Numbers 7:79
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 standardized weights ('after the shekel of the sanctuary,' Exodus 30:13) prevented fraud and ensured fairness. The sanctuary shekel was the divine standard, heavier than common commercial weights, demanding costlier sacrifice. Naphtali's faithful conformity to this standard demonstrated covenant integrity.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the exact conformity of all twelve offerings challenge modern desires for individualized, personalized worship?
- What does the symbolism of silver (redemption) combined with grain and oil teach about the relationship between atonement and consecration?
- Why might the Holy Spirit inspire Moses to record each tribe's identical offering separately rather than stating 'each tribe brought the same'?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
His offering was one silver charger, the weight whereof was an hundred and thirty shekels (קַעֲרַת־כֶּסֶף אַחַת שְׁלֹשִׁים וּמֵאָה מִשְׁקָלָהּ, qa'arat-kesef achat sheloshim ume'ah mishqalah)—Naphtali's offering mirrors the previous eleven tribes exactly. The repetition, far from tedious, demonstrates covenant faithfulness: God's people worship according to His revealed pattern, not human innovation. Both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil (מִנְחָה סֹלֶת בְּלוּלָה בַשֶּׁמֶן, minchah solet belulah bashemen) points to the grain offering accompanying sacrifice.
Silver (kesef) represents redemption (Exodus 30:12-16), as every Israelite was ransomed by silver at the census. The 130 shekels may allude to the 130 years from Abraham's birth to his covenant renewal (Genesis 17:1). Fine flour mingled with oil symbolizes humanity (flour from crushed grain) anointed by the Spirit (oil), prefiguring Christ's incarnation and anointing (Luke 4:18).