Numbers 7:43

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:

His offering {H7133} was one {H259} silver {H3701} charger {H7086} of the weight {H4948} of an hundred {H3967} and thirty {H7970} shekels, a silver {H3701} bowl {H4219} of seventy {H7657} shekels {H8255}, after the shekel {H8255} of the sanctuary {H6944}; both {H8147} of them full {H4392} of fine flour {H5560} mingled {H1101} with oil {H8081} for a meat offering {H4503}:

He offered one silver dish weighing 130 shekels [three-and-a-quarter pounds] and one silver basin of seventy shekels (using the sanctuary shekel) [one-and-three-quarters pounds], both full of fine flour mixed with olive oil for a grain offering;

His offering was one silver platter weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel and filled with fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering;

his oblation was one silver platter, the weight whereof was a 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 meal-offering;

Commentary

Numbers 7:43 is part of a detailed account in the Book of Numbers, specifically within the lengthy chapter seven, which meticulously records the offerings brought by the leaders of the twelve tribes of Israel for the dedication of the newly erected Tabernacle.

Context

This verse, "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:", describes the specific contribution of Eliasaph, the son of Deuel, who was the leader of the tribe of Gad. The entire chapter 7, from verse 10 to 88, details identical offerings from each of the twelve tribal leaders over twelve consecutive days. This extensive repetition underscores the divine emphasis on order, obedience, and the communal dedication of the Tabernacle as the dwelling place of God among His people.

Key Themes

  • Generosity and Dedication: The offerings were substantial and valuable, indicating a deep commitment from the tribal leaders to consecrate the Tabernacle and their worship to God.
  • Order and Precision: The meticulous listing of weights and items, and the identical nature of each tribe's offering, highlight God's demand for precise obedience and order in worship. This was not a casual act but a carefully prescribed ritual.
  • Provision and Sustenance: The "meat offering" (grain offering) symbolized God's provision for His people and their grateful acknowledgment of His sustenance. It was a bloodless offering, often made in conjunction with other sacrifices.
  • Communal Worship: While each leader brought his own offering, the collective act of all twelve tribes bringing the same items demonstrated unity in worship and shared purpose in establishing the central place of God's presence.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Meat offering": In the King James Version, the term "meat offering" (Hebrew: minchah) does not refer to animal flesh but rather to a **grain offering** or **meal offering**. It typically consisted of fine flour, often mixed with oil and frankincense, and was a common type of sacrifice in ancient Israelite worship, symbolizing dedication, thanksgiving, and communion with God.
  • "Shekel of the sanctuary": This phrase signifies a specific, standardized weight used for sacred purposes, ensuring accuracy and integrity in all dealings related to the Tabernacle and its offerings. It implies a higher standard than common commercial weights.

Significance and Application

The detailed record in Numbers 7, though seemingly repetitive, serves to emphasize the importance of exact obedience to God's commands and the value of giving our best in worship. It shows that God pays attention to the specifics of our devotion. For believers today, this passage reminds us:

  • God values our offerings: Not necessarily in material wealth, but in the spirit of generosity, obedience, and dedication with which we give our time, talents, and resources.
  • Order in worship: While forms of worship have changed, the principle of intentionality, reverence, and order in our approach to God remains vital.
  • Living Sacrifice: Just as the Israelites brought their physical offerings, believers are called to present their entire lives as a "living sacrifice," holy and acceptable to God, which is our spiritual act of worship.

This verse, like the rest of Numbers 7, highlights the foundation of Israelite worship and serves as a profound lesson in faithful stewardship and devoted service to the Almighty.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Leviticus 2:5 (3 votes)

    And if thy oblation [be] a meat offering [baken] in a pan, it shall be [of] fine flour unleavened, mingled with oil.

  • Leviticus 14:10 (3 votes)

    ¶ And on the eighth day he shall take two he lambs without blemish, and one ewe lamb of the first year without blemish, and three tenth deals of fine flour [for] a meat offering, mingled with oil, and one log of oil.

  • Hebrews 1:9 (2 votes)

    Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, [even] thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.

  • 1 John 2:27 (2 votes)

    But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.