Numbers 7 5

Numbers 7:5 kjv

Take it of them, that they may be to do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation; and thou shalt give them unto the Levites, to every man according to his service.

Numbers 7:5 nkjv

"Accept these from them, that they may be used in doing the work of the tabernacle of meeting; and you shall give them to the Levites, to every man according to his service."

Numbers 7:5 niv

"Accept these from them, that they may be used in the work at the tent of meeting. Give them to the Levites as each man's work requires."

Numbers 7:5 esv

"Accept these from them, that they may be used in the service of the tent of meeting, and give them to the Levites, to each man according to his service."

Numbers 7:5 nlt

"Receive their gifts, and use these oxen and wagons for transporting the Tabernacle. Distribute them among the Levites according to the work they have to do."

Numbers 7 verses

Numbers 7 5 Meaning

This verse details God's specific instruction to Moses regarding the acceptance and distribution of offerings—specifically carts and oxen (mentioned in Numbers 7:3)—that were presented by the tribal leaders for the dedication of the Tabernacle. It mandates that these practical gifts are to be dedicated for use in the demanding service of transporting the Tabernacle, and precisely allocated to the Levites, with each individual Levite clan or person receiving according to their specific and varied duties in the sanctuary's dismantling and reassembly.

Numbers 7 5 Context

Numbers 7:5 is embedded within a long chapter that meticulously details the offerings presented by the leaders of each of the twelve tribes of Israel for the dedication of the newly completed Tabernacle, right after its erection and anointing. Specifically, verse 5 responds to the offering of "six covered wagons and twelve oxen" mentioned in verse 3. While the tribal leaders all gave identical amounts of various precious materials (silver, gold, spices, oil, animals for sacrifice), these particular wagons and oxen were practical items essential for the Levites' very physical task of transporting the heavy and numerous components of the portable sanctuary. The verse thereby signifies God's direct and purposeful instruction on how material contributions from His people are to be managed and applied directly to the support of His appointed ministers and their distinct functions within the divinely ordered worship system established in the wilderness.

Numbers 7 5 Word analysis

• "Take" (לָקֹחַ - lakoch): A direct command given to Moses (implied) to receive or accept. This emphasizes divine authority behind the reception of gifts, indicating they are not merely private donations but are to be accepted as directed by God for sacred use.
• "it from them" (מֵאִתָּם - mei'ittam): Refers to the offerings, specifically the wagons and oxen from the tribal leaders. It underscores the specific source and acceptance of these valuable items.
• "that they may be used" (וְהָיוּ - ve-hayu): From the Hebrew verb hayah ("to be" or "to become"). Here, it conveys purpose and destiny. The offerings are not to be stored or used randomly, but their existence is for a specific, holy function.
• "in the service" (לַעֲבֹדַת - la'avodat): From the noun עֲבֹדָה (avodah), which broadly means "work," "labor," or "service." In a cultic context, it signifies sacred ministry or worship. Here, it pertains to the demanding, physical labor of moving the Tabernacle's various components.
• "of the tent of meeting" (אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד - ohel mo'ed): The Tabernacle, Israel's portable sanctuary and the designated place where God would meet with His people (from mo'ed, meaning appointed time/place). This term highlights that the "service" is sacred work directly connected to God's dwelling place.
• "and you shall give them" (וְנָתַתָּה אֹתָם - ve-natattah otam): A further command to Moses, using the verb נָתַן (natan, "to give"). This signifies a deliberate, authorized act of distribution. It ensures an orderly and designated allocation, not a haphazard distribution.
• "to the Levites" (לַלְוִיִּם - lal'viyyim): The specific tribe consecrated by God for priestly assistance and all matters concerning the Tabernacle. This points to the structured nature of Israel's worship and God's chosen channels for service.
• "to every man" (אִישׁ אִישׁ - ish ish): Literally "man, man" or "each man." This phrase emphasizes precise, individual allocation rather than a general collective provision. It implies careful assessment and tailored distribution.
• "according to his service" (כְּפִי־עֲבֹדָתוֹ - kefi 'avodato): Literally "according to the mouth of his service." The idiom kefi means "according to." This crucial phrase indicates that the distribution is not uniform but differentiated based on the varying burdens and requirements of the distinct Levitical clans (Gershonites, Merarites, Kohathites) and their specific tasks in handling the Tabernacle (e.g., bulky curtains versus sacred furnishings carried by pole). This highlights divine efficiency and appropriateness in provisioning.

• "Take it from them, that they may be used": This phrase highlights divine authorization and purpose. The offerings are accepted by God's designated leader (Moses) not for arbitrary use, but to fulfill a specific, consecrated function. This principle underscores that resources in God's kingdom are purposed, not merely accumulated.
• "in the service of the tent of meeting": This group of words clarifies the ultimate goal of the offerings. Practical means (wagons, oxen) are dedicated to the spiritual end of facilitating worship and the presence of God among His people, making the mundane sacred by association.
• "and you shall give them to the Levites, to every man": This emphasizes a systematic and personalized distribution of resources to a divinely designated group. It underlines orderliness in ministry, ensuring that the necessary tools reach the rightful hands.
• "according to his service": This concluding phrase provides the principle for allocation—based on functional need and responsibility. It showcases God's wisdom in resource management, providing precisely what is required for effective ministry, avoiding both excess and deficit, and respecting the unique demands of each assigned role.

Numbers 7 5 Bonus section

• While the chapter is filled with lists of identical offerings from each tribe, this specific verse (and those immediately following it) breaks the repetitive pattern by detailing the use and distribution of a portion of those gifts, particularly the practical items (wagons and oxen). This signals its importance as an operational directive for the Tabernacle's functionality.
• The specific exclusion of the Kohathites from receiving carts in Numbers 7:8 emphasizes that their "service of the holy things" involved direct, manual carrying of the most sacred Tabernacle items on poles, differentiating their role and reinforcing the idea that even divine provision is tailored to the nature of the service.
• This verse subtly demonstrates God's administrative wisdom, not just in designing the spiritual elements of worship but also the logistical and practical necessities for maintaining His presence among His people in the wilderness journey.

Numbers 7 5 Commentary

Numbers 7:5 provides a microcosm of God's meticulous care in establishing the operational aspects of the Tabernacle and the support of its ministers. Following the magnificent account of tribal leaders bringing their offerings, this verse interrupts the flow to insert a critical divine instruction: these physical gifts (carts and oxen) are not to be held by Moses or general Israelites, but specifically purposed for the strenuous labor of the Tabernacle's transport. This highlights several key principles: first, the divine prerogative in directing how gifts for God's work are to be utilized; second, that every contribution, however mundane it may seem (like carts), becomes sanctified when dedicated to holy service; and third, God's detailed provision for His servants based on their specific needs and duties. The emphasis on distributing "to every man according to his service" underscores a divine principle of appropriate resource allocation, ensuring that the heavy and diverse burdens of the Levites were eased practically and efficiently. This was not a general allocation but a targeted support for effective, ordered ministry, reflecting God's foresight and care for those who serve Him.