Numbers 7:31 kjv
His offering was one silver charger of the weight of an hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering:
Numbers 7:31 nkjv
His offering was one silver platter, the weight of which was one hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver bowl of seventy shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering;
Numbers 7:31 niv
His offering was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels and one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel, each filled with the finest flour mixed with olive oil as a grain offering;
Numbers 7:31 esv
his offering was one silver plate whose weight was 130 shekels, one silver basin of 70 shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering;
Numbers 7:31 nlt
His offering consisted of a silver platter weighing 3 1?4 pounds and a silver basin weighing 1 3?4 pounds (as measured by the weight of the sanctuary shekel). These were both filled with grain offerings of choice flour moistened with olive oil.
Numbers 7 31 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Num 7:1 | "On the day Moses finished setting up the tabernacle... consecrated it..." | Context of Tabernacle dedication. |
| Num 7:10 | "The leaders of Israel... brought their offerings before the altar." | Introduction to tribal offerings. |
| Num 7:12-88 | "...brought their offerings... according to the count of the tribes." | Each tribal leader brings similar gifts. |
| Lev 2:1-3 | "When anyone brings a grain offering to the LORD, his offering shall be of fine flour." | Specifics of grain offering ingredients. |
| Lev 6:14-23 | "This is the law of the grain offering..." | Laws governing grain offerings. |
| Exod 30:13 | "This is what everyone who is numbered shall give: half a shekel... by the shekel of the sanctuary..." | Defines "shekel of the sanctuary." |
| Exod 38:25-28 | "...a hundred talents and 1,775 shekels by the shekel of the sanctuary." | Silver used for Tabernacle bases and hooks. |
| 1 Chr 29:8 | "Whoever possessed precious stones gave them to the treasury..." | Freewill offerings for temple construction. |
| Deut 18:8 | "...receives a portion from the offerings by fire to the LORD." | Priestly share of offerings. |
| Num 4:7 | "...with fine flour, olive oil, and wine for the drink offering." | Mentions fine flour and oil with offerings. |
| Ps 96:8 | "Bring offerings and come into his courts!" | Call to bring offerings to God. |
| Ps 141:2 | "Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting of my hands as the evening sacrifice!" | Metaphor for spiritual offerings. |
| Isa 66:20 | "And they shall bring all your brothers... an offering to the LORD." | Future offering from nations. |
| Mal 3:10 | "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse..." | Call for obedient giving. |
| Matt 5:23-24 | "So if you are offering your gift at the altar..." | Attitude towards bringing gifts. |
| Mk 12:41-44 | "He sat down opposite the treasury and watched how the crowd put money..." | Emphasis on heart in giving. |
| 2 Cor 9:7 | "Each one must give as he has decided in his heart..." | Giving cheerfully and generously. |
| Phil 4:18 | "...a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God." | New Covenant understanding of offerings. |
| Heb 9:11-14 | "But when Christ appeared as a high priest... through the eternal Spirit he offered himself without blemish..." | Christ's perfect self-offering as fulfillment. |
| Heb 13:16 | "Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God." | Spiritual offerings in the New Covenant. |
| 1 Pet 2:5 | "...to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." | Believers as priests offering spiritual sacrifices. |
| Rom 12:1 | "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice..." | Presenting oneself as a living sacrifice. |
| Jn 6:35 | "I am the bread of life..." | Jesus as the ultimate sustenance, symbolized by flour. |
| 1 Cor 10:16-17 | "The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?" | Grain offering (bread) relates to fellowship and Christ's body. |
Numbers 7 verses
Numbers 7 31 Meaning
Numbers 7:31 describes the specific details of a dedication offering brought by Elizur, the leader of the tribe of Reuben, for the newly consecrated Tabernacle. This particular gift consisted of two valuable silver vessels: a basin and a bowl, each weighing a significant seventy shekels according to the sacred sanctuary standard. Both vessels were filled with the finest ground flour (fine flour) mixed with oil, intended to be presented as a grain offering to the Lord. This offering signified dedication, reverence, and the provision of sustenance for priestly service and worship within God's dwelling place.
Numbers 7 31 Context
Numbers chapter 7 details the specific offerings made by the leaders of each of the twelve tribes of Israel for the dedication of the Tabernacle. This sacred structure, newly erected and consecrated, was to be the central place of worship and God's dwelling among His people during their wilderness journey. The offerings outlined in this chapter were not just random gifts but carefully prescribed and valuable contributions, demonstrating the tribes' devotion and commitment to the Lord and His sanctuary. Verse 31 specifically lists the offering presented by Elizur, the son of Shedeur, representing the tribe of Reuben. The repetitive listing for each tribe emphasizes the unity in their purpose, yet highlights each individual tribe's faithful contribution to the collective worship of God. Historically, such dedications were crucial in ancient Near Eastern cultures, formally establishing a structure's sacredness and its role in communal life.
Numbers 7 31 Word analysis
- a silver basin (קְעָרָה - qe'arah): This term refers to a deep, flat, serving bowl or platter, likely used for presenting food or washing in ritual contexts. The material, silver (כֶּסֶף - kesef), signifies its value and purity. In Scripture, silver is often associated with redemption (Exod 30:16). Its presence among these offerings emphasizes the preciousness placed on items dedicated to God.
- weighing seventy shekels (שֶׁקֶל - shekel): A shekel was a common unit of weight and currency in ancient Israel. Seventy indicates a substantial quantity and significant monetary value, demonstrating the generosity of the offering. The number "7" often symbolizes completeness or perfection in the Bible.
- by the shekel of the sanctuary (בְּשֶׁקֶל הַקֹּדֶשׁ - besheqel haqqodesh): This precise phrase emphasizes a standardized, holy weight. It signifies integrity, honesty, and adherence to God's precise standard for items consecrated for divine service, distinguishing it from common commercial measures which might vary (Exod 30:13-16). This highlighted divine precision in sacred matters.
- and a silver bowl (מִזְרָק - mizraq): This term usually refers to a specific type of bowl designed for sprinkling liquids, such as blood (e.g., Exod 24:6, Zech 9:15), or for receiving offerings. While also made of silver, its distinct name from "basin" (qe'arah) suggests it had a specific, different ritual function alongside the basin.
- both of them full of fine flour (סֹלֶת - solet): Fine flour signifies the best quality, pure white flour, made from the finest wheat. This offering of "finest" (excellence) symbolized giving one's absolute best to God and also represented the blameless character desired of the offerer or foreshadowed Christ's sinless life (Heb 7:26, 9:14). It was a common component of meal or grain offerings (Lev 2:1).
- mixed with oil (בָּלוּל בַּשֶּׁמֶן - balul bashemen): The flour was thoroughly mixed with oil (שֶׁמֶן - shemen), typically olive oil. Oil in offerings can symbolize consecration, joy, anointing, abundance, prosperity, and occasionally, prophetic insights (often related to the Spirit in the NT). In the Old Testament context of a grain offering, it indicates richness and value added to the gift.
- for a grain offering (מִנְחָה - minchah): This is a non-bloody offering, also known as a meal or tribute offering. It primarily represented thanksgiving, dedication, allegiance, and dependence on God's provision. It often accompanied other sacrifices (like burnt or peace offerings) and emphasized a grateful recognition of God's blessing and a desire for communion with Him. The grain offering often speaks of sustenance, life, and diligent human effort blessed by God.
Word-Group Analysis:
- "a silver basin...and a silver bowl weighing seventy shekels...by the shekel of the sanctuary": This precise detailing of material, quantity, and standard highlights the extraordinary value and the strict adherence to divine specifications for these dedication gifts. The repetition underscores the sacred standard by which all holy offerings were measured.
- "both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering": This group clarifies the primary content and purpose of these valuable vessels. The inclusion of the purest flour and rich oil indicates a comprehensive and bountiful offering of the highest quality for a specific purpose of non-bloody worship and acknowledgment of God's provision.
Numbers 7 31 Bonus section
- The identical nature of the silver basin and bowl offerings (among other specific items listed throughout Num 7 for each tribe) signifies the unity of the tribes in their dedication to the Tabernacle, despite their distinct tribal identities. It reflects the truth that all are equal in their access and obligation to worship the Lord.
- The symbolism of silver for redemption money (Exod 30:11-16) suggests a layer of meaning for these silver vessels beyond mere preciousness—they represent a gift given from a redeemed people, set apart for the Lord.
- While not explicitly stated for this specific "70 shekels," the number 7 is often associated with completion or perfection in biblical numerology (e.g., seven days of creation). Multiplied by ten, it signifies fullness or divine completeness.
- The Tabernacle dedication foreshadows the New Testament concept of the church as God's dwelling place (Eph 2:21-22), and believers as "living stones" built into a spiritual house, offering "spiritual sacrifices" (1 Pet 2:5). Just as the ancient Israelites brought their finest physical offerings, believers are called to offer themselves as living sacrifices (Rom 12:1).
Numbers 7 31 Commentary
Numbers 7:31 illustrates a profound act of worship and obedience. The specificity of the items—two silver vessels of a certain weight, containing fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering—underscores the meticulous nature of divine instruction and the importance of offering one's best to God. The phrase "by the shekel of the sanctuary" highlights God's demand for integrity, purity, and adherence to His exact standards in all matters of worship and service. The sheer value and quantity of these gifts (given identically by twelve tribal leaders, emphasizing unity and shared devotion) reveal the deep commitment and reverence of the Israelites toward their newly consecrated Tabernacle, which symbolized God's dwelling among them. The grain offering itself represents dedication, thankfulness, and an acknowledgment of God as the source of all provision, symbolizing a life lived in gratitude and surrendered to His will. This offering was a spiritual declaration of reliance and worship.