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Numbers 7

BSB

1 On the day Moses finished setting up the tabernacle, he anointed and consecrated it and all its furnishings, along with the altar and all its utensils. 2 And the leaders of Israel, the heads of their families, presented an offering. These men were the tribal leaders who had supervised the registration. 3 They brought as their offering before the LORD six covered carts and twelve oxen—an ox from each leader and a cart from every two leaders—and presented them before the tabernacle. 4 And the LORD said to Moses, 5 “Accept these gifts from them, that they may be used in the work of the Tent of Meeting. And give them to the Levites, to each man according to his service." 6 So Moses took the carts and oxen and gave them to the Levites. 7 He gave the Gershonites two carts and four oxen, as their service required, 8 and he gave the Merarites four carts and eight oxen, as their service required, all under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest. 9 But he did not give any to the Kohathites, since they were to carry on their shoulders the holy objects for which they were responsible. 10 When the altar was anointed, the leaders approached with their offerings for its dedication and presented them before the altar. 11 And the LORD said to Moses, “Each day one leader is to present his offering for the dedication of the altar." 12 On the first day Nahshon son of Amminadab from the tribe of Judah drew near with his offering. 13 His offering was one silver platter weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel and filled with fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering; 14 one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; 15 one young bull, one ram, and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering; 16 one male goat for a sin offering; 17 and a peace offering of two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Nahshon son of Amminadab. 18 On the second day Nethanel son of Zuar, the leader of Issachar, drew near. 19 The offering he presented was one silver platter weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel and filled with fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering; 20 one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; 21 one young bull, one ram, and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering; 22 one male goat for a sin offering; 23 and a peace offering of two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Nethanel son of Zuar. 24 On the third day Eliab son of Helon, the leader of the Zebulunites, drew near. 25 His offering was one silver platter weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel and filled with fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering; 26 one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; 27 one young bull, one ram, and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering; 28 one male goat for a sin offering; 29 and a peace offering of two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Eliab son of Helon. 30 On the fourth day Elizur son of Shedeur, the leader of the Reubenites, drew near. 31 His offering was one silver platter weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel and filled with fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering; 32 one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; 33 one young bull, one ram, and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering; 34 one male goat for a sin offering; 35 and a peace offering of two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Elizur son of Shedeur. 36 On the fifth day Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai, the leader of the Simeonites, drew near. 37 His offering was one silver platter weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel and filled with fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering; 38 one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; 39 one young bull, one ram, and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering; 40 one male goat for a sin offering; 41 and a peace offering of two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai. 42 On the sixth day Eliasaph son of Deuel, the leader of the Gadites, drew near. 43 His offering was one silver platter weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel and filled with fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering; 44 one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; 45 one young bull, one ram, and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering; 46 one male goat for a sin offering; 47 and a peace offering of two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Eliasaph son of Deuel. 48 On the seventh day Elishama son of Ammihud, the leader of the Ephraimites, drew near. 49 His offering was one silver platter weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel and filled with fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering; 50 one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; 51 one young bull, one ram, and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering; 52 one male goat for a sin offering; 53 and a peace offering of two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Elishama son of Ammihud. 54 On the eighth day Gamaliel son of Pedahzur, the leader of the Manassites, drew near. 55 His offering was one silver platter weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel and filled with fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering; 56 one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; 57 one young bull, one ram, and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering; 58 one male goat for a sin offering; 59 and a peace offering of two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Gamaliel son of Pedahzur. 60 On the ninth day Abidan son of Gideoni, the leader of the Benjamites, drew near. 61 His offering was one silver platter weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel and filled with fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering; 62 one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; 63 one young bull, one ram, and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering; 64 one male goat for a sin offering; 65 and a peace offering of two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Abidan son of Gideoni. 66 On the tenth day Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai, the leader of the Danites, drew near. 67 His offering was one silver platter weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel and filled with fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering; 68 one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; 69 one young bull, one ram, and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering; 70 one male goat for a sin offering; 71 and a peace offering of two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai. 72 On the eleventh day Pagiel son of Ocran, the leader of the Asherites, drew near. 73 His offering was one silver platter weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel and filled with fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering; 74 one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; 75 one young bull, one ram, and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering; 76 one male goat for a sin offering; 77 and a peace offering of two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Pagiel son of Ocran. 78 On the twelfth day Ahira son of Enan, the leader of the Naphtalites, drew near. 79 His offering was one silver platter weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel and filled with fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering; 80 one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; 81 one young bull, one ram, and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering; 82 one male goat for a sin offering; 83 and a peace offering of two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Ahira son of Enan. 84 So these were the offerings from the leaders of Israel for the dedication of the altar when it was anointed: twelve silver platters, twelve silver bowls, and twelve gold dishes. 85 Each silver platter weighed a hundred and thirty shekels, and each silver bowl seventy shekels. The total weight of the silver articles was two thousand four hundred shekels, according to the sanctuary shekel. 86 The twelve gold dishes filled with incense weighed ten shekels each, according to the sanctuary shekel. The total weight of the gold dishes was a hundred and twenty shekels. 87 All the livestock for the burnt offering totaled twelve bulls, twelve rams, and twelve male lambs a year old—together with their grain offerings—and twelve male goats for the sin offering. 88 All the livestock sacrificed for the peace offering totaled twenty-four bulls, sixty rams, sixty male goats, and sixty male lambs a year old. This was the dedication offering for the altar after it was anointed. 89 When Moses entered the Tent of Meeting to speak with the LORD, he heard the voice speaking to him from between the two cherubim above the mercy seat on the ark of the Testimony. Thus the LORD spoke to him.

Study Notes — Numbers 7

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Chapter Summary

Numbers chapter 7 begins with the completion of the tabernacle and the anointing of the altar and its utensils. The leaders of the tribes of Israel brought offerings to dedicate the altar, and each leader brought a similar set of offerings over a period of twelve days. The chapter also describes the consecration of the Levites, who were set apart to serve God and the tabernacle. The offerings and sacrifices were a demonstration of the people's gratitude and devotion to God. The chapter concludes with Moses entering the tabernacle and hearing the voice of God speaking to him from between the cherubim.

Context for the Chapter

Numbers chapter 7 is part of the larger narrative of the book of Numbers, which describes the journey of the Israelites from Mount Sinai to the Promised Land. The chapter is situated in the context of the dedication of the tabernacle and the consecration of the Levites, which marked an important milestone in the life of the Israelites. The chapter also foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ and the establishment of the new covenant, which is described in the New Testament.

Heart Application

The chapter emphasizes the importance of purity and holiness in the life of the believer. As Christians, we are called to be set apart for God's service, and we must strive to maintain a high level of purity and consecration in our lives. The chapter also highlights the importance of worship and sacrifice, which are essential components of the Christian life. By dedicating ourselves to God and offering our lives as a living sacrifice, we can demonstrate our gratitude and devotion to Him.

What Does This Chapter Mean?

Numbers chapter 7 describes the dedication of the tabernacle and the consecration of the Levites. The chapter emphasizes the importance of purity and holiness in the life of the believer, and it foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ. By dedicating ourselves to God and offering our lives as a living sacrifice, we can demonstrate our gratitude and devotion to Him (Numbers 7:1-3, 89).

Voices from the Church

“The tabernacle was a symbol of the presence of God among His people, and it foreshadowed the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ.”

— Charles Spurgeon

“The consecration of the Levites emphasized the importance of purity and holiness in the life of the believer, and it foreshadowed the role of Jesus Christ as the ultimate mediator between God and humanity.”

— John Calvin

Outline for Preaching

  1. The Completion of the Tabernacle (Numbers 7:1-3) — The chapter begins with the completion of the tabernacle and the anointing of the altar and its utensils.
  2. The Offerings of the Leaders (Numbers 7:10-83) — The leaders of the tribes of Israel brought offerings to dedicate the altar, and each leader brought a similar set of offerings over a period of twelve days.
  3. The Consecration of the Levites (Numbers 7:4-9) — The Levites were set apart to serve God and the tabernacle, and their consecration emphasized the importance of purity and holiness in their lives.
  4. The Voice of God (Numbers 7:89) — The chapter concludes with Moses entering the tabernacle and hearing the voice of God speaking to him from between the cherubim.
  5. The Significance of the Chapter — The chapter emphasizes the importance of purity and holiness in the life of the believer, and it foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

Core Doctrines

The Doctrine of the Tabernacle
The tabernacle was a symbol of the presence of God among His people, and it foreshadowed the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
The Doctrine of Sacrifice
The sacrifices described in Numbers chapter 7 were a demonstration of the people's gratitude and devotion to God, and they foreshadowed the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
The Doctrine of Consecration
The consecration of the Levites and the tabernacle emphasized the importance of purity and holiness in the life of the believer.
The Doctrine of the Mercy Seat
The mercy seat was a symbol of God's presence and mercy, and it played a crucial role in the sacrificial system.

Lessons from Numbers 7

  1. The Importance of Purity — The chapter emphasizes the importance of purity and holiness in the life of the believer, and it foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
  2. The Role of Sacrifice — The sacrifices described in Numbers chapter 7 were a demonstration of the people's gratitude and devotion to God, and they foreshadowed the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
  3. The Significance of the Tabernacle — The tabernacle was a symbol of the presence of God among His people, and it foreshadowed the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
  4. The Importance of Consecration — The consecration of the Levites and the tabernacle emphasized the importance of purity and holiness in the life of the believer.
  5. The Voice of God — The chapter concludes with Moses entering the tabernacle and hearing the voice of God speaking to him from between the cherubim, emphasizing the importance of listening to God's voice and obeying His commands.

Themes from Numbers 7

  1. Purity and Holiness — The chapter emphasizes the importance of purity and holiness in the life of the believer, and it foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
  2. Sacrifice and Worship — The sacrifices described in Numbers chapter 7 were a demonstration of the people's gratitude and devotion to God, and they foreshadowed the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
  3. The Tabernacle and the Presence of God — The tabernacle was a symbol of the presence of God among His people, and it foreshadowed the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
  4. Consecration and Dedication — The consecration of the Levites and the tabernacle emphasized the importance of purity and holiness in the life of the believer.
  5. The Voice of God and Obedience — The chapter concludes with Moses entering the tabernacle and hearing the voice of God speaking to him from between the cherubim, emphasizing the importance of listening to God's voice and obeying His commands.

Questions for Meditation

  1. What is the significance of the tabernacle in the life of the Israelites, and how does it foreshadow the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ?
  2. How does the consecration of the Levites emphasize the importance of purity and holiness in the life of the believer?
  3. What is the significance of the mercy seat, and how does it relate to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ?
  4. How can we, as Christians, demonstrate our gratitude and devotion to God, and what role does sacrifice play in our lives?
  5. How does Numbers chapter 7 relate to the larger narrative of the book of Numbers, and what themes are emphasized in the chapter?

Detailed Chapter Outline

1. The Completion of the Tabernacle (Numbers 7:1-3)

7:1 The chapter begins with the completion of the tabernacle and the anointing of the altar and its utensils.
7:2 The leaders of the tribes of Israel brought offerings to dedicate the altar, and each leader brought a similar set of offerings over a period of twelve days.

2. The Offerings of the Leaders (Numbers 7:10-83)

7:10 The leaders of the tribes of Israel brought offerings to dedicate the altar, and each leader brought a similar set of offerings over a period of twelve days.
7:12 The first leader to bring an offering was Nahshon, the leader of the tribe of Judah.

3. The Consecration of the Levites (Numbers 7:4-9)

7:4 The Levites were set apart to serve God and the tabernacle, and their consecration emphasized the importance of purity and holiness in their lives.
7:5 The Levites were given to Aaron and his sons to assist them in their duties.

4. The Voice of God (Numbers 7:89)

7:89 The chapter concludes with Moses entering the tabernacle and hearing the voice of God speaking to him from between the cherubim.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the significance of the tabernacle in the life of the Israelites?

The tabernacle was a symbol of the presence of God among His people, and it foreshadowed the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ (Numbers 7:1-3).

How does the consecration of the Levites emphasize the importance of purity and holiness in the life of the believer?

The consecration of the Levites emphasized the importance of purity and holiness in their lives, and it foreshadowed the role of Jesus Christ as the ultimate mediator between God and humanity (Numbers 7:4-9).

What is the significance of the mercy seat, and how does it relate to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ?

The mercy seat was a symbol of God's presence and mercy, and it played a crucial role in the sacrificial system (Numbers 7:89).

Top Cross References

ReferenceConnection
1 Numbers 7:1 → Exodus 40:17 The completion of the tabernacle is described in Exodus 40:17, which provides more details about the construction and dedication of the tabernacle.
2 Numbers 7:10 → Leviticus 1:1-7:38 The sacrifices described in Numbers chapter 7 are similar to those described in Leviticus 1:1-7:38, which provides more details about the different types of sacrifices and their significance.
3 Numbers 7:4 → Deuteronomy 18:1-8 The consecration of the Levites is described in Deuteronomy 18:1-8, which provides more details about the role of the Levites in the life of the Israelites.
4 Numbers 7:89 → Hebrews 10:19-22 The voice of God speaking to Moses from between the cherubim foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, which is described in Hebrews 10:19-22.
5 Numbers 7:1 → John 1:14 The tabernacle and the sacrifices described in Numbers chapter 7 foreshadow the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, which is described in John 1:14.
6 Numbers 7:10 → Romans 12:1-2 The sacrifices described in Numbers chapter 7 were a demonstration of the people's gratitude and devotion to God, and they foreshadowed the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, which is described in Romans 12:1-2.
7 Numbers 7:4 → 1 Peter 2:9 The consecration of the Levites emphasized the importance of purity and holiness in their lives, and it foreshadowed the role of Jesus Christ as the ultimate mediator between God and humanity, which is described in 1 Peter 2:9.
8 Numbers 7:89 → Revelation 21:3 The voice of God speaking to Moses from between the cherubim foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, which is described in Revelation 21:3.

Sermons on Numbers 7

SermonDescription
Art Katz K-028 True Ministry by Art Katz In this sermon, the speaker describes a chaotic scene where people are reclining and not paying attention, surrounded by litter and disorder. The speaker questions what ministry sh
Danny Bond Ever Increasing Light by Danny Bond In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of fulfilling the Great Commission, which is to spread the gospel to all corners of the world. He uses a story about a family
Hoseah Wu Acceptable Sacrifice - Part 1 by Hoseah Wu In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes that the offering of evil is not just about having our sins forgiven, but about being accepted by the Holy God. The preacher refers to Genes
Paris Reidhead The Nazarite (The Meaning of Submission) by Paris Reidhead In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the concept of the Nazarite as described in Numbers chapter 6, verses 1 to 21. The Nazarite is seen as a symbol of submission and obedience
Art Katz K-510 Priestly Ministry by Art Katz In this sermon, the speaker expresses his inability to fully comprehend and explain the significance of the chapter he is about to read. He emphasizes the importance of preserving
Major Ian Thomas The Ark of the Covenant and the Cross of Christ by Major Ian Thomas In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Eli, the last judge in Israel. Eli was a weary old man who excused sin in his own family and condoned it in the priesthood. He
T. Austin-Sparks Princely Service by T. Austin-Sparks T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes that God's people are a princely people, reflecting the character of the Lord Jesus. He explains that true princeliness is marked by spiritual dignity,
Charles E. Cowman Satan's Tools by Charles E. Cowman Charles E. Cowman preaches about the importance of laying aside every weight and sin that hinders our Christian progress, emphasizing the dangers of despondency and murmuring which

Summary of Matthew Henry Commentary on Numbers 7

Matthew Henry's commentary on Numbers chapter 7 emphasizes the importance of purity and holiness in the life of the believer. The chapter describes the dedication of the tabernacle and the consecration of the Levites, which marked an important milestone in the life of the Israelites. The commentary highlights the significance of the tabernacle and the sacrifices, which foreshadowed the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The commentary also emphasizes the importance of listening to God's voice and obeying His commands, as described in Numbers 7:89. Read the full unabridged Matthew Henry Commentary →

What Do You Notice?

The Importance of Purity

The chapter emphasizes the importance of purity and holiness in the life of the Israelites. The tabernacle and the sacrificial system were designed to facilitate communication between God and humanity, and they required a high level of purity and consecration.

The Role of the Levites

The Levites played a crucial role in the life of the Israelites, serving as mediators between God and the people. Their consecration and dedication to God's service emphasized the importance of purity and holiness in their lives.

The Significance of the Mercy Seat

The mercy seat was a symbol of God's presence and mercy, and it played a crucial role in the sacrificial system. The fact that God spoke to Moses from the mercy seat (Numbers 7:89) emphasizes the importance of the mercy seat in facilitating communication between God and humanity.

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