This was the dedication of the altar, in the day when it was anointed, by the princes of Israel: twelve chargers of silver, twelve silver bowls, twelve spoons of gold:

NUMBERS 7:84KJV
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Numbers 7:84 (KJV)

What does Numbers 7:84 mean?

Numbers 7:84 describes the offerings given by the leaders of Israel for the dedication of the altar on the day it was anointed: twelve silver plates, twelve silver bowls, and twelve gold spoons. Each leader brought one of each item as part of a coordinated act of worship and dedication.

This verse is part of a detailed account where each tribal leader brings identical gifts for the altar’s dedication. The setting is the newly constructed tabernacle, and Moses is recording what each "prince" or leader of the tribes of Israel presented. The verse highlights the unity and equal participation of all twelve tribes in this important religious ceremony.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 7:84

  • The word for "dedication" is חֲנֻכָּה (ḥanukkah), meaning a formal setting apart or consecration. This is the same root as the modern Jewish festival Hanukkah, which also centers on dedication.
  • "Altar" is מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbeach), referring to the specific structure used for sacrifices in the tabernacle.
  • The term for "princes" is נָשִׂיא (nasi’), meaning a leader or chief of a tribe, emphasizing that these were the top representatives of each group.
  • "Chargers" is קַעֲרָה (qa‘arah), which means a large, flat dish or plate, likely used for presenting offerings.

Why Numbers 7:84 matters

  • This verse clarifies that every tribe contributed equally to the altar’s dedication, showing no tribe was favored or left out.
  • The careful listing of items and their materials (silver and gold) highlights the value and seriousness of the dedication ceremony.
  • By summarizing the offerings, this verse connects the individual acts of each leader into a unified national act of worship, reinforcing the collective identity of Israel at a key moment in their history.

Where else these words appear

“dedication” 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.

“chargers” 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 7:55 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:

“bowls” 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 7:55 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:
  • 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.

“anointed” Hebrew H4886 · used in 66 verses

  • Genesis 31:13 I am the God of Bethel, where thou anointedst the pillar, and where thou vowedst a vow unto me: now arise, get thee out from this land, and return unto the land of thy kindred.
  • Numbers 6:15 And a basket of unleavened bread, cakes of fine flour mingled with oil, and wafers of unleavened bread anointed with oil, and their meat offering, and their drink offerings.
  • 1 Kings 1:39 And Zadok the priest took an horn of oil out of the tabernacle, and anointed Solomon. And they blew the trumpet; and all the people said, God save king Solomon.