Matthew Poole's Commentary And it came to pass on the day that Moses had fully set up the tabernacle, and had anointed it, and sanctified it, and all the instruments thereof, both the altar and all the vessels thereof, and had anointed them, and sanctified them; The tabernacle being fully finished, the twelve princes offer gifts; which are delivered to the Gershonites and the Merarites, Numbers 7:1-11. What they offered in particular of silver, gold, vessels, and beasts, Numbers 7:12-83. The sum thereof, Numbers 7:84-88. God spake to Moses from the mercy-seat, Numbers 7:89. On the day; either, 1. Precisely; and so this history, as many others, is put out of its proper place, and this chapter, and the 8th, 9th, 10th, and 11th, should follow next after Exo 40 and this day is the same on which the tabernacle was erected, which was the first day of the first month of the second year, Exodus 40:17,18. Or, 2. Largely, day being put for time, and on the day for about the time, or, a little after the time. And thus it seems to be taken here, because all the princes did not offer these things upon one and the same day, but on several days, as here it follows. And so there is no disorder in the history, and this chapter comes in its proper place, and those things were done in the second month of the second year after the tabernacle, and altar, and all other instruments thereof were anointed, as is here expressed; and after the Levites were separated to the service of the tabernacle, and appointed to their several works, as is manifest from Numbers 7:5-9, which was done about a month after the tabernacle was erected, &c.; and after the numbering of the people, Num 1, when the princes here employed in the offerings were first constituted; and after the disposal of the tribes about the tabernacle, the order of which is here observed in the time of their offerings. Anointed it, Leviticus 8:10. That the princes of Israel, heads of the house of their fathers, who were the princes of the tribes, and were over them that were numbered, offered: To wit, in the manner and days hereafter mentioned. And they brought their offering before the LORD, six covered wagons, and twelve oxen; a wagon for two of the princes, and for each one an ox: and they brought them before the tabernacle. Covered wagons, for the more convenient and safe carriage of such things as were most cumbersome. And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, No text from Poole on this verse. Take it of them, that they may be to do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation; and thou shalt give them unto the Levites, to every man according to his service. i.e. More or fewer of them, as the nature of their service and of the things to be carried required. And Moses took the wagons and the oxen, and gave them unto the Levites. No text from Poole on this verse. Two wagons and four oxen he gave unto the sons of Gershon, according to their service: No text from Poole on this verse. And four wagons and eight oxen he gave unto the sons of Merari, according unto their service, under the hand of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest. i.e. Under his care and inspection. See Genesis 39:22. And it must be noted that these words belong both to the Merarites here, and to the Gershonites, Numbers 7:7, because both of them were under his hands, as is affirmed, Numbers 4:28,33. But unto the sons of Kohath he gave none: because the service of the sanctuary belonging unto them was that they should bear upon their shoulders. Because of the greater worth and holiness of the things which they carried. See Numbers 4:6,8,10,12,14 2 Samuel 6:6,13. 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. The altar, to wit, of burnt-offerings, and incense too, as appears from the matter of their offerings. The singular number for the plural. Not for the first dedication of them, for it is apparent they were dedicated or consecrated before this time by Moses and Aaron for divers days together, Le 8 Le 9; but for a further dedication of them, these being the first offerings that were made for any particular persons or tribes. In the day, i.e. about the time, as soon as it was anointed. See Poole Numbers 7:1. And the LORD said unto Moses, They shall offer their offering, each prince on his day, for the dedicating of the altar. As well for the greater solemnity and splendour of the work, as for the prevention of confusion. And in this offering they follow the order of their camp, and not of their birth. And he that offered his offering the first day was Nahshon the son of Amminadab, of the tribe of Judah: In whose name and behalf this offering was made, and so in the rest. And his offering was one silver charger, the weight thereof was an hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them were full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering: One silver charger, a large dish or platter; of which see Exodus 25:29, to be employed about the altar of burnt-offering, or in the court, not in the sanctuary, for all its vessels were of gold. One spoon of ten shekels of gold, full of incense: Ten shekels of gold, and therefore belonging to the altar of incense. One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering: No text from Poole on this verse. One kid of the goats for a sin offering: No text from Poole on this verse. And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Nahshon the son of Amminadab. Peace-offerings are more numerous, because the princes and priests, and some of the people, did make a feast before the Lord out of them, and celebrated it with great rejoicing. On the second day Nethaneel the son of Zuar, prince of Issachar, did offer: No text from Poole on this verse. He offered for his offering 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: No text from Poole on this verse. One spoon of gold of ten shekels, full of incense: No text from Poole on this verse. One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering: No text from Poole on this verse. One kid of the goats for a sin offering: No text from Poole on this verse. And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Nethaneel the son of Zuar. No text from Poole on this verse. On the third day Eliab the son of Helon, prince of the children of Zebulun, did offer: No text from Poole on this verse. 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: No text from Poole on this verse. One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense: No text from Poole on this verse. One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering: No text from Poole on this verse. One kid of the goats for a sin offering: No text from Poole on this verse. And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Eliab the son of Helon. No text from Poole on this verse. On the fourth day Elizur the son of Shedeur, prince of the children of Reuben, did offer: No text from Poole on this verse. 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: No text from Poole on this verse. One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense: No text from Poole on this verse. One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering: No text from Poole on this verse. One kid of the goats for a sin offering: No text from Poole on this verse. And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Elizur the son of Shedeur. No text from Poole on this verse. On the fifth day Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai, prince of the children of Simeon, did offer: No text from Poole on this verse. 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: No text from Poole on this verse. One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense: No text from Poole on this verse. One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering: No text from Poole on this verse. One kid of the goats for a sin offering: No text from Poole on this verse. And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai. No text from Poole on this verse. On the sixth day Eliasaph the son of Deuel, prince of the children of Gad, offered: No text from Poole on this verse. His offering was one silver charger of the weight of an hundred and thirty shekels, a 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: No text from Poole on this verse. One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense: No text from Poole on this verse. One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering: No text from Poole on this verse. One kid of the goats for a sin offering: No text from Poole on this verse. And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Eliasaph the son of Deuel. No text from Poole on this verse. On the seventh day Elishama the son of Ammihud, prince of the children of Ephraim, offered: No text from Poole on this verse. 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: No text from Poole on this verse. One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense: No text from Poole on this verse. One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering: No text from Poole on this verse. One kid of the goats for a sin offering: No text from Poole on this verse. And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Elishama the son of Ammihud. No text from Poole on this verse. On the eighth day offered Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur, prince of the children of Manasseh: No text from Poole on this verse. 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: No text from Poole on this verse. One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense: No text from Poole on this verse. One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering: No text from Poole on this verse. One kid of the goats for a sin offering: No text from Poole on this verse. And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur. No text from Poole on this verse. On the ninth day Abidan the son of Gideoni, prince of the children of Benjamin, offered: No text from Poole on this verse. 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: No text from Poole on this verse. One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense: No text from Poole on this verse. One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering: No text from Poole on this verse. One kid of the goats for a sin offering: No text from Poole on this verse. And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Abidan the son of Gideoni. No text from Poole on this verse. On the tenth day Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai, prince of the children of Dan, offered: No text from Poole on this verse. 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: No text from Poole on this verse. One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense: No text from Poole on this verse. One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering: No text from Poole on this verse. One kid of the goats for a sin offering: No text from Poole on this verse. And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai. No text from Poole on this verse. On the eleventh day Pagiel the son of Ocran, prince of the children of Asher, offered: No text from Poole on this verse. 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: No text from Poole on this verse. One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense: No text from Poole on this verse. One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering: No text from Poole on this verse. One kid of the goats for a sin offering: No text from Poole on this verse. And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Pagiel the son of Ocran. No text from Poole on this verse. On the twelfth day Ahira the son of Enan, prince of the children of Naphtali, offered: No text from Poole on this verse. 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: No text from Poole on this verse. One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense: No text from Poole on this verse. One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering: No text from Poole on this verse. One kid of the goats for a sin offering: No text from Poole on this verse. And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Ahira the son of Enan. No text from Poole on this verse. 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: When it was anointed: this is again repeated, to show why it is called the dedication of the altar. because it was the first offering made by any particular persons or tribes. 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: No text from Poole on this verse. The golden spoons were twelve, full of incense, weighing ten shekels apiece, after the shekel of the sanctuary: all the gold of the spoons was an hundred and twenty shekels. No text from Poole on this verse. All the oxen for the burnt offering were twelve bullocks, the rams twelve, the lambs of the first year twelve, with their meat offering: and the kids of the goats for sin offering twelve. The meat-offering was not mentioned before, because it was sufficiently understood from the law which required it, Numbers 15:3-5, but for greater assurance is here expressed. 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. Which words are very conveniently added to explain in what sense he had so oft said that this was done in the day when it was anointed, to wit, not exactly, but in a latitude, to wit, a little after that it was anointed, as is here said. And when Moses was gone into the tabernacle of the congregation to speak with him, then he heard the voice of one speaking unto him from off the mercy seat that was upon the ark of testimony, from between the two cherubims: and he spake unto him. Into the tabernacle of the congregation; into which Moses, though no priest, was permitted to enter by God’s special license. To speak with him, i.e. to consult God upon occasion. From off the mercy-seat, which Moses standing without the veil could easily hear. And this seems to be added in this place, to show that when men had done their part in the dedication of the tabernacle, altars, &c., God was not wanting in the performance of his part, and promise made, Exodus 25:22. |
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