Numbers 7:18

The next 66 verses of this chapter repeat verbatim, with only the most minuscule variations the gifts of exactly the same tally of gifts on the part of each of the remaining eleven princes of Israel. As we have done before, we shall resort to a tabular presentation of this instead of the very extensive repetitions of the prose given in the sacred text.

The account specifies that the gifts of silver vessels and gold spoons were filled with fine flour mingled with oil, and incense, respectively, and that the weight of these vessels, given in shekels, was after the "shekel of the sanctuary," representing that each shekel calculated was of the full 20 gerahs. Note also that there were three classes of offerings (a) meal; (b) sin; and (c) peace.

<MONO>

GIFTS OF THE PRINCES

Name Tribe Silver and Gold 1 bull, 2 oxen,

Vessels 6 rams, 6 goats

(full of flour, etc.) and 6 he-lambs.

NAHSHON JUDAH " "

NATHANEL ISSACHAR " "

ELIAB ZEBULUN " "

ELIZUR REUBEN " "

SHELUMIEL SIMEON " "

ELIASAPH GAD " "

ELISHAMA EPHRAIM " "

GAMALIEL MANASSEH " "

ABIDAN BENJAMIN " "

AHIEZER DAN " "

PAGIEL ASHER " "

AHIRA NAPHTALI " "

TOTALS:

12 silver platters (130 shekels each) filled with flour

12 silver bowls, (70 shekels each)

12 gold spoons (10 shekels each), full of incense

12 bulls, 24 oxen, 72 rams, 72 goats, 72 he-lambs

(A total of 252 animals)

VALUE: 2,400 shekels of silver; 120 shekels of gold.MONO>

These totals and values are enumerated in Numbers 7:84-88. This passage (Numbers 7:88) also has the words: "This was the dedication of the altar, after that it was anointed." This shows that "the day" of Numbers 7:1 means "at about that time," rather than indicating that all of these events occurred that very day.

One may wonder why God so elaborately repeated the enumerations of all these gifts, and the answer appears to be that God always reckons good works upon the basis of what each individual did, rather than reckoning upon a collective, or community basis. In Jesus' parable of the talents, it will be recalled that the reckoning involved each one. Jesus did not say, "Well, you fellows have done pretty good; I gave you eight and you produced seven more!." No, he called unto him each one. It is not merely what a church or congregation is doing, but what each one is doing, that counts with God. Also, in the matter of God's love, it is the same way. The Scriptures do not declare that, "Jesus loved the Lazarus family," but that he loved Lazarus, and Martha, and Mary!