His offering was one silver charger of the weight of 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 7:55KJV
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Numbers 7:55 (KJV)

What does Numbers 7:55 mean?

Numbers 7:55 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, as a grain offering. The verse details the precise weights and contents of these 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 for the dedication of the altar in the Tabernacle. The instructions come from God through Moses, and the careful listing of each item and its weight shows the importance of order, equality, and obedience in Israel’s worship practices. The fine flour mixed with oil was a common grain offering, symbolizing dedication and thanksgiving.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 7:55

  • קָעַר (qa‘ar, "charger"): This word refers to a large, shallow dish or plate. Its mention emphasizes the specific type of vessel used in the offering, showing attention to detail in worship.
  • מִשְׁקָל (mishqal, "weight"): This word highlights that the offerings were measured precisely, not given haphazardly, reflecting the seriousness of the ritual.
  • שֶׁקֶל (sheqel, "shekel"): The shekel was a standard unit of weight used in the sanctuary. The phrase "after the shekel of the sanctuary" means these weights were according to the official standard, ensuring fairness and consistency.
  • סֹלֶת (solet, "fine flour"): This word refers to high-quality, sifted flour. Its use in the offering points to giving the best to God, not just any grain.

Why Numbers 7:55 matters

  • Numbers 7:55 clears up that each tribal leader’s offering was exactly the same, emphasizing unity and equal standing among the tribes before God.
  • The verse highlights the importance of precise obedience to God’s instructions, down to the weight and contents of each offering.
  • By listing these details, the passage connects the dedication of the altar to the broader themes of holiness, order, and communal participation in Israel’s worship life.

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.