Numbers 7 61

Numbers 7:61 kjv

His offering was one silver charger, the weight whereof was 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 7:61 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 7:61 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 7:61 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 7:61 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 61 Meaning

Numbers 7:61 describes a specific item contributed by Ahiezer, the leader of the tribe of Dan, as part of the dedication offerings for the Tabernacle. It details "one gold pan of ten shekels, full of incense," signifying a precise, valuable, and spiritually significant offering given in obedience to God's command for the inauguration of His dwelling place. This act represents worship, intercession, and devotion to God according to His prescribed instructions for sacred service.

Numbers 7 61 Context

Numbers chapter 7 details the dedication offerings made by the leaders of the twelve tribes of Israel following the erection and anointing of the Tabernacle and its furnishings (Num 7:1). Each day, for twelve consecutive days, a different tribal leader brought their offerings. These offerings included two types: communal gifts of six covered carts and twelve oxen for transport of the Tabernacle parts, shared among the Levite clans (Num 7:3-9); and individual gifts for the dedication of the altar (Num 7:10). The individual offerings from each leader were identical in terms of the specific items – two large silver plates, a silver bowl, and one gold pan, all weighed precisely – but differed only in the animals sacrificed with them. Verse 61 presents the gold pan of incense offered by Ahiezer of Dan on the tenth day. The repetitive and highly specific nature of these offerings highlights the unity, obedience, generosity, and meticulousness required in the worship of God, emphasizing that all offerings were precisely what God had commanded for His sacred space.

Numbers 7 61 Word analysis

• one (אֶחָ֣ד ’echad): Denotes individuality. Though part of a repetitive series, each offering was distinct from its donor and from the specific animal sacrifices given with it. It emphasizes that this particular item, the gold pan, was a singular piece, yet uniform across all offerings, showing both individual devotion and communal consistency in worship.
• gold (זָהָ֖ב zahav): A precious metal, often associated with divinity, purity, and sacredness in the Tabernacle. Gold represented God's glory and holiness, appropriate for vessels used directly in His worship. Its incorruptible nature symbolized the eternal and unblemished character of God and His worship. It stood in contrast to baser metals used for common items.
• pan (כַּף kaph): Literally meaning "palm of the hand," by extension, refers to a scoop, dish, or censer, often associated with a vessel holding incense or coals. The use of this specific term highlights a hand-held vessel, intimating direct engagement in the sacred act of offering incense, much like a priest would directly handle it.
• of ten (עֲשָׂרָ֥ה ‘asarah): The number ten signifies completeness or divine order in biblical contexts. The specific quantity of gold (ten shekels) demonstrates divine prescription and precision. It signifies that the value and weight of the offering were not arbitrary but were precisely as God required for the pan itself.
• shekels (שֶׁ֙קֶל֙ sheqel): A standard unit of weight in the ancient Near East. In the context of the Tabernacle, it would be the "shekel of the sanctuary" (Ex 30:13, Lev 27:25), a fixed and holy standard, signifying a precise and unvarying measure in sacred matters. This underscores the demand for exactness and integrity in offerings to God.
• full (מְלֵאָֽה m'le’ah): Indicates completely filled, brimming with the designated substance. It suggests generosity, readiness, and a complete fulfillment of the divine instruction—the offering was not minimal but abundant within the specified confines.
• of incense (קְטֹ֑רֶת qeṭoret): A sacred, specifically formulated mixture of sweet spices prescribed by God for Tabernacle worship (Ex 30:34-38). It was burned on the golden altar of incense. The fragrance of incense symbolized prayers rising to God (Ps 141:2, Rev 5:8) and represented a pleasing aroma to the Lord, an act of communion and intercession. Unauthorized incense was strictly forbidden (Lev 10:1-2, Num 16:6-10), emphasizing the sanctity and specific nature of acceptable worship.

Words-group analysis

• "one gold pan": Points to the unique and singular nature of each offering while also establishing the uniform and precious material common to all leaders' specific contributions for incense. The pan's gold content sets it apart, indicating its sacred function and value.
• "of ten shekels": This precise weight for the gold pan underscores the divine mandate for exactness in worship materials. It's not about an arbitrary amount but a divinely determined measure, signifying God's demand for order, quality, and specific standards in His service. It highlights the value and adherence to divine prescription for this sacred vessel.
• "full of incense": This phrase captures the essential purpose of the gold pan—to carry a complete and perfect amount of the holy incense. Incense symbolizes fervent prayer, intercession, and acceptable worship, ascending as a pleasing aroma before God. The fullness signifies unreserved devotion and complete presentation, embodying the very heart of the Tabernacle’s intercessory role. This pan was a specific censer designed to burn this particular sacred substance.

Numbers 7 61 Bonus section

The "ten shekels" likely refers to the "shekel of the sanctuary" (Ex 30:13, 38:24-26), a specific weight standard for sacred purposes, typically equivalent to twenty gerahs. This underscores that Tabernacle donations and furnishings were subject to a divine, unwavering standard, distinct from common commercial weights, ensuring absolute fairness and holiness in all sacred transactions. This precise quantification of value and material within worship also highlights a key biblical principle: God values quality and adherence to His commands in our giving, rather than mere quantity given haphazardly. The repetition of this specific "gold pan of ten shekels, full of incense" twelve times in Numbers 7 emphasizes that while each tribal leader was distinct, their approach to God in central worship was uniform and obedient. It models an unvarying standard of devotion in sacred service, establishing a paradigm for consistent and quality worship for generations.

Numbers 7 61 Commentary

Numbers 7:61 serves as a snapshot within a meticulously detailed record of the Tabernacle's dedication. It exemplifies the Israelites' obedience to God's precise instructions for worship. The "gold pan of ten shekels, full of incense" highlights the sacredness, value, and precise nature of their offerings. Gold represents God's majesty and the purity required for approaching Him, while its weight signifies unyielding standards in service. Incense, with its sweet aroma, was not merely fragrance but a profound symbol of the prayers and adoration ascending to God, demonstrating a living communion. The repetitive enumeration across all tribes reinforces the unity and common purpose in their worship, with each leader bringing the exact same gold and incense offering, underscoring universal spiritual principles. This precision in offering stood in stark contrast to the often haphazard and impure practices of surrounding pagan nations, reinforcing the unique and holy nature of Israel's relationship with Yahweh.