Each charger of silver weighing an hundred and thirty shekels, each bowl seventy: all the silver vessels weighed two thousand and four hundred shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary:

NUMBERS 7:85KJV
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Numbers 7:85 (KJV)

What does Numbers 7:85 mean?

Numbers 7:85 lists the weights of the silver offerings brought by the leaders of Israel for the dedication of the altar: each silver plate weighed 130 shekels, each bowl 70 shekels, and the total weight of all the silver vessels was 2,400 shekels, measured by the sanctuary standard. This verse records the specific contributions and emphasizes the careful accounting of the gifts.

The setting is the dedication of the altar in the wilderness, where each tribal leader brings offerings as described by Moses to the Israelites. The verse highlights the exactness and uniformity of the gifts, showing the organized and communal nature of Israel’s worship at this important moment.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 7:85

  • "Silver" (כֶּסֶף, keseph) refers to the precious metal used for the vessels. Its mention underlines the value and significance of the offerings.
  • "Shekel" (שֶׁקֶל, sheqel) is the unit of weight, and "after the shekel of the sanctuary" means the official standard used in the tabernacle, not a common or local measure. This ensures fairness and consistency.
  • "Sanctuary" (קֹדֶשׁ, qodesh) points to the holy place, reminding the reader that these offerings are set apart for sacred use.

Why Numbers 7:85 matters

  • Numbers 7:85 shows the importance of precision and fairness in offerings to God, using a consistent standard for all tribes.
  • The verse emphasizes the unity of the Israelite leaders, as each brings an identical gift, reflecting equality before God.
  • This careful record-keeping connects to the larger narrative of Numbers 7, which details the dedication of the altar and the shared responsibility of the community in worship.

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 7:55 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:

“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 7:55 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.

“shekel” Hebrew H8255 · used in 54 verses

  • Genesis 23:15 My lord, hearken unto me: the land is worth four hundred shekels of silver; what is that betwixt me and thee? bury therefore thy dead.
  • Leviticus 27:25 And all thy estimations shall be according to the shekel of the sanctuary: twenty gerahs shall be the shekel.
  • Joshua 7:21 When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they are hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it.

“seventy” Hebrew H7657 · used in 90 verses

  • Genesis 4:24 If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold.
  • 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:
  • 2 Chronicles 2:2 And Solomon told out threescore and ten thousand men to bear burdens, and fourscore thousand to hew in the mountain, and three thousand and six hundred to oversee them.