Numbers 7 3

Numbers 7:3 kjv

And they brought their offering before the LORD, six covered wagons, and twelve oxen; a wagon for two of the princes, and for each one an ox: and they brought them before the tabernacle.

Numbers 7:3 nkjv

And they brought their offering before the LORD, six covered carts and twelve oxen, a cart for every two of the leaders, and for each one an ox; and they presented them before the tabernacle.

Numbers 7:3 niv

They brought as their gifts before the LORD six covered carts and twelve oxen?an ox from each leader and a cart from every two. These they presented before the tabernacle.

Numbers 7:3 esv

and brought their offerings before the LORD, six wagons and twelve oxen, a wagon for every two of the chiefs, and for each one an ox. They brought them before the tabernacle.

Numbers 7:3 nlt

Together they brought six large wagons and twelve oxen. There was a wagon for every two leaders and an ox for each leader. They presented these to the LORD in front of the Tabernacle.

Numbers 7 verses

Numbers 7 3 Meaning

Numbers 7:3 describes the specific initial offerings brought by the twelve leaders of the tribes of Israel following the anointing of the Tabernacle. These offerings consisted of six covered wagons and twelve oxen, presented before the Lord for the practical service of transporting the holy Tabernacle and its various components as the Israelites prepared for their journey through the wilderness. The distribution method, a wagon for every two leaders and an ox for each leader, highlights a collective yet individual contribution.

Numbers 7 3 Context

Numbers chapter 7 follows directly after the completion of the Tabernacle and its furnishings, and its subsequent anointing and consecration by Moses as instructed by God (Num 7:1). This entire chapter details the offerings brought by the leaders of the twelve tribes of Israel over twelve consecutive days. These gifts were not for sacrifice, but were practical contributions designated for the logistical needs of transporting the portable Tabernacle throughout the wilderness journey. Verse 3 specifically outlines the common portion of this collective offering – wagons and oxen – which formed the fundamental support structure for the Tabernacle's mobility, immediately setting the stage for the distribution of these resources to the Levite clans (Gershonites and Merarites) who were tasked with dismantling, transporting, and reassembling the holy structure. The historical context is Israel at Sinai, newly formed into a nation, with the divine presence among them necessitating a portable sanctuary as they prepare to move towards the Promised Land.

Numbers 7 3 Word analysis

• and they brought: Hebrew: w’yawilū (וַיָּבִיאוּ) from bāwā (to come, to bring) and wayaqribū (וַיַּקְרִיבוּ) from qārab (to draw near, to present, to bring an offering). The use of two verbs here emphasizes both the act of physically bringing something to a place and the reverent act of presenting it as an offering. This double verb structure stresses the deliberateness and dedication of the act.
• their offering: Hebrew: qorbānām (קָרְבָּנָם). A qorbān is anything "brought near" to God, typically a gift or sacrifice. In this context, it signifies a dedicated gift for the Lord's service, distinguishing it from sin or burnt offerings, yet still holding the sanctity of something set apart for divine purposes. This underscores that these are not merely donations but sacred provisions.
• before the Lord: Hebrew: lipnê YHWH (לִפְנֵי יְהוָה). This phrase signifies presence in God's immediate sight and implies presentation in an act of worship and obedience. It indicates that the offerings were consecrated directly to Him, and by extension, for the needs of His dwelling place and service. This act highlights reverence and divine ownership.
• six covered wagons: Hebrew: šēš 'aglōth ṣāb (שֵׁשׁ עֶגְלֹת צָב).
  • 'aglâ (עֶגְלָה) refers to a wagon or cart, practical for hauling.
  • ṣāb (צָב) means "litter" or "covered." These were not open carts but specifically designed with coverings, likely to protect the sacred and valuable components of the Tabernacle from exposure to sun, rain, and dust, emphasizing the holy nature of their cargo and the care taken in their transport. It reflects a protective function.
• and twelve oxen: Hebrew: u-štêm ‘āśār bāqār (וּשְׁתֵּים עָשָׂר בָּקָר). Bāqār refers to cattle, here specifically oxen used for draught work. Twelve oxen, double the number of wagons, indicates ample power for the heavy load of the Tabernacle components, reflecting careful foresight and a robust provision for logistics.
• a wagon for every two of the leaders: Hebrew: ‘agalâ lištê hanneśīʾîm (עֲגָלָה לִשְׁנֵי הַנְּשִׂיאִים). This specific allocation (one wagon shared by two leaders) highlights communal effort and shared responsibility among the tribal heads. It emphasizes unity and cooperation in supporting the Lord's service.
• and for each one an ox: Hebrew: u-ləʾîš bāqār (וּלְאִישׁ בָּקָר). In contrast to the shared wagons, each leader contributed an individual ox. This signifies personal commitment and direct contribution, demonstrating both individual devotion and participation in the larger communal task.
• and they brought them before the tabernacle: Hebrew: wa-yābī’ū ’ôtām ’el pənê ham-miškān (וַיָּבִיאוּ אוֹתָם אֶל פְּנֵי הַמִּשְׁכָּן). This reiteration of "brought" (from bāwā) emphasizes the items' placement in the immediate vicinity of God's dwelling, ready for their intended practical purpose. It signifies the point of collection and where the articles of the "offering" were to be inspected and utilized. The shift from "before the Lord" to "before the tabernacle" makes concrete the immediate destination and purpose of these gifts.

Numbers 7 3 Bonus section

The offerings of the leaders, as detailed in Numbers 7, were remarkable not only for their generosity but also for their unified and immediate response to God's establishment of the Tabernacle. This was a direct, proactive provision for anticipated needs. The strategic design of "six covered wagons and twelve oxen" aligns perfectly with the heavy and unwieldy parts of the Tabernacle, such as the framework, bars, pillars, and sockets that the Merarites were tasked with transporting, and the hangings and cords assigned to the Gershonites. Significantly, no wagons or oxen were allocated to the Kohathites, who were commanded to carry the most sacred furnishings—like the Ark of the Covenant, the Table of Showbread, and the altars—personally on their shoulders (Num 7:9). This highlights a specific divine economy: some aspects of holy service required practical aid, while others demanded direct, unassisted physical engagement, emphasizing the profound reverence due to the holiest items. The leaders' practical offering demonstrated faith that God would lead them forward and equipped His people for that journey.

Numbers 7 3 Commentary

Numbers 7:3 vividly portrays the deep commitment and practical foresight demonstrated by Israel's leaders in providing essential logistical support for the Tabernacle's movement. Coming immediately after the Tabernacle's anointing, these gifts of covered wagons and oxen highlight that worship extends beyond ritual sacrifices to practical service and material provision for God's work. The dual verbs for "brought" ("came" and "brought near") emphasize both the physical act and the spiritual dedication involved. The detailed specifications—six wagons for twelve leaders (shared responsibility) and twelve oxen (individual contribution from each leader for power)—underscore a divinely ordered method of giving, blending collective unity with personal accountability. The "covered" wagons suggest respect for the holy items they would carry, indicating care for God's sanctuary. This verse is foundational, setting the stage for the practical operations of the Tabernacle in the wilderness, facilitated by these crucial resources distributed according to God's precise instructions that follow. It demonstrates that sacred devotion is not just inward but also manifests in tangible support for the practical aspects of God's dwelling and mission.