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 7:37KJV
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Numbers 7:37 (KJV)

What does Numbers 7:37 mean?

Numbers 7:37 describes the specific offering brought by one of the leaders of Israel during the dedication of the altar: a silver plate and a silver bowl, both filled with fine flour mixed with oil, as a grain offering. The verse details the exact weights of the silver items and notes that the measurements follow the standard of the sanctuary.

This verse is part of a larger section where each tribal leader brings an identical offering for the dedication of the altar in the tabernacle. Moses is recording these gifts to show the careful obedience of the leaders and the importance of following God’s instructions exactly. The focus on weights and contents highlights the value and care given to these offerings.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 7:37

  • The word for "offering" (קָרְבָּן, qorban) refers to something brought near or presented, emphasizing that this gift is being brought close to God.
  • "Silver" (כֶּסֶף, keseph) is mentioned twice, underlining the material value and purity of the items.
  • "Charger" (קְעָרָה, qe‘arah) and "bowl" (מִזְרָק, mizraq) are two different types of vessels; the charger is a large, flat dish, while the bowl is more for pouring, showing the variety and completeness of the offering.
  • "Fine flour" (סֹלֶת, solet) and "mingled" (בָּלוּל, balul) with "oil" (שֶׁמֶן, shemen) describe the grain offering’s preparation, which was a common way to show devotion and thanksgiving.

Why Numbers 7:37 matters

  • The verse clears up that every tribe’s leader brought the same offering, showing unity and equality among the tribes in worship.
  • The careful listing of weights and contents stresses the importance of following God’s instructions down to the smallest detail.
  • By connecting to the wider passage, this verse helps the reader see the dedication of the altar as a shared, national act of worship, not just an individual or priestly event.

Where else these words appear

“charger” Hebrew H7086 · used in 17 verses

  • Exodus 25:29 And thou shalt make the dishes thereof, and spoons thereof, and covers thereof, and bowls thereof, to cover withal: of pure gold shalt thou make them.
  • Numbers 7:25 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 7:61 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:

“bowl” Hebrew H4219 · used in 32 verses

  • Exodus 27:3 And thou shalt make his pans to receive his ashes, and his shovels, and his basons, and his fleshhooks, and his firepans: all the vessels thereof thou shalt make of brass.
  • Numbers 7:61 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:
  • 2 Kings 25:15 And the firepans, and the bowls, and such things as were of gold, in gold, and of silver, in silver, the captain of the guard took away.

“weight” Hebrew H4948 · used in 42 verses

  • Genesis 24:22 And it came to pass, as the camels had done drinking, that the man took a golden earring of half a shekel weight, and two bracelets for her hands of ten shekels weight of gold;
  • Numbers 7:73 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:
  • 1 Chronicles 28:14 He gave of gold by weight for things of gold, for all instruments of all manner of service; silver also for all instruments of silver by weight, for all instruments of every kind of service:

“mingled” Hebrew H1101 · used in 42 verses

  • Genesis 11:7 Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech.
  • Numbers 7:13 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 15:9 Then shall he bring with a bullock a meat offering of three tenth deals of flour mingled with half an hin of oil.