Numbers 7:84

KJV

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:

KJV (with Strong's)

This was the dedication {H2598} of the altar {H4196}, in the day {H3117} when it was anointed {H4886}, by the princes {H5387} of Israel {H3478}: twelve {H6240}{H8147} chargers {H7086} of silver {H3701}, twelve silver {H3701} bowls {H4219}, twelve {H6240}{H8147} spoons {H3709} of gold {H2091}:

Complete Jewish Bible

This was the offering for dedicating the altar which was given by the leaders of Isra'el on the day of its anointing: twelve silver dishes, twelve silver basins and twelve gold pans.

Berean Standard Bible

So these were the offerings from the leaders of Israel for the dedication of the altar when it was anointed: twelve silver platters, twelve silver bowls, and twelve gold dishes.

American Standard Version

This was the dedication of the altar, in the day when it was anointed, by the princes of Israel: twelve silver platters, twelve silver bowls, twelve golden spoons;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 7:84 serves as a concluding summary of the extensive offerings brought by the leaders of each of the twelve tribes of Israel for the dedication and anointing of the Tabernacle's altar. This verse encapsulates the collective generosity and unified obedience of the Israelite community, highlighting the precise and abundant nature of their contributions—specifically, twelve sets of silver chargers, silver bowls, and gold spoons—all meticulously provided to consecrate the central place of worship and sacrifice for the Lord.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 7 details an extraordinary event following the completion and erection of the Tabernacle, as described in [Exodus 40](/exodus/40 "Exodus 40 - The Tabernacle Completed and Erected"). Chapters 1-6 of Numbers establish the organization of the Israelite camp, the census, and various laws pertaining to purity and order. Chapter 7 then shifts focus to the voluntary offerings of the tribal princes for the Tabernacle's dedication, specifically for the altar. The chapter meticulously lists the identical contributions of each of the twelve princes over twelve consecutive days, emphasizing their unity and the completeness of their devotion. Verse 84 functions as a grand total and summary statement, bringing the detailed enumeration of the offerings to a climactic conclusion, underscoring the immense value and significance of the collective gifts presented for the altar's consecration.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The dedication of the Tabernacle and its altar took place shortly after the Israelites had departed from Egypt and received the Law at Mount Sinai. This period marked the establishment of Israel as a covenant nation with a divinely ordained system of worship. The Tabernacle served as God's dwelling place among His people, and the altar was its most crucial piece of furniture, central to all sacrificial rites that facilitated atonement and communion with God. The act of "dedication" (Hebrew: *chanukah*) was a formal inauguration, setting apart a sacred space or object for exclusive use in worship. Anointing with oil, as commanded in [Exodus 30:22-29](/exodus/30-22 "Exodus 30:22-29 - Anointing Oil and Incense") and performed in [Exodus 40:9-11](/exodus/40-9 "Exodus 40:9-11 - Anointing the Tabernacle and its Furnishings"), ritually purified and sanctified the altar, making it holy and fit for the sacred sacrifices. The involvement of the "princes of Israel" underscored the communal and representative nature of this act, as these leaders embodied the commitment of their respective tribes.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Dedication (Hebrew, _chanukah'_):** This term signifies a formal inauguration, consecration, or setting apart for a sacred purpose. It implies a solemn act of devotion, marking an object or place as exclusively belonging to God and designated for holy use. The word carries a sense of newness and establishment, indicating that the altar, now anointed, was officially ready for its sacred function within Israel's worship.
* **Anointed (Hebrew, _mashach'_):** Meaning "to smear" or "to rub with oil," this verb denotes a ritual act of consecration. In the ancient Near East, anointing was a common practice to designate persons (like priests or kings) or objects for a special, often holy, purpose. For the altar, anointing conferred a sacred status, ritually purifying it and making it fit for the sacrificial system, which was the primary means of interaction between God and His people.
* **Princes (Hebrew, _nasi'_):** This term refers to the tribal leaders or chieftains, representing the heads of their respective families and tribes. Their participation in bringing these offerings was not merely individual generosity but a corporate act, signifying the unified commitment and devotion of all twelve tribes of Israel to the worship of Yahweh and the establishment of His dwelling place among them.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"This [was] the dedication of the altar":** This phrase serves as a summary statement, identifying the purpose of the preceding detailed offerings. It emphasizes that the collective gifts were specifically for the solemn act of setting apart the altar, the central piece of furniture for Israel's sacrificial worship, for its holy function.
* **"in the day when it was anointed, by the princes of Israel":** This clause specifies the timing and the agents of the dedication. The anointing ritual, which conferred sacred status, was integral to the dedication. The "princes of Israel" are highlighted as the ones who, representing their tribes, brought the offerings, underscoring the communal and leadership-driven nature of this significant event.
* **"twelve chargers of silver, twelve silver bowls, twelve spoons of gold:":** This detailed enumeration specifies the exact nature and quantity of the offerings. The repetition of "twelve" for each item powerfully emphasizes the uniformity, completeness, and collective participation of all twelve tribes. The specific items—chargers (large platters for offerings), bowls (for incense or libations), and spoons (for incense)—were essential implements for the altar's service, and their precious materials (silver and gold) highlight the value and reverence accorded to God's worship.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Repetition** is prominently featured with the repeated use of "twelve," emphasizing the unity and complete participation of all the tribes of Israel. This **Enumeration** of specific items—chargers, bowls, and spoons—underscores the meticulousness and thoroughness required in divine service and highlights the abundance of the offerings. The materials, silver and gold, serve as **Symbolism** of purity, value, and divine glory, indicating the preciousness of God's dwelling place and the reverence due to Him. The verse functions as a **Summary Statement**, bringing together the extensive details of the preceding chapter into a concise, impactful declaration of the altar's dedication.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 7:84 profoundly illustrates the themes of corporate worship, unified generosity, and the meticulous nature of God's demands for holiness in His presence. The dedication of the altar underscored its critical role as the divinely appointed place where atonement was made, and communion with God was facilitated through sacrifice. The uniformity and abundance of the offerings from all twelve tribes highlight the principle that worship is a collective endeavor, requiring the unified and wholehearted participation of God's people. This act of dedication set the altar apart as sacred, a place where the holy God would meet with His people, emphasizing the necessary separation between the holy and the common for true worship to occur.

* [Exodus 29:36-37](/exodus/29-36 "Exodus 29:36-37 - Consecration of the Altar")
* [Leviticus 8:10-11](/leviticus/8-10 "Leviticus 8:10-11 - Anointing the Tabernacle and Altar")
* [2 Chronicles 7:7](/2_chronicles/7-7 "2 Chronicles 7:7 - Dedication of Solomon's Temple Altar")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 7:84, though detailing an ancient ritual, offers profound principles for contemporary believers. Just as the altar was set apart and consecrated for God's exclusive use, believers are called to a life of personal dedication and consecration, presenting their entire being as a "living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God" ([Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Living Sacrifices")). The unified and generous giving of the princes serves as a powerful model for the church today, reminding us that our collective worship and service should be marked by harmony, shared commitment, and abundant generosity. Our "offerings" may not be physical items for an altar, but they encompass our time, talents, resources, and very lives, all to be offered willingly and completely for God's purposes. This verse encourages us to consider the meticulousness and intentionality with which we approach our spiritual lives and our contributions to the body of Christ, ensuring that our devotion is wholehearted and our actions reflect a unified purpose in advancing God's kingdom.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I called to greater "dedication" and "anointing" for God's purposes?**
* **How does the unity and generosity of the twelve princes challenge my own approach to collective worship and giving within my community of faith?**
* **What "chargers, bowls, and spoons"—my time, talents, or resources—am I being called to offer more completely and meticulously for God's service?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the number "twelve" in this verse?**

Answer: The repeated emphasis on "twelve" signifies the complete and unified participation of all twelve tribes of Israel. Each tribe, through its prince, contributed identical offerings, symbolizing their equality, shared commitment, and collective devotion to the worship of Yahweh. It underscores the idea that the entire nation, without exception, was invested in establishing God's dwelling place and sacrificial system among them.

**Why was so much detail given to the offerings in Numbers 7, culminating in this summary verse?**

Answer: The meticulous detail in Numbers 7, summarized in verse 84, highlights God's demand for order, precision, and completeness in worship. It emphasizes the thoroughness required in service to God and the abundance of resources willingly provided by His people for His holy dwelling place. It also serves as a historical record, demonstrating the Israelites' obedience and devotion in following God's commands for the Tabernacle's dedication.

**What was the primary purpose of "dedicating" and "anointing" the altar?**

Answer: The primary purpose was to set the altar apart as sacred and holy, fit for its unique function in Israel's worship. Dedication (chanukah) formally inaugurated it, marking it as exclusively God's. Anointing (mashach) ritually purified and consecrated it, conferring a sacred status that made it the central point for the nation's sacrificial system and their direct interaction with God's presence, where atonement for sin could be made.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 7:84, with its focus on the dedication and anointing of the altar through the unified offerings of Israel's princes, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Old Testament altar, meticulously prepared and consecrated, served as the place where animal sacrifices were offered for the atonement of sins, foreshadowing the ultimate, perfect, and once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus. He is the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), whose blood cleanses us from all unrighteousness, making the endless cycle of animal sacrifices obsolete ([Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice")). Furthermore, just as the altar was dedicated and anointed for holy service, Christ Himself was "anointed" by the Holy Spirit for His messianic mission to preach good news, heal, and set captives free ([Luke 4:18-19](/luke/4-18 "Luke 4:18-19 - Jesus' Mission Statement")). Through His perfect life, sacrificial death, and glorious resurrection, Jesus has dedicated a new and living way for us to draw near to God ([Hebrews 10:19-20](/hebrews/10-19 "Hebrews 10:19-20 - The New and Living Way")). Moreover, believers, united in Christ, are now consecrated and made holy through Him, becoming a "royal priesthood" and "holy nation" ([1_peter/2-9](/1-peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Chosen Race, a Royal Priesthood")), offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ ([1_peter/2-5](/1-peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - Living Stones and Spiritual Sacrifices")). The Tabernacle's altar, dedicated by the princes, points to Christ as the ultimate Altar, the One through whom all true worship and access to God are now made possible.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.