Numbers 7:86
The golden spoons were twelve, full of incense, weighing ten shekels apiece, after the shekel of the sanctuary: all the gold of the spoons was an hundred and twenty shekels.
Original Language Analysis
הַכַּפּ֖וֹת
of the spoons
H3709
הַכַּפּ֖וֹת
of the spoons
Strong's:
H3709
Word #:
1 of 16
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-
זְהַ֥ב
The golden
H2091
זְהַ֥ב
The golden
Strong's:
H2091
Word #:
2 of 16
gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e., yellow), as oil, a clear sky
עֶשְׂרֵה֙
were twelve
H6240
עֶשְׂרֵה֙
were twelve
Strong's:
H6240
Word #:
4 of 16
ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth
מְלֵאֹ֣ת
full
H4392
מְלֵאֹ֣ת
full
Strong's:
H4392
Word #:
5 of 16
full (literally or figuratively) or filling (literally); also (concretely) fulness; adverbially, fully
עֲשָׂרָ֛ה
weighing ten
H6235
עֲשָׂרָ֛ה
weighing ten
Strong's:
H6235
Word #:
7 of 16
ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits)
עֲשָׂרָ֛ה
weighing ten
H6235
עֲשָׂרָ֛ה
weighing ten
Strong's:
H6235
Word #:
8 of 16
ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits)
הַכַּפּ֖וֹת
of the spoons
H3709
הַכַּפּ֖וֹת
of the spoons
Strong's:
H3709
Word #:
9 of 16
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-
בְּשֶׁ֣קֶל
after the shekel
H8255
בְּשֶׁ֣קֶל
after the shekel
Strong's:
H8255
Word #:
10 of 16
probably a weight; used as a commercial standard
הַקֹּ֑דֶשׁ
of the sanctuary
H6944
הַקֹּ֑דֶשׁ
of the sanctuary
Strong's:
H6944
Word #:
11 of 16
a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
12 of 16
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
זְהַ֥ב
The golden
H2091
זְהַ֥ב
The golden
Strong's:
H2091
Word #:
13 of 16
gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e., yellow), as oil, a clear sky
הַכַּפּ֖וֹת
of the spoons
H3709
הַכַּפּ֖וֹת
of the spoons
Strong's:
H3709
Word #:
14 of 16
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 incense formula was divinely prescribed (Exodus 30:34-38) and forbidden for personal use. The golden spoons (or ladles) were specifically designed for offering incense on the golden altar before the veil. The total weight of 120 shekels represents substantial value, as gold was the most precious metal.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the connection between incense and prayer (Revelation 5:8) deepen our understanding of intercession as mediated worship?
- What might the 120 shekels total symbolize, given Scripture's other uses of that number (Genesis 6:3, Acts 1:15)?
- Why did God require identical incense from every tribe rather than allowing variety in this aspect of worship?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The golden spoons were twelve, full of incense, weighing ten shekels apiece, after the shekel of the sanctuary: all the gold of the spoons was an hundred and twenty shekels (כָּל־זְהַב הַכַּפּוֹת עֶשְׂרִים וּמֵאָה זָהָב, kol-zehav hakapot esrim ume'ah zahav)—The twelve golden spoons total 120 shekels (12 × 10), combining governmental perfection (twelve) with divine order (ten). Gold signifies deity, purity, and the imperishable; incense represents prayer and worship ascending to God.
The 120 shekels may allude to the 120 years of human longevity before the Flood (Genesis 6:3), or the 120 priests who sounded trumpets at Solomon's temple dedication (2 Chronicles 5:12). In the New Testament, 120 disciples waited in the upper room for Pentecost (Acts 1:15), representing the faithful remnant awaiting the Spirit. The incense-filled spoons prefigure the golden bowls of Revelation 5:8, where the prayers of the saints rise before God's throne.