Numbers-Chapter-7
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Remember the following truth from our
beloved Torah!
“Ye shall NOT ADD TO
THE WORD which I command you, NEITHER SHALL
YE DIMINISH FROM IT, that ye may keep the commandments of יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֵיכֶם - the LORD your Eloleichem, which I command you”. Davarim -
Deuteronomy 4:2. (JPS-1917).
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Part One..
Verses 1 to 47..
With Rabbi,
Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.
Introduction:
Numbers Chapter 7 marks a momentous occasion in the life of the nation: the completion and dedication of the Tabernacle. Following the intricate instructions for its construction and the sanctification of the Priests, the focus now shifts to the tribal leaders (the Princes of Israel). This chapter records their spontaneous and generous response to the finished work of the Sanctuary. It demonstrates that while the Tabernacle was built according to a Divine blueprint, its operation and maintenance were fuelled by the collective heart and resources of the people, beginning with their representatives.
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Let
us read Numbers Part
One, Chapter 7, verses 1 to 47: (JPS-1917 version of the Torah). Below this chapter you
will find my commentary on same.
1 “And it came to pass on the day that Moses had made an end of setting up the tabernacle, and had anointed it and sanctified it, and all the furniture thereof, and the altar and all the vessels thereof, and had anointed them and sanctified them; 2 that the princes of Israel, the heads of their fathers’ houses, offered these were the princes of the tribes, these are they that were over them that were numbered. 3 And they brought their offering before יְהוָה - the LORD, six covered wagons, and twelve oxen: a wagon for every two of the princes, and for each one an ox; and they presented them before the tabernacle. 4 And יְהוָה - the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying: 5 ‘Take it of them, that they may be to do the service of the tent of meeting; and thou shalt give them unto the Levites, to every man according to his service’. 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. 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. 9 But unto the sons of Kohath he gave none, because the service of the holy things belonged unto them: they bore them upon their shoulders. 10 And the princes brought the dedication-offering of the altar in the day that it was anointed; even the princes brought their offering before the altar. 11 And יְהוָה - the LORD said unto Moses: ‘They shall present their offering each prince on his day, for the dedication of the altar’. 12 And he that presented his offering the first day was Nahshon the son of Amminadab, of the tribe of Judah; 13 and his offering was one silver dish, the weight thereof was a hundred and thirty shekels, one silver basin of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meal-offering; 14 one golden pan of ten shekels, full of incense; 15 one young bullock, one ram, one he-lamb of the first year, for a burnt-offering; 16 one male of the goats for a sin-offering; 17 and for the sacrifice of peace-offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he-goats, five he-lambs of the first year. This was the offering of Nahshon the son of Amminadab. 18 On the second day Nethanel the son of Zuar, prince of Issachar, did offer: 19 he presented for his offering one silver dish, the weight thereof was a hundred and thirty shekels, one silver basin of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meal-offering; 20 one golden pan of ten shekels, full of incense; 21 one young bullock, one ram, one he-lamb of the first year, for a burnt-offering; 22 one male of the goats for a sin-offering; 23 and for the sacrifice of peace-offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he-goats, five he-lambs of the first year. This was the offering of Nethanel the son of Zuar. 24 On the third day Eliab the son of Helon, prince of the children of Zebulun: 25 his offering was one silver dish, the weight thereof was a hundred and thirty shekels, one silver basin of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meal-offering; 26 one golden pan of ten shekels, full of incense; 27 one young bullock, one ram, one he-lamb of the first year, for a burnt-offering; 28 one male of the goats for a sin-offering; 29 and for the sacrifice of peace-offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he-goats, five he-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: 31 his offering was one silver dish, the weight thereof was a hundred and thirty shekels, one silver basin of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meal-offering; 32 one golden pan of ten shekels, full of incense; 33 one young bullock, one ram, one he-lamb of the first year, for a burnt-offering; 34 one male of the goats for a sin-offering; 35 and for the sacrifice of peace-offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he-goats, five he-lambs of the first year. This was the offering of Elizur the son of Shedeur. 36 On the fifth day Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai, prince of the children of Simeon: 37 his offering was one silver dish, the weight thereof was a hundred and thirty shekels, one silver basin of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meal-offering; 38 one golden pan of ten shekels, full of incense; 39 one young bullock, one ram, one he-lamb of the first year, for a burnt-offering; 40 one male of the goats for a sin-offering; 41 and for the sacrifice of peace-offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he-goats, five he-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: 43 his offering was one silver dish, the weight thereof was a hundred and thirty shekels, one silver basin of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meal-offering; 44 one golden pan of ten shekels, full of incense; 45 one young bullock, one ram, one he-lamb of the first year, for a burnt-offering; 46 one male of the goats for a sin-offering; 47 and for the sacrifice of peace-offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he-goats, five he-lambs of the first year. This was the offering of Eliasaph the son of Deuel”.
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Let
us read Numbers Part
One, Chapter 7, verses 1 to 47: (JPS-1917 version of the Torah). Below this chapter you will find my
commentary on same.
Verses
1-9: (The Provision for Transport). Once the Tabernacle was fully set up and anointed, the twelve
princes brought a communal offering of six covered wagons and twelve oxen. This
practical gift was designed to assist the Levites in the physical transport of
the Sanctuary. Moses is commanded to accept these gifts, distributing them to
the Gershonites and Merarites
according to their burdens. Notably, the Kohathites
received no wagons, as their charge the most holy objects had to be carried
upon their shoulders. This teaches that even in the service of the Almighty,
there is a balance between practical assistance and the direct, personal weight
of sacred responsibility.
Verses
10-11: (The Order of Dedication). Following the gift of transport, the princes brought their
individual dedication offerings for the Altar. The Creator instructs Moses that
they should present their offerings one by one, one prince each day. This
ensures that every tribe is given its own moment of recognition and that the
dedication of the Altar is an extended, deliberate celebration rather than a
rushed event. It establishes a rhythm of devotion that involves the entire
nation over the course of twelve days.
Verses
12-17: (The Offering of Nahshon
of
Verses
18-23: (The Offering of Nethanel
of Issachar - Day Two). On the second day, the
prince of Issachar presents his offering. It is identical in weight, material,
and quantity to the offering of the first day. This repetition is significant;
it indicates that no tribe sought to outshine another, nor did any tribe
contribute less. In the eyes of the Sanctuary, the devotion of Issachar was
equal to that of
Verses 24-29: (The Offering of Eliab of Zebulun - Day Three). The prince of Zebulun follows the same pattern on the third day. The detailed listing of the silver vessels and the specific animals for sacrifice reinforces the idea that every detail of the offering was counted and cherished by the Almighty. Zebulun, often associated with commerce and the sea, dedicates the fruits of his labour to the Altar, showing that all worldly success is ultimately intended for the service of the Creator.
Verses
30-35: (The Offering of Elizur
of Reuben - Day Four). On the fourth day, the
prince of Reuben, the firstborn of
Verses
36-41: (The Offering of Shelumiel
of Simeon - Day Five). The prince of Simeon
presents his offering on the fifth day. The continued repetition of the “one
silver dish” and “one silver basin” serves as a literary drumbeat, emphasizing
the unity of the nation. It reflects a society where individual identity is
expressed through a common commitment to the same Divine standard.
Verses
42-47: (The Offering of Eliasaph
of Gad - Day Six). The prince of Gad concludes
the first half of the dedication period on the sixth day. Like those before
him, his offering is complete and perfect. The inclusion of the “golden pan of
ten shekels, full of incense” reminds us that these offerings were not merely
physical gifts of meat and metal, but were accompanied by the “sweet savour” of
prayer and spiritual dedication.
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My Closing Message:
The first half of Numbers Chapter 7 teaches
us the power of ‘voluntary’, ‘organized devotion’. By recording each tribe’s
identical offering in such meticulous detail, the Torah honours the unique
contribution of every leader while celebrating the unity of the whole people.
It reminds us that when we build a space for יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֵינוּ - the LORD our Eloheynu
(God), blessed be His Name, in our midst, it is our
responsibility to sustain it with the best of our resources. These verses show
that true community is found when everyone brings their full measure to the
service of a higher purpose, ensuring that the Altar remains a place of
constant connection between the Creator and His people.
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