King James Version

What Does Numbers 7:67 Mean?

Numbers 7:67 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 7:67 · KJV

Context

65

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 Abidan the son of Gideoni.

66

On the tenth day Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai, prince of the children of Dan, offered:

67

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:

68

One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense:

69

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

Read Numbers 7 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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—Dan's offering precisely matched every previous tribe's, demonstrating God's requirement for equality in worship. The silver (kesef, כֶּסֶף) symbolizes redemption (Exodus 30:11-16), where each Israelite paid a half-shekel ransom for his soul. The 200-shekel total (130 + 70) represented significant wealth, yet remained identical across rich and poor tribes.

Both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering—Repetition throughout Numbers 7 emphasizes that God prescribes worship standards, not worshipers. Modern 'authenticity' that dismisses divine instruction for personal expression mirrors Cain's rejected offering (Genesis 4:3-5) and Nadab and Abihu's strange fire (Leviticus 10:1-2). True worship submits creativity to revelation, personal expression to biblical boundaries.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The tabernacle dedication offerings occurred shortly after the golden calf apostasy (Exodus 32) and the second giving of the law. The painstaking detail in Numbers 7—verse after verse of seemingly repetitive offerings—stands in stark contrast to the chaotic self-worship of the golden calf episode. Ordered, prescribed worship restores what lawless worship destroys: God's presence, communal holiness, and spiritual safety.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the identical offering requirement (across wealthy and poor tribes) challenge modern consumer approaches to worship that cater to personal preferences?
  2. What is the relationship between creative expression in worship and submission to biblically prescribed patterns?
  3. How does Dan's orthodox offering here (contrasted with later idolatry at Dan) show that right external forms without heart faithfulness ultimately fail?

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 7:67 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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