Deeper Commentary
Num 7:1 It happened on the day-
"Day" can mean the general time; because the tabernacle was first set
up on the first day of the first month of the second year after the exodus
(Ex. 40:2). In this case, these events would follow on from the end of
Lev. 9:24. We note from Num. 1:1 that the events in Numbers apparently
occurred after this point; but Hebrew writing is rarely chronological in a
linear sense. But the Rabbis like to think that it was erected several
times, and even claim that the tabernacle at this point assembled itself.
Heb. 8:2 could perhaps allude to that belief.
That Moses had finished setting up the
tabernacle, and had anointed it and made it holy, with all its furniture,
and the altar with all its vessels, and had anointed and sanctified them-
Raising up or setting up the tabernacle is an idea used by the Lord
Jesus with reference to His resurrection (Jn. 2:19). Just as the setting
up of the tabernacle elicited freewill offerings, recorded in great detail
in this chapter, so we should likewise respond with freewill offerings
because of His resurrection. This continues the theme of Num. 6 which is
also of freewill devotion. The imagery of setting up a tabernacle could
suggest that Israel were now the bride of God beneath the marriage canopy.
Num 7:2 that the princes of Israel, the heads of their fathers’ families,
offered. These were the princes of the tribes. These are they who were
over those who were numbered-
Continuing the voluntary spirit of the Nazirite vow explained in
chapter 6, we read that the heads of the tribes now offered a voluntary
offering. They weren’t commanded to bring these things; they chose to
bring them. The constant repetition of chapter 7 can seem boring, but the
point is that God remembered their freewill offerings, in every detail;
and recorded and preserved them for millennia. He likewise remembers all
our sacrifices for His sake (Ps. 20:3).
Num 7:3 and they brought their offering before Yahweh, six covered wagons,
and twelve oxen - a wagon for every two of the princes, and for each one
an ox - and they presented them before the tabernacle-
The six rather than twelve wagons could be a reflection of the
difficulty in making wheels and wagons given their limited resources in
the desert. "Before Yahweh" is parallel with "before the tabernacle"; to
come 'before Yahweh', as we learn in Job 1, doesn't refer to Heaven
itself. His representatives and place of manifestation are 'Him', although
not He Himself in person. Hence the Lord Jesus functioned as God's
representative and presence, the true tabernacle which God pitched and not
man (Heb. 8:2), without being God Himself in a Trinitarian sense.
Num 7:4 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying-
"Accept these..." (:5) could be a signal from God that the wagons
could be used for transporting parts of the tabernacle, rather than always
carrying everything on poles on shoulders. For most parts of the
tabernacle were designed to be carried on poles [not just the ark]. But
that concession to human weakness, as so often, was abused by David and
Uzzah when the ark was brought to Zion. And that is the problem of making
eager use of concessions to human weakness.
Num 7:5 Accept these from them that they may be used in doing the service
of the Tent of Meeting; and you shall give them to the Levites, to every
man according to his service-
This suggests the wagons were used to carry the heavier items,
because they were according to the ministry needs of the Levites. And yet
the ark was not to be carried on a wagon but on poles carried on the
shoulders. Perhaps David willfully misinterpreted this as allowing him to
transport the ark upon a wagon.
Num 7:6 Moses took the wagons and the oxen, and gave them to the Levites-
The same words for wagon and oxen are used of how David allowed the
ark to be carried on a wagon pulled by oxen (2 Sam. 6:3), and was judged
harshly for this. See on :9. The Philistines also used wagon and oxen to
transport the ark (1 Sam. 6:8-14) but there is no recorded judgment upon
them for doing so, although this was not God's requirement. The ark was to
be carried, not placed on a wagon (:9). We see here the principle that
knowledge brings responsibility to Divine judgment.
Num 7:7 He gave two wagons and four oxen to the sons of Gershon, according
to their service-
They had fewer wagons because they 'only' had to carry the curtains
and hangings (Num. 4:25). God foresees the needs we will have in doing our
intended service for Him, and provides- but He provides what is needed and
not a luxurious life.
Num 7:8 and he gave four wagons and eight oxen to the sons of Merari,
according to their service, under the direction of Ithamar the son of
Aaron the priest-
They had more wagons because they had to carry heavier items (Num.
4:31,32). See on :7.
Num 7:9 But to the sons of Kohath he gave none, because the service of the
sanctuary belonged to them: they carried it on their shoulders-
Significantly, David carried the ark on a wagon rather than have it
carried on shoulders as commanded. One wonders whether his slip in this
matter was because the Kohathites had resented seeing how their brothers
got to transport their parts of the tabernacle in wagons, whereas they had
to carry their parts on their shoulders; and therefore they began to use
wagons, because their brother did. We can also too easily do what our
brothers do, and for us it can become sin, because we each have an
individual calling. What may be permissible for them may not be for us.
The fact they do it doesn’t mean we can, because our context and calling
is different from theirs.
Num 7:10 The princes gave offerings for the dedication of the altar in the
day that it was anointed, even the princes gave their offerings before the
altar-
See on :10. They originally all wanted to offer on the altar on that
same first day. The altar had been anointed and sanctified by God (:1);
they desired to dedicate it by responding to that. It's not that it was
not sanctified without their offerings. It was ready for use. God doesn't
require sacrifice in that sense; all was prepared. But our response to
that it is to sacrifice.
Num 7:11 Yahweh said to Moses, They shall offer their offering, each
prince on his day, for the dedication of the altar-
The implication could be that they all wanted to offer their offering on
the altar on the same day; but God didn't want there to be a group
psychology in devotion to Him, and so He made them each offer quite
separately from each other, on separate days. We must ask how much group
psychology there is in our Christian lives. Did we get baptized because a
whole group did? Did we pledge financial support to an appeal because
others were doing so? Do we attend church because that is what our social
group do?
Num 7:12 He who offered his offering the first day was Nahshon the son of
Amminadab, of the tribe of Judah-
Num 7:13 and his offering was: one silver plate, the weight of which was
one hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after
the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with
oil for a grain offering
The "plate" was more likely a bowl, full of flour.
Num 7:14 one golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense-
The word for "spoon" also means a censer, which is why it had incense
in it. But gold was not a good material for a censer. Yet they wanted to
serve God to as high a quality as possible. This would be another instance
of where the materials of the tabernacle, such as acacia wood and gold
censers, were not the most functional by secular standards. But this isn't
how God operates. He uses the dysfunctional, the hard to work with, in
order to do His work in this world. Just look at you and me if you need
any more evidence of that.
Num 7:15 one young bull, one ram, one male lamb a year old, for a burnt
offering-
This was to remind them that the Passover
deliverance through the lamb was effectively ongoing. The Passover lamb
was likewise to be a year old (Ex. 12:5). We too are to live constantly
under the impression of the Lord's sacrifice and redemption of us. Israel
were asked to use a lamb of the first year to record various times when
they should be thankful for God's redemption of them in the events which
comprise life (Lev. 9:3; 12:6; 23:12,18,19; Num. 6:12,14; 7:15,17,21;
28:3,9,11,19; 29:2,8,13). This was to continually recall to them the
events of their great redemption through the Red Sea. And the essence of
our redemption, our baptism and salvation through the blood of the lamb,
must likewise be brought ever before us.
Num 7:16 one male goat for a sin offering-
Just as the Nazirite had to make a sin offering at the end of his
period of devotion (Num. 6:16). The need for a sin offering at the end of
the special freewill devotion was maybe to remind them that their extra special devotion didn’t take away
the reality of sin and need for grace; for relationship with God depends upon this
rather than upon our works and special efforts. Again, we can take that
principle to ourselves in our age.
Num 7:17 and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two head of cattle,
five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the
offering of Nahshon the son of Amminadab-
The usual order of offering was sin offering, then burnt offering
[speaking of subsequent dedication to God for His grace in forgiving the
offerer] and then the peace offering to celebrate peace with God. But here
the order is different. The burnt offering was representative of the
freewill gift being made to God; but then there was to be the sin
offering, reminding them of the reality of human sin regardless of our
freewill devotion to God; and then the peace offering celebrating peace
with God on that basis.
Num 7:18 On the second day Nethanel the son of Zuar, prince of Issachar,
gave his offering-
Num 7:19 He offered for his offering: one silver plate, the weight of
which was one hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy
shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine
flour mixed with oil for a grain offering-
The plate / dish and bowl were full of flour. This was offered on
their initiative. But they were perhaps out of step with how in the
tabernacle, the beakers, cups and vessels on Yahweh's table remained empty
(Ex. 25:29); the wine was poured out onto the sacrifices and vaporized;
the priests ate the shewbread. There was no pretence that Yahweh was a
hungry god who needed to be fed by His worshippers. To the pagan mind,
this would've meant that if He didn't eat, He wasn't actually around nor
powerful. Again, the difference and similarities were intentional, in
order to point up the need for faith in the power and existence of Yahweh.
Yahweh had a "table". The Mesopotamian gods likewise had a table (passuru)
upon which food was placed as a meal for the god (as in Is. 65:11), on the
assumption that their god was hungry.
Num 7:20 one golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense-
It could be that they brought to the altar all the various categories
of things which would be offered to God in the tabernacle.
Num 7:21 one young bull, one ram, one male lamb a year old, for a burnt
offering-
The princes all offered identical offerings, perhaps because God
wanted them to understand that they all had a sense of equal gratitude to
Him.
Num 7:22 one male goat for a sin offering-
If as suggested on :23 each prince resourced these offerings
themselves, then the identical offerings were commanded by God- lest there
should arise any competition between the princes, with one prince offering
more than another.
Num 7:23 and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two head of cattle,
five rams, five male goats, five male lambs a year old. This was the
offering of Nethanel the son of Zuar-
It could be reasoned from "this was the offering of..." that the
princes made these offerings not on behalf of the tribes, but from their
own wealth.
Num 7:24 On the third day Eliab the son of Helon, prince of the children
of Zebulun-
Num 7:25 gave his offering: one silver plate, the weight of which was a
hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the
shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil
for a grain offering-
The idea of the bowl may have been that it could later be used for
receiving the blood of the sacrifices. But Yahweh had stipulated precisely
all that was needed for His tabernacle. This was at this initiative.
Num 7:26 one golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense-
If the various gifts were all representative of the kinds of gifts
which would be offered upon the altar they were now dedicating (:11), we
wonder why they brought incense- because that was only to be offered upon
the altar of incense, not that of burnt offering. Perhaps they were
suggesting that incense would also be offered with the sacrifices made on
the altar of burnt offering, an example of going beyond the letter of the
law to a higher level.
Num 7:27 one young bull, one ram, one male lamb a year old, for a burnt
offering-
Had all the animals been offered on the same day as the princes initially
desired (:10,11), then these animals would not have all been eaten by the
serving Levites as there would have been too many. Pointless huge
generosity is not particularly what God is looking for; He wanted the
Levites to eat well over this 12 day period in symbol of His acceptance of
His people and fellowship with their offerings.
Num 7:28 one male goat for a sin offering-
A goat being chosen for the sin offering tempts us to think of the
Lord's usage of sheep and goats as representing the righteous and the
sinners. The Lord Jesus, the ultimate sin offering, was in one sense the
spotless Passover lamb of God; in another sense, He was totally identified
with the goats- sinful, rejected humanity. Likewise He was represented by
the serpent lifted up on the pole.
Num 7:29 and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two head of cattle,
five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the
offering of Eliab the son of Helon-
Each prince offered 21 animals in total, and there were 12 princes,
making a total of 252 animals. When the princes rebelled, the 250
rebellious princes were asked to bring their censers before Yahweh, along
with the censers of Moses and Aaron (Num. 16:17), making a total of 252
censers. That this number is again associated with the princes of Israel
cannot surely be chance. There is the simple message that the hand of God
was present throughout the whole narrative. See on :62.
Num 7:30 On the fourth day Elizur the son of Shedeur, prince of the
children of Reuben-
Num 7:31 gave his offering: one silver plate, the weight of which was one
hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the
shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil
for a grain offering-
There were various definitions of a shekel; our valuation and
weighting of things is to be by His standards and not those of the secular
world.
Num 7:32 one golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense-
Incense
Num 7:33 one young bull, one ram, one male lamb a year old, for a burnt
offering-
According to Num. 28:14 these would have been accompanied by "Half a
hin of wine for a bull, and the third part of a hin for the ram, and the
fourth part of a hin for a lamb".
Num 7:34 one male goat for a sin offering-
The extreme repetition in the record is perhaps reflective of God's
sensitivity to freewill offerings; and perhaps this is why the account
concludes with the otherwise apparently disjointed account of His speaking
from the mercy seat with His own voice (:89) in response to all this.
Num 7:35 and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two head of cattle,
five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the
offering of Elizur the son of Shedeur-
The order in which the tribes offered is according to their
encampment around the tabernacle, passing east, south, west and finally
north: Judah, Issachar, Zebulun (East), Reuben, Simeon, Gad (south),
Ephraim, Manasseh, Benjamin (west), Dan,
Asher and Naphtali (north).
Num 7:36 On the fifth day Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai, prince of the
children of Simeon-
Num 7:37 gave his offering: one silver plate, the weight of which was one
hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the
shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil
for a grain offering-
130 shekels weighed only 3.2 lbs. (1.5 kg.), so it was a relatively
small plate / dish.
Num 7:38 one golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense-
Ten shekels weighed only 2 lbs. or 100 grams. So this refers to the
weight of the incense not the spoon.
Num 7:39 one young bull, one ram, one male lamb a year old, for a burnt
offering-
The lamb was to be male because the male was of higher value on the
secular market- not because God Himself valued females less. Likewise the
bull was to be "young", not because God values older things or people
less, but quite simply the young bull was worth more in secular terms than
an older bull.
Num 7:40 one male goat for a sin offering-
AV "one kid of the goats". "Of the goats" continues the common Mosaic
theme, that the animal was not to be raised specially for sacrifice but
was to be taken out of the herd, it was one "of" them. This looks ahead to
the human nature of the Lord Jesus as one of us, taken "of" the herd of
humanity.
Num 7:41 and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two head of cattle,
five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the
offering of Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai-
If we take the order of the tribes as listed in this chapter [which
follows the order of encampment], the meaning of their names makes a
sentence, which H.P. Mansfield suggests as follows: "Praise Him! for the
reward of dwelling with Him, in seeing the Son, of hearing him in company
of firstborns (double fruit), who forgetting the flesh join the Son of the
right hand. At the judgment he will confer blessings upon those who have
wrestled successfully".
Num 7:42 On the sixth day, Eliasaph the son of Deuel, prince of the
children of Gad-
Num 7:43 gave his offering: one silver plate, the weight of which was one
hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the
shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil
for a grain offering-
70 shekels weighed only 1.7 lbs. (0.8kg.), so it was a relatively
small bowl.
Num 7:44 one golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense-
Num 7:45 one young bull, one ram, one male lamb a year old, for a burnt
offering-
We must remember that "In whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for
sin You had no pleasure" (Heb. 10:6). Perhaps God came to change His
attitude about the sacrifices as time went on and Israel refused to learn
from them. Or perhaps He felt like this all along, but only instituted
them as a concession to the weakness of Israel's religious conscience.
They were used to religion, having lived so long in Egypt; and He wished
to give them something which met their religious conscience and desire to
sacrifice, even if it was far from what He Himself personally wished for.
Such is His sensitivity and deep concession to human weakness.
Num 7:46 one male goat for a sin offering-
The male element in sacrifice was not because God considered the
female as lesser. The fact was, male animals were worth more than female,
and so God goes along with that and they offer the more expensive to Him.
Just as we are to offer what is seen as best within our own worldview and
social situation.
Num 7:47 and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two head of cattle,
five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the
offering of Eliasaph the son of Deuel-
Apart from what is noted on :46, the male nature of the sacrifices
could be because they pointed forward to the Lord Jesus.
Num 7:48 On the seventh day Elishama the son of Ammihud, prince of the
children of Ephraim-
This day, or at least one of these days, would have been the Sabbath. But
God is no literalist nor legalist, and there is no note to the effect that
this work was not done on the Sabbath.
Num 7:49 gave his offering: one silver plate, the weight of which was one
hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the
shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil
for a grain offering-
As noted on :37,38,43, these items were not that heavy nor large. The
princes of the tribes were making moderate offerings, because God didn't
want huge amounts of things, but rather sincere heartfelt freewill from a
person, regardless of their wealth.
Num 7:50 one golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense-
The continual burning of incense, night and day, was
a reminder that prayer (cp. incense, Rev. 8:3,4) was a way of life, not
only specific statements. David's references to making constant prayer
(e.g. Ps. 88:1) may allude to the constant rising up of the incense. We
cannot be literally praying all the time, but our basic spirit of life can
rise up as a prayer to God constantly. Our lives are, in a sense, our
prayer.
Num 7:51 one young bull, one ram, one male lamb a year old, for a burnt
offering-
How are we to square God's apparent pleasure in sacrifices with Heb.
10:6 "In whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You had no
pleasure"? God did require them and was pleased they were given, but He
had no desire for them in response to David's sin. David is everyman,
worthy of death because of our wretched failure, with no animal sacrifice
or ritual to save us. God did want sacrifices, but not for the sins David
had committed concerning Uriah and Bathsheba. Heb. 10:8 explains further:
"First he said: Sacrifice and offering, burnt offerings, and offerings for
sin You did not desire, nor did You have pleasure in them (all of which
are offered according to the law)". Paul perceives that firstly, there was
the statement that God did not desire animal sacrifices of themselves in
order to remove sin; and secondly, the Lord Jesus came to do God's will,
in a way which animals simply could not do. This division into first and
second is pressed into a similarity with the first and second covenants,
as noted on Heb. 9:1. God's desire was that sacrifice should be offered
under the Old Covenant, but this could not take away sin of itself. What
He desired far more ['not A but B' can mean 'not so much A as B'] was the
sacrifice of the One who did His will perfectly.
Num 7:52 one male goat for a sin offering-
See on :51.
Num 7:53 and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two head of cattle,
five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the
offering of Elishama the son of Ammihud-
Num 7:54 On the eighth day Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur, prince of the
children of Manasseh-
Num 7:55 gave his offering: one silver plate, the weight of which was one
hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the
shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil
for a grain offering-
The spoon of "incense" which is described as following this (:56) may
have been required in the spirit of Lev. 2:1: "When anyone offers an
offering of a grain offering to Yahweh, his offering shall be of fine
flour; and he shall pour oil on it, and put frankincense on it". Frankincense was a type of incense which would have given a pleasing
smell to the burning flour. This represented how pleased God was with the
offering even of a handful of flour (see on :67). Small sacrifices please Him
immensely. And they are what comprise daily life.
Num 7:56 one golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense-
The commands for making this incense were very strict: "Yahweh said
to Moses, Take to yourself sweet spices, gum resin, and onycha, and
galbanum; sweet spices with pure frankincense: there shall be an equal
weight of each; and you shall make incense of it, a perfume after the art
of the perfumer, seasoned with salt, pure and holy: and you shall beat
some of it very small, and put some of it before the testimony in the Tent
of Meeting, where I will meet with you. It shall be to you most holy. The
incense which you shall make, according to its composition you shall not
make for yourselves: it shall be to you holy for Yahweh. Whoever shall
make any like that, to smell of it, he shall be cut off from his people"
(Ex. 30:34-38). We wonder whether the princes really followed this in
their enthusiasm to offer an impressive offering. But God still accepted
their offering.
Num 7:57 one young bull, one ram, one male lamb a year old, for a burnt
offering-
As noted on :49, the items were not that heavy nor large; nor were
the collective numbers of sacrifices that huge, and nothing compared to
the huge slaughter of animals made by Solomon when he dedicated the
temple. The princes of the tribes were making moderate offerings, because
God didn't want huge amounts of things, but rather sincere heartfelt
freewill from a person, regardless of their wealth. Solomon failed to
realize this, and can be read as wanting to purposefully far exceed what
was offered here when the tabernacle was first dedicated.
Num 7:58 one male goat for a sin offering-
The Hebrew for "sin offering" is the same word translated
"punishment". Atonement theories involving punishment, substitution etc.
often go wrong and fail to adequately reflect the extent of God's grace.
But it must never be overlooked that sin does require response; and the
punishment for the sin was indeed placed upon the goat as a kind of
substitute for the sinner in Old Testament times. But the far more
effective sacrifice was that of the Lord Jesus, who died for sinners as a
representative rather than a substitute.
Num 7:59 and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two head of cattle,
five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the
offering of Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur-
The Rabbis suggest Gamaliel may mean 'God liberated me from prison'.
Manasseh was a grandson of Joseph, so perhaps his experiences are in view,
as well as the liberation of Israel from Egypt.
Num 7:60 On the ninth day Abidan the son of Gideoni, prince of the
children of Benjamin-
Num 7:61 gave his offering: one silver plate, the weight of which was one
hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the
shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil
for a grain offering-
Such high value tableware may well have been given to the princes
when they left Egypt. Whatever wealth they were then given was given them
by God, and they were to give it back to God through the service of the
tabernacle. And it's the same with whatever we may pick up from Egypt /
the world.
Num 7:62 one golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense-
If indeed "spoon" effectively means a censer, then we have another
connection between the princes, censers and incense- which all came to a
head in their rebellion of Num. 16. See on :29.
Num 7:63 one young bull, one ram, one male lamb a year old, for a burnt
offering-
The Hebrew for "burnt offering" means literally 'a going up'. The
word is used nearly 1000 times for people 'going up' in various ways.
There were surely other words which could have been used to convey the
idea of a burnt offering. But this one is used because it was ever God's
intention to lead His people towards the understanding that the offerings
represented them. Like us today, they were to be as living sacrifices
(Rom. 12:1,2).
Num 7:64 one male goat for a sin offering-
The attitude of the Lord Jesus was that "Sacrifice and offering You
did not want, but a body did You prepare for me. In whole burnt offerings
and sacrifices for sin You had no pleasure. Then said I: Behold, I come
(in the roll of the book it is written about me) to do Your will, O God.
First he said: Sacrifice and offering, burnt offerings, and offerings for
sin You did not desire, nor did You have pleasure in them (all of which
are offered according to the law)" (Heb. 10:5-8). This is strong language
considering God did in fact require such offerings, and in practice He did
offer forgiveness in response to them. Perhaps God came to change His
attitude about the sacrifices as time went on and Israel refused to learn
from them. Or perhaps He felt like this all along, but only instituted
them as a concession to the weakness of Israel's religious conscience.
They were used to religion, having lived so long in Egypt; and He wished
to give them something which met their religious conscience and desire to
sacrifice, even if it was far from what He Himself personally wished for.
Such is His sensitivity and deep concession to human weakness.
Num 7:65 and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two head of cattle,
five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the
offering of Abidan the son of Gideoni-
Although peace offerings were completely voluntary,
the legislation stressed they were not to think that therefore they could not respect God’s
holiness and give Him that which was second best (Lev. 3:6 etc.) or offer it where
they liked. Many of the sacrifices we make to God are likewise not
compulsory, but the spirit of giving God the best which permeates the Law
of Moses should remain with us.
Num 7:66 On the tenth day Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai, prince of the
children of Dan-
Num 7:67 gave his offering: one silver plate, the weight of which was one
hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the
shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil
for a grain offering-
Lev. 2:3 notes: "That which is left of the grain offering shall be
Aaron’s and his sons’. It is a most holy thing of the offerings of Yahweh
made by fire".
The language of "most holy" is juxtaposed against the fact that this
was referring to a simple grain offering, a 'little something' offered by
literally anyone within Israel (see on Lev. 2:1). But such tiny offerings were
"most holy" to God; we think of the Lord's attitude to the widow offering
her two small coins. See on :55.
Num 7:68 one golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense-
The higher value of gold perhaps means that the spoons or censers
with incense in them were of more value to God than the utensils for
sacrifice which were donated; for they were made of silver. Because prayer
is to Him of more value than sacrifice.
Num 7:69 one young bull, one ram, one male lamb a year old, for a burnt
offering-
The burnt offerings were to be of "a male without blemish" (Lev.
1:3). No animal actually is without blemish. God recognizes
that we will not attain perfection in this life, but we are to do our best
towards it; and His love imputes righteousness to us, counting us as
unblemished because of our status in Christ. For only Christ was the
sacrifice totally without moral blemish (1 Pet. 1:19).
Num 7:70 one male goat for a sin offering-
The sin offering required that the offerer placed his hand upon the
head of the goat.
Num 7:71 and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two head of cattle,
five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the
offering of Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai-
The peace offering was the "food (also translated "bread") of the
offering made... unto the Lord" (Lev. 3:11). The peace offering was
therefore God's food, or bread. Yet the offerer was invited to eat the
bread of God. This implied that when the offerer sat down to eat the food,
as it were, God was sitting with him, also eating of it. This was
symbolized in human terms by the fact that the priest, as God's
representative, ate part of the peace offering, while the offerer ate the
other part. Presumably they sat down together to do this. The closeness of
God which this implies is almost beyond our comprehension. We are invited
to see the exquisite beauty of true fellowship with God. The idea of eating the bread of God, the sacrifice which represents His
son, and thereby having fellowship with Him, should send our minds forward
to John 6. "The bread of God is He which comes down from heaven", i.e.
our Lord Jesus (Jn. 6:33). Not for nothing do some Rabbis speak of 'eating
Messiah' as an expression of the fellowship they hope to have with Him at
His coming.
Num 7:72 On the eleventh day Pagiel the son of Ochran, prince of the
children of Asher-
Num 7:73 gave his offering: one silver plate, the weight of which was one
hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the
shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil
for a grain offering-
Num 7:74 one golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense-
The higher value of gold perhaps means that the spoons or censers
with incense in them were of more value to God than the utensils for
sacrifice which were donated; for they were made of silver. Because prayer
is to Him of more value than sacrifice.
Num 7:75 one young bull, one ram, one male lamb a year old, for a burnt
offering-
The burnt offering was to be "without blemish" (Lev. 1;3).
Num 7:76 one male goat for a sin offering-
The sin offering required that the offerer placed his hand upon the
head of the goat.
Num 7:77 and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two head of cattle,
five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the
offering of Pagiel the son of Ochran-
Num 7:78 On the twelfth day Ahira the son of Enan, prince of the children
of Naphtali-
What mother would have named her child Nabal (fool), or Ahira (brother of
evil), or 'sickness' or 'wasting' (Mahlon and Chilion)? These names were
either given to them by others and the use adopted by God, or simply God
in the record assigned them such names.
Num 7:79 gave his offering: one silver plate, the weight of which was one
hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the
shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil
for a grain offering-
The continual stress upon the usage of oil [shehmen] in the
grain offerings (Lev. 2:7 etc.) may
look ahead to the meshiach, the Christ, the anointed one. All
aspects of the offerings looked ahead to the Lord Jesus Christ.
Num 7:80 one golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense-
The higher value of gold perhaps means that the spoons or censers
with incense in them were of more value to God than the utensils for
sacrifice which were donated; for they were made of silver. Because prayer
is to Him of more value than sacrifice.
Num 7:81 one young bull, one ram, one male lamb a year old, for a burnt
offering-
The laws about the offerer of a burnt offering in Lev. 1:6 were
presumably followed: "He shall flay the burnt offering, and cut it into
pieces". Every part of our lives, including our most inward
parts, are to be offered to God. The process of splitting the offering
into its parts speaks of our self-examination, defining each part of our
lives and offering them to God consciously.
Num 7:82 one male goat for a sin offering-
The sin offering required that the offerer placed his hand upon the
head of the goat.
Num 7:83 and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two head of cattle,
five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the
offering of Ahira the son of Enan-
Num 7:84 This was the dedication of the altar, on the day when it was
anointed, by the princes of Israel: twelve silver plates, twelve silver
bowls, twelve golden spoons-
The higher value of gold perhaps means that the spoons or censers
with incense in them were of more value to God than the utensils for
sacrifice which were donated; for they were made of silver. Because prayer
is to Him of more value than sacrifice.
Num 7:85 each silver plate weighing one hundred and thirty shekels, and
each bowl seventy; all the silver of the vessels two thousand four hundred
shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary-
The extreme repetition in the record is perhaps reflective of God's
sensitivity to freewill offerings; and perhaps this is why the account
concludes with the otherwise apparently disjointed account of His speaking
from the mercy seat with His own voice (:89) in response to all this.
Num 7:86 the twelve golden spoons, full of incense, weighing ten shekels
apiece, after the shekel of the sanctuary; all the gold of the spoons
weighed one hundred and twenty shekels-
They were either very small spoons, or the weight refers to the
amount of incense rather than the spoons themselves. Ten shekels of the
sanctuary weighed only 2 lbs. or 100 grams.
Num 7:87 All the cattle for the burnt offering: twelve bulls, the rams
twelve, the male lambs a year old twelve, and their grain offering; and
the male goats for a sin offering twelve-
The apparent tension with the statements that God took no pleasure in
animal sacrifice is discussed on :44,45,51.
Num 7:88 and all the cattle for the sacrifice of peace offerings:
twenty-four bulls, the rams sixty, the male goats sixty, the year old male
lambs sixty. This was the dedication of the altar, after it was anointed-
The apparent tension with the statements that God took no pleasure in
animal sacrifice is discussed on :44,45,51.
Num 7:89 When Moses went into the Tent of Meeting to speak with Yahweh, he
heard His voice speaking to him from above the mercy seat that was on the
ark of the Testimony, from between the two cherubim: and He spoke to him-
The
blood of Christ speaks a message, better than that of Abel. It is a voice
that shakes heaven and earth (Heb. 12:24,26). This is after the pattern of
how the commanding voice of Yahweh was heard above the blood sprinkled on
“the atonement cover of the ark of the Testimony” (Num. 7:89 NIV). It shows
forth, as a voice, God’s righteousness (Rom. 3:25,26 RV).
The blood of atonement, pointing forward to the blood
of Christ, was permanently on the mercy seat, i.e. the cover of the ark of
the covenant, with the Angel-like cherubim peering down onto it. There in
that most Holy of places, God spoke. The fact that the voice of God was
associated with the blood which represented the blood of His Son is
alluded to in Heb. 12:24-26, which likens the blood of Christ to a voice
more powerful than the sound which accompanied the shaking of Sinai. God’s
word becomes powerful to us over the blood of Christ in that beholding Him
there, we cannot walk away passively. We are spurred to action. Yet as we
behold His blood in our mind’s eye, in our reconstruction of how it all
maybe happened on Golgotha, we face an insistent question: What can I do,
what must I do, in response to this? That question is answered in God’s
word, and it is in this sense that His word becomes of especial power to
us over the blood of Christ. In this sense He is that word made flesh,
supremely in His time of dying.
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