What number verse is Numbers 7:85 in the Bible?

Numbers 7:85 is the 3,936th verse of the Bible. Counting straight through the King James canon — all 31,102 verses from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21 — Numbers 7:85 sits at position 3,936.

7:847:84

Numbers 7:85

Q: What was the significance of the "shekel of the sanctuary"?

The "shekel of the sanctuary" (שֶׁקֶל הַקֹּדֶשׁ, shekel ha-kodesh) was a specific, standardized weight used exclusively for sacred purposes related to the Tabernacle or later, the Temple. It was typically a heavier or more precise standard than the common commercial shekel, ensuring that all offerings, payments, and valuations made to God were exact, unadulterated, and according to divine command. Its significance lies in emphasizing God's demand for absolute integrity, accuracy, and holiness in all dealings with Him and His holy things. It prevented fraud or shortchanging in sacred transactions, as also mandated for the half-shekel offering for the census in Exodus 30:13. This standard underscored that God's holiness required uncompromised devotion and precision.

7:867:86

Translation

King James Version

Each charger of silver weighing an hundred and thirty shekels, each bowl seventy: all the silver vessels weighed two thousand and four hundred shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary:

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KJV (with Strong's)

Each ^H259 charger ^H7086 of silver ^H3701 weighing an hundred ^H3967 and thirty ^H7970 shekels, each ^H259 bowl ^H4219 seventy ^H7657: all the silver ^H3701 vessels ^H3627 weighed two thousand ^H505 and four ^H702 hundred ^H3967 shekels, after the shekel ^H8255 of the sanctuary ^H6944:

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Complete Jewish Bible

Each silver dish weighed 130 shekels [three-and-a-quarter pounds] and each basin seventy shekels [one-and-three-quarters pounds]; all the silver of the vessels weighed 2,400 shekels (using the sanctuary shekel) [just over sixty pounds].

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Berean Standard Bible

Each silver platter weighed a hundred and thirty shekels, and each silver bowl seventy shekels. The total weight of the silver articles was two thousand four hundred shekels, according to the sanctuary shekel.

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American Standard Version

each silver platterweighinga hundred and thirtyshekels, and each bowl seventy; all the silver of the vessels two thousand and four hundredshekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary;

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World English Bible Messianic

each silver platter weighing one hundred thirty shekels, and each bowl seventy; all the silver of the vessels two thousand four hundred shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary;

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Geneva Bible (1599)

Euery charger, conteining an hundreth and thirtie shekels of siluer, and euery boule seuentie: all the siluer vessell conteined two thousande and foure hundreth shekels, after the shekell of the Sanctuarie.

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Young's Literal Translation

a hundred and thirty shekels each silver dish, and each bowl seventy; all the silver of the vessels is two thousand and four hundred shekels , by the shekel of the sanctuary.

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Study This Verse

SUMMARY

Numbers 7:85 meticulously concludes the extensive record of dedication offerings presented by the twelve tribal leaders for the newly erected Tabernacle. This verse provides a precise, cumulative account of the silver vessels—chargers and bowls—contributed, specifying their individual and collective weights. By emphasizing that these significant contributions were measured "after the shekel of the sanctuary," the text underscores the immense generosity of the Israelite community, the divine demand for exactness and integrity in worship, and the unified devotion in consecrating God's sacred dwelling place among His people.

CONTEXT

Literary Context: Numbers 7:85 serves as a crucial summary statement within a highly structured and repetitive chapter, Numbers 7. This chapter meticulously details the dedication offerings brought by each of the twelve tribal leaders over successive days, following the completion and anointing of the Tabernacle in Numbers 7:1. Each leader presented an identical set of gifts, including specific silver and gold vessels, various animal sacrifices, and grain offerings. Verses 84-88 provide a cumulative summary of all these offerings, with verse 85 specifically totaling the silver items. This detailed accounting not only reinforces the uniformity and obedience of the offerings but also highlights the sheer scale of Israel's collective devotion, bringing the individual daily narratives to a unified and impressive grand total. The preceding verses (7:10-83) detail each day's offering, making this summary a necessary and impactful conclusion.
Historical & Cultural Context: The dedication of the Tabernacle, as meticulously recorded in Numbers 7, was a monumental event in Israel's early history as a nation. Following its construction according to the precise divine blueprints given to Moses (detailed in Exodus 35-40), the Tabernacle became the central locus of God's presence and worship among His people in the wilderness. The offerings described were not merely symbolic gestures but tangible, valuable assets contributed by the community's highest leaders, signifying the immense cost, commitment, and reverence involved in establishing and maintaining this sacred space. The recurring phrase "shekel of the sanctuary" (שֶׁקֶל הַקֹּדֶשׁ, shekel ha-kodesh) was a critical standard of weight, distinct from common commercial shekels. This sacred standard, often heavier or more precise, ensured absolute integrity and accuracy in all matters pertaining to the Tabernacle and divine service, preventing any deviation from God's exact requirements, a principle also seen in the half-shekel offering for the census in Exodus 30:13 and the valuation of vows in Leviticus 27:25.
Key Themes: Numbers 7:85 contributes significantly to several key themes prevalent in the book of Numbers and the Pentateuch as a whole. Firstly, it underscores the theme of Divine Order and Precision, demonstrating God's meticulousness in all matters related to worship and the Tabernacle. Every detail, down to the exact weight of offerings, was important to Him. Secondly, it highlights Israel's Obedience and Generosity, as the leaders faithfully brought the prescribed offerings, reflecting the people's willingness to dedicate their valuable resources to God's service. This generosity is a recurring theme, seen earlier in the freewill offerings for the Tabernacle's construction in Exodus 35:20-29. Thirdly, the uniformity of the offerings from each tribe emphasizes the Unity of God's People in their corporate worship and dedication. Despite their tribal distinctions, they acted as one body in consecrating the sacred space. Finally, the "shekel of the sanctuary" reinforces the theme of Holiness and Separation, indicating that what is dedicated to God must meet His unblemished, sacred standard, distinct from the common or profane. This concept of holiness permeates the instructions for the Tabernacle and its services (e.g., Leviticus 10:10).

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

Charger (Hebrew, qᵉʻârâh', H7086): This term refers to a large, hollowed-out bowl or dish, often used for serving. In the context of Tabernacle service, these chargers, weighing a substantial 130 shekels each, were likely ceremonial vessels used for presenting grain offerings or other materials (e.g., fine flour mixed with oil) as part of the prescribed rituals. Their considerable weight indicates their significant material value and perhaps their robust construction for sacred use.
Bowl (Hebrew, mizrâq', H4219): This denotes a basin or bowl specifically associated with sprinkling. In the Tabernacle, such bowls were essential implements for cultic practices, primarily used for collecting and sprinkling the blood of sacrifices upon the altar or other sacred objects, or for holding other liquids used in purification rites. Its lighter weight (70 shekels) compared to the charger suggests a different, though equally vital and ritually significant, function within the sacrificial system.
Shekel of the sanctuary (Hebrew, _sheqel ha-_qôdesh'__, H8255): Comprising H8255 (sheqel) and H6944 (qôdesh), this phrase is a critical technical term referring to a standardized weight used exclusively for sacred purposes. The shekel itself was a basic unit of weight and currency, but the addition of qôdesh (sanctuary/holiness) indicates a specific, precise, and unalterable measure, distinct from and often heavier or more exact than common commercial shekels. Its mention here underscores the divine demand for absolute accuracy, integrity, and purity in all offerings and transactions related to God's holy dwelling place, ensuring that what was given to the Lord was precisely what He commanded and was of uncompromised value.

Verse Breakdown

"Each charger of silver [weighing] an hundred and thirty [shekels], each bowl seventy:" This opening clause reiterates the precise, standardized weight of the two types of silver vessels contributed by each of the twelve tribal leaders. The chargers consistently weighed 130 shekels, while the bowls weighed 70 shekels. This uniformity across all offerings underscores the divine prescription for the gifts and the meticulous adherence of the leaders to God's exact requirements, demonstrating a commitment to order and precision in worship.
"all the silver vessels [weighed] two thousand and four hundred [shekels]," This phrase provides the grand cumulative total of all the silver chargers and bowls from all twelve tribes. This sum is derived by multiplying the individual weights by the number of tribes (12 chargers x 130 shekels = 1560 shekels; 12 bowls x 70 shekels = 840 shekels; 1560 + 840 = 2400 shekels). This staggering cumulative figure highlights the immense material value dedicated to God's service and the collective generosity and unity of the Israelite community in supporting the Tabernacle.
"after the shekel of the sanctuary:" This concluding and crucial phrase specifies the authoritative standard of weight used for all these offerings. It emphasizes that these valuable contributions were not measured by a common, potentially variable commercial standard, but by a sacred, unalterable measure established for holy purposes. This detail profoundly underscores God's demand for integrity, accuracy, and holiness in all matters pertaining to His worship and the Tabernacle, ensuring that the offerings were of unblemished quality and exact quantity as prescribed by divine law.

Literary Devices

Numbers 7:85, as part of the larger chapter, prominently employs Numerical Precision and Repetition. The meticulous detailing of specific weights (130 shekels, 70 shekels, 2400 shekels) is not merely an accounting exercise but a theological statement, emphasizing God's demand for absolute exactness, order, and integrity in worship. This precision reflects the uncompromised nature of what is due to a holy God. The Repetition of identical offerings from each of the twelve tribes throughout the chapter, culminating in this summary verse, powerfully underscores the unity of Israel in their corporate devotion and obedience. It also highlights the completeness and thoroughness of the dedication process, leaving no doubt that the requirements were fully met. Furthermore, the Symbolism of the silver vessels themselves, set apart for sacred use, points to the value, purity, and consecration required in approaching God. The verse functions as a Culmination, providing a concise and impactful summary that brings the detailed individual narratives to a unified, impressive total, reinforcing the magnitude of the collective material devotion.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

Numbers 7:85, while seemingly a dry accounting of ancient weights, profoundly communicates timeless theological principles. It underscores the paramount importance of generous, precise, and unified giving in worship, reflecting the immense value placed on God's presence and His work among His people. The meticulous accounting and the "shekel of the sanctuary" standard reveal God's unwavering demand for integrity, accuracy, and holiness in all aspects of service to Him. This is not merely about material wealth but about the heart behind the offering—a heart that values God enough to give its very best, measured by His unblemished and unchanging standard. Furthermore, the unified, identical nature of the offerings from all tribes speaks to the essential unity of God's people in their devotion and purpose, contributing collectively and harmoniously to the establishment and maintenance of His dwelling place among them.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

The ancient details of Numbers 7:85 offer profound and enduring lessons for contemporary believers. The meticulousness with which Israel's leaders presented their offerings, measured by the "shekel of the sanctuary," challenges us to deeply consider the intentionality, integrity, and excellence of our own giving and service to God. Are we offering Him our "best," measured by His holy and unchanging standards, or are we content with approximations, convenience, or half-hearted efforts? This verse calls us to a higher standard of diligence, reminding us that God values precision and faithfulness in all we do for Him, whether it is our time, our talents, or our financial resources. It also powerfully speaks to the strength and beauty of unity in collective worship and mission; just as the tribes contributed in unison for the Tabernacle, so too are believers called to work together, pooling their diverse gifts and efforts for the advancement of God's kingdom and the building up of the body of Christ. Our profound reverence for God should be tangibly reflected in the care, excellence, and wholeheartedness with which we engage in His work and value what is set apart for Him.

Questions for Reflection

How does the meticulous detail of these ancient offerings challenge our contemporary approach to giving and serving God, both individually and corporately?
In what specific areas of our lives or ministries do we need to apply the "shekel of the sanctuary" standard of integrity, accuracy, and unwavering commitment, moving beyond mere obligation to true devotion?
Considering the profound unity displayed by the tribes in their offerings, how can we actively foster greater unity and collective devotion within our local church or Christian community for God's purposes and mission?

FAQ

What was the significance of the "shekel of the sanctuary"?

Answer: The "shekel of the sanctuary" (שֶׁקֶל הַקֹּדֶשׁ, shekel ha-kodesh) was a specific, standardized weight used exclusively for sacred purposes related to the Tabernacle or later, the Temple. It was typically a heavier or more precise standard than the common commercial shekel, ensuring that all offerings, payments, and valuations made to God were exact, unadulterated, and according to divine command. Its significance lies in emphasizing God's demand for absolute integrity, accuracy, and holiness in all dealings with Him and His holy things. It prevented fraud or shortchanging in sacred transactions, as also mandated for the half-shekel offering for the census in Exodus 30:13. This standard underscored that God's holiness required uncompromised devotion and precision.

Why are the weights so precisely detailed in Numbers 7?

Answer: The precise detailing of weights in Numbers 7, culminating in verses like 85, serves several crucial theological and practical purposes. Firstly, it underscores God's demand for order, accuracy, and integrity in all matters of worship and service; there was no room for approximation when dealing with the Holy God. Secondly, it demonstrates the immense value and significance placed on the Tabernacle and its furnishings, highlighting the substantial material contributions made by the Israelite leaders. This was a costly act of devotion. Thirdly, the identical nature of the individual offerings and their meticulous summation emphasizes the unity and collective devotion of the twelve tribes in their dedication to God's dwelling place. This meticulousness reflects the divine standard of holiness and the importance of adhering faithfully to every divine instruction, ensuring that the Tabernacle was consecrated with absolute precision and reverence.

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

Numbers 7:85, with its profound emphasis on precise, generous, and unified offerings for the Tabernacle, finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The "shekel of the sanctuary" points to the absolute perfection and unblemished nature required for any acceptable offering to God. While Israel offered valuable silver vessels, these were but shadows and types of the singular, perfect, and infinitely valuable offering of Christ Himself. He is the true "Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29), whose sacrifice on the cross was measured by God's own perfect, unchangeable standard, utterly without blemish or defect (Hebrews 9:14). Just as the tribes united in their material contributions for God's dwelling place, believers now, united in Christ, become living stones in a spiritual house (1 Peter 2:5), offering spiritual sacrifices of praise and good deeds through Him. The meticulousness demanded in the Old Covenant points to the divine standard of righteousness that only Christ perfectly fulfilled, thereby enabling us to approach God not through our imperfect offerings, but through His one, eternally sufficient sacrifice, which perfectly atoned for sin "once for all" (Hebrews 10:10). In Christ, the shadow of precise material offerings gives way to the substance of perfect spiritual reality.

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Commentary on Numbers 7 verses 10–89

10 ¶ And the princes offered for dedicating of the altar in the day that it was anointed, even the princes offered their offering before the altar.

11 And the LORD said unto Moses, They shall offer their offering, each prince on his day, for the dedicating of the altar.

12 And he that offered his offering the first day was Nahshon the son of Amminadab, of the tribe of Judah:

13 And his offering was one silver charger, the weight thereof was an hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them were full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering:

14 One spoon of ten shekels of gold, full of incense:

15 One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering:

16 One kid of the goats for a sin offering:

17 And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Nahshon the son of Amminadab.

18 On the second day Nethaneel the son of Zuar, prince of Issachar, did offer:

19 He offered for his offering 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:

20 One spoon of gold of ten shekels, full of incense:

21 One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering:

22 One kid of the goats for a sin offering:

23 And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Nethaneel the son of Zuar.

24 On the third day Eliab the son of Helon, prince of the children of Zebulun, did offer:

25 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:

26 One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense:

27 One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering:

28 One kid of the goats for a sin offering:

29 And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Eliab the son of Helon.

30 On the fourth day Elizur the son of Shedeur, prince of the children of Reuben, did offer:

31 His offering was one silver charger of the weight of 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:

32 One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense:

33 One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering:

34 One kid of the goats for a sin offering:

35 And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Elizur the son of Shedeur.

36 On the fifth day Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai, prince of the children of Simeon, did offer:

37 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:

38 One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense:

39 One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering:

40 One kid of the goats for a sin offering:

41 And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai.

42 On the sixth day Eliasaph the son of Deuel, prince of the children of Gad, offered:

43 His offering was one silver charger of the weight of an hundred and thirty shekels, a 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:

44 One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense:

45 One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering:

46 One kid of the goats for a sin offering:

47 And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Eliasaph the son of Deuel.

48 On the seventh day Elishama the son of Ammihud, prince of the children of Ephraim, offered:

49 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:

50 One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense:

51 One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering:

52 One kid of the goats for a sin offering:

53 And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Elishama the son of Ammihud.

54 On the eighth day offered Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur, prince of the children of Manasseh:

55 His offering was one silver charger of the weight of 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:

56 One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense:

57 One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering:

58 One kid of the goats for a sin offering:

59 And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur.

60 On the ninth day Abidan the son of Gideoni, prince of the children of Benjamin, offered:

61 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:

62 One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense:

63 One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering:

64 One kid of the goats for a sin offering:

65 And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Abidan the son of Gideoni.

66 On the tenth day Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai, prince of the children of Dan, offered:

67 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:

68 One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense:

69 One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering:

70 One kid of the goats for a sin offering:

71 And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai.

72 On the eleventh day Pagiel the son of Ocran, prince of the children of Asher, offered:

73 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:

74 One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense:

75 One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering:

76 One kid of the goats for a sin offering:

77 And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Pagiel the son of Ocran.

78 On the twelfth day Ahira the son of Enan, prince of the children of Naphtali, offered:

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:

80 One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense:

81 One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering:

82 One kid of the goats for a sin offering:

83 And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Ahira the son of Enan.

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:

85 Each charger of silver weighing an hundred and thirty shekels, each bowl seventy: all the silver vessels weighed two thousand and four hundred shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary:

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.

87 All the oxen for the burnt offering were twelve bullocks, the rams twelve, the lambs of the first year twelve, with their meat offering: and the kids of the goats for sin offering twelve.

88 And all the oxen for the sacrifice of the peace offerings were twenty and four bullocks, the rams sixty, the he goats sixty, the lambs of the first year sixty. This was the dedication of the altar, after that it was anointed.

89 And when Moses was gone into the tabernacle of the congregation to speak with him, then he heard the voice of one speaking unto him from off the mercy seat that was upon the ark of testimony, from between the two cherubims: and he spake unto him.

I. II. Main points1. 2. Sub-points

We have here an account of the great solemnity of dedicating the altars, both that of burnt-offerings and that of incense; they had been sanctified before, when they were anointed (Lev 8:10, Lev 8:11), but now they were handselled, as it were, by the princes, with their free-will offerings. They began the use of them with rich presents, great expressions of joy and gladness, and extraordinary respect to those tokens of God's presence with them. Now observe here,

I. That the princes and great men were first and forwardest in the service of God. Those that are entitled to precedency should go before in good works, and that is true honour. Here is an example to the nobility and gentry, those that are in authority and of the first rank in their country; they ought to improve their honour and power, their estate and interest, for the promoting of religion, and the service of God, in the places where they live. It is justly expected that those who have more than others should do more good than others with what they have, else they are unfaithful stewards, and will not make up their account with joy. Nay, great men must not only with their wealth and power assist and protect those that serve God, but they must make conscience of being devout and religious themselves, and employing themselves in the exercises of piety, which will greatly redound to the honour of God (Psa 138:4, Psa 138:5), and have a good influence upon others, who will be the more easily persuaded to acts of devotion when they see them thus brought into reputation. It is certain that the greatest of men is less than the least of the ordinances of God; nor are the meanest services of religion any disparagement to those that make the greatest figure in the world.

II. The offerings they brought were very rich and valuable, so rich that some think there was not so great a difference in estate between them and others as that they were able to bear the expense of them themselves, but that the heads of each tribe contributed to the offering which their prince brought.

1.They brought some things to remain for standing service, twelve large silver dishes, each about sixty ounces weight, as many large silver cups, or bowls, of about thirty-five ounces - the former to be used for the meat-offerings, the latter for the drink-offerings - the former for the flesh of the sacrifices, the latter for the blood. The latter was God's table (as it were), and it was fit that so great a King should be served in plate. The golden spoons being filled with incense were intended, it is probable, for the service of the golden altar, for both the altars were anointed at the same time. Note, In works of piety and charity we ought to be generous according as our ability is. He that is the best should be served with the best we have. The Israelites indeed might well afford to part with their gold and silver in abundance to the service of the sanctuary, for they needed it not to buy meat and victual their camp, being daily fed with bread from heaven; nor did they need it to buy land, or pay their army, for they were shortly to be put in possession of Canaan.

2.They brought some things to be used immediately, offerings of each sort, burnt-offerings, sin-offerings, and a great many peace-offerings (on part of which they were to feast with their friends), and the meat-offerings that were to be annexed to them. Hereby they signified their thankful acceptance of, and cheerful submission to, all those laws concerning the sacrifices which God had lately by Moses delivered to them. And, though it was a time of joy and rejoicing, yet it is observable that still in the midst of their sacrifices we find a sin-offering. Since in our best services we are conscious to ourselves that there is a mixture of sin, it is fit that there should be even in our most joyful services a mixture of repentance. In all our approaches to God, we must by faith have an eye to Christ as the great sin-offering, and make mention of him.

3.They brought their offerings each on a separate day, in the order that they had been lately put into, so that the solemnity lasted twelve days. So God appointed (Num 7:11): They shall bring their offering, each prince on his day, and so they did. One sabbath must needs fall within the twelve days, if not two, but it should seem they did not intermit on the sabbath, for it was holy work, proper enough for a holy day. God appointed that it should thus be done on several days, (1.) That solemnity might be prolonged, and so might be universally taken notice of by all Israel, and the remembrance of it more effectually preserved. (2.) That an equal honour might thereby be put upon each tribe respectively; in Aaron's breast-plate each had his precious stone, so in this offering each had his day. (3.) Thus it would be done more decently and in order; God's work should not be done confusedly, and in a hurry; take time, and we shall have done the sooner, or at least we shall have done the better. (4.) God hereby signified how much pleased he is, and how much pleased we should be, with the exercises of piety and devotion. The repetition of them should be a continual pleasure to us, and we must not be weary of well doing. If extraordinary service be required to be done for twelve days together, we must not shrink from it, nor call it a task and a burden. (5.) The priests and Levites, having this occasion to offer the same sacrifices, and those some of every sort, every day, for so many days together, would have their hands well set in, and would be well versed in the laws concerning them. (6.) The peace-offerings were all to be eaten the same day they were offered, and two oxen, five rams, five he-goats, and five lambs, were enough for one day's festival; had there been more, especially if all had been brought on one day, there might have been danger of excess. The virtue of temperance must not be left, under pretence of the religion of feasting.

4.All their offerings were exactly the same, without any variation, though it is probable that neither the princes nor the tribes were all alike rich; but thus it was intimated that all the tribes of Israel had an equal share in the altar, and an equal interest in the sacrifices that were offered upon it. Though one tribe was posted more honourably in the camp than another, yet they and their services were all alike acceptable to God. Nor must we have faith of our Lord Jesus Christ with respect to persons, Jam 2:1.

5.Nahshon, the prince of the tribe of Judah, offered first, because God had given that tribe the first post of honour in the camp; and the rest of the tribes acquiesced, and offered in the same order in which God had appointed them to encamp. Judah, of which tribe Christ came, first, and then the rest; thus, in the dedication of souls to God, every man is presented in his own order, Christ the first-fruits, Co1 15:23. Some observe that Nahshon is the only one that is not expressly called a prince (Num 7:12), which the Jews give this account of: he is not called a prince, that he might not be puffed up because he offered first; and all the others are called princes because they (though some of them of the elder house) submitted, and offered after him. Or, because the title of prince of Judah did more properly belong to Christ, for unto him shall the gathering of the people be.

6.Though the offerings were all the same, yet the account of them is repeated at large for each tribe, in the same words. We are sure there are no vain repetitions in scripture; what then shall we make of these repetitions? Might it not have served to say of this noble jury that the same offering which their foreman brought each on his day brought likewise? No, God would have it specified for each tribe: and why so? (1.) It was for the encouragement of these princes, and of their respective tribes, that each of their offerings being recorded at large no slight might seem to be put upon them; for rich and poor meet together before God. (2.) It was for the encouragement of all generous acts of piety and charity, by letting us know that what is so given is lent to the Lord, and he carefully records it, with every one's name prefixed to his gift, because what is so given he will pay again, and even a cup of cold water shall have its reward. He is not unrighteous, to forget either the cost or the labour of love, Heb 6:10. We find Christ taking particular notice of what was cast into the treasury, Mar 12:41. Though what is offered be but little, though it be a contribution to the charity of others, yet if it be according to our ability it shall be recorded, that it may be recompensed in the resurrection of the just.

7.The sum total is added at the foot of the account (Num 7:84-88), to show how much God was pleased with the mention of his freewill-offerings, and what a great deal they amounted to in the whole, when every prince brought in his quota! How greatly would the sanctuary of God be enriched and beautified if all would in their places do their part towards it, by exemplary purity and devotion, extensive charity, and universal usefulness!

8.God signified his gracious acceptance of these presents that were brought him, by speaking familiarly to Moses, as a man speaks to his friend, from off the mercy-seat (Num 7:89, Num 12:8); and in speaking to him he did in effect speak to all Israel, showing them this token for good, Psa 103:7. Note, By this we may know that God hears and accepts our prayers if he gives us grace to hear and receive his word, for thus our communion with him is maintained and kept up. I know not why we may not suppose that upon each of the days on which these offerings were brought (probably while the priests and offerers were feasting upon the peace-offerings) Moses was in the tabernacle, receiving some of those laws and orders which we have already met with in this and the foregoing book. And here the excellent bishop Patrick observes that God's speaking to Moses thus by an audible articulate voice, as if he had been clothed with a holy body, might be looked upon as an earnest of the incarnation of the Son of God in the fulness of time, when the Word should be made flesh, and speak in the language of the sons of men. For, however God at sundry times and in divers manners spoke unto the fathers, he has in these last days spoken unto us by his Son. And that he who now spoke to Moses, as the shechinah or divine Majesty, from between the cherubim, was the eternal Word, the second person in the Trinity, was the pious conjecture of many of the ancients; for all God's communion with man is by his Son, by whom he made the world, and rules the church, and who is the same yesterday, today, and for ever.

Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 10–89. Public domain.

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Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.

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Ezra 8:25
And weighed unto them the silver, and the gold, and the vessels, even the offering of the house of our God, which the king, and his counsellors, and his lords, and all Israel there present, had offered:
Ezra 8:26
I even weighed unto their hand six hundred and fifty talents of silver, and silver vessels an hundred talents, and of gold an hundred talents;
1 Chronicles 29:4
Even three thousand talents of gold, of the gold of Ophir, and seven thousand talents of refined silver, to overlay the walls of the houses withal:
1 Chronicles 22:14
Now, behold, in my trouble I have prepared for the house of the LORD an hundred thousand talents of gold, and a thousand thousand talents of silver; and of brass and iron without weight; for it is in abundance: timber also and stone have I prepared; and thou mayest add thereto.
1 Chronicles 29:7
And gave for the service of the house of God of gold five thousand talents and ten thousand drams, and of silver ten thousand talents, and of brass eighteen thousand talents, and one hundred thousand talents of iron.