Numbers 7 33

Numbers 7:33 kjv

One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering:

Numbers 7:33 nkjv

one young bull, one ram, and one male lamb in its first year, as a burnt offering;

Numbers 7:33 niv

one young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering;

Numbers 7:33 esv

one bull from the herd, one ram, one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering;

Numbers 7:33 nlt

He brought a young bull, a ram, and a one-year-old male lamb for a burnt offering,

Numbers 7 verses

Numbers 7 33 Meaning

Numbers 7:33 describes a specific component of the offerings brought by the tribal leaders for the dedication of the Tabernacle. It details one "gold dish of ten shekels, full of incense." This single, valuable vessel containing sacred incense highlights the dedication's richness, the leaders' generosity, and the importance of offerings, especially those symbolic of prayer and intercession, in the worship of the Living God. It underscores precision, purity, and devotion in all aspects of service.

Numbers 7 33 Context

Numbers chapter 7 details the dedication offerings brought by the twelve tribal leaders of Israel on successive days for the newly constructed Tabernacle. Each leader presented an identical offering, specified down to the weight and contents of each item. This lengthy chapter emphasizes the collective generosity, unity, and precise adherence to the divine blueprint for worship. Verse 33 is part of the offering of Shelumiel, the leader of the tribe of Simeon, on the third day of the dedication (Num 7:30). The meticulous repetition of each tribal leader's offering, item by item, highlights the uniformity of their commitment and obedience, emphasizing that all Israel equally contributed to the holy service. Historically, this event solidified the worship practices around the central sanctuary after the Exodus, establishing a covenantal relationship through sacrifice and ritual. The precise enumeration reflects the high value God places on obedience and the orderliness required in approaching His holiness.

Numbers 7 33 Word analysis

• One (Hebrew: ’eḥāḏ)

  • Significance: Denotes singularity and emphasizes that each offering included one distinct gold dish, part of a specific set of items. It highlights the completeness and sufficiency of this particular vessel for its designated purpose.

• gold (Hebrew: zahav)

  • Meaning: The most precious metal, symbolic of purity, deity, royalty, enduring value, and divine glory throughout the Bible.
  • Significance: Its use here signifies the highest quality and honor suitable for vessels dedicated to the Lord's service in the Tabernacle. It reflects the sanctity and importance of the offering.
  • Context: Gold was extensively used in the Tabernacle's construction and furnishings (Exod 25-27), representing God's inherent holiness and perfection, and the inestimable value of drawing near to Him.

• dish (Hebrew: kaph)

  • Meaning: Literally "palm" or "hand," often refers to a small bowl or pan that could be held in the hand, or cupped like a hand.
  • Significance: As a vessel, it contained precious substance for offerings. The kaph was specifically used for carrying incense (Lev 10:1), illustrating its role in sacred rituals connected to prayer and atonement.

• of ten (Hebrew: ’asārāh)

  • Meaning: The numerical value "ten."
  • Significance: Specifies the exact weight of the gold dish itself, or perhaps the gold of the dish. This precision is common in Tabernacle instructions (Exod 30:13-14) and legal texts, reflecting divine exactitude and adherence to required standards in worship. It underlines accountability and purity of standard.

• shekels (Hebrew: sheqel)

  • Meaning: A unit of weight, often also used as a monetary unit in ancient Israel and the Near East (approximately 0.4 ounces or 11 grams).
  • Significance: Establishes a tangible, measurable value for the gold dish, affirming its worth and contribution to the Tabernacle. This detail confirms the significant financial investment made by each tribal leader, emphasizing costly worship (2 Sam 24:24). The "shekel of the sanctuary" (Exod 30:13) was a fixed, holy standard for temple contributions.

• full (Hebrew: māle’)

  • Meaning: Completely filled to capacity.
  • Significance: Denotes abundance and completeness. The dish was not partially filled, but overflowing with its intended contents, symbolizing a wholehearted, complete offering.

• of incense (Hebrew: q'ṭoret)

  • Meaning: Specifically refers to the holy incense mixture prepared according to precise divine instructions (Exod 30:34-38), distinct from common incense.
  • Significance: This holy incense had strict ritual purposes: for atonement (Lev 16:12), making propitiation (Num 16:47-48), and symbolizing the ascending prayers of God's people (Ps 141:2, Rev 5:8, 8:3-4). Its presence here signifies that alongside the physical dedication, there was a spiritual element of adoration and intercession associated with these offerings. Its sacredness prevented common usage, ensuring it pointed only to God's presence and holy worship.

• Words-group Analysis: "One gold dish... full of incense"

  • This phrase presents a specific sacred container for a sacred substance, embodying the theme of holiness, purity, and valuable contribution in the worship of the Lord. The golden dish speaks of inherent worth and divine splendor, while the incense signifies consecrated aroma, rising prayers, and atonement. Together, they represent a complete, precious offering in the sacred ritual of dedicating God's dwelling place.

Numbers 7 33 Bonus Section

The consistent "one gold dish... full of incense" across all twelve tribes’ offerings highlights a remarkable unity and equality in their dedication to the Lord. Despite variations in tribal size or historical significance, each leader presented the exact same set of expensive, divinely prescribed items. This uniformity is a powerful message that God values the same measure of obedience and devotion from all His people. It minimizes status or earthly prestige and emphasizes corporate commitment to His sanctuary and worship. This meticulous recording also reflects a foundational principle: worship according to God’s specifications is paramount, rather than human innovation. Every element was important for God's glory and Israel's spiritual well-being.

Numbers 7 33 Commentary

Numbers 7:33, though brief, is a window into the core principles of Old Testament worship. Its specific mention of a "gold dish of ten shekels, full of incense," within a highly repetitive chapter, underscores deliberate intent. The very repetition (found in identical form for each tribal offering) reinforces the unity and perfect obedience of Israel in dedicating the Tabernacle. Gold signifies divine glory, purity, and supreme value, appropriate for a structure where God would dwell. The specific weight, "ten shekels," points to the meticulous precision required in sacred service, a testament to God's orderly character and His expectation of human faithfulness in minute details. Most profoundly, the "incense" filling the dish directly connects this physical offering to the spiritual act of prayer and intercession. As the Tabernacle became operational, so too did the means of direct communication with God. The New Testament expands this symbolism, identifying the prayers of the saints as fragrant incense ascending to God (Rev 5:8; 8:3-4). Thus, the tribal leaders' gift was not just material wealth, but a foreshadowing of devout spiritual service. It highlights that worship involves costly commitment and a life that ascends before God as a pleasing aroma.