Numbers 7 11

Numbers 7:11 kjv

And the LORD said unto Moses, They shall offer their offering, each prince on his day, for the dedicating of the altar.

Numbers 7:11 nkjv

For the LORD said to Moses, "They shall offer their offering, one leader each day, for the dedication of the altar."

Numbers 7:11 niv

For the LORD had said to Moses, "Each day one leader is to bring his offering for the dedication of the altar."

Numbers 7:11 esv

And the LORD said to Moses, "They shall offer their offerings, one chief each day, for the dedication of the altar."

Numbers 7:11 nlt

The LORD said to Moses, "Let one leader bring his gift each day for the dedication of the altar."

Numbers 7 verses

Numbers 7 11 Meaning

Numbers 7:11 describes God's direct instruction to Moses regarding the precise order for the leaders of the twelve tribes of Israel to present their dedication offerings for the newly constructed Tabernacle. The verse emphasizes that these offerings were not to be given simultaneously or in haste, but rather one tribal leader each day, ensuring an orderly and complete process until all twelve tribes, through their respective heads, had participated. It underscores divine meticulousness concerning worship and the collective participation of the entire nation.

Numbers 7 11 Context

Numbers chapter 7 details the specific offerings brought by the twelve tribal leaders for the dedication of the Tabernacle and its implements, after its anointing and consecration (Num 7:1). This event marks the point where the Tabernacle is fully operational as the dwelling place of God among Israel. Following the census and the precise organization of the tribes and Levites (Num 1-4), and purification laws (Num 5-6), this chapter highlights the national act of worship and financial contribution. The offerings were presented daily for twelve consecutive days, with each day belonging to one specific tribal leader, in a pre-ordained order from God Himself, as directed in verse 11. This prolonged process allowed for deliberate attention to each offering and the equal participation of every tribe in the initial dedication of the sacred space that symbolized God's presence.

Numbers 7 11 Word analysis

• The Lord (יהוה - YHWH, Yahweh): The personal, covenant name of God. It signifies His absolute authority, sovereignty, and faithfulness to His promises. The instruction comes directly from the divine, not from Moses's own initiative.
• said to Moses (ויאמר יהוה אל משה - vayyo'mer YHWH 'el Moshe): Indicates direct divine revelation and communication. Moses acts as God's mediator and spokesperson, reinforcing the divine origin and authority of the command for the entire nation.
• "They are to present (יקריבו - yaqribu): From the root קרב (qarab), meaning "to draw near" or "to bring close." Here, it signifies the act of bringing an offering into God's presence. It implies active, willing participation, even though commanded in form. It also emphasizes the Tabernacle as the designated place to draw near to God.
• their offerings (את קרבנם - 'et qorbanam): Qorban (קרבן) is a general term for an offering or sacrifice, deriving from qarab. It emphasizes the idea of something brought near to God, typically a gift presented with the purpose of fellowship, worship, or atonement. These specific qorbanot were for the initial dedication and ongoing support of the Tabernacle service, reflecting devotion and covenant loyalty.
• one leader (נשיא אחד - nasi' echad): A nasi' (נשיא) is a prince, chieftain, or tribal leader. This term denotes the chosen representative of each tribe, a respected figure embodying the identity and resources of their entire clan. The "one leader" indicates an ordered, singular presentation each day.
• a day (ליום - leyom): Emphasizes the daily cadence. This detail is crucial for establishing the protracted, orderly, and patient process of dedication, ensuring that each tribal unit received distinct attention and equal representation in the nation's act of worship.
• until all twelve leaders (עד תם כל השנים עשר נשיאים - 'ad tom kol ha-shneim 'asar nesi'im): "Until" (עד - 'ad) signifies completion. "All twelve" underscores the inclusivity and completeness required; no tribe was to be omitted. The number "twelve" represents the totality of the tribes of Israel, highlighting national unity and comprehensive devotion in the sight of God.
• have presented their offerings (מקריבים את קרבנם - maqrivim 'et qorbanam): A repetition of the verb "to present offerings." This reiteration stresses the complete fulfillment of the commanded action by every representative, signaling the successful and comprehensive dedication of the Tabernacle through the collective and orderly act of the whole Israelite nation.

Words-group analysis

• The Lord said to Moses: Establishes divine authority and specific instruction. This is not a human invention, but a mandate from God to regulate how His holy dwelling place is consecrated by His people.
• "They are to present their offerings, one leader a day: This command mandates an ordered, sequential, and tribal-representative dedication process. It avoids chaos and allows for distinct acknowledgment of each tribe's participation, emphasizing God's delight in orderliness and patient worship. It suggests that even in collective giving, individual (tribal) identity and contribution are valued.
• until all twelve leaders have presented their offerings: Highlights the comprehensive nature of the required worship and the importance of complete obedience. It underlines that every part of Israel, represented by its leader, must partake in this sacred act, reinforcing national unity under God and underscoring His expectation of full dedication from His chosen people. The extended timeframe (twelve days) further emphasizes the weight and significance of the event.

Numbers 7 11 Bonus section

• The meticulous description in Numbers 7, largely driven by the instruction in verse 11, might appear tedious to a modern reader. However, its repetitive structure serves a pedagogical purpose: to demonstrate the sanctity of the Tabernacle, the value of the offerings, and the immense importance God places on precision in worship. It reinforces that service to God is not to be done casually or expediently, but with utmost care and according to His precise revealed will.
• The financial and material scale of the offerings described in Numbers 7 was immense. By instructing a daily presentation, God allowed for the full public display of the tribes' collective generosity, serving as an encouragement for others and a testament to their obedience and devotion following the wilderness wandering.
• The concept of "order" and "decency" in worship, as seen here, profoundly influenced later Israelite liturgical practices and is echoed in New Testament instructions for the church (e.g., 1 Cor 14). God's character is orderly, and His worship should reflect that.
• The tribal leaders, the nesi'im, were not just figures of political authority but also held spiritual and representative significance. Their acts of presenting offerings symbolized the spiritual dedication of their entire tribe to the Lord, affirming their covenant relationship with God as a unified nation.

Numbers 7 11 Commentary

Numbers 7:11 serves as a divine directive that undergirds the prolonged, detailed, and seemingly repetitive narrative of the Tabernacle's dedication. It reveals God's intrinsic nature of order and His expectation that worship be conducted with deliberate structure, not randomness. By commanding "one leader a day," God emphasizes both corporate unity—every tribe is included—and individual (tribal) distinctiveness. This methodical process ensured that the vast and valuable offerings were presented with honor and meticulousness, mirroring the holy character of the God to whom they were given. The drawn-out nature of the event impressed upon the Israelites the significance of the Tabernacle as God's dwelling place among them and the importance of thorough and complete obedience in all matters of worship. This dedication process wasn't a rushed event but a carefully executed national worship ceremony, underscoring God's attention to detail and His desire for patient, unified, and reverent devotion from His people.