King James Version

What Does Numbers 7:62 Mean?

Numbers 7:62 in the King James Version says “One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense: — study this verse from Numbers chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense:

Numbers 7:62 · KJV


Context

60

On the ninth day Abidan the son of Gideoni, prince of the children of Benjamin, offered:

61

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:

62

One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense:

63

One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering:

64

One kid of the goats for a sin offering:


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense—The Hebrew kaf (כַּף) literally means 'palm' or 'hollow hand,' describing a ladle-shaped vessel. Gold (זָהָב, zahav) signifies deity and divine glory, while ten shekels (about 4 ounces) provided substance without ostentation. The qetoreth (קְטֹרֶת, incense) burned continually on the golden altar (Exodus 30:7-8), creating fragrant smoke that ascended to God—a perpetual symbol of prayer.

Revelation 5:8 explicitly identifies incense as 'the prayers of saints.' The golden spoon filled with incense therefore represents prayer offered from divinely-shaped vessels (2 Corinthians 4:7). The precise ten-shekel measure suggests completeness and accountability—our prayers must be neither deficient nor excessive, but Spirit-measured. Christ Himself is our true incense (Hebrews 7:25), making intercessory prayer perpetually acceptable to the Father.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The golden altar of incense stood before the veil separating the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place (Exodus 30:6). The high priest burned incense twice daily—morning and evening—maintaining constant communion between God and Israel. The incense recipe was sacred and exclusive (Exodus 30:34-38); unauthorized incense or offering resulted in death (Leviticus 10:1-2, Numbers 16:35).

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the connection between incense and prayer (Revelation 5:8) teach about the 'aroma' of our petitions to God?
  2. How does the gold construction of the incense vessel point to prayer's divine origin and enabling (Romans 8:26-27)?
  3. Why did unauthorized incense bring death (Leviticus 10:1-2), and how does Christ's intercession secure our access to God (Hebrews 7:25)?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 6 words
כַּ֥ף1 of 6

spoon

H3709

the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-

אַחַ֛ת2 of 6

One

H259

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

עֲשָׂרָ֥ה3 of 6

of ten

H6235

ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits)

זָהָ֖ב4 of 6

golden

H2091

gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e., yellow), as oil, a clear sky

מְלֵאָ֥ה5 of 6

shekels full

H4392

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

קְטֹֽרֶת׃6 of 6

of incense

H7004

a fumigation


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 7:62 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Numbers 7:62 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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