Numbers 7:25
His offering was 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
קָרְבָּנ֞וֹ
His offering
H7133
קָרְבָּנ֞וֹ
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
whereof was an hundred
H3967
וּמֵאָה֮
whereof 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 full
H4392
מְלֵאִ֗ים
of them 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
Historical Context
The unchanging pattern of offerings throughout twelve days reinforced that worship is based on divine revelation, not human preference. Each tribal leader knew exactly what to bring because God had prescribed it. This removed ambiguity and prevented competition or innovation in worship.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's unchanging standard for worship provide both clarity and security for worshipers?
- What dangers arise when worship standards shift according to culture or personal preference?
- In what ways does God's immutability inform our confidence in His promises?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The repeated inventory—silver charger, silver bowl, golden spoon with specified weights—emphasizes that God's prescription for worship doesn't change based on who is offering. The same standard applies to prince and pauper, first tribe and last. This consistency reflects God's immutable character—He doesn't change His standards based on circumstances. The Reformed doctrine of God's immutability is foundational here—His character, requirements, and promises remain constant across time and circumstance.