Numbers 7:85

KJV

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:

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}:

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].

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.

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;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 7:85 provides a precise summary of the collective silver offerings contributed by the twelve tribal leaders for the dedication of the Tabernacle. This verse meticulously details the total weight of the silver chargers and bowls, emphasizing that these significant contributions were measured "after the shekel of the sanctuary." It highlights the immense generosity, the divine demand for exactness in worship, and the unified devotion of the Israelite community in consecrating God's dwelling place.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 7:85 concludes a lengthy and highly repetitive chapter that meticulously records the dedication offerings of the twelve tribal leaders (princes) of Israel for the newly constructed Tabernacle. Beginning in [Numbers 7:1](/numbers/7-1 "Numbers 7:1 - Dedication of the Tabernacle"), the chapter details how each tribe, on successive days, brought an identical set of gifts, including specific silver and gold vessels, animals for burnt offerings, grain offerings, sin offerings, and peace offerings. Verse 85, along with the subsequent verse summarizing gold offerings, serves as a grand summation, providing the cumulative weight of the silver items. This detailed accounting reinforces the uniformity of the offerings and the collective scale of Israel's devotion, bringing the individual daily narratives to a unified, impressive total.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The dedication of the Tabernacle, as detailed in [Numbers 7](/numbers/7 "Numbers 7 - Offerings of the Tribal Leaders"), marked a pivotal moment in Israel's wilderness journey. Following its construction according to divine blueprints (detailed in [Exodus 35-40](/exodus/35 "Exodus 35 - Tabernacle Construction Instructions")), the Tabernacle became the central place of worship and God's dwelling among His people. The offerings described were not merely symbolic but were tangible, valuable assets contributed by the community's leaders, underscoring the immense cost and commitment involved in establishing sacred space. The phrase "shekel of the sanctuary" (שֶׁקֶל הַקֹּדֶשׁ, _shekel ha-kodesh_) was a crucial standard of weight, distinct from common commercial shekels. This sacred standard, often heavier or more precise, ensured integrity and accuracy in all matters pertaining to the Tabernacle and divine service, preventing fraud or deviation from God's exact requirements, as also seen in the half-shekel offering for the census in [Exodus 30:13](/exodus/30-13 "Exodus 30:13 - The Half-Shekel Offering") and the valuation of vows in [Leviticus 27:25](/leviticus/27-25 "Leviticus 27:25 - Valuation of Vows").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Charger (Hebrew, קְעָרָה, _qəʿārāh_):** This term refers to a large dish, platter, or bowl, often used for serving food or, in this sacred context, likely for presenting grain offerings or other materials within the Tabernacle service. Its substantial weight (130 shekels) indicates a significant, perhaps ceremonial, vessel.
* **Bowl (Hebrew, מִזְרָק, _mizrāq_):** This denotes a basin or bowl, specifically one used for sprinkling. In the context of Tabernacle worship, such bowls were typically employed for collecting and sprinkling blood from sacrifices, or for holding other liquids used in ritual purification. Its smaller weight (70 shekels) compared to the charger suggests a different, though equally vital, function.
* **Shekel of the sanctuary (Hebrew, שֶׁקֶל הַקֹּדֶשׁ, _shekel ha-kodesh_):** This is a critical technical term referring to a specific, standardized weight used exclusively for sacred purposes. It was distinct from, and often heavier or more precise than, the common commercial shekel. 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.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Each charger of silver [weighing] an hundred and thirty [shekels], each bowl seventy:"** This clause reiterates the individual weight of the two types of silver vessels contributed by each of the twelve tribal leaders. The chargers were consistently 130 shekels, and the bowls 70 shekels, demonstrating the uniform and precise nature of the offerings required by God.
* **"all the silver vessels [weighed] two thousand and four hundred [shekels],"** This provides the grand total of all the silver chargers and bowls combined from all twelve tribes. This sum (12 chargers x 130 shekels + 12 bowls x 70 shekels = 1560 + 840 = 2400 shekels) confirms the exactness of the individual contributions and presents a staggering cumulative figure, highlighting the immense material value dedicated to God's service.
* **"after the shekel of the sanctuary:"** This concluding phrase is crucial, specifying the authoritative standard of weight used. It emphasizes that these offerings were not measured by a common, variable commercial standard, but by a sacred, unalterable measure. This detail underscores God's demand for integrity, accuracy, and holiness in all matters pertaining to His worship and the Tabernacle.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary devices at play in Numbers 7:85, and indeed throughout [Numbers 7](/numbers/7 "Numbers 7 - Offerings of the Tribal Leaders"), are **Numerical Precision** and **Repetition**. The meticulous detailing of weights and quantities (130 shekels, 70 shekels, 2400 shekels) exemplifies God's demand for exactness and order in worship. This precision is not merely for accounting but serves a theological purpose, emphasizing 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, underscores the unity of Israel in their devotion and obedience. It also highlights the completeness and thoroughness of the dedication process. 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 acts as a **Culmination**, providing a concise and impactful summary of the collective material devotion.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 7:85, though detailing ancient weights, profoundly communicates timeless theological principles. It underscores the importance of generous and precise giving in worship, reflecting the value placed on God's presence and His work. The meticulous accounting and the "shekel of the sanctuary" standard reveal God's 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 best, measured by His unblemished 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 to the establishment and maintenance of His dwelling place among them.

* [Exodus 30:13](/exodus/30-13 "Exodus 30:13 - The Half-Shekel Offering")
* [1 Chronicles 29:9](/1_chronicles/29-9 "1 Chronicles 29:9 - Joyful and Wholehearted Giving for the Temple")
* [2 Corinthians 9:7](/2_corinthians/9-7 "2 Corinthians 9:7 - God Loves a Cheerful Giver")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The ancient details of Numbers 7:85 offer profound lessons for contemporary believers. The meticulousness with which Israel’s leaders presented their offerings, measured by the "shekel of the sanctuary," challenges us to consider the intentionality and integrity of our own giving and service to God. Are we offering Him our "best," measured by His holy standards, or are we content with approximations and 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, talents, or financial resources. It also speaks to the power 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 gifts and efforts for the advancement of God's kingdom and the building up of the body of Christ. Our reverence for God should be reflected in the care and excellence 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 offerings challenge our approach to giving and serving God today, 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?**
* **Considering the unity displayed by the tribes in their offerings, how can we foster greater unity and collective devotion within our local church or Christian community for God's purposes?**

### 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 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, preventing fraud or shortchanging in sacred transactions, as also mandated for the half-shekel offering in [Exodus 30:13](/exodus/30-13 "Exodus 30:13 - The Half-Shekel Offering").

**Why are the weights so precisely detailed in Numbers 7?**

Answer: The precise detailing of weights in [Numbers 7](/numbers/7 "Numbers 7 - Offerings of the Tribal Leaders"), culminating in verses like 85, serves several crucial 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. 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. This meticulousness reflects the divine standard of holiness and the importance of adhering faithfully to every divine instruction.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 7:85, with its emphasis on precise, generous, and unified offerings for the Tabernacle, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The "shekel of the sanctuary" points to the absolute perfection and unblemished nature required for an acceptable offering to God. While Israel offered valuable silver vessels, these were but shadows 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](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), whose sacrifice on the cross was measured by God's own perfect standard, utterly without blemish or defect ([Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Christ's Perfect Sacrifice")). 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](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - Living Stones, Spiritual House")), offering spiritual sacrifices 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 ([Hebrews 10:10](/hebrews/10-10 "Hebrews 10:10 - Christ's Single Sacrifice")).

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.