His offering was one silver charger of the weight of an hundred and thirty shekels, a 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 7:43KJV
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Numbers 7:43 (KJV)

What does Numbers 7:43 mean?

Numbers 7:43 describes the specific offering brought by one of the tribal leaders of Israel for the dedication of the altar: a silver plate and a silver bowl, both filled with fine flour mixed with oil, to be used as a grain offering. The verse details the exact weights and contents of the items, following the standard set for offerings at the sanctuary.

This verse is part of a larger section where each leader from the twelve tribes brings an identical offering as part of the dedication ceremony for the altar in the Tabernacle. The listing of weights and materials shows the care and precision expected in worship, and the mention of "the shekel of the sanctuary" means the weights were standardized according to the official measurements used in the Tabernacle.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 7:43

  • קְעָרָה (qe‘arah, "charger"): This word refers to a large, flat dish or plate. Its use here emphasizes the ceremonial importance and the substantial nature of the offering.
  • מִשְׁקָל (mishqal, "weight"): This word highlights that the offerings were carefully weighed, not estimated, showing the seriousness with which these gifts were given.
  • שֶׁקֶל (sheqel, "shekel"): This is the unit of weight, and the phrase "after the shekel of the sanctuary" means the measurement was according to the official Tabernacle standard, not a local or personal scale.
  • סֹלֶת (solet, "fine flour"): This refers to high-quality, sifted flour, which was considered the best and most suitable for offerings to God.

Why Numbers 7:43 matters

  • Numbers 7:43 shows the importance of order and equality in worship, as each tribal leader brings the same offering, reinforcing unity among the tribes.
  • The verse highlights the attention to detail and the use of high-quality materials, which reflects the reverence and respect expected in approaching God.
  • By specifying "the shekel of the sanctuary," the verse connects the offering to the central place of worship and ensures fairness and consistency in all the tribes’ contributions.

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.