Numbers 7 1

Numbers 7:1 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;

Numbers 7:1 nkjv

Now it came to pass, when Moses had finished setting up the tabernacle, that he anointed it and consecrated it and all its furnishings, and the altar and all its utensils; so he anointed them and consecrated them.

Numbers 7:1 niv

When Moses finished setting up the tabernacle, he anointed and consecrated it and all its furnishings. He also anointed and consecrated the altar and all its utensils.

Numbers 7:1 esv

On the day when Moses had finished setting up the tabernacle and had anointed and consecrated it with all its furnishings and had anointed and consecrated the altar with all its utensils,

Numbers 7:1 nlt

On the day Moses set up the Tabernacle, he anointed it and set it apart as holy. He also anointed and set apart all its furnishings and the altar with its utensils.

Numbers 7 verses

Numbers 7 1 Meaning

Numbers 7:1 signifies the pivotal moment when the Tabernacle, God's portable dwelling place, was fully erected, anointed, and consecrated. This act formally inaugurated the sacred space and its furnishings, setting them apart for divine service according to God's specific commands. Moses, as the primary mediator, performed this consecration, establishing the central locus for Israelite worship, atonement, and communion with God in the wilderness.

Numbers 7 1 Context

Numbers 7:1 bridges the legislative instructions of Leviticus and earlier chapters of Numbers with the practical worship life of Israel. Chronologically, this verse and the following dedication offerings (Num 7-8) precede the census and camp arrangements (Num 1-6) and the departure from Sinai (Num 9-10). The phrase "on the day that Moses had finished setting up the tabernacle" directly harks back to Exodus 40, which narrates the successful completion and setting up of the sanctuary. The entire Tabernacle construction and subsequent consecration symbolize God establishing His covenant presence among a journeying people. It highlights their transition from a group escaping slavery to a holy nation centered around God's dwelling, poised to function as His redeemed people through established worship. This sacred act contrasts Israel's God with pagan deities confined to temples, presenting Yahweh as mobile and actively present with His chosen people.

Numbers 7 1 Word analysis

• Now it came to pass (וַיְהִי - vayhi): A common narrative opening, marking a significant chronological or logical progression of events. It connects the following action directly to prior narratives, specifically the detailed construction in Exodus.
• on the day (בְּיוֹם - bəyōwm): Signifies a specific and crucial time, emphasizing the precision and divine timing of the event, marking the culmination of a major phase in Israel's history.
• that Moses had finished (כַּלּוֹת מֹשֶׁה - kallōwṯ Mōsheh):
  • finished (כַּלּוֹת - kalloth): From the root kalah (כלה), meaning to complete, perfect, bring to an end. It indicates thoroughness and full adherence to divine blueprints, reflecting divine perfection in human obedience. This completion parallels creation's completion in Gen 2:1.
  • Moses (מֹשֶׁה - Mosheh): Underscores Moses' unique role as the human agent through whom God’s instructions were executed. His obedience was paramount.
• setting up (הָקִים - hāqîm): From qum (קום), meaning to establish, raise up, make to stand. It implies not just construction but permanent establishment and activation for its sacred function.
• the tabernacle (אֶת־הַמִּשְׁכָּן - ’eṯ-hammiškān):
  • tabernacle (מִשְׁכָּן - Mishkan): From shakan (שכן), meaning "to dwell." This structure was not merely a building but the tangible representation of God's active, dwelling presence among His people, symbolizing His imminence and covenant faithfulness.
• that he anointed it (וַיִּמְשַׁח אֹתוֹ - wayyimšaḥ ’ōṯōw):
  • anointed (מָשַׁח - mashach): To smear with sacred oil. This act sanctified and set the object apart for holy use, imparting divine authorization and making it sacred. It is the root word for "Messiah," meaning "the anointed one."
• and consecrated it (וַיְקַדֵּשׁ אֹתוֹ - wayqaddēš ’ōṯōw):
  • consecrated (קָדֵשׁ - qāḏēš): From qadash, meaning to set apart, make holy, sanctify, purify for sacred use. It emphasizes separation from commonness and dedication exclusively to God's service, rendering it inviolable for the unholy.
• with all its furnishings (וְאֶת־כָּל־כֵּלָיו - wə’eṯ-kāl-kêlāw): This phrase highlights the comprehensiveness of the consecration. No part or item used in divine service was to be considered common or profane. It illustrates God's meticulousness and His demand for holiness in every aspect of worship.
• both the altar and all its utensils (אֶת־הַמִּזְבֵּחַ וְאֶת־כָּל־כֵּלָיו - ’eṯ-hammizbēaḥ wə’eṯ-kāl-kêlāw):
  • altar (מִזְבֵּחַ - Mizbeach): The central place of sacrifice and atonement. Its consecration was crucial as it was the point of communion between God and humanity.
  • utensils (כֵּלָיו - kelav): Referring to all the instruments and vessels for cultic service. Even these ancillary items required sanctification, reinforcing the sacred nature of all priestly activities.
• and the basin with its stand (וְאֶת־הַכִּיּוֹר וְאֶת־כַּנּוֹ - wə’eṯ-hakkîyōwr wə’eṯ-kannōw):
  • basin (כִּיּוֹר - Kiyor): The laver, used by priests for washing before service. It signified the essential need for purity in approaching God.
  • stand (כַּנּוֹ - kanno): Even the stand that supported the basin was included, showing how thoroughly and inclusively God intended everything for His service to be holy.
• and anointed them and consecrated them: This repetition provides emphatic affirmation. It clarifies that both a general anointing/consecration of the Tabernacle itself and a specific anointing/consecration of each significant piece of its equipment took place. This double emphasis stresses the absolute holiness required for the entire worship apparatus.

Numbers 7 1 Bonus section

The chronological placement of Numbers 7-10 before Numbers 1-6 in many biblical arrangements highlights the theological primacy of the Tabernacle's completion and function over the organization of the tribes. God’s dwelling (the Mishkan) among His people was established first, and then Israel was organized around this divine center. This detail underscores that Israel's identity and existence as a nation were entirely predicated on the presence of the Holy God in their midst. The consecrated Tabernacle was also a direct challenge to the common pagan notion of temples being built to house images of localized deities; instead, this portable structure indicated a dynamic, traveling God present with His people on their journey, leading them by cloud and fire.

Numbers 7 1 Commentary

Numbers 7:1 acts as a crucial narrative transition, immediately linking the elaborate divine instructions for the Tabernacle (Exod 25-40) to the practical outworking of Israel’s covenant relationship with God. It emphasizes Moses' complete obedience in fulfilling all that God commanded regarding the Tabernacle's erection and the meticulous consecration of its components. The repeated act of anointing and consecrating underscores the absolute necessity of holiness and separation for all that pertains to God's presence and service. Each object, from the Tabernacle curtains to the smallest altar utensil, became sacred and forbidden for common use. This profound act signifies the inauguration of Israel's theocratic government and priestly worship system. It also teaches that faithful completion of God's revealed will culminates in His manifest presence and sets the stage for communal expressions of devotion, like the dedication offerings from the tribal leaders that follow this verse.