Numbers 7:3

THE GIFT OF WAGONS AND OXEN, Numbers 7:3-9.

3. Six covered wagons We cannot defend “litters” as the vehicles here intended, as argued by Gesenius and De Wette. The word עגלה etymologically signifies a rolling thing. This meaning is confirmed by its mention in connexion with yokes of oxen. Six times it is translated wagons, fifteen times cart, and once chariot. These covered wagons were probably constructed on Egyptian models. Herodotus mentions a four-wheeled Egyptian vehicle used for sacred purposes. Every two princes gave a wagon and each gave an ox. There is no record of any invitation given by Moses for the presentation of these, as there was in the case of the materials for the tabernacle. We have only a part of his sayings. See closing note on Leviticus 25:0.