King James Version

What Does Numbers 7:55 Mean?

Numbers 7:55 in the King James Version says “His offering was one silver charger of the weight of an hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, ...” — study this verse from Numbers chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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:”

Numbers 7:55 · King James Version

Context

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:

Read Numbers 7 full chapter

Commentaries3 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
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—Gamaliel's offering mirrors Elishama's (7:49) and every other tribe's—identical weights, vessels, and contents. The repetition isn't tedious but theologically intentional: God values each tribe equally. The shekel of the sanctuary maintains standards of honesty, preventing the wealthy from gaining advantage through manipulated weights (Proverbs 11:1).

Both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering—The grain offering (minchah) accompanied burnt and peace offerings, never appearing alone. The fine flour (solet) required laborious grinding and sifting, representing consecrated human labor. Oil (shemen) symbolized the Holy Spirit's anointing (1 Samuel 16:13). Together they picture Spirit-empowered human effort offered to God.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The sanctuary shekel originated at Sinai (Exodus 30:13) as the standard for the half-shekel temple tax. By maintaining this standard throughout Israel's history, God prevented economic inflation from corrupting worship. The 'fine flour mingled with oil' recipe appears throughout Leviticus (2:1-16), creating consistency in grain offerings for four decades of wilderness worship.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the identical offering from all tribes challenge worldly systems that privilege wealth, status, or influence in religious contexts?
  2. What does the laborious preparation of 'fine flour' (repeated grinding and sifting) teach about the value of careful, consecrated work in worship?
  3. In what ways does oil symbolizing the Spirit's anointing challenge attempts at human achievement apart from divine empowerment?

Compare 3 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.

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

“of an hundred”

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

מִשְׁקָלָהּ֒7 of 20

“of 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 7:55 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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