:4; and were over them that were numbered; over the children of Israel that were numbered, Nu 1:19; by which it that these princes are the very same persons that are mentioned by name there, as they are here afterwards; and were with Moses and Aaron, and assisting to them when they took the number of them; but according to the Targum of Jonathan, and Jarchi, these were appointed over them in Egypt; but the former is right: these now offered not sacrifices but gifts; they brought their presents to the Lord for the service of his sanctuary, and set them before him, as follows. Numbers 7:3 Ver. 3. And they brought their offering before the Lord,.... Before the tabernacle, as it is afterwards explained, where he had now taken up his habitation: six covered wagons, and twelve oxen; according to the number of the twelve tribes, of which they were princes, two oxen for each wagon, which were to carry the tabernacle, and its vessels, from place to place; and which wagons were covered, not only to hide the things to be put into them from the sight of the people, being sacred, but to preserve them from the rain and dust, and the like; and no doubt, but as they were made of the best materials, So they were covered with rich coverings for the honour of the vessels put into them, being the presents of princes, and in which they joined, and could not be ordinary carriages. The word is rendered "litters" in Isa 66:20; and by some, "coaches"; the Targum of Jonathan is, "six wagons yoked,'' or drawn with a yoke of oxen; and Aben Ezra says, it signifies a kind of oxen which drew wagons; but the Targum of Jonathan, Jarchi, and Ben Gersom interpret it "covered", as we do: a wagon for two of the princes, and for each one an ox; two princes joined in the present of one wagon, which shows it could not be a common wagon, but rich carriage, and ornamented, as the Targum of Jonathan adds; and each prince presented an ox, so that there was a yoke of them for each wagon: and they brought them before the tabernacle; the Targum of Jonathan says, Moses would not receive them, and therefore they brought them before the tabernacle; and so, says Jarchi, Moses received them not at their hands, until it was declared to him by the mouth of the Lord what he should do, as follows. Numbers 7:4 Ver. 4. And the Lord spake unto Moses,.... Out of the tabernacle, before which the wagons and oxen were brought: saying: as follows. Numbers 7:5 Ver. 5. Take [it] of them,.... The present of the wagons and oxen, by which it appears that this freewill offering of the princes was according to his mind and will, and what they were influenced and guided to by his Spirit, and was well pleasing in his sight, and acceptable to him: that they may be to do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation; be made use of, and employed in carrying the tabernacle, and the things of it, from place to place, when the Israelites journeyed: and thou shalt give them to the Levites; to ease them, whose business it was to bear and carry the several parts of the tabernacle, and the vessels of it: to every man according to his service; whether lighter or heavier, for such difference there was in the three divisions of the Levites; and according as their work was, they had more or fewer wagons and oxen given them, as it follows, Nu 7:7. Numbers 7:6 Ver. 6. And Moses took the wagons and the oxen,.... Of the princes, as he was directed: and gave them unto the Levites; the Gershonites and Merarites; for, as for the Kohathites, they had no part of them, for a reason after given, Nu 7:9. Numbers 7:7 Ver. 7. Two wagons and four oxen he gave unto the sons of Gershon,.... The eldest son of Levi: according to their service; which was to bear and take care of the curtains, coverings, hangings and rails of the tabernacle; and which, when carrying from place to place, it was proper they should be covered from being exposed to rain and dust; and being so many as they were, must be heavy, burdensome, and cumbersome, and therefore two wagons, with two yoke of oxen, were given them, to ease them. Numbers 7:8 Ver. 8. And four wagons and eight oxen he gave to the sons of Merari,.... All the remaining wagons and oxen, which were double the number given to the Gershonites: according unto their service; being much heavier than theirs, having all the boards, pillars, sockets, pins; cords, &c. to bear and carry: thus Moses was directed of God wisely to dispose of those carriages, in proportion to the services each was employed in; and in a spiritual way, as the day, duty, and service of the people of God be, he proportions grace and strength to them to answer thereunto: under the hand of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest; under whose care, inspection, and direction, were both the Gershonites and Merarites, Nu 4:28; and by whom were delivered, according to the instruction of Moses, the several wagons and oxen, to them. Numbers 7:9 Ver. 9. But unto the sons of Kohath he gave none,.... Being all disposed of to the sons of Gershon and Merari: the reason of which follows, because the service of the sanctuary belonging unto them [was that] they should bear upon their shoulders; as the ark with the mercy seat, and cherubim, the shewbread table, the candlestick, and the two altars; though in later times we find the ark was sometimes not only carried by the priests, but upon a cart, Jos 3:17. Numbers 7:10 Ver. 10. And the princes offered for dedicating of the altar,.... For setting it apart to sacred use and service, even the altar of burnt offering; or rather after it had bean sanctified and set apart, when it began to be made use of for sacrifice: in the day that it was anointed; with the anointing oil, whereby it was devoted to sacred service; even the princes offered their offering before the altar; the altar of burnt offering; they brought their vessels for the service of it, and the creatures for sacrifice, and set them before it; signifying what they meant, thereby, that the silver and golden vessels were for the use of it, and the beasts for sacrifice to be offered up on it: and here Jarchi also observes, that Moses would not receive their offering until he knew the mind of God about it, and it was declared to him from himself. Numbers 7:11 Ver. 11. And the Lord said unto Moses,.... For before this was said to him, even what follows, Moses knew not, as the same writer observes, how they should offer, in what order, whether according to their birth, or whether according to the journeying of their camps, or whether they should offer together, or one after another, one day after another {g}; this affair is set in a clear light: they shall offer their offering each prince on his day; one on one day, and the other on the next, and so on successively for twelve days running; and this was ordered for the greater solemnity of the service, and that it might be taken notice of, and each have the honour and credit of it; and this was done, not according to the order of their birth, but as their standards were fixed, first Judah, and those under him, and so the rest in course: for the dedicating of the altar; see Nu 7:10. {g} Vid. Siphri apud Yalkut in loc. Numbers 7:12 Ver. 12. And he that offered his offering on the first day,.... Was he whose standard was pitched first, at the east, to the rising sun: and this was Nahshon the son of Amminadab, of the tribe of Judah; who was the prince and captain of that tribe, though the title is not here given him, as to the rest of the princes, this being left to be concluded from his offering first; for if they that offered after him were princes, he must needs be one; or it may be this title is omitted, because the chief prince, of the prince of the tribe of Judah, most peculiarly belongs to a greater Personage, even the Messiah, who was to spring, and did spring from that tribe, 1Ch 5:2; and, as Baal Hatturim says, from Nahshon; and who also observes, that Ben Nahshon is the Messiah. Numbers 7:13 Ver. 13. And his offering [was] one silver charger,.... Or dish, like one of those used in the shewbread table to hold the bread in, only they were of gold, this of silver, and belonged to the altar of burnt offering; the use of which might be to hold the meat offering in, as it may seem from the latter part of the verse, or the wave breast or heave shoulder, which belonged to the priest: the weight thereof [was] an hundred and thirty [shekels]; which were sixty one ounces, four drachms, one scruple, and seventeen grains {h}, worth about sixteen pounds and five shillings of our money; one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; the standard that was kept in the sanctuary; this was a lesser vessel, and was either for holding the drink offering, or receiving the blood of the sacrifices; its weight was thirty three ounces, five drachms, and three grains, and was worth about eight pounds and fifteen shillings of our money: both of them [were] full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering; which always attended other sacrifices after mentioned, part of which was burnt on the altar of burnt offering, and the rest were the perquisites of the priests. {h} Vid. Scheuchzer. Physic. Sacr. vol. 2. p. 366. Numbers 7:14 Ver. 14. One spoon of ten [shekels] of gold, &c. Its weight was according to the shekels, its matter of gold; it weighed four ounces, one drachm, and nine grains, and was worth about seven pounds and ten shillings of our money: full of incense; this looks as if this spoon was designed for the golden altar of incense, which might be at this time also dedicated; but Jarchi understands it as for the altar of burnt offering, and observes, we never find incense belonging to a private person, nor to the outward altar (the altar of burnt offering), but this only, and which was temporary. Numbers 7:15 Ver. 15. One young bullock,.... Of three years old, as the Targums of Jonathan and Jerusalem: one ram; of two years old, as the same Targums: one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering; of which see Le 1:3. Numbers 7:16 Ver. 16. One kid of the goats for a sin offering. Though these offerings of the princes were by way of thanksgiving, and to express their joy and gladness at the erection of the tabernacle, its altars, and the service thereof; yet as this might not be without sin, which attends the best and purest performances of men, a sin offering was required, teaching us to look to Christ, who was made an offering for sin, for the taking away the sins of our holy things. Numbers 7:17 Ver. 17. And for a sacrifice of peace offerings,.... So that here were all sorts of offerings on this occasion, meat and drink offerings, burnt offerings, sin offerings, and peace offerings: and for the latter were brought two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year; the reason why so many were brought and used for this sort of sacrifice was, because with these a feast was made, of which not only the priests partook, but the princes, and as many of their friends and acquaintance as they thought fit to invite: this [was] the offering of Nahshon the son of Amminadab: which he offered out of his own substance, as the Targums of Jonathan and Jerusalem paraphrase it; though some have thought, that the presents and offerings were so large, and the princes not so very rich, or so much above the common people, as may be thought, that therefore they were assisted by the several tribes they were princes of: and as was this prince's offering, so were all the rest that follow in the order, according to their encampment under the several standards where they were fixed; and which were offered successively every day, the sabbath day or days not excepted, these being religious services, until the whole twelve were finished; and their presents and their offerings were exactly the same, and the account of them is given in the same words; they either agreeing together to make the same presents and offerings, or else they were directed to do so by the Spirit of God; whereby might be signified the common and equal right that they, and the tribes they represented, had in the altars, and the benefits arising from thence; as those that believe in Christ have an altar which is himself, they have a joint right to partake of, and have an equal share in the benefits of righteousness, peace, pardon, and atonement by him; see Heb 13:10; wherefore there is nothing more particularly to be observed in Nu 7:17; only that in the several accounts of the presents and offerings of each prince, the vowel points in the Hebrew text are omitted, excepting in the names of persons that offer; which does not at all militate against the antiquity of the points, or their being coeval with the consonants, since, both in manuscripts and printed copies, these may be left out for brevity's sake, and quicker dispatch, and without any detriment, since they may be easily supplied from the first instance given; and they may be omitted on purpose, that these accounts might be the more taken notice of as a very wonderful thing, that their presents and offerings should be exactly alike; since the vowels being wanting, the naked letters may the more strike the eye, and lead the mind to notice them; and whereas the accents are all along continued, the reason of which may be, because the vowels once put, and read, might be more easily known, especially by one skilful in the Hebrew language, than the stops, distinctions, and divisions of the text, as a learned man has observed {i}. {i} Vid. Pfeiffer. Dubia vexata, cent. 2. loc. 19. p. 147. Numbers 7:18 Ver. 18. On the second day Nethaneel the son of Zuar, prince of Issachar, did offer. See Nu 1:8. Numbers 7:19 Ver. 19. He offered [for] his offering one silver charger,.... See Gill on "Nu 7:13". Numbers 7:20 Ver. 20. One spoon of gold of ten [shekels], full of incense. See Gill on "Nu 7:14". Numbers 7:21 Ver. 21. One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering. See Gill on "Nu 7:15". Numbers 7:22 Ver. 22. One kid of the goats for a sin offering. See Gill on "Nu 7:16". Numbers 7:23 Ver. 23. And for a sacrifice of peace offerings,.... See Gill on "Nu 7:17". Nethaneel the son of Zuar; see Nu 1:8. Numbers 7:24 Ver. 24. On the third day Eliab the son of Helon, prince of the children of Zebulun, [did offer]. See Nu 1:9. Numbers 7:25 Ver. 25. His offering [was] one silver charger,.... See Gill on "Nu 7:13". Numbers 7:26 Ver. 26. One golden spoon of ten [shekels], full of incense. See Gill on "Nu 7:14". Numbers 7:27 Ver. 27. One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering. See Gill on "Nu 7:15". Numbers 7:28 Ver. 28. One kid of the goats for a sin offering. See Gill on "Nu 7:16". Numbers 7:29 Ver. 29. And for a sacrifice of peace offerings,.... See Gill on "Nu 7:17". Eliab the son of Helon; see Nu 1:9. Numbers 7:30 Ver. 30. On the fourth day Elizur the son of Shedeur, prince of the children of Reuben, [did offer]. See Nu 1:5. Numbers 7:31 Ver. 31. His offering [was] one silver charger,.... See Gill on "Nu 7:13". Numbers 7:32 Ver. 32. One golden spoon of ten [shekels], full of incense. See Gill on "Nu 7:14". Numbers 7:33 Ver. 33. One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering. See Gill on "Nu 7:15". Numbers 7:34 Ver. 34. One kid of the goats for a sin offering. See Gill on "Nu 7:16". Numbers 7:35 Ver. 35. And for a sacrifice of peace offerings,.... See Gill on "Nu 7:17". Elizur the son of Shedeur; see Nu 1:5. Numbers 7:36 Ver. 36. On the fifth day Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai, prince of the children of Simeon, [did offer]. See Nu 1:6. Numbers 7:37 Ver. 37. His offering [was] one silver charger,.... See Gill on "Nu 7:13". Numbers 7:38 Ver. 38. One golden spoon of ten [shekels], full of incense. See Gill on "Nu 7:14". Numbers 7:39 Ver. 39. One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering. See Gill on "Nu 7:15". Numbers 7:40 Ver. 40. One kid of the goats for a sin offering. See Gill on "Nu 7:16". Numbers 7:41 Ver. 41. And for a sacrifice of peace offerings,.... See Gill on "Nu 7:17". Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai; see Nu 1:6. Numbers 7:42 Ver. 42. On the sixth day Eliasaph the son of Deuel, prince of the children of Gad, [offered]. See Nu 1:14. Numbers 7:43 Ver. 43. His offering [was] one silver charger,.... See Gill on "Nu 7:13". Numbers 7:44 Ver. 44. One golden spoon of ten [shekels], full of incense. See Gill on "Nu 7:14". Numbers 7:45 Ver. 45. One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering. See Gill on "Nu 7:15". Numbers 7:46 Ver. 46. One kid of the goats for a sin offering. See Gill on "Nu 7:16". Numbers 7:47 Ver. 47. And for a sacrifice of peace offerings,.... See Gill on "Nu 7:17". Eliasaph the son of Deuel; see Nu 1:14. Numbers 7:48 Ver. 48. On the seventh day Elishama the son of Ammihud, prince of the children of Ephraim, [offered]. See Nu 1:10. Numbers 7:49 Ver. 49. His offering [was] one silver charger,.... See Gill on "Nu 7:13". Numbers 7:50 Ver. 50. One golden spoon of ten [shekels], full of incense. See Gill on "Nu 7:14". Numbers 7:51 Ver. 51. One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering. See Gill on "Nu 7:15". Numbers 7:52 Ver. 52. One kid of the goats for a sin offering. See Gill on "Nu 7:16". Numbers 7:53 Ver. 53. And for a sacrifice of peace offerings,.... See Gill on "Nu 7:17". Elishama the son of Ammihud; see Nu 1:10. Numbers 7:54 Ver. 54. On the eighth day [offered] Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur, prince of the children of Manasseh. See Nu 1:10. Numbers 7:55 Ver. 55. His offering [was] one silver charger,.... See Gill on "Nu 7:13". Numbers 7:56 Ver. 56. One golden spoon of ten [shekels], full of incense. See Gill on "Nu 7:14". Numbers 7:57 Ver. 57. One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering. See Gill on "Nu 7:15". Numbers 7:58 Ver. 58. One kid of the goats for a sin offering. See Gill on "Nu 7:16". Numbers 7:59 Ver. 59. And for a sacrifice of peace offerings,.... See Gill on "Nu 7:17". Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur; see Nu 1:10. Numbers 7:60 Ver. 60. On the ninth day Abidan the son of Gideoni, prince of the children of Benjamin, [offered]. See Nu 1:11. Numbers 7:61 Ver. 61. His offering [was] one silver charger,.... See Gill on "Nu 7:13". Numbers 7:62 Ver. 62. One golden spoon of ten [shekels], full of incense. See Gill on "Nu 7:14". Numbers 7:63 Ver. 63. One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering. See Gill on "Nu 7:15". Numbers 7:64 Ver. 64. One kid of the goats for a sin offering. See Gill on "Nu 7:16". Numbers 7:65 Ver. 65. And for a sacrifice of peace offerings,.... See Gill on "Nu 7:17". Abidan the son of Gideoni; see Nu 1:11. Numbers 7:66 Ver. 66. On the tenth day Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai, prince of the children of Dan, [offered]. See Nu 1:12. Numbers 7:67 Ver. 67. His offering [was] one silver charger,.... See Gill on "Nu 7:13". Numbers 7:68 Ver. 68. One golden spoon of ten [shekels], full of incense. See Gill on "Nu 7:14". Numbers 7:69 Ver. 69. One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering. See Gill on "Nu 7:15". Numbers 7:70 Ver. 70. One kid of the goats for a sin offering. See Gill on "Nu 7:16". Numbers 7:71 Ver. 71. And for a sacrifice of peace offerings,.... See Gill on "Nu 7:17". Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai; see Nu 1:12. Numbers 7:72 Ver. 72. On the eleventh day Pagiel the son of Ocran, prince of the children of Asher, [offered]. See Nu 1:13. Numbers 7:73 Ver. 73. His offering [was] one silver charger,.... See Gill on "Nu 7:13". Numbers 7:74 Ver. 74. One golden spoon of ten [shekels], full of incense. See Gill on "Nu 7:14". Numbers 7:75 Ver. 75. One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering. See Gill on "Nu 7:15". Numbers 7:76 Ver. 76. One kid of the goats for a sin offering. See Gill on "Nu 7:16". Numbers 7:77 Ver. 77. And for a sacrifice of peace offerings,.... See Gill on "Nu 7:17". Pagiel the son of Ocran; see Nu 1:13. Numbers 7:78 Ver. 78. On the twelfth day Ahira the son of Enan, prince of the children of Naphtali, [offered]. See Nu 1:15. Numbers 7:79 Ver. 79. His offering [was] one silver charger,.... See Gill on "Nu 7:13". Numbers 7:80 Ver. 80. One golden spoon of ten [shekels], full of incense. See Gill on "Nu 7:14". Numbers 7:81 Ver. 81. One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering. See Gill on "Nu 7:15". Numbers 7:82 Ver. 82. One kid of the goats for a sin offering. See Gill on "Nu 7:16". Numbers 7:83 Ver. 83. And for a sacrifice of peace offerings,.... See Gill on "Nu 7:17". Ahira the son of Enan; see Nu 1:15. Numbers 7:84 Ver. 84. This [was] the dedication of the altar by the princes,.... These the presents they made, and the offerings they offered when the altar first began to be made use of, after it had been anointed and sanctified for sacred service: in the day when it was anointed: this shows that it was not the precise and exact day of the setting up of the tabernacle, and the anointing of the altar, that the above presents and offerings were brought, since they were twelve successive days in bringing; but that the sense is, that about that time, or quickly after it was anointed, the princes dedicated it in the manner before described: twelve chargers of silver, twelve silver bowls, twelve spoons of gold; according to the number of the princes, and the tribes they were princes of; a noble instance both of devotion and piety, and of liberality and generosity; and is a standing example on record to all princes and great personages in all successive ages, to promote religion and godliness, by their own personal conduct and behaviour, and to encourage and support it by their generous benefactions and donations: the sum total of what they contributed is in this and the following verses given. Numbers 7:85 Ver. 85. Each charger of silver [weighing] an hundred and thirty [shekels], each bowl seventy,.... See Gill on "Nu 7:13"; all the silver vessels [weighed] two thousand and four hundred [shekels], after the shekel of the sanctuary; which amounted to 1,139 ounces and four drachms {k}, which were worth about three hundred pounds of our money. {k} Vid. Scheuchzer. ut supra. (Physic. Sacr. vol. 2. p. 366.) Numbers 7:86 Ver. 86. The golden spoons [were] twelve, full of incense,.... Which points at the use those spoons or cups were of, namely, to carry incense in them, such as were used on the day of atonement {l}: [weighing] ten [shekels] apiece, after the shekel of the sanctuary; See Gill on "Nu 7:14"; all the gold of the spoons [was] twenty [shekels]; which amounted to forty nine ounces, five drachms, scruples, and eight gains, worth about seventy five pounds of our money. {l} Misn. Yoma, c. 4, 4. & 5, 1. Numbers 7:87 Ver. 87. All the oxen for the burnt offering [were] twelve bullocks,.... According to the number of the princes and their tribes, and so, the rams twelve, the lambs of the first year twelve; which were also for the burnt offering: with their meat offering; which always went along with the burnt offering: and the kids of the goats, for a sin offering, twelve; thus the twelve princes, and by them the twelve tribes, expressed their faith in Christ, the antitype of those sacrifices, and their hope of his coming into the world to be a sacrifice for sin, and of their atonement, reconciliation, peace, pardon, and salvation by him; see Ac 26:6. Numbers 7:88 Ver. 88. And all the oxen for the sacrifice of the peace offerings [were] twenty and four bullocks,.... Each prince bringing two: the rams sixty, the he goats sixty, the lambs of the first year sixty; five of each being brought by every prince; so that the whole number of beasts for peace offerings only, which were to feast with, were two hundred four; this [was] the dedication of the altar after that it was anointed; this clearly shows, that it was not the precise day the altar was anointed the dedication was made, but some little time after; even that the first prince brought his presents and offerings for the dedication of it. Numbers 7:89 Ver. 89. And when Moses was gone into the tabernacle of the congregation, to speak with him,.... With God, to consult him on some affair or another, or to learn whether he had anything else to communicate to him, to be delivered to the children of Israel; or whether he had any directions and instructions to give him about the presents and gifts of the princes, since this seems to be immediately after their offerings: then he heard the voice of one speaking unto him; the Targum of Jonathan paraphrases it, the voice of the Spirit; but rather the voice of the Shechinah, or Word of God, the eternal "Logos", is what was heard; who in the fulness of time was to be made flesh, and dwell among men, and be heard, and seen, and handled by them; for as for the voice of the Father, the was not heard at any time, Joh 5:37; from off the mercy seat that was upon the ark of the testimony, from between the two cherubim; upon the ark in which the law was, called the testimony, was the mercy seat; over that were placed two cherubim shadowing it, and between these was the seat of the divine Majesty, which he had now taken, and from hence the voice of him speaking, was heard; which, as it follows upon the presents and offerings of the princes, may be interpreted, of the divine approbation and acceptance of them, since it was promised by the Lord to Moses, that upon their building a tabernacle for him he would dwell in it; and upon the making a mercy seat with the cherubim over the ark, he would there meet with Moses, and commune with him; all which being done to his mind he fulfils his promise: though it seems that at this time Moses did not go into the most holy place, only into the tabernacle of the congregation, the outward sanctuary, the court of the tabernacle; and there he heard the voice, as Jarchi observes, coming out of the most holy place, and from the mercy seat there, which was so loud, clear, and distinct, as to be well heard and understood by him; he supposes the voice went out from heaven to between the two cherubim, and from thence to the tabernacle of the congregation: and he spake unto him; what he spoke is not said, unless it is what follows in the next chapter. John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible. 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. MWHBC 125.2 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. Even when but just settled in the world, we must be preparing for changes and removes, especially for the great change. MWHBC 125.2
Sources: Matthew Henry; Gill's Exposition; Matthew Henry Concise