Numbers 7:19
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:
Original Language Analysis
הִקְרִ֨ב
He offered
H7126
הִקְרִ֨ב
He offered
Strong's:
H7126
Word #:
1 of 22
to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
קָרְבָּנ֜וֹ
for his offering
H7133
קָרְבָּנ֜וֹ
for his offering
Strong's:
H7133
Word #:
3 of 22
something brought near the altar, i.e., a sacrificial present
וּמֵאָה֮
whereof was an hundred
H3967
וּמֵאָה֮
whereof was an hundred
Strong's:
H3967
Word #:
8 of 22
a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction
מִשְׁקָלָהּ֒
the weight
H4948
מִשְׁקָלָהּ֒
the weight
Strong's:
H4948
Word #:
9 of 22
weight (numerically estimated); hence, weighing (the act)
בְּשֶׁ֣קֶל
after the shekel
H8255
בְּשֶׁ֣קֶל
after the shekel
Strong's:
H8255
Word #:
14 of 22
probably a weight; used as a commercial standard
בְּשֶׁ֣קֶל
after the shekel
H8255
בְּשֶׁ֣קֶל
after the shekel
Strong's:
H8255
Word #:
15 of 22
probably a weight; used as a commercial standard
הַקֹּ֑דֶשׁ
of the sanctuary
H6944
הַקֹּ֑דֶשׁ
of the sanctuary
Strong's:
H6944
Word #:
16 of 22
a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity
מְלֵאִ֗ים
of them full
H4392
מְלֵאִ֗ים
of them full
Strong's:
H4392
Word #:
18 of 22
full (literally or figuratively) or filling (literally); also (concretely) fulness; adverbially, fully
בְּלוּלָ֥ה
mingled
H1101
בְּלוּלָ֥ה
mingled
Strong's:
H1101
Word #:
20 of 22
to overflow (specifically with oil.); by implication, to mix; to fodder
Historical Context
The specific weights—130 shekels for the charger, 70 for the bowl, 10 for the spoon—were significant amounts of precious metal. These were not arbitrary numbers but represented substantial, costly offerings. The standardization meant wealthy and poor tribes alike participated equally in dedicating the tabernacle, preventing economic disparity from creating worship disparity.
Questions for Reflection
- How does standardized worship protect against both pride in wealth and shame in poverty?
- What does God's prescription of offering amounts teach about human inability to determine proper worship independently?
- In what ways should biblical patterns inform worship today while avoiding dead ritualism?
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Analysis & Commentary
The repetition of the identical offering—silver charger, silver bowl, golden spoon—emphasizes the standardized nature of acceptable worship. God prescribed the amount and type, ensuring equity and preventing either ostentation or stinginess. This standardization teaches that while our hearts may differ, God establishes clear expectations for worship. The Reformed regulative principle of worship is relevant—God prescribes how He is to be worshiped, and we follow His prescription, not human innovation or preference.