Numbers 7:84
This was the dedication of the altar, in the day when it was anointed, by the princes of Israel: twelve chargers of silver, twelve silver bowls, twelve spoons of gold:
Original Language Analysis
בְּיוֹם֙
in the day
H3117
בְּיוֹם֙
in the day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
4 of 21
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
הִמָּשַׁ֣ח
when it was anointed
H4886
הִמָּשַׁ֣ח
when it was anointed
Strong's:
H4886
Word #:
5 of 21
to rub with oil, i.e., to anoint; by implication, to consecrate; also to paint
אֹת֔וֹ
H853
אֹת֔וֹ
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
6 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מֵאֵ֖ת
H853
מֵאֵ֖ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
7 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
נְשִׂיאֵ֣י
by the princes
H5387
נְשִׂיאֵ֣י
by the princes
Strong's:
H5387
Word #:
8 of 21
properly, an exalted one, i.e., a king or sheik; also a rising mist
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
9 of 21
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
כֶ֙סֶף֙
of silver
H3701
כֶ֙סֶף֙
of silver
Strong's:
H3701
Word #:
11 of 21
silver (from its pale color); by implication, money
עֶשְׂרֵֽה׃
twelve
H6240
עֶשְׂרֵֽה׃
twelve
Strong's:
H6240
Word #:
13 of 21
ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth
כֶ֙סֶף֙
of silver
H3701
כֶ֙סֶף֙
of silver
Strong's:
H3701
Word #:
15 of 21
silver (from its pale color); by implication, money
עֶשְׂרֵֽה׃
twelve
H6240
עֶשְׂרֵֽה׃
twelve
Strong's:
H6240
Word #:
17 of 21
ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth
כַּפּ֥וֹת
spoons
H3709
כַּפּ֥וֹת
spoons
Strong's:
H3709
Word #:
18 of 21
the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-
Historical Context
The tabernacle's dedication occurred in the first month of the second year after the Exodus (Exodus 40:17), but the tribal offerings extended over twelve days (Numbers 7:1-88). This sequential presentation allowed each tribe to participate fully, preventing any sense of marginalization or favoritism.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the twelve-day dedication (rather than simultaneous presentation) reflect God's desire for personal participation over mere collective ritual?
- What does the identical value of each tribe's offering teach about spiritual equality despite differences in size, prominence, or history?
- Why might the summary (verses 84-88) be necessary after such detailed repetition, and what theological purpose does it serve?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
This was the dedication of the altar, in the day when it was anointed (זֹאת חֲנֻכַּת הַמִּזְבֵּחַ בְּיוֹם הִמָּשַׁח אֹתוֹ, zot chanukat hamizbeach beyom himashach oto)—The dedication (chanukkah, חֲנֻכָּה) commemorates the altar's anointing and consecration. Twelve chargers of silver, twelve silver bowls, twelve spoons of gold—the repetition of "twelve" emphasizes completeness: all twelve tribes participate equally in Israel's worship.
The summary transforms repetitive detail into profound truth: unified diversity in worship. Each tribe's contribution was identical yet individual, sequential yet equal. This prefigures the New Covenant church, where Jews and Gentiles from every tribe and tongue bring the same faith in Christ through individually encountered grace (Revelation 7:9). The twelve-fold repetition also anticipates the twelve foundations of the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:14).