Numbers 7 86

Numbers 7:86 kjv

The golden spoons were twelve, full of incense, weighing ten shekels apiece, after the shekel of the sanctuary: all the gold of the spoons was an hundred and twenty shekels.

Numbers 7:86 nkjv

The twelve gold pans full of incense weighed ten shekels apiece, according to the shekel of the sanctuary; all the gold of the pans weighed one hundred and twenty shekels.

Numbers 7:86 niv

The twelve gold dishes filled with incense weighed ten shekels each, according to the sanctuary shekel. Altogether, the gold dishes weighed a hundred and twenty shekels.

Numbers 7:86 esv

the twelve golden dishes, full of incense, weighing 10 shekels apiece according to the shekel of the sanctuary, all the gold of the dishes being 120 shekels;

Numbers 7:86 nlt

Each of the twelve gold containers that was filled with incense weighed four ounces (as measured by the weight of the sanctuary shekel). The total weight of the gold was three pounds.

Numbers 7 86 Cross References

VerseTextReference
Exod 25:29"You shall make its plates and dishes...to be poured out with."Utensils for tabernacle service
Exod 30:13"This is what everyone who is counted shall give...half a shekel after the shekel of the sanctuary."Establishing standard shekel
Exod 35:21-22"Everyone whose heart stirred him up...they came, both men and women...and brought brooches...and all kinds of articles of gold."Voluntary offering for Tabernacle
Exod 38:24-26Account of gold and silver used for Tabernacle construction.Immense material wealth dedicated
Lev 27:25"Every valuation shall be according to the shekel of the sanctuary: twenty gerahs to the shekel."Sacred standard for all offerings
Num 7:1-83The preceding verses detailing each prince's identical offering.Context of twelve identical offerings
Deut 25:13-16"You shall not have in your bag two kinds of weights...You shall have a full and just weight..."God demands honest weights & measures
1 Chr 29:2-9David and the leaders contributing generously for Temple building.Generous collective offerings to God
1 Kgs 7:48-50Details of gold and silver articles for Solomon's Temple.Continual practice of rich temple vessels
Ezra 1:9-11Cyrus returns gold and silver articles from the Temple.Valuables taken from God's house
Prov 11:1"A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is his delight."Honesty is pleasing to God
Prov 16:11"A just balance and scales are the Lord’s; all the weights in the bag are his work."God ordains integrity in measurement
Prov 20:10"Unequal weights and unequal measures are both alike an abomination to the Lord."Against deceit and injustice
Isa 60:6-7Nations bringing gold and incense as offerings.Future abundance of offerings
Mal 3:8-10"Will man rob God?...Bring the full tithe into the storehouse..."Principles of dedicated giving to God
Matt 6:19-21"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth...but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven."Transitory nature of earthly wealth
Rom 12:1"Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God..."Christian's spiritual offering of self
1 Cor 14:33, 40"God is not a God of confusion but of peace...let all things be done decently and in order."Divine desire for order in worship
2 Cor 9:6-7"Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly...God loves a cheerful giver."Principles of joyful giving
Phil 4:18"I have received full payment and more. I am well supplied...a fragrant offering."Acceptable offerings from believers
Heb 8:5"They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things..."Earthly tabernacle pointing to heavenly reality
Heb 9:11-14Christ's perfect offering of Himself through eternal Spirit.Ultimate sacrifice far surpassing material ones
1 Pet 1:18-19"knowing that you were ransomed...not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ."Ultimate value not in gold/silver but Christ
1 Pet 2:5"You yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house..."Believers as the spiritual Temple of God

Numbers 7 verses

Numbers 7 86 Meaning

Numbers 7:86 meticulously details the combined weight of the precious silver dishes and gold basins contributed by the leaders of Israel during the dedication of the Tabernacle. Each of the twelve tribal princes offered identical sets of these vessels. This verse provides a final sum of their material worth, measured precisely according to the sacred standard of the "shekel of the sanctuary," underscoring the collective, substantial dedication made to God's dwelling place.

Numbers 7 86 Context

Numbers Chapter 7 records the extensive dedication ceremonies of the Tabernacle and its implements, immediately following its erection and consecration. This lengthy chapter meticulously details the offerings brought by the leaders of each of the twelve tribes of Israel, one per day over twelve consecutive days. Each tribal leader brought an identical offering, specified precisely down to the weight of the metal vessels. Verses 10 through 83 list each individual day's contribution, demonstrating the uniformity and commitment of all tribes. Numbers 7:84-88 provide a summary of the total contributions for all aspects, with verse 86 specifically summarizing the cumulative weight of the precious metal vessels (silver dishes and gold basins), reinforcing the extraordinary nature of the collective gifts and the meticulous divine accounting. This context emphasizes the early and significant investment in the operational sanctity of God's dwelling place among His people.

Numbers 7 86 Word analysis

  • all the silver dishes:
    • all: Emphasizes completeness and totality, encompassing the twelve individual offerings from each prince.
    • silver: (Hebrew: kesef) A precious metal, highly valued in ancient economies, signifying wealth and worth. Used extensively in the Tabernacle (Exod 38).
    • dishes: (Hebrew: qa'arot) Flat or shallow bowls, likely used for collecting offerings (e.g., grain offerings) or for holding sacrificial elements within the Tabernacle service. Their purpose was functional for divine worship.
  • weighed one hundred and thirty shekels each:
    • weighed: Indicates measurement by weight, not just counting, for exactness.
    • one hundred and thirty: Specific, precise numerical detail, highlighting meticulous accounting.
    • shekels: (Hebrew: sheqel) A fundamental unit of weight in the ancient Near East, originating from the verb shaqal, meaning "to weigh." This emphasizes a standard measurement.
    • each: Underscores that every one of the twelve princes provided an identical offering, demonstrating unity and equality in dedication.
  • and each basin of gold weighed seventy shekels:
    • each: Repetition emphasizes uniformity across the twelve offerings.
    • basin: (Hebrew: mizraq) Often deep bowls or basins used for libations, especially for catching or sprinkling blood in sacrificial rituals. This type of vessel would have been critical for priestly functions at the altar.
    • gold: (Hebrew: zahav) The most precious metal, symbolizing purity, glory, and divinity in biblical contexts (e.g., God's throne, heavenly Jerusalem). Its presence in the Tabernacle's most sacred items and this offering indicates ultimate value for divine service.
    • seventy shekels: Another precise numerical weight, showcasing divine accuracy.
  • all the silver dishes and golden basins weighed in all two thousand four hundred shekels:
    • all the silver dishes and golden basins: Recaps the items, collectively.
    • weighed in all: Concludes the sum total of these specific types of vessels across all twelve offerings.
    • two thousand four hundred: The large numerical total (12 princes x (130 + 70) = 12 x 200 = 2400 shekels) demonstrates the vast material contribution, representing a substantial portion of Israel's collective wealth at the time. This massive wealth was dedicated entirely to God's service.
  • by the shekel of the sanctuary:
    • by the: According to the standard of.
    • shekel of the sanctuary: (Hebrew: b'sheqel haQodesh) This is a crucial phrase. It refers to a definitive, standard weight maintained at the Tabernacle, possibly differing from commercial weights. It symbolizes divine integrity, ensuring justice, accuracy, and holiness in all transactions related to sacred things. It signifies that the offering was weighed against God's immutable standard, not against arbitrary or fraudulent market standards. It speaks to God's absolute demands for fairness and truth, particularly in worship and dedication to Him.

Numbers 7 86 Bonus section

The repetitive nature of Numbers Chapter 7, culminating in summaries like verse 86, might seem tedious to a modern reader. However, this literary device emphasizes several key aspects:

  • Divine Accountability: Every offering, every detail, is meticulously recorded, reflecting God's attention to details and the importance He places on the offerings dedicated to Him.
  • Unity in Worship: The identical offerings from each of the twelve tribes demonstrate a collective, unified dedication. It shows that despite tribal distinctions, there was one standard of worship and one unified devotion to Yahweh.
  • The Weight of Holiness: The consistent reference to "the shekel of the sanctuary" reminds the people and later readers that spiritual matters and acts of worship are not subject to human whims or negotiable standards. They are weighed against a divine, unchangeable standard of holiness and truth. This is a perpetual reminder for believers to ensure that their "offerings," whether spiritual or material, are brought forth with integrity and according to God's expectations.

Numbers 7 86 Commentary

Numbers 7:86, as part of the culminating summary of the Tabernacle dedication offerings, underscores profound theological principles through its precise accounting. The sheer detail given to weights and measurements reflects God's character: a God of order, precision, and perfect standards. The repeated phrase "by the shekel of the sanctuary" emphasizes that offerings to God must conform to His absolute and unvarying truth, not to human conventions or approximations. This served as a polemic against dishonest practices prevalent in the ancient world, reinforcing the divine demand for integrity. The immense value of the silver and gold vessels (2,400 shekels being a staggering amount for the time) highlights the people's collective and generous commitment to God's presence among them, symbolizing that worship requires true sacrifice and our best. This dedication was a corporate act, where all twelve tribes, through their representatives, gave identically, signifying their unity and shared devotion to the newly established central place of worship for the LORD. It provides a historical precedent for generous and orderly giving in service to God, reflecting the worth ascribed to Him.