Numbers 7:13
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:
Original Language Analysis
וְקָרְבָּנ֞וֹ
And his offering
H7133
וְקָרְבָּנ֞וֹ
And his offering
Strong's:
H7133
Word #:
1 of 20
something brought near the altar, i.e., a sacrificial present
אֶחָד֙
shekels one
H259
אֶחָד֙
shekels one
Strong's:
H259
Word #:
4 of 20
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
וּמֵאָה֮
thereof was an hundred
H3967
וּמֵאָה֮
thereof was an hundred
Strong's:
H3967
Word #:
6 of 20
a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction
מִשְׁקָלָהּ֒
the weight
H4948
מִשְׁקָלָהּ֒
the weight
Strong's:
H4948
Word #:
7 of 20
weight (numerically estimated); hence, weighing (the act)
אֶחָד֙
shekels one
H259
אֶחָד֙
shekels one
Strong's:
H259
Word #:
9 of 20
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
בְּשֶׁ֣קֶל
after the shekel
H8255
בְּשֶׁ֣קֶל
after the shekel
Strong's:
H8255
Word #:
12 of 20
probably a weight; used as a commercial standard
בְּשֶׁ֣קֶל
after the shekel
H8255
בְּשֶׁ֣קֶל
after the shekel
Strong's:
H8255
Word #:
13 of 20
probably a weight; used as a commercial standard
הַקֹּ֑דֶשׁ
of the sanctuary
H6944
הַקֹּ֑דֶשׁ
of the sanctuary
Strong's:
H6944
Word #:
14 of 20
a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity
מְלֵאִ֗ים
of them were full
H4392
מְלֵאִ֗ים
of them were full
Strong's:
H4392
Word #:
16 of 20
full (literally or figuratively) or filling (literally); also (concretely) fulness; adverbially, fully
בְּלוּלָ֥ה
mingled
H1101
בְּלוּלָ֥ה
mingled
Strong's:
H1101
Word #:
18 of 20
to overflow (specifically with oil.); by implication, to mix; to fodder
Cross References
Exodus 30:13This they shall give, every one that passeth among them that are numbered, half a shekel after the shekel of the sanctuary: (a shekel is twenty gerahs:) an half shekel shall be the offering of the LORD.Exodus 37:16And he made the vessels which were upon the table, his dishes, and his spoons, and his bowls, and his covers to cover withal, of pure gold.Exodus 25:29And thou shalt make the dishes thereof, and spoons thereof, and covers thereof, and bowls thereof, to cover withal: of pure gold shalt thou make them.Leviticus 2:1And when any will offer a meat offering unto the LORD, his offering shall be of fine flour; and he shall pour oil upon it, and put frankincense thereon:
Historical Context
A silver charger was a large dish, likely used for presenting the grain offering. The bowl held the blood for sprinkling. The golden spoon contained fragrant incense that would be burned on the altar. Each item had both practical function and symbolic significance, combining beauty with utility in worship.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the costly nature of the offerings challenge our tendency toward cheap grace and minimal giving?
- What does the combination of silver, gold, and incense teach about comprehensive worship engaging all we have?
- In what ways should our best resources be dedicated to God's glory rather than personal comfort?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The detailed inventory of Nahshon's offering—silver charger and bowl with specific weights, golden spoon filled with incense—demonstrates that worship of God deserves our finest resources. The weights indicated substantial value; these were not token gifts but costly sacrifices. The combination of silver (redemption), gold (deity/purity), and incense (prayer) represents comprehensive worship. The Reformed principle of giving God our best, not our leftovers, is powerfully illustrated in this specific, costly offering.