And his offering was one silver charger, the weight thereof was an hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them were full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering:
NUMBERS 7:13KJVWhat does Numbers 7:13 mean?
Numbers 7:13 describes the specific offering brought by a leader of Israel for the dedication of the altar: one silver plate weighing 130 shekels, one silver bowl weighing 70 shekels (both measured by the sanctuary standard), each filled with fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering. This verse details the exact items and their quantities given as part of a ceremonial gift.
In the context of Numbers 7, Moses is recording the offerings brought by each tribal leader during the dedication of the altar in the Tabernacle. Each leader brings the same type and amount of gifts, showing unity and equal participation among the tribes. The verse emphasizes the careful, standardized approach to worship and giving in Israel’s early religious life.
The Hebrew behind Numbers 7:13
- קְעָרָה (qe‘arah, “charger” or “plate”): This word refers to a large, flat dish, likely used for presenting offerings. Its mention highlights the ceremonial care in how offerings were presented.
- שֶׁקֶל (sheqel, “shekel”): This is the standard unit of weight, and the verse specifies that the weights are according to the “shekel of the sanctuary,” meaning an official, regulated measure rather than a common marketplace standard.
- סֹלֶת (solet, “fine flour”): This word points to high-quality, sifted flour, showing that the offering was made from the best ingredients.
- מִנְחָה (minchah, “meat offering” or “grain offering”): Despite the KJV’s use of “meat,” this actually refers to a grain offering, not animal flesh, emphasizing a gift of produce rather than livestock.
Why Numbers 7:13 matters
- Numbers 7:13 clarifies that each tribal leader’s offering was identical, reinforcing the idea of equality and shared responsibility among the tribes in worship.
- The verse shows the importance of precision and order in Israel’s worship practices, as every detail—the weight, the material, the contents—was specified and followed.
- Understanding the original words helps clear up confusion, such as the KJV’s use of “meat offering,” which actually refers to a grain-based gift, not animal meat.