Definition: 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:
Explanation: Okay, letâs break down this verse from Numbers 7:79 together. It's a really interesting and complex passage about how offerings were made to God in ancient Israel. Hereâs a simplified explanation: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a very specific type of offering â a âmeat offering.â It was a way for people to show their devotion and gratitude to God by giving a significant amount of food. Let's unpack it piece by piece: âNumbers 7:79â : This is the verse itself, found in the Book of Numbers. Itâs a specific section within the larger story of Israelâs worship practices. âHis offering [was] one silver chargerâŠâ : This means the offering was one large metal charger made of silver. Think of it like a big, polished plate. ââŠthe weight thereof [was] an hundred and thirty shekelsâ : This is crucial. âShekelâ in ancient Israel meant a unit of currency â roughly equivalent to 20 silver coins. So, this means the offering weighed exactly 130 silver coins! Thatâs a massive amount of money. ââŠone silver bowl of seventy shekelsâŠâ : Next, there was a separate bowl filled with silver coins worth 70 silver coins. This is another significant amount of money. âafter the shekel of the sanctuaryâ : This is really important. âThe sanctuaryâ refers to the inner area of the temple in Jerusalem where Godâs presence was believed to be most closely felt. So, this offering had to be done within that sacred space. âboth of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering:â : This is the most interesting part. The offering wasn't just plain food. It was carefully mixed with: Fine flour: This suggests it was a special kind of grain, possibly used for bread or a similar sustenance. Oil: Oil was a precious substance â representing Godâs life and presence. A meat offering: This meant it was designed to be a sacrifice to God, demonstrating their devotion to the Lord through giving something significant. Overall Significance & Interpretation: This verse tells us that the offering wasn't just about how much money was given, but what kind of offering it was â a large and carefully prepared one. It demonstrates a level of reverence and dedication to God that went beyond simple monetary gifts. It shows that people were willing to give up considerable wealth as a sign of their faith and connection to the divine. Why is this important? This passage illustrates several key themes in ancient Jewish religious practice: Sacrifice: Offering was a central part of worship. Wealth & Reverence: It highlighted that giving significant resources wasn't about personal gain, but a sincere connection to God. Temple Significance: The offering had to happen within the sacred space of the temple. Do you want me to explain any of these points in more detail or perhaps delve into a specific aspect of this verse? For example, we could talk about its context within the larger narrative of Israelâs history?