👉 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:
Explanation: Okay, letâs break down this verse from Numbers 7:43. It's a really interesting and detailed description of a ritual sacrifice in ancient Israel. Hereâs what it means, explained simply: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a very important part of the Jewish sacrificial process â a burnt offering . Think of it as a way to make a special connection with God through a tangible offering. Let's unpack the numbers: âHis offering [was] one silver charger of the weight of an hundred and thirty shekelsâ : This is a huge number! A âshekelâ was a very important unit of currency in ancient Israel, roughly equivalent to 20 silver coins. So, this means the offering weighed exactly 130 silver coins. Thatâs a significant amount of money â enough to support many people and provide for a community. âA silver bowl of seventy shekelsâ : This is a smaller amount, but still substantial. It represented a portion of the total value of the offering. âafter the shekel of the sanctuaryâ : This is crucial . The offering had to be made within the holy space of the Temple in Jerusalem. It was a deeply symbolic act, connecting the individual offering with the sacredness of the temple itself. Whatâs happening next? âboth of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offeringâ : This is where it gets really interesting. The offering wasn't just about money; it was also about providing sustenance and a sacrifice to God, specifically as a meat offering . They mixed the flour and oil â a common practice in sacrificial rituals â to represent the nourishment needed for the people and to symbolize the lifeblood of the community. In short: This verse describes a very rich and elaborate offering â a substantial amount of money (130 silver coins), a smaller amount of money (70 silver coins), and a carefully prepared mixture of flour and oil, all presented in a way that demonstrated reverence and connection to God within the Temple. Why was this important? This kind of offering was believed to be incredibly powerful. It wasn't just about appeasing God; it was a symbol of Godâs favor and the strength of the community. It showed their devotion and commitment to the divine. --- Do you want me to: Explain any part in more detail? Compare this verse to another biblical story? Give an example of what a "shekel" was worth?