1Lorsque Moïse eut achevé de dresser le Tabernacle, et qu'il l'eut oint et consacré avec tous ses ustensiles, lorsqu'il eut aussi oint et consacré l'autel et tous ses ustensiles, 2Les principaux d'Israël, chefs des familles de leurs pères, c'est-à-dire les princes des tribus, ceux qui avaient présidé au dénombrement, firent leur offrande. 3Ils amenèrent donc leur offrande devant YEHOVAH: six chariots en forme de litières, et douze taureaux; un chariot pour deux princes, et un taureau pour chacun, et ils les offrirent devant le Tabernacle. 4Alors YEHOVAH parla à Moïse, en disant: 5Prends d'eux ces choses, et qu'elles soient employées au service du tabernacle d'assignation; et donne-les aux Lévites, à chacun selon son service. 6Moïse prit donc les chariots et les taureaux, et les donna aux Lévites. 7Il donna aux enfants de Guershon deux chariots et quatre taureaux, selon leur service. 8Et il donna aux enfants de Mérari quatre chariots et huit taureaux, selon leur service, sous la conduite d'Ithamar, fils d'Aaron, le sacrificateur. 9Mais il n'en donna point aux enfants de Kéhath parce qu'ils étaient chargés du service des choses saintes; ils les portaient sur leurs épaules. 10Et les princes firent une offrande pour la dédicace de l'autel, au jour qu'il fut oint; les princes apportèrent leur offrande devant l'autel. 11Et YEHOVAH dit à Moïse: Qu'un prince apporte son offrande un jour, et un autre, un autre jour, pour la dédicace de l'autel. 12Et celui qui offrit son offrande le premier jour fut Nahasshon, fils d'Amminadab, de la tribu de Juda. 13Son offrande fut un plat d'argent, du poids de cent trente sicles, un bassin d'argent de soixante et dix sicles, selon le sicle du sanctuaire, tous deux pleins de fine farine pétrie à l'huile, pour l'oblation; 14Une coupe d'or de dix sicles pleine de parfum; 15Un jeune taureau, un bélier, un agneau de l'année, pour l'offrande à brûler; 16Un bouc pour le sacrifice pour le péché; 17Et pour l'offrande de paix, deux taureaux, cinq béliers, cinq jeunes boucs, cinq agneaux d'un an. Telle fut l'offrande de Nahasshon, fils d'Amminadab. 18Le second jour, Nathanaël, fils de Tsuar, prince d'Issacar, fit son offrande; 19Il offrit: un plat d'argent, du poids de cent trente sicles, un bassin d'argent de soixante et dix sicles, selon le sicle du sanctuaire, tous deux pleins de fine farine pétrie à l'huile, pour l'oblation; 20Une coupe d'or de dix sicles, pleine de parfum; 21Un jeune taureau, un bélier, un agneau de l'année, pour l'offrande à brûler; 22Un bouc pour le sacrifice pour le péché; 23Et pour l'offrande de paix, deux taureaux, cinq béliers, cinq jeunes boucs, cinq agneaux d'un an. Telle fut l'offrande de Nathanaël, fils de Tsuar. 24Le troisième jour, ce fut le prince des enfants de Zabulon, Éliab, fils de Hélon. 25Son offrande fut un plat d'argent, du poids de cent trente sicles, un bassin d'argent de soixante et dix sicles, selon le sicle du sanctuaire, tous deux pleins de fine farine pétrie à l'huile, pour l'oblation; 26Une coupe d'or de dix sicles, pleine de parfum; 27Un jeune taureau, un bélier, un agneau de l'année, pour l'offrande à brûler; 28Un bouc pour le sacrifice pour le péché; 29Et pour l'offrande de paix, deux taureaux, cinq béliers, cinq jeunes boucs, cinq agneaux d'un an. Telle fut l'offrande d'Éliab, fils de Hélon. 30Le quatrième jour, ce fut le prince des enfants de Ruben, Elitsur, fils de Shedéur. 31Son offrande fut un plat d'argent, du poids de cent trente sicles, un bassin d'argent de soixante et dix sicles, selon le sicle du sanctuaire, tous deux pleins de fine farine pétrie à l'huile, pour l'oblation; 32Une coupe d'or de dix sicles, pleine de parfum; 33Un jeune taureau, un bélier, un agneau de l'année, pour l'offrande à brûler; 34Un bouc pour le sacrifice pour le péché; 35Et pour l'offrande de paix, deux taureaux, cinq béliers, cinq jeunes boucs, cinq agneaux d'un an. Telle fut l'offrande d'Elitsur, fils de Shedéur. 36Le cinquième jour, ce fut le prince des enfants de Siméon, Shelumiel, fils de Tsurishaddaï. 37Son offrande fut un plat d'argent, du poids de cent trente sicles, un bassin d'argent de soixante et dix sicles, selon le sicle du sanctuaire, tous deux pleins de fine farine pétrie à l'huile, pour l'oblation; 38Une coupe d'or de dix sicles, pleine de parfum; 39Un jeune taureau, un bélier, un agneau de l'année, pour l'offrande à brûler; 40Un bouc pour le sacrifice pour le péché; 41Et pour l'offrande de paix, deux taureaux, cinq béliers, cinq jeunes boucs, cinq agneaux d'un an. Telle fut l'offrande de Shelumiel, fils de Tsurishaddaï. 42Le sixième jour, ce fut le prince des enfants de Gad, Eliasaph, fils de Déhuël. 43Son offrande fut un plat d'argent, du poids de cent trente sicles, un bassin d'argent de soixante et dix sicles, selon le sicle du sanctuaire, tous deux pleins de fine farine pétrie à l'huile, pour l'oblation; 44Une coupe d'or de dix sicles, pleine de parfum; 45Un jeune taureau, un bélier, un agneau de l'année, pour l'offrande à brûler; 46Un bouc pour le sacrifice pour le péché; 47Et pour l'offrande de paix, deux taureaux, cinq béliers, cinq jeunes boucs, cinq agneaux d'un an. Telle fut l'offrande d'Eliasaph, fils de Déhuël. 48Le septième jour, ce fut le prince des enfants d'Éphraïm, Elishama, fils d'Ammihud. 49Son offrande fut un plat d'argent, du poids de cent trente sicles, un bassin d'argent de soixante et dix sicles, selon le sicle du sanctuaire, tous deux pleins de fine farine pétrie à l'huile, pour l'oblation; 50Une coupe d'or de dix sicles, pleine de parfum; 51Un jeune taureau, un bélier, un agneau de l'année, pour l'offrande à brûler; 52Un bouc pour le sacrifice pour le péché; 53Et pour l'offrande de paix, deux taureaux, cinq béliers, cinq jeunes boucs, cinq agneaux d'un an. Telle fut l'offrande d'Elishama, fils d'Ammihud. 54Le huitième jour, ce fut le prince des enfants de Manassé, Gamaliel, fils de Pedahtsur. 55Son offrande fut un plat d'argent, du poids de cent trente sicles, un bassin d'argent de soixante et dix sicles, selon le sicle du sanctuaire, tous deux pleins de fine farine pétrie à l'huile, pour l'oblation; 56Une coupe d'or de dix sicles, pleine de parfum, 57Un jeune taureau, un bélier, un agneau de l'année, pour l'offrande à brûler; 58Un bouc pour le sacrifice pour le péché; 59Et pour l'offrande de paix, deux taureaux, cinq béliers, cinq jeunes boucs, cinq agneaux d'un an. Telle fut l'offrande de Gamaliel, fils de Pedahtsur. 60Le neuvième jour, ce fut le prince des enfants de Benjamin, Abidan, fils de Guideoni. 61Son offrande fut un plat d'argent, du poids de cent trente sicles, un bassin d'argent de soixante et dix sicles, selon le sicle du sanctuaire, tous deux pleins de fine farine pétrie à l'huile, pour l'oblation; 62Une coupe d'or de dix sicles, pleine de parfum; 63Un jeune taureau, un bélier, un agneau de l'année pour l'offrande à brûler; 64Un bouc pour le sacrifice pour le péché; 65Et pour l'offrande de paix, deux taureaux, cinq béliers, cinq jeunes boucs, cinq agneaux d'un an. Telle fut l'offrande d'Abidan, fils de Guideoni. 66Le dixième jour, ce fut le prince des enfants de Dan, Ahiézer, fils d'Ammishaddaï. 67Son offrande fut un plat d'argent, du poids de cent trente sicles, un bassin d'argent de soixante et dix sicles, selon le sicle du sanctuaire, tous deux pleins de fine farine pétrie à l'huile, pour l'oblation; 68Une coupe d'or de dix sicles, pleine de parfum; 69Un jeune taureau, un bélier, un agneau de l'année, pour l'offrande à brûler; 70Un bouc pour le sacrifice pour le péché; 71Et pour l'offrande de paix, deux taureaux, cinq béliers, cinq jeunes boucs, cinq agneaux d'un an. Telle fut l'offrande d'Ahiézer, fils d'Ammishaddaï. 72Le onzième jour, ce fut le prince des enfants d'Asser, Paguiel, fils d'Ocran. 73Son offrande fut un plat d'argent, du poids de cent trente sicles, un bassin d'argent de soixante et dix sicles, selon le sicle du sanctuaire, tous deux pleins de fine farine pétrie à l'huile, pour l'oblation; 74Une coupe d'or de dix sicles, pleine de parfum; 75Un jeune taureau, un bélier, un agneau de l'année, pour l'offrande à brûler; 76Un bouc pour le sacrifice pour le péché; 77Et pour l'offrande de paix, deux taureaux, cinq béliers, cinq jeunes boucs, cinq agneaux d'un an. Telle fut l'offrande de Paguiel, fils d'Ocran. 78Le douzième jour, ce fut le prince des enfants de Nephthali, Ahira, fils d'Enan. 79Son offrande fut un plat d'argent, du poids de cent trente sicles, un bassin d'argent de soixante et dix sicles, selon le sicle du sanctuaire, tous deux pleins de fine farine pétrie à l'huile, pour l'oblation; 80Une coupe d'or de dix sicles, pleine de parfum; 81Un jeune taureau, un bélier, un agneau de l'année, pour l'offrande à brûler; 82Un bouc pour le sacrifice pour le péché; 83Et pour l'offrande de paix, deux taureaux, cinq béliers, cinq jeunes boucs, cinq agneaux d'un an. Telle fut l'offrande d'Ahira, fils d'Enan. 84Voilà ce qu'on reçut des princes d'Israël pour la dédicace de l'autel, lorsqu'il fut oint: Douze plats d'argent, douze bassins d'argent, douze coupes d'or; 85Chaque plat d'argent était de cent trente sicles, et chaque bassin de soixante et dix. Tout l'argent des vases fut de deux mille quatre cents sicles selon le sicle du sanctuaire. 86Douze coupes d'or, pleines de parfum, chacune de dix sicles, selon le sicle du sanctuaire. Tout l'or des coupes fut de cent vingt sicles. 87Tous les taureaux pour l'offrande à brûler, furent douze jeunes taureaux, avec douze béliers, douze agneaux d'un an, avec leurs oblations, et douze boucs, pour le sacrifice pour le péché; 88Tous les taureaux du offrande de paix furent vingt-quatre jeunes taureaux, avec soixante béliers, soixante jeunes boucs, soixante agneaux d'un an. Telle fut la dédicace de l'autel, après qu'il eut été oint. 89Or quand Moïse entrait au tabernacle d'assignation, pour parler avec Dieu, il entendait la voix lui parlant de dessus le propitiatoire, qui était sur l'arche du Témoignage, d'entre les deux Voyants; et il lui parlait.
Jamieson Fausset Brown Bible Commentary 1 THE PRINCES' OFFERINGS. (Num. 7:1-89)
the day that Moses had fully set up the tabernacle--Those who take the word "day" as literally pointing to the exact date of the completion of the tabernacle, are under a necessity of considering the sacred narrative as disjointed, and this portion of the history from the seventh to the eleventh chapters as out of its place--the chronology requiring that it should have immediately followed the fortieth chapter of Exodus, which relates that the tabernacle was reared on the first day of the first month of the second year [
Exod 40:17]. But that the term "day" is used in a loose and indeterminate sense, as synonymous with time, is evident from the fact that not one day but several days were occupied with the transactions about to be described. So that this chapter stands in its proper place in the order of the history; after the tabernacle and its instruments (the altar and its vessels) had been anointed (
Lev 8:10), the Levites separated to the sacred service--the numbering of the people, and the disposal of the tribes about the tabernacle, in a certain order, which was observed by the princes in the presentation of their offerings. This would fix the period of the imposing ceremonial described in this chapter about a month after the completion of the tabernacle.
2 the princes of Israel . . . brought their offering before the Lord--The finishing of the sacred edifice would, it may well be imagined, be hailed as an auspicious occasion, diffusing great joy and thankfulness throughout the whole population of Israel. But the leading men, not content with participating in the general expression of satisfaction, distinguished themselves by a movement, which, while purely spontaneous, was at the same time so appropriate in the circumstances and so equal in character, as indicates it to have been the result of concerted and previous arrangement. It was an offer of the means of carriage, suitable to the migratory state of the nation in the wilderness, for transporting the tabernacle from place to place. In the pattern of that sacred tent exhibited on the mount, and to which its symbolic and typical character required a faithful adherence, no provision had been made for its removal in the frequent journeyings of the Israelites. That not being essential to the plan of the divine architect, it was left to be accomplished by voluntary liberality; and whether we look to the judicious character of the gifts, or to the public manner in which they were presented, we have unmistakable evidence of the pious and patriotic feelings from which they emanated and the extensive interest the occasion produced. The offerers were "the princes of Israel, heads of the house of their fathers," and the offering consisted of six covered wagons or little cars, and twelve oxen, two of the princes being partners in a wagon, and each furnishing an ox.
4 The Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Take it of them, that they may be to do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation--They exhibited a beautiful example to all who are great in dignity and in wealth, to be foremost in contributing to the support and in promoting the interests of religion. The strictness of the injunctions Moses had received to adhere with scrupulous fidelity to the divine model of the tabernacle probably led him to doubt whether he was at liberty to act in this matter without orders. God, however, relieved him by declaring His acceptance of the freewill offerings, as well as by giving instructions as to the mode of their distribution among the Levites. It is probable that in doing so, He merely sanctioned the object for which they were offered, and that the practical wisdom of the offerers had previously determined that they should be distributed "unto the Levites, to every man according to his service"--that is, more or fewer were assigned to each of the Levitical divisions, as their department of duty seemed to require. This divine sanction it is of great importance to notice, as establishing the principle, that while in the great matters of divine worship and church government we are to adhere faithfully to the revealed rule of faith and duty, minor arrangements respecting them may be lawfully made, according to the means and convenience of God's people in different places. "There is a great deal left to human regulation--appendages of undoubted convenience, and which it were as absurd to resist on the ground that an express warrant cannot be produced for them, as to protest against the convening of the people to divine service, because there is no Scripture for the erection and ringing of a church bell" [CHALMERS].
6 Moses took the wagons and the oxen--The Hebrew word seems to be fairly rendered by the word "wagons." Wheel carriages of some kind are certainly intended; and as they were covered, the best idea we can form of them is, that they bore some resemblance to our covered wagons. That wheel carriages were anciently used in Egypt, and in what is now Asiatic Turkey, is attested, not only by history, but by existing sculptures and paintings. Some of these the Israelites might have brought with them at their departure; and others, the skilful artisans, who did the mechanical work of the tabernacle, could easily have constructed, according to models with which they had been familiar. Each wagon was drawn by two oxen, and a greater number does not seem to have been employed on any of the different occasions mentioned in Scripture. Oxen seem to have been generally used for draught in ancient times among other nations as well as the Hebrews; and they continue still to be employed in dragging the few carts which are in use in some parts of Western Asia [KITTO].
gave them unto the Levites--The principle of distribution was natural and judicious. The Merarites had twice the number of wagons and oxen appropriated to them that the Gershonites had, obviously because, while the latter had charge only of the coverings and hangings (the light but precious and richly-embroidered drapery, [
Num 4:24-
Num 4:26]) the former were appointed to transport all the heavy and bulky materials (the boards, bars, pillars, and sockets) in short, all the larger articles of furniture [
Num 4:31-
Num 4:32]. Whoever thinks only of the enormous weight of metal, the gold, silver, brass, &c., that were on the bases, chapiters, and pillars, &c., will probably come to the conclusion that four wagons and eight oxen were not nearly sufficient for the conveyance of so vast a load. Besides, the Merarites were not very numerous, as they amounted only to thirty-two hundred men from thirty years and upward [
Num 4:44]; and, therefore, there is reason to suppose that a much greater number of wagons would afterwards be found necessary, and be furnished, than were given on this occasion [CALMET]. Others, who consider the full number of wagons and oxen to be stated in the sacred record, suppose that the Merarites may have carried many of the smaller things in their hands--the sockets, for instance, which being each a talent weight, was one man's burden (
2Kgs 5:23). The Kohathites had neither wheeled vehicles nor beasts of burden assigned them, because, being charged with the transport of the furniture belonging to the holy place, the sacred worth and character of the vessels entrusted to them (see on
Num 4:15) demanded a more honorable mode of conveyance. These were carried by those Levites shoulder high. Even in this minute arrangement every reflecting reader will perceive the evidence of divine wisdom and holiness; and a deviation from the prescribed rule of duty led, in one recorded instance, to a manifestation of holy displeasure, calculated to make a salutary and solemn impression (
2Sam 6:6-13).
10 the princes offered for dedicating of the altar, &c.--"Altar" is here used in the singular for the plural; for it is evident, from the kind of offerings, that the altars of burnt offering and incense are both referred to. This was not the first or proper dedication of those altars, which had been made by Moses and Aaron some time before [
Lev 8:11]. But it might be considered an additional "dedication"--those offerings being the first that were made for particular persons or tribes.
11 They shall offer . . . each prince on his day, &c.--Eastern princes were accustomed anciently, as they are in Persia still on a certain yearly festival, to sit upon their thrones in great state, when the princes and nobles, from all parts of their dominions, appear before them with tributary presents, which form a large proportion of their royal revenue. And in the offering of all gifts or presents to great personages, every article is presented singly and with ostentatious display. The tabernacle being the palace of their great King, as well as the sanctuary of their God, the princes of Israel may be viewed, on the occasion under notice, as presenting their tributary offerings, and in the same manner of successive detail, which accords with the immemorial usages of the East. A day was set apart for each, as much for the imposing solemnity and splendor of the ceremony, as for the prevention of disorder and hurry; and it is observable that, in the order of offering, regard was paid to priority not of birth, but of rank and dignity as they were ranked in the camp--beginning at the east, proceeding to the south, then to the west, and closing with the north, according to the course of the sun.
12 He that offered his offering the first day was Nahshon . . . of the tribe of Judah, &c.--Judah having had the precedence assigned to it, the prince or head of that tribe was the first admitted to offer as its representative; and his offering, as well as that of the others, is thought, from its costliness, to have been furnished not from his own private means, but from the general contributions of each tribe. Some parts of the offering, as the animals for sacrifice, were for the ritual service of the day, the peace offerings being by much the most numerous, as the princes and some of the people joined with the priests afterwards in celebrating the occasion with festive rejoicing. Hence the feast of dedication became afterwards an anniversary festival. Other parts of the offering were intended for permanent use, as utensils necessary in the service of the sanctuary; such as an immense platter and bowl (
Exod 25:29). Being of silver, they were to be employed at the altar of burnt offering, or in the court, not in the holy place, all the furniture of which was of solid or plated gold; and there was a golden spoon, the contents of which show its destination to have been the altar of incense. The word rendered "spoon" means a hollow cup, in the shape of a hand, with which the priests on ordinary occasions might lift a quantity from the incense-box to throw on the altar-fire, or into the censers; but on the ceremonial on the day of the annual atonement no instrument was allowed but the high priest's own hands (
Lev 16:12).
18 On the second day Nethaneel . . . prince of Issachar, did offer--This tribe being stationed on the right side of Judah, offered next through its representative; then Zebulun, which was on the left side; and so on in orderly succession, every tribe making the same kind of offering and in the same amount, to show that, as each was under equal obligation, each rendered an equal tribute. Although each offering made was the same in quantity as well as quality, a separate notice is given of each, as a separate day was appointed for the presentation, that equal honor might be conferred on each, and none appear to be overlooked or slighted. And as the sacred books were frequently read in public, posterity, in each successive age, would feel a livelier interest in the national worship, from the permanent recognition of the offerings made by the ancestors of the respective tribes. But while this was done in one respect, as subjects offering tribute to their king, it was in another respect, a purely religious act. The vessels offered were for a sacrificial use--the animals brought were clean and fit for sacrifice, both symbolically denoting, that while God was to dwell among them as their Sovereign, they were a holy people, who by this offering dedicated themselves to God.
48 On the seventh day--Surprise has been expressed by some that this work of presentation was continued on the Sabbath. But assuming that the seventh day referred to was a Sabbath (which is uncertain), the work was of a directly religious character, and perfectly in accordance with the design of the sacred day.
84 This was the dedication of the altar--The inspired historian here sums up the separate items detailed in the preceding narrative, and the aggregate amount is as follows: 12 silver chargers, each weighing 130 shekels equals 1560; 12 silver bowls, each 70 shekels equals 840: total weight. A silver charger at 130 shekels, reduced to troy weight, made 75 ounces, 9 pennyweights, 168.31 grains; and a silver bowl at 70 shekels amounts to 40 ounces, 12 pennyweights, 2121.31 grains. The total weight of the 12 chargers is therefore 905 ounces, 16 pennyweights, 33.11 grains; and that of the 12 bowls 487 ounces, 14 pennyweights, 204.31 grains; making the total weight of silver vessels 1393 ounces, 10 pennyweights, 237.31 grains; which at 5s. per ounce, is equal to Ł383 1s. 81/2d. The 12 golden spoons, allowing each to be 5 ounces, 16 pennyweights, 3.31 grains, amount to 69 ounces, 3 pennyweights, 135.31 grains, which, at Ł4 per ounce, is equal to Ł320 14s. 101/2d., and added to the amount of the silver, makes a total of Ł703 16s. 61/2d. Besides these the offerings comprised twelve bullocks, twelve rams, twelve lambs, twenty-four goats, sixty rams, sixty he-goats, sixty lambs--amounting in all to 240. So large a collection of cattle offered for sacrifice on one occasion proves both the large flocks of the Israelites and the abundance of pastures which were then, and still are, found in the valleys that lie between the Sinaitic Mountains. All travellers attest the luxuriant verdure of those extensive wadies; and that they were equally or still more rich in pasture anciently, is confirmed by the numerous flocks of the Amalekites, as well as of Nabal, which were fed in the wilderness of Paran (
1Sam 15:9).
89 And when Moses was gone into the tabernacle of the congregation to speak with him--As a king gives private audience to his minister, so special license was granted to Moses, who, though not a priest, was admitted into the sanctuary to receive instructions from his heavenly King as occasion demanded.
then he heard the voice of one speaking to him--Though standing on the outer side of the veil, he could distinctly hear it, and the mention of this circumstance is important as the fulfilment, at the dedication of the tabernacle, of a special promise made by the Lord Christ Himself, the Angel of the Covenant, commanding its erection (
Exod 25:22). It was the reward of Moses' zeal and obedience; and, in like manner, to all who love Him and keep His commandments He will manifest Himself (
John 14:21).