King James Version

What Does Numbers 7:84 Mean?

Numbers 7:84 in the King James Version says “This was the dedication of the altar, in the day when it was anointed, by the princes of Israel: twelve chargers of silv... — study this verse from Numbers chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

This was the dedication of the altar, in the day when it was anointed, by the princes of Israel: twelve chargers of silver, twelve silver bowls, twelve spoons of gold:

Numbers 7:84 · KJV


Context

82

One kid of the goats for a sin offering:

83

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 Ahira the son of Enan.

84

This was the dedication of the altar, in the day when it was anointed, by the princes of Israel: twelve chargers of silver, twelve silver bowls, twelve spoons of gold:

85

Each charger of silver weighing an hundred and thirty shekels, each bowl seventy: all the silver vessels weighed two thousand and four hundred shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary:

86

The golden spoons were twelve , full of incense, weighing ten shekels apiece, after the shekel of the sanctuary: all the gold of the spoons was an hundred and twenty shekels.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This was the dedication of the altar, in the day when it was anointed (זֹאת חֲנֻכַּת הַמִּזְבֵּחַ בְּיוֹם הִמָּשַׁח אֹתוֹ, zot chanukat hamizbeach beyom himashach oto)—The dedication (chanukkah, חֲנֻכָּה) commemorates the altar's anointing and consecration. Twelve chargers of silver, twelve silver bowls, twelve spoons of gold—the repetition of "twelve" emphasizes completeness: all twelve tribes participate equally in Israel's worship.

The summary transforms repetitive detail into profound truth: unified diversity in worship. Each tribe's contribution was identical yet individual, sequential yet equal. This prefigures the New Covenant church, where Jews and Gentiles from every tribe and tongue bring the same faith in Christ through individually encountered grace (Revelation 7:9). The twelve-fold repetition also anticipates the twelve foundations of the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:14).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The tabernacle's dedication occurred in the first month of the second year after the Exodus (Exodus 40:17), but the tribal offerings extended over twelve days (Numbers 7:1-88). This sequential presentation allowed each tribe to participate fully, preventing any sense of marginalization or favoritism.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the twelve-day dedication (rather than simultaneous presentation) reflect God's desire for personal participation over mere collective ritual?
  2. What does the identical value of each tribe's offering teach about spiritual equality despite differences in size, prominence, or history?
  3. Why might the summary (verses 84-88) be necessary after such detailed repetition, and what theological purpose does it serve?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
זֹ֣את׀1 of 21
H2063

this (often used adverb)

חֲנֻכַּ֣ת2 of 21

This was the dedication

H2598

initiation, i.e., consecration

הַמִּזְבֵּ֗חַ3 of 21

of the altar

H4196

an altar

בְּיוֹם֙4 of 21

in the day

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הִמָּשַׁ֣ח5 of 21

when it was anointed

H4886

to rub with oil, i.e., to anoint; by implication, to consecrate; also to paint

אֹת֔וֹ6 of 21
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

מֵאֵ֖ת7 of 21
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

נְשִׂיאֵ֣י8 of 21

by the princes

H5387

properly, an exalted one, i.e., a king or sheik; also a rising mist

יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל9 of 21

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

קַֽעֲרֹ֨ת10 of 21

chargers

H7086

a bowl (as cut out hollow)

כֶ֙סֶף֙11 of 21

of silver

H3701

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

שְׁתֵּ֣ים12 of 21
H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

עֶשְׂרֵֽה׃13 of 21

twelve

H6240

ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth

מִֽזְרְקֵי14 of 21

bowls

H4219

a bowl (as if for sprinkling)

כֶ֙סֶף֙15 of 21

of silver

H3701

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

שְׁנֵ֣ים16 of 21
H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

עֶשְׂרֵֽה׃17 of 21

twelve

H6240

ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth

כַּפּ֥וֹת18 of 21

spoons

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-

זָהָ֖ב19 of 21

of gold

H2091

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

שְׁתֵּ֥ים20 of 21
H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

עֶשְׂרֵֽה׃21 of 21

twelve

H6240

ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth


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 7:84 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 7:84 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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