Numbers 7 39

Numbers 7:39 kjv

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

Numbers 7:39 nkjv

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

Numbers 7:39 niv

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

Numbers 7:39 esv

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

Numbers 7:39 nlt

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

Numbers 7 verses

Numbers 7 39 Meaning

Numbers 7:39 details a specific offering brought by Gamaliel, son of Pedahzur, the prince of the tribe of Manasseh, on the seventh day of the Tabernacle's dedication. It describes "one bronze basin, and its stand of bronze, with a thousand shekels of bronze." This item was a significant contribution intended for use within the Tabernacle courtyard, likely for priestly purification rituals.

Numbers 7 39 Context

Numbers chapter 7 details the specific offerings presented by the leaders of each of the twelve tribes of Israel for the dedication of the Tabernacle altar. This comprehensive act of worship followed the completion of the Tabernacle's construction and its setting up according to God's precise instructions. Each prince presented gifts on a successive day over twelve days, with each day's offering meticulously recorded. Verse 39 describes a part of the offering presented by Gamaliel, the prince of the tribe of Manasseh, on the seventh day. These offerings were not for the construction itself, which was already complete, but for its continued function and symbolic dedication. They signified Israel's covenant commitment to God, providing the necessary implements for worship, atonement, and purification rituals vital for maintaining fellowship with a holy God.

Numbers 7 39 Word analysis

• one: (Hebrew: אֶחָד, ’eḥāḏ) Emphasizes a singular, complete item, reflecting the precise and specific nature of God's requirements for Tabernacle service and the structured offerings from each tribe.
• bronze: (Hebrew: נְחֹשֶׁת, nəḥōšet) This material, alloyed copper, was frequently used in the Tabernacle's outer court for items like the altar of burnt offering, the grate, and the laver. It signifies strength, durability, and a capacity for endurance. Theologically, bronze is often associated with judgment and atonement (e.g., the bronze serpent in Num 21:9), but in the context of the basin, it highlights purification, as impurities are exposed and removed, echoing the fiery purification process.
• basin: (Hebrew: כִּיּוֹר, kiyōr) Typically refers to a laver or washing vessel. In the Tabernacle, the primary laver (Exo 30:18) was used for the priests to wash their hands and feet before performing duties, emphasizing the absolute necessity of ritual purity for approaching God. The large amount of bronze specified for this basin (1000 shekels) suggests it was a substantial, perhaps an auxiliary, yet critical piece of equipment for handling large volumes of water for various washings associated with the sacrifices (e.g., washing the entrails and legs of offerings).
• and its stand: (Hebrew: וְכַנּוֹ, wəḵannō) The "stand" (כַּן, kan) provided stability and elevation for the basin, making it functional and accessible for the priests. It signifies proper order and readiness for use in sacred service. The basin and its stand together represent a complete, functional unit for purification.
• of bronze: Again, specifies the durable material, indicating a significant and lasting contribution to the sacred precinct.
• with a thousand shekels of bronze: (Hebrew: אֶלֶף שֶׁקֶל נְחֹשֶׁת, ’elep sheqel nəḥōšet) This is a substantial weight (approximately 25 pounds or 11 kg, given a typical shekel weight). It underscores the immense value and generosity of the offering from the prince. Such a large quantity of bronze indicates either a very large basin and stand, or that the offering was part of a collective sum of materials provided. In context, it points to a very significant and heavy single piece or collection that together equal this weight for purification purposes, showing lavish giving for God's sanctuary. This highlights the richness of their devotion and commitment.
• "bronze basin, and its stand of bronze": This phrase details a complete and functional unit specifically designed for washing. This emphasis on purification tools points to the constant need for ceremonial cleanliness for those ministering in the Tabernacle. It serves as a visual reminder of the separation between the holy and the common, and the necessity of sanctification.

Numbers 7 39 Bonus section

The offerings in Numbers 7 were not simply symbolic but functional, ensuring that the Tabernacle was fully equipped for every aspect of priestly ministry and sacrificial worship. Each tribe, though offering slight variations in the details of their non-vehicle gifts, contributed equally in spirit and dedication. The seven days over which Gamaliel's offering, containing this basin, was given holds biblical significance, often associated with completion and divine perfection, aligning with the "finishing" of the Tabernacle's initial setup. While the primary laver in Exodus was constructed from the bronze mirrors of the serving women, these basins mentioned in Numbers 7 reflect direct material contributions for specific use.

Numbers 7 39 Commentary

Numbers 7:39, as part of the extensive list of offerings, reveals the Israelites' generous response to God's detailed instructions for Tabernacle worship. The specific item—a heavy bronze basin and its stand—highlights the paramount importance of purification in their worship life. Bronze, resilient and symbolic of judgment, was integral to objects like the laver and the altar of burnt offering, reminding priests and worshipers of the serious nature of approaching a holy God. This basin, perhaps supplementing the main laver or used for washing sacrificial animals, underscored the constant need for cleansing from defilement before divine encounter. The immense weight, "a thousand shekels of bronze," showcases the prince's extraordinary devotion and wealth poured into the service of God, emphasizing that worship should be costly and heartfelt. Spiritually, this prefigures the ultimate purification available through Jesus Christ, who provides a permanent cleansing that ritual washings could only symbolize (Heb 9:11-14; 10:22), and calls believers to purity as they approach God today (1 Pet 2:5).