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Numbers 7
The Voice
Numbers 7
The Voice
7 When Moses finished setting up the congregation tent, sanctifying, anointing, and setting apart it and everything in it—its furnishings, altar, and sacred receptacles, as befits God’s holy dwelling place, 2 then Israel’s tribe leaders, the heads of their extended families, the leaders of everyone who had been organized and counted, came forward to make an offering. 3 In total, they presented to the Eternal in His tent six covered carts (one for every two leaders) and twelve oxen to pull them (one for each leader). 4 Then the Eternal One responded to the offering.
Logistical concerns are paramount with this new reality of a traveling nation. With their large numbers and their countless livestock, moving this caravan is a logistical nightmare. Just moving the congregation tent is a challenge, involving a number of families and special carts to carry the tons of layers of the tent and the many utensils for worship. The most holy items are carried manually, but without physical contact. Thus God provides a system of carrying poles fed through loops so the holy item is not touched. The actual arrangement of the caravan is also specified, as well as the arrangement of the tribes in relation to the congregation tent.
Eternal One (to Moses): 5 Accept these things, and give them to those Levites who need them to service the congregation tent.
6-8 Moses did just that, distributing the gifts based on the needs of the Levites’ respective tasks: the Gershonites got two ox-carts and four oxen to haul the tents’ many coverings; the Merarites got four ox-carts and eight oxen to haul the tents’ heavy frames and stands, and Ithamar (Priest Aaron’s son) supervised them. 9 The Kohathites didn’t get any because the sacred things for which they were responsible were smaller furnishings and could be carried on the men’s own shoulders. 10 As the altar was being properly anointed, the leaders came forward at its dedication with their offerings 11 because the Eternal had directed Moses to oversee that one leader per day came forward with his offering for the altar’s dedication.
12 Nahshon (Amminadab’s son) of the Judah tribe was first. 13 He brought one silver plate weighing three and one-quarter pounds and one silver bowl of one and three-quarter pounds (to hold the blood of sacrifices as it was dashed on the altar), according to the sanctuary scales. Both were filled with prime flour mixed with oil to compose a grain offering. 14 He also brought one gold dish (four ounces in weight) filled with incense; 15 and for a burnt offering, he brought a young bull, a ram, and a yearling male lamb. 16 For a sin offering, he brought one male goat; 17 for a peace offering sacrifice, he brought two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five yearling male lambs. These are the things Nahshon, Amminadab’s son, brought forward.
18 On the second day, Nethanel (son of Zuar), head of the Issachar tribe, came forward with their offering—the same as the Judah family’s from the day before— 19 bringing one silver plate weighing three and one-quarter pounds and one silver bowl of one and three-quarter pounds, as the sanctuary weighs things. Both were filled with prime flour mixed with oil to compose a grain offering. 20 He also brought one gold dish (four ounces in weight) filled with incense; 21 and for a burnt offering, he brought a young bull, a ram, and a yearling male lamb. 22 For a sin offering, he brought one male goat; 23 and for a peace sacrifice, he brought two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five yearling male lambs. This is what Nethanel, Zuar’s son, brought for an offering.
24 Eliab (son of Helon), head of the Zebulunite tribe, brought the third day’s offering— 25 one silver plate weighing three and one-quarter pounds and one silver bowl of one and three-quarter pounds, as the sanctuary weighs things. Both were filled with prime flour mixed with oil to compose a grain offering. 26 He also brought one gold dish (four ounces in weight) filled with incense; 27 and for a burnt offering, he brought a young bull, a ram, and a yearling male lamb. 28 For a sin offering, he brought one male goat; 29 and for a peace offering sacrifice, he brought two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five yearling male lambs. This is what Eliab, Helon’s son, brought as an offering.
30 On the fourth day, Elizur (son of Shedeur), head of the Reubenite tribe, presented the offering. 31 He, too, brought one silver plate weighing three and one-quarter pounds and one silver bowl of one and three-quarter pounds, as the sanctuary weighs things. Both were filled with prime flour mixed with oil to compose a grain offering. 32 He also brought one gold dish (four ounces in weight) filled with incense; 33 and for a burnt offering, he brought a young bull, a ram, and a yearling male lamb. 34 For a sin offering, he brought one male goat; 35 and for a peace offering sacrifice, he brought two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five yearling male lambs. These things Elizur (Shedeur’s son) presented as an offering.
36 On the fifth day, Shelumiel (son of Zurishaddai), head of the Simeonite tribe, brought the offering. 37 Like those preceding, he brought one silver plate weighing three and one-quarter pounds and one silver bowl of one and three-quarter pounds, as the sanctuary weighs things. Both were filled with prime flour mixed with oil to compose a grain offering. 38 He also brought one gold dish (four ounces in weight) filled with incense; 39 and for a burnt offering, he brought a young bull, a ram, and a yearling male lamb. 40 For a sin offering, he brought one male goat; and 41 for a peace offering sacrifice, he brought two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five yearling male lambs. This is what Shelumiel (Zurishaddai’s son) brought.
42 On the sixth day, Eliasaph (son of Deuel), head of the Gadite tribe, like those before him, 43 brought one silver plate weighing three and one-quarter pounds and one silver bowl of one and three-quarter pounds, as the sanctuary weighs things. Both were filled with prime flour mixed with oil to compose a grain offering. 44 He also brought one gold dish (four ounces in weight) filled with incense; 45 and for a burnt offering, he brought a young bull, a ram, and a yearling male lamb. 46 For a sin offering, he brought one male goat; 47 and for a peace offering sacrifice, he brought two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five yearling male lambs. This is what Eliasaph (Deuel’s son) brought as an offering.
48 Elishama (son of Ammihud), head of the Ephraimite half-tribe, brought the seventh day’s offering. 49 He also brought one silver plate weighing three and one-quarter pounds and one silver bowl of one and three-quarter pounds, as the sanctuary weighs things. Both were filled with prime flour mixed with oil to compose a grain offering. 50 He also brought one gold dish (four ounces in weight) filled with incense; 51 and for a burnt offering, he brought a young bull, a ram, and a yearling male lamb. 52 For a sin offering, he brought one male goat; 53 and for a peace offering sacrifice, he brought two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five yearling male lambs. These things Elishama (Ammihud’s son) offered.
54 Gamaliel (son of Pedahzur), head of the Manassehite half-tribe, brought the offering on the eighth day. 55 He brought one silver plate weighing three and one-quarter pounds and one silver bowl of one and three-quarter pounds, as the sanctuary weighs things. Both were filled with prime flour mixed with oil to compose a grain offering. 56 He also brought one gold dish (four ounces in weight) filled with incense; 57 and for a burnt offering, he brought a young bull, a ram, and a yearling male lamb. 58 For a sin offering, he brought one male goat; 59 and for a peace offering sacrifice, he brought two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five yearling male lambs. So Gamaliel (Pedahzur’s son) brought the same offering as his Israelite brothers had on each of the days before.
60 On the ninth day, Abidan (son of Gideoni), head of the Benjaminite tribe, also 61 brought one silver plate weighing three and one-quarter pounds and one silver bowl of one and three-quarter pounds, as the sanctuary weighs things. Both were filled with prime flour mixed with oil to compose a grain offering. 62 He also brought one gold dish (four ounces in weight) filled with incense; 63 and for a burnt offering, he brought a young bull, a ram, and a yearling male lamb. 64 For a sin offering, he brought one male goat; 65 and for a peace offering sacrifice, he brought two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five yearling male lambs. These things Abidan (Gideoni’s son) offered.
66 On the tenth day, Ahiezer (son of Ammishaddai), head of the Danite tribe, brought the same offering: 67 He brought one silver plate weighing three and one-quarter pounds and one silver bowl of one and three-quarter pounds, as the sanctuary weighs things. Both were filled with prime flour mixed with oil to compose a grain offering. 68 He also brought one gold dish (four ounces in weight) filled with incense; 69 and for a burnt offering, he brought a young bull, a ram, and a yearling male lamb. 70 For a sin offering, he brought one male goat; 71 and for a peace offering sacrifice, he brought two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five yearling male lambs. This is what Ahiezer (Ammishaddai’s son) brought as an offering.
72 Pagiel (son of Ochran), head of the Asherite tribe, brought the eleventh day’s offering, which consisted of the same things: 73 He brought one silver plate weighing three and one-quarter pounds and one silver bowl of one and three-quarter pounds, as the sanctuary weighs things. Both were filled with prime flour mixed with oil to compose a grain offering. 74 He also brought one gold dish (four ounces in weight) filled with incense; 75 and for a burnt offering, he brought a young bull, a ram, and a yearling male lamb. 76 For a sin offering, he brought one male goat; 77 and for a peace offering sacrifice, he brought two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five yearling male lambs. This is what Pagiel (Ochran’s son) offered.
78 On the 12th day, Ahira (son of Enan), head of the Naphtalite tribe, 79 brought one silver plate weighing 3¼ pounds and one silver bowl of 1¾ pounds, as the sanctuary weighs things. Both were filled with prime flour mixed with oil to compose a grain offering. 80 He also brought one gold dish (four ounces in weight) filled with incense; 81 and for a burnt offering, he brought a young bull, a ram, and a yearling male lamb. 82 For a sin offering, he brought one male goat; 83 and for a peace offering sacrifice, he brought two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five yearling male lambs. Like those before him, Ahira (Enan’s son) brought these things to offer.
84 This is what the heads of the Israelite families offered up at the occasion of the altar’s dedication (when it was anointed): 12 silver plates, 12 silver bowls (to hold the blood of sacrifices as it was dashed on the altar), and 12 gold dishes. 85 Because each plate weighed 3¼ pounds and each bowl weighed 1¾ pounds, the total silver was 60 pounds (based on the sanctuary standard); 86 and the 12 gold, incense-filled dishes all together weighed three pounds; 87 and for the burnt offering, there was a total of 12 bulls, 12 rams, 12 male yearling lambs, plus the grain offering and the 12 male goats for the sin offering. 88 As for the peace offering, there were 24 oxen, 60 rams, 60 male goats, and 60 male yearling lambs. All of these were for the altar’s dedication after it was anointed.
89 So it was established. When Moses went into the congregation tent to speak to them, he could hear the voice of God speaking to him from between the winged guardians[a] above the seat of mercy on the covenant chest. Thus the Eternal spoke to Moses.
Footnotes
- 7:89 Hebrew, cherubim
Numbers 7
New International Version
Numbers 7
New International Version
Offerings at the Dedication of the Tabernacle
7 When Moses finished setting up the tabernacle,(A) he anointed(B) and consecrated it and all its furnishings.(C) He also anointed and consecrated the altar and all its utensils.(D) 2 Then the leaders of Israel,(E) the heads of families who were the tribal leaders in charge of those who were counted,(F) made offerings. 3 They brought as their gifts before the Lord six covered carts(G) and twelve oxen—an ox from each leader and a cart from every two. These they presented before the tabernacle.
4 The Lord said to Moses, 5 “Accept these from them, that they may be used in the work at the tent of meeting. Give them to the Levites as each man’s work requires.”
6 So Moses took the carts and oxen and gave them to the Levites. 7 He gave two carts and four oxen to the Gershonites,(H) as their work required, 8 and he gave four carts and eight oxen to the Merarites,(I) as their work required. They were all under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron, the priest. 9 But Moses did not give any to the Kohathites,(J) because they were to carry on their shoulders(K) the holy things, for which they were responsible.
10 When the altar was anointed,(L) the leaders brought their offerings for its dedication(M) and presented them before the altar. 11 For the Lord had said to Moses, “Each day one leader is to bring his offering for the dedication of the altar.”
12 The one who brought his offering on the first day was Nahshon(N) son of Amminadab of the tribe of Judah.
13 His offering was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels[a] and one silver sprinkling bowl(O) weighing seventy shekels,[b](P) both according to the sanctuary shekel,(Q) each filled with the finest flour mixed with olive oil as a grain offering;(R) 14 one gold dish(S) weighing ten shekels,[c](T) filled with incense;(U) 15 one young bull,(V) one ram and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering;(W) 16 one male goat for a sin offering[d];(X) 17 and two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering.(Y) This was the offering of Nahshon son of Amminadab.(Z)
18 On the second day Nethanel son of Zuar,(AA) the leader of Issachar, brought his offering.
19 The offering he brought 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; 20 one gold dish(AB) 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 two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Nethanel son of Zuar.
24 On the third day, Eliab son of Helon,(AC) the leader of the people of Zebulun, brought his offering.
25 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; 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 two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Eliab son of Helon.
30 On the fourth day Elizur son of Shedeur,(AD) the leader of the people of Reuben, brought his offering.
31 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; 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 two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Elizur son of Shedeur.
36 On the fifth day Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai,(AE) the leader of the people of Simeon, brought his offering.
37 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; 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 two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai.
42 On the sixth day Eliasaph son of Deuel,(AF) the leader of the people of Gad, brought his offering.
43 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; 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 two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Eliasaph son of Deuel.
48 On the seventh day Elishama son of Ammihud,(AG) the leader of the people of Ephraim, brought his offering.
49 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; 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 two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Elishama son of Ammihud.(AH)
54 On the eighth day Gamaliel son of Pedahzur,(AI) the leader of the people of Manasseh, brought his offering.
55 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; 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 two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Gamaliel son of Pedahzur.
60 On the ninth day Abidan son of Gideoni,(AJ) the leader of the people of Benjamin, brought his offering.
61 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; 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 two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Abidan son of Gideoni.
66 On the tenth day Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai,(AK) the leader of the people of Dan, brought his offering.
67 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; 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 two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai.
72 On the eleventh day Pagiel son of Okran,(AL) the leader of the people of Asher, brought his offering.
73 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; 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 two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Pagiel son of Okran.
78 On the twelfth day Ahira son of Enan,(AM) the leader of the people of Naphtali, brought his offering.
79 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; 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 two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Ahira son of Enan.
84 These were the offerings of the Israelite leaders for the dedication of the altar when it was anointed:(AN) twelve silver plates, twelve silver sprinkling bowls(AO) and twelve gold dishes.(AP) 85 Each silver plate weighed a hundred and thirty shekels, and each sprinkling bowl seventy shekels. Altogether, the silver dishes weighed two thousand four hundred shekels,[e] according to the sanctuary shekel.(AQ) 86 The twelve gold dishes filled with incense weighed ten shekels each, according to the sanctuary shekel.(AR) Altogether, the gold dishes weighed a hundred and twenty shekels.[f] 87 The total number of animals for the burnt offering(AS) came to twelve young bulls, twelve rams and twelve male lambs a year old, together with their grain offering.(AT) Twelve male goats were used for the sin offering.(AU) 88 The total number of animals for the sacrifice of the fellowship offering(AV) came to twenty-four oxen, sixty rams, sixty male goats and sixty male lambs(AW) a year old. These were the offerings for the dedication of the altar after it was anointed.(AX)
89 When Moses entered the tent of meeting(AY) to speak with the Lord,(AZ) he heard the voice speaking to him from between the two cherubim above the atonement cover(BA) on the ark of the covenant law.(BB) In this way the Lord spoke to him.
Footnotes
- Numbers 7:13 That is, about 3 1/4 pounds or about 1.5 kilograms; also elsewhere in this chapter
- Numbers 7:13 That is, about 1 3/4 pounds or about 800 grams; also elsewhere in this chapter
- Numbers 7:14 That is, about 4 ounces or about 115 grams; also elsewhere in this chapter
- Numbers 7:16 Or purification offering; also elsewhere in this chapter
- Numbers 7:85 That is, about 60 pounds or about 28 kilograms
- Numbers 7:86 That is, about 3 pounds or about 1.4 kilograms
The Voice (VOICE)
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New International Version (NIV) 
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