Numberschapter 7
89 verses · Moses, by tradition · 15th to 13th century BC · The Law
Key verse
When Moses entered the Tent of Meeting to speak with the LORD, he heard the voice speaking to him from between the two cherubim above the mercy seat on the ark of the Testimony. Thus the LORD spoke to him.
It stands in A voice from between the cherubim, verses 89 to 89.
The chapter
Chapter summary
The tabernacle dedicated. The twelve tribal princes bring six covered wagons and twelve oxen for the Levitical transport. Given to Gershon and Merari; none to Kohath, who bears the holy things on shoulders. Then twelve days of tribal offerings, each prince bringing the same set: a silver charger, a silver bowl, a gold spoon of incense, a bullock, a ram, a lamb, a kid for sin offering, two oxen, five rams, five he-goats, five lambs for peace offerings. The chapter repeats the list twelve times. The longest repetition in Scripture. The weight of each identical tribute is a theological point: no tribe's gift is summarised or abbreviated.
Context
Law · Moses · Numbers overview
The world behind this chapter
Numbers 7The history
The gifts are brought by the twelve tribal leaders, the same men who had supervised the registration of the tribes in Numbers 1. John Calvin holds it probable that each leader presented what his whole tribe had subscribed, since no private man in that camp owned so much gold and silver of his own.
Verse 1 puts the offerings on the day the tabernacle was fully set up, which Exodus 40:17 dates to the first day of the first month of the second year after the Exodus. The events therefore fall about a month before the census that opens the book, and the chapter stands where it does because of its subject.
The rest of the history, and what it meant to them
The place is the courtyard of the newly raised tabernacle, in the wilderness at the foot of Sinai, where Israel had been camped for about eleven months. The occasion is the dedication of the altar, with twelve identical offerings brought on twelve separate days, one leader a day, in the order the tribes camped around the tent in Numbers 2.
A first hearer knew what a dedication record was for, since gifts to a sanctuary were itemised and kept, gift by gift and giver by giver. He also knew what the gifts cost, since the silver of one leader's platter and bowl weighed two hundred shekels against the sanctuary standard. The twelve together came to two thousand four hundred shekels of silver and a hundred and twenty shekels of gold, which was substantial wealth for a camp carrying only what it could lift.
Six carts and twelve oxen went to the Levites, four to Merari for the boards and two to Gershon for the fabric, and Kohath received none, because the holy furniture travelled on men's shoulders.
What it meant to them
Twelve tribes gave exactly the same thing on twelve separate days. Judah, who went first, had no more standing at the altar than Naphtali, who went last.
For first hearers the repetition was the honour, since every tribe's name was read out in full in a record that would be read for as long as the book lasted.
The chapter ends with the one detail that outweighs the list. Moses went into the tent to speak with God and heard the voice above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim, which is what Exodus 25:22 had promised would happen there.
Sources cited
- Timothy R. Ashley, The Book of Numbers (NICOT)
- John H. Walton, Victor H. Matthews and Mark W. Chavalas, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament
- John Calvin, Commentaries , 1554, on Numbers 7:1
- This site's published exposition of Numbers 7, on verses 1 to 3 and on verses 4 to 9
Where the chapter sits
Numbers 7 falls in First census and camp order (chapters 1–10). Twelve tribes numbered; the camp arranged around the tabernacle; the order of march; the cloud lifts.
After it: From Sinai to Kadesh, chapters 11–14.
The whole shape of Numbers→The structure of this chapter
The heads below are this chapter's scenes. The numbered points under each are its verses.
A. Six wagons for the sons of Levi
1. (vv. 1-3)
Numbers 7:1
“And it came to pass on the day that Moses This was the second contribution of the people, after the completion of the Tabernacle; for although mention is only made of the princes, it is probable that each of them presented what the whole tribe had subscribed, since there was no private person at that time wealthy enough to give so much gold and silver of his own.”
John Calvin· Commentaries (1554)reformed
1 more voice on this verseWhat preachers and commentators have said about this verse, in their own words.
Numbers 7:1
“On the day that - i. e. “at the time that,” compare Gen 2:4. The presentation of the gifts in fact occupied twelve days, as the sequel shows. The enactments set forth in the chapters from Lev. 10 to Num. 6 inclusive, were doubtless promulgated at various times between the consecration of the tabernacle and the departure from Sinai, but are for convenience set out connectedly. The contents of the present chapter are accordingly placed after them. The order pursued throughout is justly noted as one which would naturally suggest itself to a narrator who was contemporary with the events.”
Numbers 7:2
“That the princes of Israel,....”
1 more voice on this verse
Numbers 7:2
“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.”
Matthew Henry· Commentary on the Whole Bible (1707-1721)puritan
Numbers 7:3
“And they brought their offering before the Lord, six covered waggons These waggons were dedicated for the conveyance of the tabernacle: for its pillars and many other parts of it could not be carried on men's shoulders; and therefore they are said to have been covered, lest the things which were deposited in them should be exposed to the rain.”
John Calvin· Commentaries (1554)reformed
1 more voice on this verse
Numbers 7:3
“Covered wagons - Some prefer to render “litter Isa 66:20 wagons:” i. e. litters which were not on wheels, but borne by two oxen, one in front and one behind. Such conveyances would probably be more convenient than wheeled wagons in the rough country to be traversed.”
The chapter is dated to the day the tabernacle was fully set up, anointed and sanctified, which Exodus 40:17 puts on the first day of the first month of the second year. The princes bring transport before they bring anything else, six covered wagons and twelve oxen, so the first gift to the sanctuary is the means of moving it. Nothing in the tabernacle instructions had asked for wagons.
2. (vv. 4-9)
Numbers 7:4
“And the Lord spake unto Moses,.... Out of the tabernacle, before which the wagons and oxen were brought: saying: as follows.”
Numbers 7:5
“According to his service - That is, distribute them among the Levites as they may need them, giving most to those who have the heaviest burdens to bear.”
Adam Clarke· Commentary on the Bible (1810-1826)evangelical
1 more voice on this verse
Numbers 7:6
“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, Num 7:9.”
Numbers 7:7
“To the Gershonites, who had to transport the hangings and coverings of the tabernacle, two wagons are assigned: to the Merarites, who had the charge of the solid parts of the tabernacle, four wagons. The furniture and vessels the Kohathites were to carry on their own shoulders. Compare Num 3:25-26, Num 3:31, Num 3:36-37.”
Numbers 7:8
“Four wagons - unto the sons of Merari - Because they had the boards, bars, pillars, and sockets of the tabernacle to carry, Num 4:31, Num 4:32, therefore they had as many more wagons as the Gershonites.”
Adam Clarke· Commentary on the Bible (1810-1826)evangelical
Numbers 7:9
“Unto the sons of Kohath he gave none - Because they had the charge of the ark, table, candlestick, altars, etc., Num 4:5-15, which were to be carried upon their shoulders; for those sacred things must not be drawn by beasts.”
Adam Clarke· Commentary on the Bible (1810-1826)evangelical
The wagons are divided by what each Levite family has to carry. Gershon takes two, and Merari, who carry the boards, bars, pillars and sockets, takes four. Kohath is given none, and verse 9 says why, that the service of the sanctuary belonging unto them was that they should bear upon their shoulders, so the ark and the holy furniture travel on men and never on wheels. 2 Samuel 6:3-7 is where that rule is set aside and a man dies for it.
B. Twelve princes, twelve identical days
1. (vv. 10-11)
Numbers 7:10
“Not for the first dedication of them, for it is apparent they were dedicated or consecrated before this time by Moses and Aaron: but for a farther dedication of them, these being the first offerings that were made for any particular persons or tribes. In the day - That is, about the time, as soon as it was anointed.”
John Wesley· Explanatory Notes upon the Old Testament (1765)evangelical
Numbers 7:11
“They shall offer . . . each prince on his day, &c.--Eastern princes were accustomed anciently, as they are in Persia still on a certain yearly festival, to sit upon their thrones in great state, when the princes and nobles, from all parts of their dominions, appear before them with tributary presents, which form a large proportion of their royal revenue.”
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown· Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)reformed
Twelve identical offerings could have been brought in one morning, and God orders them spread over twelve days, each prince on his day. The pacing gives every tribe a day of its own for the same gift. What is being dedicated is one altar, and it takes twelve days to dedicate it.
2. (vv. 12-17)
Numbers 7:12
“The several princes make their offerings in the order assigned to the tribes Num. 2. It was doubtless the tribes themselves which presented these gifts through their chiefs. The twelve offerings are strictly alike, and were offered on twelve separate days.”
1 more voice on this verse
Numbers 7:12
“He is not unrighteous, to forget either the cost or the labour of love, Heb. vi. We find Christ taking particular notice of what was cast into the treasury, Mark xii. 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.”
Matthew Henry· Commentary on the Whole Bible (1707-1721)puritan
Numbers 7:13
“One silver charger - קערת kaarath, a dish, or deep bowl, in which they kneaded the paste. See Exo 25:29. One silver bowl - מזרק mizrak, a bason, to receive the blood of the sacrifice in. See on Exo 27:3 (note).”
Adam Clarke· Commentary on the Bible (1810-1826)evangelical
Numbers 7:14
“The word rendered "spoon" means a hollow cup, in the shape of a hand, with which the priests on ordinary occasions might lift a quantity from the incense-box to throw on the altar-fire, or into the censers; but on the ceremonial on the day of the annual atonement no instrument was allowed but the high priest's own hands (Le 16:12).”
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown· Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)reformed
Numbers 7:16
“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
“And for a sacrifice of peace offerings,....”
The first day belongs to Judah, and the order of the twelve days is the order of the camp in Numbers 2 rather than the order of birth. Judah pitched on the east toward the rising of the sun, and Genesis 49:10 is where that precedence comes from. The offering is written out in full here, a silver charger, a silver bowl, a golden spoon of incense and the animals, and the same list is written out eleven more times.
3. (vv. 18-29)
Numbers 7:18
“On the second day Nethaneel the son of Zuar, prince of Issachar, did offer. See Num 1:8.”
1 more voice on this verse
Numbers 7:18
“But while this was done in one respect, as subjects offering tribute to their king, it was in another respect, a purely religious act. The vessels offered were for a sacrificial use--the animals brought were clean and fit for sacrifice, both symbolically denoting, that while God was to dwell among them as their Sovereign, they were a holy people, who by this offering dedicated themselves to God.”
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown· Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)reformed
Numbers 7:19
“He offered for his offering one silver charger,.... See Gill on Num 7:13.”
Numbers 7:20
“One spoon of gold of ten shekels, full of incense. See Gill on Num 7:14.”
Numbers 7:21
“One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering. See Gill on Num 7:15.”
Numbers 7:22
“One kid of the goats for a sin offering. See Gill on Num 7:16.”
Numbers 7:23
“And for a sacrifice of peace offerings,.... See Gill on Num 7:17. Nethaneel the son of Zuar; see Num 1:8.”
1 more voice on this verse
Numbers 7:23
“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.”
Matthew Henry· Commentary on the Whole Bible (1707-1721)puritan
Numbers 7:24
“On the third day Eliab the son of Helon, prince of the children of Zebulun, did offer. See Num 1:9.”
Numbers 7:25
“His offering was one silver charger,.... See Gill on Num 7:13.”
Numbers 7:26
“One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense. See Gill on Num 7:14.”
Numbers 7:27
“One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering. See Gill on Num 7:15.”
Numbers 7:28
“One kid of the goats for a sin offering. See Gill on Num 7:16.”
Numbers 7:29
“And for a sacrifice of peace offerings,.... See Gill on Num 7:17. Eliab the son of Helon; see Num 1:9.”
Issachar and Zebulun follow, which completes the east standard of Numbers 2:3-9. Nothing changes between the days except the name of the prince and the name of the tribe. The writer could have said that the other eleven did likewise and he declines to.
4. (vv. 30-47)
Numbers 7:30
“On the fourth day Elizur the son of Shedeur, prince of the children of Reuben, did offer. See Num 1:5.”
Numbers 7:31
“His offering was one silver charger,.... See Gill on Num 7:13.”
Numbers 7:32
“One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense. See Gill on Num 7:14.”
Numbers 7:33
“One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering. See Gill on Num 7:15.”
Numbers 7:34
“One kid of the goats for a sin offering. See Gill on Num 7:16.”
Numbers 7:35
“And for a sacrifice of peace offerings,.... See Gill on Num 7:17. Elizur the son of Shedeur; see Num 1:5.”
Numbers 7:36
“On the fifth day Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai, prince of the children of Simeon, did offer. See Num 1:6.”
Numbers 7:37
“His offering was one silver charger,.... See Gill on Num 7:13.”
Numbers 7:38
“One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense. See Gill on Num 7:14.”
Numbers 7:39
“One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering. See Gill on Num 7:15.”
Numbers 7:40
“One kid of the goats for a sin offering. See Gill on Num 7:16.”
Numbers 7:41
“And for a sacrifice of peace offerings,.... See Gill on Num 7:17. Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai; see Num 1:6.”
Numbers 7:42
“On the sixth day Eliasaph the son of Deuel, prince of the children of Gad, offered. See Num 1:14.”
Numbers 7:43
“His offering was one silver charger,.... See Gill on Num 7:13.”
Numbers 7:44
“One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense. See Gill on Num 7:14.”
Numbers 7:45
“One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering. See Gill on Num 7:15.”
Numbers 7:46
“One kid of the goats for a sin offering. See Gill on Num 7:16.”
Numbers 7:47
“And for a sacrifice of peace offerings,.... See Gill on Num 7:17. Eliasaph the son of Deuel; see Num 1:14.”
Days four to six are Reuben, Simeon and Gad, the south standard of Numbers 2:10-16. Reuben was the firstborn and comes fourth, which Numbers 2 had already settled and Genesis 49:3-4 had explained. The offering does not vary by the size of a tribe or the standing of a man.
5. (vv. 48-65)
Numbers 7:48
“On the seventh day - Both Jewish and Christian writers have been surprised that this work of offering went forward on the seventh day, which they suppose to have been a Sabbath, as well as on the other days. But 1. There is no absolute proof that this seventh day of offering was a Sabbath. 2. Were it even so, could the people be better employed than in thus consecrating themselves and their services to the Lord?”
Adam Clarke· Commentary on the Bible (1810-1826)evangelical
Numbers 7:49
“His offering was one silver charger,.... See Gill on Num 7:13.”
Numbers 7:50
“One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense. See Gill on Num 7:14.”
Numbers 7:51
“One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering. See Gill on Num 7:15.”
Numbers 7:52
“One kid of the goats for a sin offering. See Gill on Num 7:16.”
Numbers 7:53
“And for a sacrifice of peace offerings,.... See Gill on Num 7:17. Elishama the son of Ammihud; see Num 1:10.”
Numbers 7:54
“On the eighth day offered Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur, prince of the children of Manasseh. See Num 1:10.”
Numbers 7:55
“His offering was one silver charger,.... See Gill on Num 7:13.”
Numbers 7:56
“One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense. See Gill on Num 7:14.”
Numbers 7:57
“One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering. See Gill on Num 7:15.”
Numbers 7:58
“One kid of the goats for a sin offering. See Gill on Num 7:16.”
Numbers 7:59
“And for a sacrifice of peace offerings,.... See Gill on Num 7:17. Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur; see Num 1:10.”
Numbers 7:60
“On the ninth day Abidan the son of Gideoni, prince of the children of Benjamin, offered. See Num 1:11.”
Numbers 7:61
“His offering was one silver charger,.... See Gill on Num 7:13.”
Numbers 7:62
“One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense. See Gill on Num 7:14.”
Numbers 7:63
“One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering. See Gill on Num 7:15.”
Numbers 7:64
“One kid of the goats for a sin offering. See Gill on Num 7:16.”
Numbers 7:65
“And for a sacrifice of peace offerings,.... See Gill on Num 7:17. Abidan the son of Gideoni; see Num 1:11.”
Days seven to nine are Ephraim, Manasseh and Benjamin, the west standard of Numbers 2:18-24, and all three descend from Rachel. Ephraim goes before Manasseh here, as Jacob set it with crossed hands at Genesis 48:14-20. Same charger, same bowl, same spoon.
6. (vv. 66-83)
Numbers 7:66
“On the tenth day Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai, prince of the children of Dan, offered. See Num 1:12.”
Numbers 7:67
“His offering was one silver charger,.... See Gill on Num 7:13.”
Numbers 7:68
“One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense. See Gill on Num 7:14.”
Numbers 7:69
“One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering. See Gill on Num 7:15.”
Numbers 7:70
“One kid of the goats for a sin offering. See Gill on Num 7:16.”
Numbers 7:71
“And for a sacrifice of peace offerings,.... See Gill on Num 7:17. Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai; see Num 1:12.”
Numbers 7:72
“On the eleventh day - The Hebrew form of expression, here and in the 78th verse, has something curious in it. ביום עשתי עשר יום beyom ashtey asar yom, In the day, the first and tenth day; ביום שנים עשר יום beyom sheneym asar yom, In the day, two and tenth day. But this is the idiom of the language, and to an original Hebrew our almost anomalous words eleventh and twelfth, by which we translate the original, would appear as strange as his, literally translated, would appear to us.”
Adam Clarke· Commentary on the Bible (1810-1826)evangelical
Numbers 7:73
“His offering was one silver charger,.... See Gill on Num 7:13.”
Numbers 7:74
“One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense. See Gill on Num 7:14.”
Numbers 7:75
“One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering. See Gill on Num 7:15.”
Numbers 7:76
“One kid of the goats for a sin offering. See Gill on Num 7:16.”
Numbers 7:77
“And for a sacrifice of peace offerings,.... See Gill on Num 7:17. Pagiel the son of Ocran; see Num 1:13.”
Numbers 7:78
“On the twelfth day Ahira the son of Enan, prince of the children of Naphtali, offered. See Num 1:15.”
Numbers 7:79
“His offering was one silver charger,.... See Gill on Num 7:13.”
Numbers 7:80
“One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense. See Gill on Num 7:14.”
Numbers 7:81
“One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering. See Gill on Num 7:15.”
Numbers 7:82
“One kid of the goats for a sin offering. See Gill on Num 7:16.”
Numbers 7:83
“And for a sacrifice of peace offerings,.... See Gill on Num 7:17. Ahira the son of Enan; see Num 1:15.”
Days ten to twelve are Dan, Asher and Naphtali, the north standard of Numbers 2:25-31. The twelfth day closes a sequence that has not varied in a single item since the first. A reader who finds these verses long is reading what the chapter is doing, since the length is the record that every tribe gave the same and none gave less.
C. Adding up the whole dedicationvv. 84-88
Having written each of the twelve out in full, the chapter adds the totals anyway. Twelve chargers, twelve bowls, twelve golden spoons, and the silver weighed at two thousand four hundred shekels after the shekel of the sanctuary. The sums show that nothing in the twelve recitals was rounded or assumed.
Numbers 7:84
“So large a collection of cattle offered for sacrifice on one occasion proves both the large flocks of the Israelites and the abundance of pastures which were then, and still are, found in the valleys that lie between the Sinaitic Mountains.”
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown· Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)reformed
Numbers 7:85
“Each charger of silver weighing an hundred and thirty shekels, each bowl seventy,.... See Gill on Num 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
“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 Num 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
“All the oxen for the burnt offering were twelve bullocks,....”
Numbers 7:88
“After that it was anointed - By the anointing the altar was consecrated to God; by this dedication it was solemnly appointed to that service for which it had been erected.”
Adam Clarke· Commentary on the Bible (1810-1826)evangelical
2 more voices on this verse
Numbers 7:88
“And all the oxen for the sacrifice of the peace offerings were twenty and four bullocks,....”
Numbers 7:88
“After it was anointed - Which words are very conveniently added to explain in what sense he had so oft said, that this was done in the day when it was anointed, namely, not exactly, but in a latitude, a little after that it was anointed.”
John Wesley· Explanatory Notes upon the Old Testament (1765)evangelical
D. A voice from between the cherubimv. 89
The longest chapter in the Torah ends in a voice. Moses goes into the tent and hears one speaking to him from off the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims, which is what Exodus 25:22 had promised would happen there. A roll of gifts closes with the giver answering, and the next verse of the book has the LORD speaking to Moses again.
Numbers 7:89
“With him - i. e. as marginal, “with God,” not (as some) with himself. He heard the voice of one speaking - Rather, he heard the voice speaking, or conversing. The effect was as though Moses was audibly addressed by another person: how this effect was produced we are not told. Thus was the promise of Exo 25:20-22 fulfilled; and that as an immediate response on the part of God to the cheerful readiness with which the tribes had made their offerings, and supplied everything needful for the Holy place and its service.”
This page carries no textual note on Numbers 7. Where this site has examined a place the manuscripts differ, the examination is in the manuscripts room. Every place this site examines →
Keep studying
Sources for this chapter
The summary
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory; John Calvin, Commentaries; John Wesley, Notes on the Old Testament and Matthew Henry, Complete Commentary.
The exposition
John Gill, Exposition of the Old Testament; Keil and Delitzsch, Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament: The Pentateuch and Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible.