Numbers 7 43

Numbers 7:43 kjv

His offering was one silver charger of the weight of an hundred and thirty shekels, a 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 7:43 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 7:43 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 7:43 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 7:43 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 verses

Numbers 7 43 Meaning

Numbers 7:43 describes a portion of the offering brought by the leader of the tribe of Manasseh, Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur, on the sixth day of the dedication of the Tabernacle. This verse specifically details two silver vessels: a plate weighing 130 shekels and a basin weighing 70 shekels. Both items are specified to be weighed according to the standard "shekel of the sanctuary," and both were filled with fine flour mixed with oil, intended as a grain offering to the Lord. This offering exemplifies the precision, abundance, and uniform requirements for sacred worship established by God.

Numbers 7 43 Context

Numbers chapter 7 details the comprehensive offerings made by the leaders of each of the twelve tribes of Israel for the dedication of the newly constructed Tabernacle, which had just been anointed and consecrated. Each day, for twelve consecutive days, a different tribal leader presented an identical set of valuable gifts for the Tabernacle's service. Verse 43 specifies the offering of Gamaliel, the leader of Manasseh, on the sixth day. This detailed repetition throughout the chapter underscores the immense value placed on God's dwelling, the unity and obedience of the tribes in worship, and the exact requirements for offerings, emphasizing divine order and holiness in contrast to surrounding chaotic pagan practices. It follows the precise instructions given in Leviticus regarding the types and nature of sacrifices.

Numbers 7 43 Word analysis

• His offering: Refers to Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur, the leader of the tribe of Manasseh, who presented this specific set of gifts on the sixth day. It emphasizes individual contribution to a collective holy act.
• was one silver plate: `qĕʿārâ` (קערה). A flat, possibly deep, vessel. Its presence here for a grain offering, alongside a basin, suggests its role in presenting or containing dry offerings. Silver (Hebrew: `kesef`) signifies purity and value; it was widely used in the Tabernacle's construction and furnishings, though not as highly valued as gold.
• weighing a hundred and thirty shekels: A precise weight. The substantial weight of the plate (approx. 3.3-3.7 lbs or 1.5-1.7 kg, given shekel weight variations) indicates significant value and size. This precision speaks to the exactness God required in offerings.
• one silver basin: `mizrāq` (מזרק). A deeper bowl, often used for holding or sprinkling liquids like blood in sacrificial rituals (e.g., Exod 24:6, Lev 1:5) or for water. Here, it also holds dry ingredients (flour and oil), showing its versatility. Its use reinforces the sacred purpose of the vessels.
• of seventy shekels: Another specific weight (approx. 1.8-2.0 lbs or 0.8-0.9 kg). Less heavy than the plate, but still substantial. The difference in weight likely corresponds to their differing functions or designs, but both represent significant intrinsic value.
• both according to the shekel of the sanctuary: `šeqel haqqōdeš` (שקל הקדש). This critical phrase specifies the standard of measurement. It refers to a sacred, precise weight, heavier and more accurate than a common commercial shekel (likely 20 gerahs, as opposed to a common 10-gerah shekel). This ensured honesty, uniformity, and removed any possibility of dishonest measures in transactions involving sacred things (Exod 30:13, Lev 27:25, Ezek 45:12). It underscores God's demand for integrity in worship.
• both of them full of fine flour: `sōlet` (סלת). The highest quality of flour, often reserved for priestly use and the best offerings (Exod 29:2, Lev 2:1). It symbolizes the best of human sustenance dedicated to God. This ingredient, as a "meal" or "grain" offering (`minḥâ`), typically signified dedication, gratitude, and acknowledgment of God's provision for daily sustenance.
• mixed with oil: `šemen` (שמן). Olive oil, a staple of the ancient Near East, symbolizing richness, prosperity, and anointing in various biblical contexts. In grain offerings, it was a common ingredient, not just for practical purposes (to bind the flour) but also adding value and significance to the offering.
• for a grain offering: `minḥâ` (מנחה). A non-blood offering, often made from grain, flour, or baked goods. It symbolized homage, thanksgiving, and dedication of one's labors and produce to God, and often accompanied burnt offerings. It was a "sweet aroma" to the Lord (Lev 2:2, 9), signifying God's acceptance and pleasure in the worshipper's devotion.

• "one silver plate... one silver basin": The choice of silver, its substantial quantity (200 shekels total, equating to a significant amount of silver) and the use of precise vessels for these specific offerings demonstrate the leader's and Israel's generosity and the high regard for the Tabernacle's holy service. It also foreshadows the immense wealth dedicated to the later Temple.
• "according to the shekel of the sanctuary": This phrase highlights God's demand for absolute integrity and precision in matters pertaining to Him. It prevents deception, fraud, and half-hearted offerings, ensuring that worship is not tainted by worldly or imprecise standards. It signifies that divine standards are exact and apply to all details, big and small.
• "full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering": This group of words describes the contents and purpose. The offerings, though valuable in themselves, become truly sacred and functional for worship when they hold the consecrated materials for a `minḥâ` offering. It connects the physical vessel to its ritual function, demonstrating that the container is merely to facilitate the presentation of the spiritual act. The simplicity of basic foodstuffs (flour, oil) offered in high-value vessels highlights that both the intrinsic value of the offering itself and the offering of daily sustenance are vital to God.

Numbers 7 43 Bonus section

The repetitive nature of Numbers 7, with this verse being one of twelve almost identical descriptions, is often misunderstood as literary redundancy. However, this is a deliberate rhetorical device emphasizing several theological points: the meticulousness of the divine blueprint for worship, the individual responsibility of each leader (and by extension, each tribe) in obeying that blueprint, the equality of access and expectation for all tribes before God, and the overwhelming generosity demonstrated by the sheer volume of precious materials accumulated. This collective offering also signified the completion of the Tabernacle's operational readiness, symbolizing the formal establishment of regular worship in the wilderness. The items, while for grain offerings in this verse, represent a complete package of support for the ongoing cultic services, underpinning the daily spiritual life of Israel.

Numbers 7 43 Commentary

Numbers 7:43 provides a micro-level glimpse into the highly ordered and abundant dedication ceremony of the Tabernacle. This repetition for each tribal leader serves multiple profound purposes. It first underscores divine expectation: God's requirements for worship are precise, unyielding, and identical for all, from the smallest weight measurement ("shekel of the sanctuary") to the specific materials ("fine flour mixed with oil"). This meticulous detail directly contrasts with the often arbitrary and undefined rituals of surrounding pagan cultures, emphasizing YHWH's sovereign authority and unique order. Secondly, it highlights the remarkable unity and collective obedience of the diverse tribes, as each leader presented the same expensive and prescribed set of gifts. No leader or tribe was privileged or diminished; all participated equally in honoring the sacred space, representing a unified people approaching a holy God. Finally, the sheer volume and cost of these gifts, from the precise weight of silver to the fine grain and oil, signify the Israelites' abundant giving—a generous response to God's presence among them, showing that the best of their resources and labors were due to Him. It's a testament to complete dedication: offering wealth, produce, and precision in worship.

Practical examples:

• A congregation unifying to fund a large ministry project, where each family is encouraged to contribute according to their means towards a common, significant goal.
• An individual meticulously tithing a fixed percentage of their income, not just casually but precisely calculating the offering, demonstrating their commitment to God's standard.
• A believer committing to spend specific, dedicated time daily in prayer and study of God's Word, treating it as a non-negotiable, valuable part of their day, similar to a required sacred offering.