King James Version

What Does Numbers 7:49 Mean?

Numbers 7:49 in the King James Version says “His offering was one silver charger, the weight whereof was an hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy sh...” — study this verse from Numbers chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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:”

Numbers 7:49 · KJV

Context

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:

Read Numbers 7 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
One silver charger, the weight whereof was an hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary—The silver vessels (קְעָרָה, qe'arah, 'charger/dish'; מִזְרָק, mizraq, 'bowl' for sprinkling) held the grain offering (minchah). The total 200 shekels of silver per tribe amounted to 2,400 shekels across all twelve tribes—substantial wealth dedicated to God.

The phrase after the shekel of the sanctuary (בְּשֶׁקֶל הַקֹּדֶשׁ, besheqel haqodesh) established a standard weight preventing fraud. God's sanctuary required honest measures (Leviticus 19:36). Both vessels contained fine flour mingled with oil (סֹלֶת בְּלוּלָה בַשֶּׁמֶן, solet belulah bashemen)—the grain offering symbolizing daily provision consecrated to God.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The sanctuary shekel weighed approximately 11.5 grams (0.4 ounces), making the charger about 1.5 kg and bowl 0.8 kg. Silver was precious in the ancient Near East, typically obtained through trade or tribute. The uniformity of offerings across all tribes prevented wealth disparity from affecting worship—rich and poor gave the same prescribed amounts.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the 'shekel of the sanctuary' as a standard measure teach about integrity and honesty in worship and daily life?
  2. How might the grain offering (fine flour and oil) symbolize the consecration of ordinary daily provision and labor to God?
  3. In what ways does the identical offering from each tribe challenge modern prosperity theology that measures spiritual blessing by material abundance?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
קָרְבָּנ֞וֹ1 of 20

“His offering”

H7133

something brought near the altar, i.e., a sacrificial present

קַֽעֲרַת2 of 20

“charger”

H7086

a bowl (as cut out hollow)

כֶּ֔סֶף3 of 20

“silver”

H3701

silver (from its pale color); by implication, money

אֶחָד֙4 of 20

“shekels one”

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

שְׁלֹשִׁ֣ים5 of 20

“and thirty”

H7970

thirty; or (ordinal) thirtieth

וּמֵאָה֮6 of 20

“whereof was an hundred”

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

מִשְׁקָלָהּ֒7 of 20

“the weight”

H4948

weight (numerically estimated); hence, weighing (the act)

מִזְרָ֤ק8 of 20

“bowl”

H4219

a bowl (as if for sprinkling)

אֶחָד֙9 of 20

“shekels one”

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

כֶּ֔סֶף10 of 20

“silver”

H3701

silver (from its pale color); by implication, money

שִׁבְעִ֥ים11 of 20

“of seventy”

H7657

seventy

בְּשֶׁ֣קֶל12 of 20

“after the shekel”

H8255

probably a weight; used as a commercial standard

בְּשֶׁ֣קֶל13 of 20

“after the shekel”

H8255

probably a weight; used as a commercial standard

הַקֹּ֑דֶשׁ14 of 20

“of the sanctuary”

H6944

a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity

שְׁנֵיהֶ֣ם׀15 of 20

“both”

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

מְלֵאִ֗ים16 of 20

“of them full”

H4392

full (literally or figuratively) or filling (literally); also (concretely) fulness; adverbially, fully

סֹ֛לֶת17 of 20

“of fine flour”

H5560

flour (as chipped off)

בְּלוּלָ֥ה18 of 20

“mingled”

H1101

to overflow (specifically with oil.); by implication, to mix; to fodder

בַשֶּׁ֖מֶן19 of 20

“with oil”

H8081

grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness

לְמִנְחָֽה׃20 of 20

“for a meat offering”

H4503

a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Numbers. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Numbers 7:49 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

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