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The tabernacle’s construction is finished. Moses anoints the altar and the furnishings. Carts and oxen are set aside for the transport of the tabernacle.
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.
On the first day of the dedication of the tabernacle, the leader of the tribe of Judah brought offerings to the priests.
On the second day, the tribe of Issachar brought offerings to the tabernacle. Their offerings were the same as all the other tribes.
Zebulun brought offerings on the third day.
On the fourth day, the tribe of Reuben brought offerings to the tabernacle. Their offerings were the same as all the other tribes.
On the fifth day, the tribe of Simeon brought its gifts to the tabernacle. Its offerings were the same as all the other tribes.
On the sixth day, the tribe of Gad brought offerings to the tabernacle. Their offerings were the same as all the other tribes.
On the seventh day, the tribe of Ephraim brought offerings to the tabernacle. Their offerings were the same as all the other tribes.
On the eighth day, the tribe of Manasseh brought offerings to the tabernacle on the eighth day. Their offerings were the same as all the other tribes.
On the ninth day, the tribe of Benjamin brought offerings to the tabernacle. Their offerings were the same as all the other tribes.
On the tenth day, the tribe of Dan brought gifts to the tabernacle. Their offerings were the same as all the other tribes.
On the eleventh day, the tribe of Asher brought gifts to the tabernacle. Their offerings were the same as all the other tribes.
On the twelfth and final day, the tribe of Naphtali brought offerings to the tabernacle. Their offerings were the same as all the other tribes.
Numbers 7:84-88 provides a summary of the gifts that were given during the twelve days of celebrating the dedication of the tabernacle and the brazen altar.
Once the dedication ceremony (verses 10 – 83) was completed, Moses was allowed to enter into the tent of meeting to listen to the word of the LORD.
Chapter 7 of the book of Numbers starts a new major section that continues through Chapter 9. This section relates events that happened prior to the Israelites leaving Sinai. Chapter 7 is concerned with the dedication of the tabernacle. It describes the offerings of the tribes both to the Levites and to the altar within the tabernacle.
This is the second longest chapter in the Bible (Psalm 119 being the longest). Verses 12 – 83 are quite repetitive. This was likely to emphasize each tribe's equal participation in the ceremony, and emphasize unity in Israel: twelve tribes, one nation.
After the celebration was completed, Moses went in to the Holy of Holies to speak with the LORD.
From a chronological point of view, chapters 7 – 9 occurred before chapters 1 – 6.
Numbers 7 can be outlined as follows:
- The dedication of the tabernacle and the Offerings of the Tribal Leaders (Numbers 7:1 – 9)
- The Offerings of the Twelve Tribes (Numbers 7:10 – 83)
- Introduction (Numbers 7:10 – 11)
- The Offerings of the Tribe of Judah (Numbers 7:12 – 17)
- The Offerings of the Tribe of Issachar (Numbers 7:18 – 23)
- The Offerings of the Tribe of Zebulun (Numbers 7:24 – 29)
- The Offerings of the Tribe of Reuben (Numbers 7:30 – 35)
- The Offerings of the Tribe of Simeon (Numbers 7:36 – 41)
- The Offerings of the Tribe of Gad (Numbers 7:42 – 47)
- The Offerings of the Tribe of Ephraim (Numbers 7:48 – 53)
- The Offerings of the Tribe of Manasseh (Numbers 7:54 – 59)
- The Offerings of the Tribe of Benjamin (Numbers 7:60 – 65)
- The Offerings of the Tribe of Dan (Numbers 7:66 – 71)
- The Offerings of the Tribe of Asher (Numbers 7:72 – 77)
- The Offerings of the Tribe of Naphtali (Numbers 7:78 – 83)
- Summary of the Tribal Offerings ((Numbers 7:84 – 88)
- Moses Entered the tabernacle (Numbers 7:89)
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