1 The offering of the princes at the dedication of the tabernacle
10 Their several offerings at the dedication of the altar
89 God speaks to Moses from the mercy seat

had fully Ex 40:17-19

anointed it Ex 30:23-30 Le 8:10,11 9:1

Sanctified them Ge 2:3 Ex 13:2 1Ki 8:64 Mt 23:19

2 That the princes of Israel, heads of the house of their fathers, who were the princes of the tribes, and were over them that were numbered, offered:

the princes Nu 1:4-16 2:1 10:1

and were over, etc. Heb. who stood. offered Ex 35:27 1Ch 29:6-8 2Ch 35:8 Ezr 2:68,69 Ne 7:70-72

3 And they brought their offering before the LORD, six covered wagons, and twelve oxen; a wagon for two of the princes, and for each one an ox: and they brought them before the tabernacle.

covered waggons. The Hebrew word signifies 'tilted wagons'. These were given for the more convenient exporting of the heavier parts of the tabernacle.

4 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

5 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.

take it Ex 25:1-11 35:4-10 Ps 16:2,3 Isa 42:1-7 49:1-8 Eph 4:11-13 Tit 3:8

give them. i.e. distribute them among the Levites as they need them; giving most to those who have the heaviest burdens to bear.

6 And Moses took the wagons and the oxen, and gave them unto the Levites.

7 Two wagons and four oxen he gave unto the sons of Gershon, according to their service:

two wagons Nu 3:25,26 4:24-28

sons of Gershon. The Gershonites being fewest in number of able men, had the less burdensome things to carry; for they carried only the curtains, coverings, and hangings. And although this was a cumbersome carriage, and they needed waggons, yet it was not a heavy one, and they needed few.

8 And four wagons and eight oxen he gave unto the sons of Merari, according unto their service, under the hand of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.

four wagons Nu 3:36,37 4:28-33

the sons. Though the Merarites were the most numerous, yet they had the greatest burden, namely, the boards, bars, pillars, and sockets, to carry. Therefore they had double the number of waggons to what the Gershonites had assigned them.

9 But unto the sons of Kohath he gave none: because the service of the sanctuary belonging unto them was that they should bear upon their shoulders.

unto the. Because they had the charge of the ark, table, candlestick, altars, etc. which were to be carried upon their shoulders; for those sacred things must not be drawn by beasts. because Nu 3:31 4:4-16 2Sa 6:6,13 1Ch 15:3,13 23:26

10 And the princes offered for dedicating of the altar in the day that it was anointed, even the princes offered their offering before the altar.

princes. Every prince, or chief, offered in the behalf, and doubtless at the expense, of his whole tribe. dedicating De 20:5 1Ki 8:63 2Ch 7:5,9 Ezr 6:16,17 Ne 12:27,43 Ps 30:1 Joh 10:22

11 And the LORD said unto Moses, They shall offer their offering, each prince on his day, for the dedicating of the altar.

1Co 14:33,40 Col 2:5

12 And he that offered his offering the first day was Nahshon the son of Amminadab, of the tribe of Judah:

Nu 1:7 2:3 10:14 Ge 49:8,10 Ru 4:20 Mt 1:4 Lu 3:32

13 And his offering was one silver charger, the weight thereof was an hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them were full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering:

charger Ex 25:29 37:16 1Ki 7:43,45 2Ki 25:14,15 Ezr 1:9,10 8:25 Jer 52:19 Da 5:2 Zec 14:20 Mt 14:8,11

the shekel Ex 30:13 Le 27:3,25

a meat offering Le 2:1

14 One spoon of ten shekels of gold, full of incense:

spoon Nu 4:7 Ex 37:16 1Ki 7:50 2Ki 25:14,15 2Ch 4:22 24:14

incense Ex 30:7,8,34-38 35:8

15 One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering:

Nu 25:1 28:1 29:1 Le 1:1 Isa 53:4,10,11 Mt 20:28 Joh 17:19 Ro 3:24-26 5:6-11,16-21 8:34 10:4 1Ti 2:6 Tit 2:14 Heb 2:10 1Pe 1:18,19 2:24 3:18

16 One kid of the goats for a sin offering:

Le 4:23,25

17 And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Nahshon the son of Amminadab.

peace Le 3:1 2Co 5:19-21

this was the offering. It is worthy of remark, that the different tribes are represented here as bringing their offerings precisely in the same order in which they encamped about the tabernacle, beginning at the East, then proceeding to the South, then to the West, and ending with the North, according to the course of the sun. Thus God evinces that he is not the author of confusion, but of peace. It is also worthy of remark that every tribe offers the same kind of offering, and in the same quantity, to shew, that as every tribe was equally indebted to God for its support, so each should testify an equal sense of obligation. Besides, the vessels were all sacrificial vessels, and the animals were all clean animals, such as were proper for sacrifices; and therefore everything was intended to point out, that the people were to be a holy people, fully dedicated to God, and that God was to dwell among them. Thus, as the priests, altar, etc. were anointed, and the tabernacle dedicated, so the people by this offering became consecrated to God. Therefore every act here was a religious act.

18 On the second day Nethaneel the son of Zuar, prince of Issachar, did offer:

Nu 1:8 2:5

19 He offered for his offering 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:

Nu 7:12-17

20 One spoon of gold of ten shekels, full of incense:

21 One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering:

Ge 8:20 Ro 12:1 Eph 5:2

22 One kid of the goats for a sin offering:

23 And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Nethaneel the son of Zuar.

Le 7:11-13 1Ki 8:63 Pr 7:14 Col 1:1

24 On the third day Eliab the son of Helon, prince of the children of Zebulun, did offer:

Nu 1:9 2:7

25 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:

26 One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense:

27 One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering:

Ps 50:8-14 51:16 Isa 1:11 Jer 7:22 Am 5:22

28 One kid of the goats for a sin offering:

29 And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Eliab the son of Helon.

30 On the fourth day Elizur the son of Shedeur, prince of the children of Reuben, did offer:

Nu 1:5 2:10

31 His offering was one silver charger of the weight of 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:

offering Nu 7:13

charger. Kaarah, in Arabic, to be deep, a large deep dish or bowl. It appears by the metal of which this charger and bowl were made, that they were for the use of the altar of burnt offerings in the outer court; for all the vessels of the sanctuary were of gold. It was probably used for receiving the flesh of the sacrifices upon which the priests feasted, or the fine flour for the meat offerings. Bowl. Mizrak, from zarak, to sprinkle, a bowl or bason, used in sprinkling the blood of the sacrifice.

32 One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense:

spoon. a pan or censer, on which the incense was put. Both the metal of which it was made, and that which it contained, shew that it was for the use of the golden altar in the sanctuary. incense Ps 66:15 Mal 1:11 Lu 1:10 Re 8:3

33 One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering:

34 One kid of the goats for a sin offering:

35 And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Elizur the son of Shedeur.

and for a sacrifice. These sacrifices were more numerous than the burnt offering or the sin offering; because the priests, the princes, and as many of the people as they invited, had a share of them, and feasted, with great rejoicing, before the Lord. This custom, as Mr. Shelden observes, seems to have been imitated by the heathen, who dedicated their altars, temples, statues, et. with much ceremony.

36 On the fifth day Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai, prince of the children of Simeon, did offer:

Nu 1:6 2:12

37 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:

Nu 7:13

38 One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense:

39 One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering:

Ex 12:5 Joh 1:29 Ac 8:32 1Pe 1:19 Re 5:6

40 One kid of the goats for a sin offering:

41 And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai.

42 On the sixth day Eliasaph the son of Deuel, prince of the children of Gad, offered:

Nu 1:14 2:14

Son of Reuel

43 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:

offering Nu 7:13

mingled with oil Le 2:5 14:10 Heb 1:9 1Jo 2:27

44 One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense:

45 One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering:

Ps 66:15 Isa 53:4 2Co 5:21

46 One kid of the goats for a sin offering:

47 And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Eliasaph the son of Deuel.

48 On the seventh day Elishama the son of Ammihud, prince of the children of Ephraim, offered:

on the seventh. Both Jewish and Christian writers have been surprised that this work of offering went forward on the seventh day (which they suppose to have been a sabbath), as well as on the other days. But, 1.there is no absolute proof that this seventh day of offering was a sabbath. 2. Were it even so, could the people be better employed than in thus consecrating themselves and their services to the Lord? We have already seen that every act was a religious act; and we may rest assured, that no day was too holy for the performance of such acts as are here recorded. Here is may be observed, that Moses has thought fit to set down distinctly, and at full length, the offerings of the princes of each tribe, though, as we have already observed, they were the very same, both in quantity and quality, that an honourable mention might be made of every one apart, and that none might think himself in the least neglected. Nu 1:10 2:18

49 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:

Nu 7:13

50 One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense:

51 One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering:

Whether there were any prayers made for the gracious acceptance of the sacrifices which should be hereafter offered on the altar, we are not informed; but the sacrifices themselves were of the nature of supplications, and it is probable, that they who offered them, made humble petitions along with them.

52 One kid of the goats for a sin offering:

53 And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Elishama the son of Ammihud.

54 On the eighth day offered Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur, prince of the children of Manasseh:

Nu 1:10 2:20

55 His offering was one silver charger of the weight of 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:

Nu 7:13

56 One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense:

57 One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering:

58 One kid of the goats for a sin offering:

59 And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur.

60 On the ninth day Abidan the son of Gideoni, prince of the children of Benjamin, offered:

Nu 1:11 2:22

61 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:

Nu 7:13

62 One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense:

Ps 112:2 Isa 66:20 Da 9:27 Ro 15:16 Php 4:18 Heb 13:15

63 One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering:

64 One kid of the goats for a sin offering:

65 And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Abidan the son of Gideoni.

66 On the tenth day Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai, prince of the children of Dan, offered:

on the tenth day. When the twelve days of the dedication commenced cannot be easily determined; but the computation of F. Scacchus seems highly probable. He supposes, that the tabernacle being erected the first day of the first month of the second year after the departure from Egypt, seven days were spent in the consecration of it, and the altar; and that on the eight day, Moses began to consecrate Aaron and his sons, which lasted seven days more. Then, on the fourteenth day of that month, was the feast day of unleavened bread; which God commanded to be observed in the first month and which lasted till the 22nd. The rest of the month, we may well suppose, was spent in giving, receiving, and delivering the laws contained in the book of Leviticus; after which, on the first day of the second month, Moses began to number the people, according to the command in the beginning of this book; which may be supposed to have lasted three days. On the fourth, the Levites were numbered; on the next day we may suppose they were offered to God, and given to the Priests; and on the sixth, they were expiated and consecrated, as we read in the following chapter. On the seventh day, their several charges were assigned them, after which, he supposed the princes began to offer, on the eight day of the second month, for the dedication of the altar, which lasted till the nineteenth day inclusively; and on the twentieth day of this month, they removed from Sinai to the wilderness of Paran. Nu 1:12 2:25

67 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:

Nu 7:13

68 One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense:

69 One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering:

70 One kid of the goats for a sin offering:

71 And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai.

72 On the eleventh day Pagiel the son of Ocran, prince of the children of Asher, offered:

eleventh day. Dr. Adam Clarke remarks, that the Hebrew form of expression here, and in the 78th verse, has something curious in it; in the day, the first and tenth day; in the day, two and tenth day. But this is the idiom of the language; and to an original Hebrew, our almost anomalous words eleventh and twelfth, would appear as strange. Nu 1:13 2:27

73 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:

Nu 7:13

The oblations and sacrifices enumerated in verses 13 to 88 were simple and plain, though costly and magnificent. On this occasion we find there were offered 12 silver chargers, each weighing 1130 shekels; 12 silver bowls, each 70 shekels; 12 golden spoons, each 10 shekels; making the total amount of silver vessels 2400 shekels, and that of golden vessels, 120 shekels. By this we may at once see, that though the place in which they now sojourned was a wilderness as to cities, villages, and regular inhabitants, yet there was plenty of pasturage; else the Israelites could not have furnished these cattle, with all the sacrifices necessary for different occasions, and especially for the passover, which must of itself have required an immense number of lambs, when each family of 600,000 males was obliged to provide one.

74 One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense:

75 One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering:

76 One kid of the goats for a sin offering:

77 And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Pagiel the son of Ocran.

78 On the twelfth day Ahira the son of Enan, prince of the children of Naphtali, offered:

Nu 1:15 2:29

79 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:

Nu 7:13

80 One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense:

81 One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering:

82 One kid of the goats for a sin offering:

83 And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Ahira the son of Enan.

84 This was the dedication of the altar, in the day when it was anointed, by the princes of Israel: twelve chargers of silver, twelve silver bowls, twelve spoons of gold:

the dedication Nu 7:10 1Ch 29:6-8 Ezr 2:68,69 Nu 7:70-72 Isa 60:6-10 Heb 13:10 Re 21:14

the princes J Jud 5:9 Ne 3:9

85 Each charger of silver weighing an hundred and thirty shekels, each bowl seventy: all the silver vessels weighed two thousand and four hundred shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary:

two thousand J 1Ch 22:14 29:4,7 Ezr 8:25,26

after the Shekel Nu 7:13

86 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.

87 All the oxen for the burnt offering were twelve bullocks, the rams twelve, the lambs of the first year twelve, with their meat offering: and the kids of the goats for sin offering twelve.

88 And all the oxen for the sacrifice of the peace offerings were twenty and four bullocks, the rams sixty, the he goats sixty, the lambs of the first year sixty. This was the dedication of the altar, after that it was anointed.

that it was anointed Nu 7:1,10,84

89 And when Moses was gone into the tabernacle of the congregation to speak with him, then he heard the voice of one speaking unto him from off the mercy seat that was upon the ark of testimony, from between the two cherubim: and he spake unto him.

to speak Nu 12:8 Ex 33:9-11

him that is God. He heard Nu 1:1 Ex 25:22 Le 1:1 Heb 4:16

two cherubims Ex 25:18-21 1Sa 4:4 1Ki 6:23 Ps 80:1 1Pe 1:12