Numbers 7
Summary for Num 7:1-89: 7:1-89 a This detailed description of offerings presented by Israel’s twelve tribes at the dedication of the Tabernacle includes the dedicatory gifts brought on twelve successive days. 7:1 b The day Moses set up the Tabernacle was the first day of the second year after the Exodus (Exod 40:1-2 c).• Once Moses finished setting up the Tabernacle, he anointed and set apart (or consecrated) its furnishings, the altar, and its utensils (cp. Exod 40:9-10 d; Lev 8:10-11 e). As the locus of sacrifice, the altar held special importance among the sacred furniture.
Summary for Num 7:2-9: 7:2-9 f The same tribal leaders that assisted in the registration of ch 1 g are found in 7:2-3 h. The non-Levitical tribes supplied the Gershonites and Merarites with the wagons and oxen needed to transport the heavy structural components of the Tabernacle and other items (cp. ch 4 i).
• These vehicles and draft animals were the first offerings from the Hebrew tribes (7:2 j); these practical gifts were accompanied by more elaborate dedicatory offerings that were also presented by the tribal leaders (7:10 k, 12-83 l).
7:9 m A later Israelite attempt to transport the Ark by cart ended in tragedy (1 Sam 6:8 n, 11 o; 2 Sam 6:3 p, 6-7 q).
Summary for Num 7:10-11: 7:10-11 r In addition to the wagons and oxen, the tribal leaders also presented gifts of silver and gold vessels and other religious offerings for the altar at the time it was anointed. Beginning with the tribe of Judah, the tribal leaders brought these gifts to the Tabernacle on twelve consecutive days. The gifts came from items collected from the Egyptians when Israel departed from Egypt (cp. Exod 12:35-36 s; 25:3 t).
Summary for Num 7:12-83: 7:12-83 u One by one, the tribal leaders brought their dedicatory gifts and offerings until the entire Hebrew confederation had participated. The repetitious pattern of describing each tribal gift emphasizes the communal nature of this ceremony; all tribes played a role in consecrating their place of worship. The detailed listing might reflect the meticulous record keeping of an archive or ledger. As noted in the record for each tribe, the silver vessels contained grain offerings, and the gold vessels held incense. Every tribe also brought animals as a burnt offering, a sin offering, and a peace offering, as specified in Leviticus.
Summary for Num 7:84-88: 7:84-88 v The gifts and offerings of each tribe having been described, this paragraph tabulates these expensive containers, their offerings and incense, and the sacrificial animals. These large and costly gifts and sacrifices drew attention to the importance of the altar, the Tabernacle, and the God who was served there. The sacrifices were required by law; the Hebrews presented the special gifts with a generous spirit.
7:89 w Once the Tabernacle had been dedicated and set apart as holy, it was the center of divine revelation. There Moses spoke with God, God’s will was disclosed, and his presence came to rest (Lev 16:2 x, 13-17 y). Such communication emanated from the Ark of the Covenant between the two cherubim above the Ark’s cover, also known as the “mercy seat” (cp. Exod 25:17-22 z).
• For the Israelites, this was the special place associated with atonement, even as the Cross has assumed that significance in Christian faith (see Heb 9–10 aa, especially Heb 9:5 ab). God’s voice, as heard by Moses the mediator, fulfilled the expectation established by Exod 25:22 ac and Num 30:6 ad. The Lord’s presence guaranteed the holiness of Israel’s wilderness sanctuary.
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