Numbers 7:3
And they brought their offering before the LORD, six covered wagons, and twelve oxen; a wagon for two of the princes, and for each one an ox: and they brought them before the tabernacle.
Original Language Analysis
וַיָּבִ֨יאוּ
And they brought
H935
וַיָּבִ֨יאוּ
And they brought
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
1 of 21
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
קָרְבָּנָ֜ם
their offering
H7133
קָרְבָּנָ֜ם
their offering
Strong's:
H7133
Word #:
3 of 21
something brought near the altar, i.e., a sacrificial present
לִפְנֵ֥י
before
H6440
לִפְנֵ֥י
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
4 of 21
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
יְהוָ֗ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֗ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
5 of 21
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
שֵׁשׁ
six
H8337
שֵׁשׁ
six
Strong's:
H8337
Word #:
6 of 21
six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ordinal, sixth
עָשָׂ֣ר
and twelve
H6240
עָשָׂ֣ר
and twelve
Strong's:
H6240
Word #:
10 of 21
ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth
בָּקָ֔ר
oxen
H1241
בָּקָ֔ר
oxen
Strong's:
H1241
Word #:
11 of 21
a beeve or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing); collectively, a herd
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
13 of 21
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הַנְּשִׂאִ֖ים
of the princes
H5387
הַנְּשִׂאִ֖ים
of the princes
Strong's:
H5387
Word #:
15 of 21
properly, an exalted one, i.e., a king or sheik; also a rising mist
לְאֶחָ֑ד
and for each one
H259
לְאֶחָ֑ד
and for each one
Strong's:
H259
Word #:
17 of 21
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
וַיַּקְרִ֥יבוּ
and they brought
H7126
וַיַּקְרִ֥יבוּ
and they brought
Strong's:
H7126
Word #:
18 of 21
to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose
אוֹתָ֖ם
H853
אוֹתָ֖ם
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
19 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Historical Context
These princes (tribal leaders) brought offerings on the day Moses finished erecting the tabernacle and anointing it. Their gifts met a real need—the Levites required transportation for the heavy tabernacle components during Israel's wilderness wanderings. The wagons would be distributed according to the weight of each Levitical clan's burden.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the princes' practical giving challenge us to meet real needs in God's work, not just symbolic gestures?
- What does their coordinated generosity teach about unified giving in the church?
- In what ways should church leaders model sacrificial generosity for their congregations?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The princes' offering of six covered wagons and twelve oxen demonstrates generous, coordinated giving for God's work. These were not token gifts but substantial, practical resources for transporting the tabernacle. The covered wagons protected the sacred items from weather and dust. The Reformed principle of proportionate giving is evident—these were leaders giving according to their capacity. Two princes per wagon shows partnership in service, reflecting that God's work is often best accomplished through cooperation rather than individual heroism.