The leaders of each tribe begin to bring offerings for the altar, a very holy object. All twelve tribes gave the same offerings. One tribe presented their offerings each day, making the celebration twelve days in length.
After the offering of the carts and oxen given to the Levites (vv. 1 – 9), the leaders offered the dedication offering for the altar when it was anointed (v. 10). Moses had anointed the altar a month earlier, after the tabernacle was assembled (Exodus 40:10). In response to this, the leaders offered their offering before the altar. The “leaders” (Heb. “nasim,” “elevated one”, “chief”) of each tribe were charged with bringing the offerings to the altar.
In light of the leaders’ offerings, the Lord said to Moses, “Let them present their offering, one leader each day, for the dedication of the altar (v. 11). In Hebrew, the phrase “one leader each day” is repeated. Literally, it reads “one leader each day, one leader each day.” The LORD probably did this to emphasize that every tribe was to have an equal participation in the celebration, and they were each to have a dedicated day.
There was to be no combining of the offerings, leaving a tribe out completely or reducing a tribe’s participation. Each tribe was given the same amount of time (one day) to bring their offerings to the tabernacle before the altar.
Next will be a description of the tribes presenting their offerings. They will present in the same order as they were sequenced in Numbers 2, when each tribe was assigned their place in the camp.
Biblical Text
10 The leaders offered the dedication offering for the altar when it was anointed, so the leaders offered their offering before the altar. 11 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Let them present their offering, one leader each day, for the dedication of the altar.”
Check out our other commentaries:
-
Matthew 24:15-20 meaning
Jesus begins His answer to the disciples’ second question about the sign of His coming. He refers them to the prophecy from the Book of Daniel...... -
Hebrews 12:12-13 meaning
Walking by faith is like enduring physical hardship. It takes discipline....... -
Galatians 2:6-10 meaning
The apostles and elders in Jerusalem affirmed Paul’s teaching of the gospel of grace. God was working through all of them; those in Jerusalem preached...... -
Daniel 3:16-18 meaning
Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego give a prompt answer to the king: they will never worship his idols. They worship their God alone, who is able...... -
Matthew 9:32-34 meaning
Jesus heals a mute demon-possessed man. The crowds who witness this miracle are duly impressed. The Pharisees try to dampen their enthusiasm and accuse Jesus......