Numbers 7:86

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
הַכַּפּ֖וֹת
of the spoons
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-
#2
זְהַ֥ב
The golden
gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e., yellow), as oil, a clear sky
#3
שְׁתֵּים
two; also (as ordinal) twofold
#4
עֶשְׂרֵה֙
were twelve
ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth
#5
מְלֵאֹ֣ת
full
full (literally or figuratively) or filling (literally); also (concretely) fulness; adverbially, fully
#6
קְטֹ֔רֶת
of incense
a fumigation
#7
עֲשָׂרָ֛ה
weighing ten
ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits)
#8
עֲשָׂרָ֛ה
weighing ten
ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits)
#9
הַכַּפּ֖וֹת
of the spoons
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-
#10
בְּשֶׁ֣קֶל
after the shekel
probably a weight; used as a commercial standard
#11
הַקֹּ֑דֶשׁ
of the sanctuary
a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity
#12
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#13
זְהַ֥ב
The golden
gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e., yellow), as oil, a clear sky
#14
הַכַּפּ֖וֹת
of the spoons
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-
#15
עֶשְׂרִ֥ים
and twenty
twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth
#16
וּמֵאָֽה׃
was an hundred
a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

Analysis

Within the broader context of Numbers, this passage highlights salvation through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of divine revelation connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine revelation, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of Numbers.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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