Numbers 7 79

Numbers 7:79 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 7:79 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 7:79 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 7:79 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 7:79 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 79 Meaning

Numbers 7:79 records the offering brought by Abidan, the leader of the tribe of Benjamin, on the eleventh day of the dedication ceremony for the Tabernacle. This verse, part of a larger, highly repetitive chapter, signifies the orderly and complete participation of all Israel's tribes, through their appointed leaders, in consecrating the Tabernacle and its altar as the central place of their worship according to God's precise commands.

Numbers 7 79 Context

Numbers chapter 7 provides an exceptionally detailed account of the dedication offerings brought by the leaders of each of the twelve Israelite tribes for the newly completed and consecrated Tabernacle and its altar. The entire chapter, the longest in the book of Numbers, spans twelve days of identical offerings, each day meticulously described with the same language, list of items, and concluding formula. This precise repetition underscores the importance, sacredness, and exactitude of this foundational act of worship.

Historically, this event occurred in the Sinai desert, approximately one month after the Tabernacle was erected (Num 7:1; Ex 40:17). Following the detailed construction of the Tabernacle, the setting up of the camps for each tribe, and the anointing of the priests and the sacred furniture, this elaborate dedication ceremony solidified the Tabernacle as the central, legitimate place where Israel would encounter Yahweh. The offerings established a national pattern of worship, highlighting the divine order, the unity of the tribes, and the role of leadership in carrying out God's commands. Numbers 7:79 simply presents the record of Benjamin's tribal leader fulfilling his appointed turn in this extended dedication.

Numbers 7 79 Word analysis

• On the eleventh day:

  • Hebrew: בַּיּוֹם הָאַחַד עָשָׂר (bayôm haʾaḥad ʿāśār).
  • Significance: This detail emphasizes the meticulously ordered nature of the dedication process, unfolding sequentially over twelve distinct days. It signifies God's divine timetable and Israel's obedience to His precise instructions, where each tribal leader received a specific turn to bring their offerings. The sustained, day-by-day effort underscores the magnitude and importance of establishing the Tabernacle.

• Abidan:

  • Hebrew: אֲבִידָן (ʾĂḇîḏān).
  • Meaning: "My father is judge" or "father of judgment."
  • Significance: His name reflects the role of a tribal leader, possessing authority and acting with discernment for his people. Abidan is explicitly named as Benjamin's leader in other contexts (Num 1:11, Num 2:22), affirming his official position within Israel's structured hierarchy.

• the son of Gideoni:

  • Hebrew: בֶּן־גִּדְעֹנִי (ben-Giḏʿōnî).
  • Significance: This patronymic (father's name) provides genealogical specificity, a standard practice in biblical records to confirm identity and lineage, lending credibility to his authority and representation.

• leader:

  • Hebrew: נָשִׂיא (naśîʾ).
  • Meaning: Prince, chieftain, or tribal head.
  • Significance: The nasi held significant authority, acting as the appointed representative and chief administrator of his tribe. His participation in the Tabernacle's dedication was not merely individual but signified the entire tribe's active engagement and submission to God's covenant. The leaders were integral to Israel's structure.

• of the people of Benjamin:

  • Hebrew: לִבְנֵי בִנְיָמִן (livnê Binʸāmîn), literally "for the sons of Benjamin."
  • Significance: Benjamin was the youngest of Jacob's sons, a distinctive and sometimes turbulent tribe. Their inclusion in this universal dedication ceremony highlights the unity of all twelve tribes in their shared covenant relationship with God. Despite tribal distinctives, all contributed equally to national worship.

• made his offering:

  • Hebrew: הִקְרִיב קָרְבָּנוֹ (hiqriyv qorbanô). "Brought near his offering."
  • Significance: The verb "brought near" (קרב, qārav) is specifically used for presenting something to God in worship. The "qorban" (offering) itself signifies an act of drawing near to God, typically involving an animal sacrifice, grain, or other precious items, symbolizing dedication, atonement, or thanksgiving. The identical nature of all offerings underscores equality before God and unified devotion, not competitive or distinct contributions.

• Grouped Analysis:

  • "On the eleventh day Abidan the son of Gideoni, leader of the people of Benjamin": This full, precise identification serves to legally and officially record the tribe and leader responsible for that specific day's offering. It emphasizes divine order and accountability, ensuring that all twelve tribes participated systematically in the central act of Tabernacle dedication. This consistent pattern across the chapter reinforces the legitimacy of the Tabernacle and its service.
  • "leader...made his offering": This phrase highlights the crucial role of leadership in Israel's worship. The nasi represented the collective commitment of his tribe, demonstrating their unified allegiance to Yahweh through the bringing of prescribed offerings. It signifies that leadership carried both privilege and the significant responsibility of ensuring proper worship and obedience.

Numbers 7 79 Bonus section

• Literary Function of Repetition: The verbose repetition throughout Numbers 7 serves a critical literary and theological purpose. It is not merely a redundancy but an intentional emphasis, akin to a ceremonial drumbeat. It signifies completeness, thoroughness, and the unblemished obedience of each tribal leader. It acts as a powerful witness that no tribe was omitted and that the entire nation unitedly endorsed the central sanctuary.
• Theological Implications of Uniform Offerings: The identical nature of the offerings signifies equality before God. Despite differences in tribal size, strength, or historical significance (like Benjamin, being smaller than Judah), each was required to bring the same, emphasizing that all were equally consecrated to Yahweh and equally necessary for the nation's spiritual life.
• A Polemic Against Idolatry: The strict, prescribed nature of the Tabernacle offerings stood in stark contrast to the often chaotic, unpredictable, or self-determined practices of surrounding pagan cults. The Israelites were being taught that their God was one of order, who meticulously detailed how He was to be approached, distinguishing His worship from that of arbitrary deities.

Numbers 7 79 Commentary

Numbers 7:79 is more than just a chronological detail; it is a testament to the divine order and comprehensive participation that characterized early Israelite worship. The extensive and meticulous record of each tribe's offering, identical in every detail and presented on sequential days, underscores a few key themes. Firstly, it showcases God's demand for precision and obedience in matters of worship; there was no room for improvisation, only adherence to His established plan. Secondly, the chapter, including this verse, highlights the unity of the entire nation in worship. Despite tribal distinctives and geographical divisions, all came together under the leadership of their nasi to contribute equally to the Tabernacle's establishment, symbolizing a collective commitment to their covenant with Yahweh.

Furthermore, the detailed repetition, while seemingly tedious to modern readers, served to impress upon the Israelites the immense significance of the Tabernacle. It was not a trivial matter but the very dwelling place of God among them, requiring deliberate and consistent dedication. This lengthy record acts as an enduring testimony to God's faithfulness in providing a way for His people to approach Him and their reciprocal faithfulness in obeying His commands. It underscores that proper worship is both structured and unified, reflecting the nature of a God of peace and order rather than confusion.