And the LORD said unto Moses, They shall offer their offering, each prince on his day, for the dedicating of the altar.

NUMBERS 7:11KJV
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Numbers 7:11 (KJV)

What does Numbers 7:11 mean?

Numbers 7:11 records God instructing Moses that each tribal leader (prince) of Israel should bring his offering for the dedication of the altar, with each leader presenting his gift on a separate day. This set the order for how the leaders would participate in dedicating the altar after the tabernacle was set up.

In this verse, the LORD (God) is speaking directly to Moses, giving him a specific command about the process for dedicating the altar. The context is the dedication ceremony for the tabernacle’s altar, where each tribe’s leader is to bring an offering, but not all at once—each has his own day, emphasizing order and individual participation in this important event.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 7:11

  • "LORD" (יְהוָה, Yahweh): This is the personal name of God used here, showing that the instructions come from the highest authority.
  • "Prince" (נָשִׂיא, nasi’): This word refers to a leader or chief of a tribe, highlighting that the offerings are brought by the most prominent representatives of each group.
  • "Dedicating" (חֲנֻכָּה, chanukkah): This term means dedication or consecration, and is the same root as the later Jewish festival of Hanukkah, underscoring the idea of setting something apart for a special, sacred purpose.

Why Numbers 7:11 matters

  • Numbers 7:11 clarifies that the altar’s dedication was a carefully organized event, not a chaotic or rushed process, with each tribe given its own moment to participate.
  • The verse shows the importance of every tribe and leader in Israel having a role in the nation’s worship, reinforcing unity and shared responsibility.
  • By specifying that each prince offers on his own day, the passage sets up the detailed listing that follows in the chapter, helping readers understand the structure and significance of the ceremony.

Where else these words appear

“dedicating” Hebrew H2598 · used in 7 verses

  • Numbers 7:10 And the princes offered for dedicating of the altar in the day that it was anointed, even the princes offered their offering before the altar.
  • Numbers 7:88 And all the oxen for the sacrifice of the peace offerings were twenty and four bullocks, the rams sixty, the he goats sixty, the lambs of the first year sixty. This was the dedication of the altar, after that it was anointed.
  • Nehemiah 12:27 And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the Levites out of all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem, to keep the dedication with gladness, both with thanksgivings, and with singing, with cymbals, psalteries, and with harps.

“offering” Hebrew H7133 · used in 78 verses

  • Leviticus 1:2 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, If any man of you bring an offering unto the LORD, ye shall bring your offering of the cattle, even of the herd, and of the flock.
  • Leviticus 7:16 But if the sacrifice of his offering be a vow, or a voluntary offering, it shall be eaten the same day that he offereth his sacrifice: and on the morrow also the remainder of it shall be eaten:
  • Numbers 7:41 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 Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai.

“prince” Hebrew H5387 · used in 120 verses

  • Genesis 17:20 And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation.
  • Numbers 7:60 On the ninth day Abidan the son of Gideoni, prince of the children of Benjamin, offered:
  • 2 Chronicles 5:2 Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel, and all the heads of the tribes, the chief of the fathers of the children of Israel, unto Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of the city of David, which is Zion.