Bible Commentaries

Numbers 7:2 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:

Ver. 2. The princes of Israel offered.] So they did at the making of the tabernacle, and at the building of the temple, [Exodus 35:27 1 Chronicles 29:6-8] which was but to give God of his own; as David aeknowledgeth with all thankfulness, [1 Chronicles 29:14] τα σα εκ των σων σοι προσφερομεν. ^(a) Of thine own we offer unto thee, said Justinian, when he had offered up, in the temple of Sophia, at Constantinople, a communion table that had in it, saith the author, all the riches of land and sea.

Numbers 7:8 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.

Ver. 8. And four waggons and eight oxen.] Double the number of what the Gershonites had, because their carriage was heavier; God proportions the burden to the back: none of his shall be oppressed, though "pressed out of measure above strength," [2 Corinthians 1:8] as Joseph was, whom the archers hated, and shot at: "But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob," ever reserved for a dead lift. [Genesis 49:23-24 Matthew 8:17] {See Trapp on "Genesis 49:23"} {See Trapp on "Genesis 49:24"} {See Trapp on "Matthew 8:17"}

Numbers 7:9 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.

Ver. 9. Bear upon their shoulders.] Therefore when David carted the ark, as the Philistines had done before, God was angry, and made a breach upon Uzza, because they sought him not in due order. [1 Chronicles 15:13]

Numbers 7:11 And the LORD said unto Moses, They shall offer their offering, each prince on his day, for the dedicating of the altar.

Ver. 11. For the dedicating of the altar.] No warrant at all for Popish dedications of altars, churches, religious houses built for superstitious uses, as appears in stories: ^(a) as pro remissione et redemptione peccatorum; pro remedio et liberatione animae; pro amore caelestis patriae; pro salute regnorum; in honorem gloriosae virginis, &c.

Numbers 7:12 And he that offered his offering the first day was Nahshon the son of Amminadab, of the tribe of Judah:

Ver. 12. Of the tribe of Judah.] Ut ubique superemineat praerogativa Christi a Iuda oriundi.

Numbers 7:17 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.

Ver. 17. And for peace offerings.] Sacrifices of all sorts they brought, whereby, having made their peace, they kept a feast with joy before the Lord, for his mercy to them through the merits of his Son.

Numbers 7:18 On the second day Nethaneel the son of Zuar, prince of Issachar, did offer:

Ver. 18. On the second day.] Their offerings are severally and largely described; to show how highly accepted in heaven.

Numbers 7:19 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:

Ver. 19. And when Moses was gone into, &c.] Scipio Africanus was wont, before day, to go into the Capitol, in cellam Iovis, and there to stay a great while, quasi consultans de Rep. cum Iove, as if he had advised with his god about the public businesses. ^(a)