Offerings at the Tabernacle's Consecration

On the day when Moses had finished (A)setting up the tabernacle and had anointed and (B)consecrated it with all its furnishings and had anointed and consecrated the altar with all its utensils, (C)the chiefs of Israel, heads of their fathers' houses, who were the chiefs of the tribes, who were over those who were listed, approached and brought their offerings before the Lord, six wagons and twelve oxen, a wagon for every two of the chiefs, and for each one an ox. They brought them before the tabernacle. Then the Lord said to Moses, “Accept these from them, that they may be used in the service of the tent of meeting, and give them to the Levites, to each man according to his service.” So Moses took the wagons and the oxen and gave them to the Levites. Two wagons and four oxen (D)he gave to the sons of Gershon, according to their service. And four wagons and eight oxen (E)he gave to the sons of Merari, according to their service, under the direction of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest. But to the sons of Kohath he gave none, because they were charged with (F)the service of the holy things that (G)had to be carried on the shoulder. 10 And the chiefs offered offerings for the (H)dedication of the altar on the day it was anointed; and the chiefs offered their offering before the altar. 11 And the Lord said to Moses, “They shall offer their offerings, one chief each day, for the dedication of the altar.”

12 He who offered his offering the first day was (I)Nahshon the son of Amminadab, of the tribe of Judah. 13 And his offering was one silver plate whose weight was 130 shekels,[a] one silver basin of 70 shekels, according to (J)the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a (K)grain offering; 14 one golden dish of 10 shekels, full of (L)incense; 15 (M)one bull from the herd, one ram, one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering; 16 one male goat for a (N)sin offering; 17 and for (O)the sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Nahshon the son of Amminadab.

18 On the second day (P)Nethanel the son of Zuar, the chief of Issachar, made an offering. 19 He offered for his offering one silver plate whose weight was 130 shekels, one silver basin of 70 shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering; 20 one golden dish of 10 shekels, full of incense; 21 one bull from the herd, one ram, one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering; 22 one male goat for a sin offering; 23 and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Nethanel the son of Zuar.

24 On the third day (Q)Eliab the son of Helon, the chief of the people of Zebulun: 25 his offering was one silver plate whose weight was 130 shekels, one silver basin of 70 shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering; 26 one golden dish of 10 shekels, full of incense; 27 one bull from the herd, one ram, one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering; 28 one male goat for a sin offering; 29 and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Eliab the son of Helon.

30 On the fourth day (R)Elizur the son of Shedeur, the chief of the people of Reuben: 31 his offering was one silver plate whose weight was 130 shekels, one silver basin of 70 shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering; 32 one golden dish of 10 shekels, full of incense; 33 one bull from the herd, one ram, one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering; 34 one male goat for a sin offering; 35 and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Elizur the son of Shedeur.

36 On the fifth day (S)Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai, the chief of the people of Simeon: 37 his offering was one silver plate whose weight was 130 shekels, one silver basin of 70 shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering; 38 one golden dish of 10 shekels, full of incense; 39 one bull from the herd, one ram, one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering; 40 one male goat for a sin offering; 41 and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai.

42 On the sixth day (T)Eliasaph the son of Deuel, the chief of the people of Gad: 43 his offering was one silver plate whose weight was 130 shekels, one silver basin of 70 shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering; 44 one golden dish of 10 shekels, full of incense; 45 one bull from the herd, one ram, one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering; 46 one male goat for a sin offering; 47 and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Eliasaph the son of Deuel.

48 On the seventh day (U)Elishama the son of Ammihud, the chief of the people of Ephraim: 49 his offering was one silver plate whose weight was 130 shekels, one silver basin of 70 shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering; 50 one golden dish of 10 shekels, full of incense; 51 one bull from the herd, one ram, one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering; 52 one male goat for a sin offering; 53 and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Elishama the son of Ammihud.

54 On the eighth day (V)Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur, the chief of the people of Manasseh: 55 his offering was one silver plate whose weight was 130 shekels, one silver basin of 70 shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering; 56 one golden dish of 10 shekels, full of incense; 57 one bull from the herd, one ram, one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering; 58 one male goat for a sin offering; 59 and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur.

60 On the ninth day (W)Abidan the son of Gideoni, the chief of the people of Benjamin: 61 his offering was one silver plate whose weight was 130 shekels, one silver basin of 70 shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering; 62 one golden dish of 10 shekels, full of incense; 63 one bull from the herd, one ram, one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering; 64 one male goat for a sin offering; 65 and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Abidan the son of Gideoni.

66 On the tenth day (X)Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai, the chief of the people of Dan: 67 his offering was one silver plate whose weight was 130 shekels, one silver basin of 70 shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering; 68 one golden dish of 10 shekels, full of incense; 69 one bull from the herd, one ram, one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering; 70 one male goat for a sin offering; 71 and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai.

72 On the eleventh day (Y)Pagiel the son of Ochran, the chief of the people of Asher: 73 his offering was one silver plate whose weight was 130 shekels, one silver basin of 70 shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering; 74 one golden dish of 10 shekels, full of incense; 75 one bull from the herd, one ram, one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering; 76 one male goat for a sin offering; 77 and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Pagiel the son of Ochran.

78 On the twelfth day (Z)Ahira the son of Enan, the chief of the people of Naphtali: 79 his offering was one silver plate whose weight was 130 shekels, one silver basin of 70 shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering; 80 one golden dish of 10 shekels, full of incense; 81 one bull from the herd, one ram, one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering; 82 one male goat for a sin offering; 83 and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Ahira the son of Enan.

84 This was the dedication offering for the altar on the day when it was anointed, from the chiefs of Israel: twelve silver plates, twelve silver basins, twelve golden dishes, 85 each silver plate weighing 130 shekels and each basin 70, all the silver of the vessels 2,400 shekels according to the shekel of the sanctuary, 86 the twelve golden dishes, full of incense, weighing 10 shekels apiece according to the shekel of the sanctuary, all the gold of the dishes being 120 shekels; 87 all the cattle for the burnt offering twelve bulls, twelve rams, twelve male lambs a year old, with their grain offering; and twelve male goats for a sin offering; 88 and all the cattle for the sacrifice of peace offerings twenty-four bulls, the rams sixty, the male goats sixty, the male lambs a year old sixty. This was the dedication offering for the altar after it (AA)was anointed.

89 And when Moses went into the tent of meeting (AB)to speak with the Lord, he heard (AC)the voice speaking to him from above the mercy seat that was on the ark of the testimony, from between the two cherubim; and it spoke to him.

The Seven Lamps

Now the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to Aaron and say to him, When you set up the lamps, the seven lamps shall give light in front of the lampstand.” And Aaron did so: he set up its lamps in front of the lampstand, as the Lord commanded Moses. And (AD)this was the workmanship of the lampstand, hammered work of gold. From its base to its flowers, it was hammered work; according to the pattern that the Lord had shown Moses, so he made the lampstand.

Cleansing of the Levites

And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Take the Levites from among the people of Israel and cleanse them. Thus you shall do to them to cleanse them: sprinkle the (AE)water of purification upon them, and (AF)let them go with a razor over all their body, and wash their clothes and cleanse themselves. Then let them take a bull from the herd and (AG)its grain offering of fine flour mixed with oil, (AH)and you shall take another bull from the herd for a sin offering. (AI)And you shall bring the Levites before the tent of meeting (AJ)and assemble the whole congregation of the people of Israel. 10 When you bring the Levites before the Lord, the people of Israel (AK)shall lay their hands on the Levites, 11 and Aaron shall offer the Levites before the Lord as a wave offering from the people of Israel, that they may do the service of the Lord. 12 Then the Levites (AL)shall lay their hands on the heads of the bulls, and you shall offer (AM)the one for a sin offering and the other for a burnt offering to the Lord to make atonement for the Levites. 13 And you shall set the Levites before Aaron and his sons, and shall offer them as (AN)a wave offering to the Lord.

14 “Thus you shall separate the Levites from among the people of Israel, and (AO)the Levites shall be mine. 15 And after that the Levites shall go in to serve at the tent of meeting, when you have cleansed them and offered them as a (AP)wave offering. 16 For they are (AQ)wholly given to me from among the people of Israel. (AR)Instead of all who open the womb, the firstborn of all the people of Israel, I have taken them for myself. 17 (AS)For all the firstborn among the people of Israel are mine, both of man and of beast. On the day that I struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt I consecrated them for myself, 18 and I have taken the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the people of Israel. 19 (AT)And I have given the Levites as a gift to Aaron and his sons from among the people of Israel, to do the service for the people of Israel at the tent of meeting and (AU)to make atonement for the people of Israel, (AV)that there may be no plague among the people of Israel when the people of Israel come near the sanctuary.”

20 Thus did Moses and Aaron and all the congregation of the people of Israel to the Levites. According to all that the Lord commanded Moses concerning the Levites, the people of Israel did to them. 21 And (AW)the Levites purified themselves from sin and washed their clothes, and (AX)Aaron offered them as a wave offering before the Lord, and Aaron made atonement for them to cleanse them. 22 And after that the Levites went in to do their service in the tent of meeting before Aaron and his sons; as the Lord had commanded Moses concerning the Levites, so they did to them.

Retirement of the Levites

23 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 24 “This applies to the Levites: (AY)from twenty-five years old and upward they[b] shall come to do duty in the service of the tent of meeting. 25 And from the age of fifty years they shall withdraw from the duty of the service and serve no more. 26 They minister[c] to their brothers in the tent of meeting (AZ)by keeping guard, but they shall do no service. Thus shall you do to the Levites in assigning their duties.”

The Passover Celebrated

And the Lord spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, (BA)in the first month of the second year after they had come out of the land of Egypt, saying, “Let the people of Israel keep the Passover at its appointed time. (BB)On the fourteenth day of this month, at twilight, you shall keep it at its appointed time; according to all its statutes and all its rules you shall keep it.” So Moses told the people of Israel that they should keep the Passover. And they kept the Passover in the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, at twilight, in the wilderness of Sinai; according to all that the Lord commanded Moses, so the people of Israel did. And there were certain men who were (BC)unclean through touching a dead body, so that they could not keep the Passover on that day, and (BD)they came before Moses and Aaron on that day. And those men said to him, “We are unclean through touching a dead body. Why are we kept from bringing the Lord's (BE)offering at its appointed time among the people of Israel?” And Moses said to them, “Wait, that (BF)I may hear what the Lord will command concerning you.”

The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 10 “Speak to the people of Israel, saying, If any one of you or of your descendants is unclean through touching a dead body, or is on a long journey, he shall still keep the Passover to the Lord. 11 (BG)In the second month on the fourteenth day at twilight they shall keep it. (BH)They shall eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. 12 (BI)They shall leave none of it until the morning, (BJ)nor break any of its bones; (BK)according to all the statute for the Passover they shall keep it. 13 But if anyone who is clean and is not on a journey fails to keep the Passover, (BL)that person shall be cut off from his people because he did not bring the Lord's (BM)offering at its appointed time; that man shall bear his sin. 14 And if a stranger sojourns among you and would keep the Passover to the Lord, according to the statute of the Passover and according to its rule, so shall he do. (BN)You shall have one statute, both for the sojourner and for the native.”

The Cloud Covering the Tabernacle

15 (BO)On the day that the tabernacle was set up, the cloud covered the tabernacle, the tent of the testimony. And (BP)at evening it was over the tabernacle like the appearance of fire until morning. 16 So it was always: the cloud covered it by day[d] and the appearance of fire by night. 17 And whenever the cloud (BQ)lifted from over the tent, after that the people of Israel set out, and in the place where the cloud settled down, there the people of Israel camped. 18 At the command of the Lord the people of Israel set out, and at the command of the Lord they camped. (BR)As long as the cloud rested over the tabernacle, they remained in camp. 19 Even when the cloud continued over the tabernacle many days, the people of Israel (BS)kept the charge of the Lord and did not set out. 20 Sometimes the cloud was a few days over the tabernacle, and according to the command of the Lord they remained in camp; then according to the command of the Lord they set out. 21 And sometimes the cloud remained from evening until morning. And when the cloud lifted in the morning, they set out, or if it continued for a day and a night, when the cloud lifted they set out. 22 Whether it was two days, or a month, or a longer time, that the cloud continued over the tabernacle, abiding there, the people of Israel (BT)remained in camp and did not set out, but when it lifted they set out. 23 At the command of the Lord they camped, and at the command of the Lord they set out. (BU)They kept the charge of the Lord, at the command of the Lord by Moses.

The Silver Trumpets

10 The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Make two silver trumpets. Of hammered work you shall make them, and you shall use them for (BV)summoning the congregation and for breaking camp. And when (BW)both are blown, all the congregation shall gather themselves to you at the entrance of the tent of meeting. But if they blow only one, then (BX)the chiefs, the heads of the tribes of Israel, shall gather themselves to you. When you blow an alarm, (BY)the camps that are on the east side shall set out. And when you blow an alarm the second time, (BZ)the camps that are on the south side shall set out. An alarm is to be blown whenever they are to set out. But when the assembly is to be gathered together, (CA)you shall blow a long blast, but you shall not (CB)sound an alarm. (CC)And the sons of Aaron, the priests, shall blow the trumpets. The trumpets shall be to you for a perpetual statute throughout your generations. And (CD)when you go to war in your land against the adversary who (CE)oppresses you, then you shall (CF)sound an alarm with the trumpets, that you may be (CG)remembered before the Lord your God, and you shall be saved from your enemies. 10 (CH)On the day of your gladness also, and at your appointed feasts and (CI)at the beginnings of your months, you shall blow the trumpets over your burnt offerings and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings. They shall be (CJ)a reminder of you before your God: I am the Lord your God.”

Israel Leaves Sinai

11 In the second year, in the second month, on the twentieth day of the month, (CK)the cloud lifted from over the tabernacle of the testimony, 12 and the people of Israel (CL)set out by stages from the (CM)wilderness of Sinai. And the cloud settled down in the (CN)wilderness of Paran. 13 They set out for the first time (CO)at the command of the Lord by Moses. 14 The standard of the camp of the people of Judah set out (CP)first by their companies, and over their company was (CQ)Nahshon the son of Amminadab. 15 And over the company of the tribe of the people of Issachar was Nethanel the son of Zuar. 16 And over the company of the tribe of the people of Zebulun was Eliab the son of Helon.

17 And when (CR)the tabernacle was taken down, the sons of Gershon and the sons of Merari, (CS)who carried the tabernacle, set out. 18 And (CT)the standard of the camp of Reuben set out by their companies, and over their company was (CU)Elizur the son of Shedeur. 19 And over the company of the tribe of the people of Simeon was (CV)Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai. 20 And over the company of the tribe of the people of Gad was (CW)Eliasaph the son of (CX)Deuel.

21 Then the Kohathites set out, (CY)carrying the holy things, and (CZ)the tabernacle was set up before their arrival. 22 And (DA)the standard of the camp of the people of Ephraim set out by their companies, and over their company was (DB)Elishama the son of Ammihud. 23 And over the company of the tribe of the people of Manasseh was (DC)Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur. 24 And over the company of the tribe of the people of Benjamin was (DD)Abidan the son of Gideoni.

25 Then (DE)the standard of the camp of the people of Dan, acting as the (DF)rear guard of all the camps, set out by their companies, and over their company was (DG)Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai. 26 And over the company of the tribe of the people of Asher was (DH)Pagiel the son of Ochran. 27 And over the company of the tribe of the people of Naphtali was (DI)Ahira the son of Enan. 28 (DJ)This was the order of march of the people of Israel by their companies, when they set out.

29 And Moses said to Hobab the son of (DK)Reuel the Midianite, Moses' father-in-law, “We are setting out for the place of which the Lord said, (DL)‘I will give it to you.’ Come with us, and we will do good to you, for (DM)the Lord has promised good to Israel.” 30 But he said to him, “I will not go. I will depart to my own land and to my kindred.” 31 And he said, “Please do not leave us, for you know where we should camp in the wilderness, and you will serve (DN)as eyes for us. 32 And if you do go with us, (DO)whatever good the Lord will do to us, the same will we do to you.”

33 So they set out from (DP)the mount of the Lord three days' journey. And the ark of the covenant of the Lord went before them three days' journey, to seek out (DQ)a resting place for them. 34 (DR)And the cloud of the Lord was over them by day, whenever they set out from the camp.

35 And whenever the ark set out, Moses said, (DS)“Arise, O Lord, and let your enemies be scattered, and let those who hate you flee before you.” 36 And when it rested, he said, “Return, O Lord, to the ten thousand thousands of Israel.”

Footnotes

  1. Numbers 7:13 A shekel was about 2/5 ounce or 11 grams
  2. Numbers 8:24 Hebrew he; also verses 25, 26
  3. Numbers 8:26 Hebrew He ministers
  4. Numbers 9:16 Septuagint, Syriac, Vulgate; Hebrew lacks by day

Offerings at the Dedication of the Tabernacle

When Moses finished setting up the tabernacle,(A) he anointed(B) and consecrated it and all its furnishings.(C) He also anointed and consecrated the altar and all its utensils.(D) Then the leaders of Israel,(E) the heads of families who were the tribal leaders in charge of those who were counted,(F) made offerings. They brought as their gifts before the Lord six covered carts(G) and twelve oxen—an ox from each leader and a cart from every two. These they presented before the tabernacle.

The Lord said to Moses, “Accept these from them, that they may be used in the work at the tent of meeting. Give them to the Levites as each man’s work requires.”

So Moses took the carts and oxen and gave them to the Levites. He gave two carts and four oxen to the Gershonites,(H) as their work required, and he gave four carts and eight oxen to the Merarites,(I) as their work required. They were all under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron, the priest. But Moses did not give any to the Kohathites,(J) because they were to carry on their shoulders(K) the holy things, for which they were responsible.

10 When the altar was anointed,(L) the leaders brought their offerings for its dedication(M) and presented them before the altar. 11 For the Lord had said to Moses, “Each day one leader is to bring his offering for the dedication of the altar.”

12 The one who brought his offering on the first day was Nahshon(N) son of Amminadab of the tribe of Judah.

13 His offering was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels[a] and one silver sprinkling bowl(O) weighing seventy shekels,[b](P) both according to the sanctuary shekel,(Q) each filled with the finest flour mixed with olive oil as a grain offering;(R) 14 one gold dish(S) weighing ten shekels,[c](T) filled with incense;(U) 15 one young bull,(V) one ram and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering;(W) 16 one male goat for a sin offering[d];(X) 17 and two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering.(Y) This was the offering of Nahshon son of Amminadab.(Z)

18 On the second day Nethanel son of Zuar,(AA) the leader of Issachar, brought his offering.

19 The offering he brought was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels and one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel, each filled with the finest flour mixed with olive oil as a grain offering; 20 one gold dish(AB) weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; 21 one young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering; 22 one male goat for a sin offering; 23 and two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Nethanel son of Zuar.

24 On the third day, Eliab son of Helon,(AC) the leader of the people of Zebulun, brought his offering.

25 His offering was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels and one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel, each filled with the finest flour mixed with olive oil as a grain offering; 26 one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; 27 one young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering; 28 one male goat for a sin offering; 29 and two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Eliab son of Helon.

30 On the fourth day Elizur son of Shedeur,(AD) the leader of the people of Reuben, brought his offering.

31 His offering was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels and one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel, each filled with the finest flour mixed with olive oil as a grain offering; 32 one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; 33 one young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering; 34 one male goat for a sin offering; 35 and two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Elizur son of Shedeur.

36 On the fifth day Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai,(AE) the leader of the people of Simeon, brought his offering.

37 His offering was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels and one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel, each filled with the finest flour mixed with olive oil as a grain offering; 38 one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; 39 one young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering; 40 one male goat for a sin offering; 41 and two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai.

42 On the sixth day Eliasaph son of Deuel,(AF) the leader of the people of Gad, brought his offering.

43 His offering was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels and one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel, each filled with the finest flour mixed with olive oil as a grain offering; 44 one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; 45 one young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering; 46 one male goat for a sin offering; 47 and two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Eliasaph son of Deuel.

48 On the seventh day Elishama son of Ammihud,(AG) the leader of the people of Ephraim, brought his offering.

49 His offering was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels and one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel, each filled with the finest flour mixed with olive oil as a grain offering; 50 one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; 51 one young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering; 52 one male goat for a sin offering; 53 and two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Elishama son of Ammihud.(AH)

54 On the eighth day Gamaliel son of Pedahzur,(AI) the leader of the people of Manasseh, brought his offering.

55 His offering was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels and one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel, each filled with the finest flour mixed with olive oil as a grain offering; 56 one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; 57 one young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering; 58 one male goat for a sin offering; 59 and two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Gamaliel son of Pedahzur.

60 On the ninth day Abidan son of Gideoni,(AJ) the leader of the people of Benjamin, brought his offering.

61 His offering was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels and one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel, each filled with the finest flour mixed with olive oil as a grain offering; 62 one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; 63 one young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering; 64 one male goat for a sin offering; 65 and two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Abidan son of Gideoni.

66 On the tenth day Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai,(AK) the leader of the people of Dan, brought his offering.

67 His offering was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels and one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel, each filled with the finest flour mixed with olive oil as a grain offering; 68 one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; 69 one young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering; 70 one male goat for a sin offering; 71 and two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai.

72 On the eleventh day Pagiel son of Okran,(AL) the leader of the people of Asher, brought his offering.

73 His offering was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels and one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel, each filled with the finest flour mixed with olive oil as a grain offering; 74 one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; 75 one young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering; 76 one male goat for a sin offering; 77 and two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Pagiel son of Okran.

78 On the twelfth day Ahira son of Enan,(AM) the leader of the people of Naphtali, brought his offering.

79 His offering was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels and one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel, each filled with the finest flour mixed with olive oil as a grain offering; 80 one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; 81 one young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering; 82 one male goat for a sin offering; 83 and two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Ahira son of Enan.

84 These were the offerings of the Israelite leaders for the dedication of the altar when it was anointed:(AN) twelve silver plates, twelve silver sprinkling bowls(AO) and twelve gold dishes.(AP) 85 Each silver plate weighed a hundred and thirty shekels, and each sprinkling bowl seventy shekels. Altogether, the silver dishes weighed two thousand four hundred shekels,[e] according to the sanctuary shekel.(AQ) 86 The twelve gold dishes filled with incense weighed ten shekels each, according to the sanctuary shekel.(AR) Altogether, the gold dishes weighed a hundred and twenty shekels.[f] 87 The total number of animals for the burnt offering(AS) came to twelve young bulls, twelve rams and twelve male lambs a year old, together with their grain offering.(AT) Twelve male goats were used for the sin offering.(AU) 88 The total number of animals for the sacrifice of the fellowship offering(AV) came to twenty-four oxen, sixty rams, sixty male goats and sixty male lambs(AW) a year old. These were the offerings for the dedication of the altar after it was anointed.(AX)

89 When Moses entered the tent of meeting(AY) to speak with the Lord,(AZ) he heard the voice speaking to him from between the two cherubim above the atonement cover(BA) on the ark of the covenant law.(BB) In this way the Lord spoke to him.

Setting Up the Lamps

The Lord said to Moses, “Speak to Aaron and say to him, ‘When you set up the lamps, see that all seven light up the area in front of the lampstand.(BC)’”

Aaron did so; he set up the lamps so that they faced forward on the lampstand, just as the Lord commanded Moses. This is how the lampstand was made: It was made of hammered gold(BD)—from its base to its blossoms. The lampstand was made exactly like the pattern(BE) the Lord had shown Moses.

The Setting Apart of the Levites

The Lord said to Moses: “Take the Levites from among all the Israelites and make them ceremonially clean.(BF) To purify them, do this: Sprinkle the water of cleansing(BG) on them; then have them shave their whole bodies(BH) and wash their clothes.(BI) And so they will purify themselves.(BJ) Have them take a young bull with its grain offering of the finest flour mixed with olive oil;(BK) then you are to take a second young bull for a sin offering.[g](BL) Bring the Levites to the front of the tent of meeting(BM) and assemble the whole Israelite community.(BN) 10 You are to bring the Levites before the Lord, and the Israelites are to lay their hands on them.(BO) 11 Aaron is to present the Levites before the Lord as a wave offering(BP) from the Israelites, so that they may be ready to do the work of the Lord.

12 “Then the Levites are to lay their hands on the heads of the bulls,(BQ) using one for a sin offering(BR) to the Lord and the other for a burnt offering,(BS) to make atonement(BT) for the Levites. 13 Have the Levites stand in front of Aaron and his sons and then present them as a wave offering(BU) to the Lord. 14 In this way you are to set the Levites apart from the other Israelites, and the Levites will be mine.(BV)

15 “After you have purified the Levites and presented them as a wave offering,(BW) they are to come to do their work at the tent of meeting.(BX) 16 They are the Israelites who are to be given wholly to me. I have taken them as my own in place of the firstborn,(BY) the first male offspring(BZ) from every Israelite woman. 17 Every firstborn male in Israel, whether human or animal,(CA) is mine. When I struck down all the firstborn in Egypt, I set them apart for myself.(CB) 18 And I have taken the Levites in place of all the firstborn sons in Israel.(CC) 19 From among all the Israelites, I have given the Levites as gifts to Aaron and his sons(CD) to do the work at the tent of meeting on behalf of the Israelites(CE) and to make atonement for them(CF) so that no plague will strike the Israelites when they go near the sanctuary.”

20 Moses, Aaron and the whole Israelite community did with the Levites just as the Lord commanded Moses. 21 The Levites purified themselves and washed their clothes.(CG) Then Aaron presented them as a wave offering before the Lord and made atonement(CH) for them to purify them.(CI) 22 After that, the Levites came to do their work(CJ) at the tent of meeting under the supervision of Aaron and his sons. They did with the Levites just as the Lord commanded Moses.

23 The Lord said to Moses, 24 “This applies to the Levites: Men twenty-five years old or more(CK) shall come to take part in the work at the tent of meeting,(CL) 25 but at the age of fifty,(CM) they must retire from their regular service and work no longer. 26 They may assist their brothers in performing their duties at the tent of meeting, but they themselves must not do the work.(CN) This, then, is how you are to assign the responsibilities of the Levites.”

The Passover

The Lord spoke to Moses in the Desert of Sinai in the first month(CO) of the second year after they came out of Egypt.(CP) He said, “Have the Israelites celebrate the Passover(CQ) at the appointed time.(CR) Celebrate it at the appointed time, at twilight on the fourteenth day of this month,(CS) in accordance with all its rules and regulations.(CT)

So Moses told the Israelites to celebrate the Passover,(CU) and they did so in the Desert of Sinai(CV) at twilight on the fourteenth day of the first month.(CW) The Israelites did everything just as the Lord commanded Moses.(CX)

But some of them could not celebrate the Passover on that day because they were ceremonially unclean(CY) on account of a dead body.(CZ) So they came to Moses and Aaron(DA) that same day and said to Moses, “We have become unclean because of a dead body, but why should we be kept from presenting the Lord’s offering with the other Israelites at the appointed time?(DB)

Moses answered them, “Wait until I find out what the Lord commands concerning you.”(DC)

Then the Lord said to Moses, 10 “Tell the Israelites: ‘When any of you or your descendants are unclean because of a dead body(DD) or are away on a journey, they are still to celebrate(DE) the Lord’s Passover, 11 but they are to do it on the fourteenth day of the second month(DF) at twilight. They are to eat the lamb, together with unleavened bread and bitter herbs.(DG) 12 They must not leave any of it till morning(DH) or break any of its bones.(DI) When they celebrate the Passover, they must follow all the regulations.(DJ) 13 But if anyone who is ceremonially clean and not on a journey fails to celebrate the Passover, they must be cut off from their people(DK) for not presenting the Lord’s offering at the appointed time. They will bear the consequences of their sin.

14 “‘A foreigner(DL) residing among you is also to celebrate the Lord’s Passover in accordance with its rules and regulations. You must have the same regulations for both the foreigner and the native-born.’”

The Cloud Above the Tabernacle

15 On the day the tabernacle, the tent of the covenant law,(DM) was set up,(DN) the cloud(DO) covered it. From evening till morning the cloud above the tabernacle looked like fire.(DP) 16 That is how it continued to be; the cloud covered it, and at night it looked like fire.(DQ) 17 Whenever the cloud lifted from above the tent, the Israelites set out;(DR) wherever the cloud settled, the Israelites encamped.(DS) 18 At the Lord’s command the Israelites set out, and at his command they encamped. As long as the cloud stayed over the tabernacle, they remained(DT) in camp. 19 When the cloud remained over the tabernacle a long time, the Israelites obeyed the Lord’s order(DU) and did not set out.(DV) 20 Sometimes the cloud was over the tabernacle only a few days; at the Lord’s command they would encamp, and then at his command they would set out. 21 Sometimes the cloud stayed only from evening till morning, and when it lifted in the morning, they set out. Whether by day or by night, whenever the cloud lifted, they set out. 22 Whether the cloud stayed over the tabernacle for two days or a month or a year, the Israelites would remain in camp and not set out; but when it lifted, they would set out. 23 At the Lord’s command they encamped, and at the Lord’s command they set out. They obeyed the Lord’s order, in accordance with his command through Moses.

The Silver Trumpets

10 The Lord said to Moses: “Make two trumpets(DW) of hammered silver, and use them for calling the community(DX) together and for having the camps set out.(DY) When both are sounded, the whole community is to assemble before you at the entrance to the tent of meeting. If only one is sounded, the leaders(DZ)—the heads of the clans of Israel—are to assemble before you. When a trumpet blast is sounded, the tribes camping on the east are to set out.(EA) At the sounding of a second blast, the camps on the south are to set out.(EB) The blast will be the signal for setting out. To gather the assembly, blow the trumpets,(EC) but not with the signal for setting out.(ED)

“The sons of Aaron, the priests, are to blow the trumpets. This is to be a lasting ordinance for you and the generations to come.(EE) When you go into battle in your own land against an enemy who is oppressing you,(EF) sound a blast on the trumpets.(EG) Then you will be remembered(EH) by the Lord your God and rescued from your enemies.(EI) 10 Also at your times of rejoicing—your appointed festivals and New Moon feasts(EJ)—you are to sound the trumpets(EK) over your burnt offerings(EL) and fellowship offerings,(EM) and they will be a memorial for you before your God. I am the Lord your God.(EN)

The Israelites Leave Sinai

11 On the twentieth day of the second month of the second year,(EO) the cloud lifted(EP) from above the tabernacle of the covenant law.(EQ) 12 Then the Israelites set out from the Desert of Sinai and traveled from place to place until the cloud came to rest in the Desert of Paran.(ER) 13 They set out, this first time, at the Lord’s command through Moses.(ES)

14 The divisions of the camp of Judah went first, under their standard.(ET) Nahshon son of Amminadab(EU) was in command. 15 Nethanel son of Zuar was over the division of the tribe(EV) of Issachar,(EW) 16 and Eliab son of Helon(EX) was over the division of the tribe of Zebulun.(EY) 17 Then the tabernacle was taken down, and the Gershonites and Merarites, who carried it, set out.(EZ)

18 The divisions of the camp of Reuben(FA) went next, under their standard.(FB) Elizur son of Shedeur(FC) was in command. 19 Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai was over the division of the tribe of Simeon,(FD) 20 and Eliasaph son of Deuel was over the division of the tribe of Gad.(FE) 21 Then the Kohathites(FF) set out, carrying the holy things.(FG) The tabernacle was to be set up before they arrived.(FH)

22 The divisions of the camp of Ephraim(FI) went next, under their standard. Elishama son of Ammihud(FJ) was in command. 23 Gamaliel son of Pedahzur was over the division of the tribe of Manasseh,(FK) 24 and Abidan son of Gideoni was over the division of the tribe of Benjamin.(FL)

25 Finally, as the rear guard(FM) for all the units, the divisions of the camp of Dan set out under their standard. Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai(FN) was in command. 26 Pagiel son of Okran was over the division of the tribe of Asher,(FO) 27 and Ahira son of Enan was over the division of the tribe of Naphtali.(FP) 28 This was the order of march for the Israelite divisions as they set out.

29 Now Moses said to Hobab(FQ) son of Reuel(FR) the Midianite, Moses’ father-in-law,(FS) “We are setting out for the place about which the Lord said, ‘I will give it to you.’(FT) Come with us and we will treat you well, for the Lord has promised good things to Israel.”

30 He answered, “No, I will not go;(FU) I am going back to my own land and my own people.(FV)

31 But Moses said, “Please do not leave us. You know where we should camp in the wilderness, and you can be our eyes.(FW) 32 If you come with us, we will share with you(FX) whatever good things the Lord gives us.(FY)

33 So they set out(FZ) from the mountain of the Lord and traveled for three days. The ark of the covenant of the Lord(GA) went before them during those three days to find them a place to rest.(GB) 34 The cloud of the Lord was over them by day when they set out from the camp.(GC)

35 Whenever the ark set out, Moses said,

“Rise up,(GD) Lord!
    May your enemies be scattered;(GE)
    may your foes flee before you.(GF)(GG)

36 Whenever it came to rest, he said,

“Return,(GH) Lord,
    to the countless thousands of Israel.(GI)

Footnotes

  1. Numbers 7:13 That is, about 3 1/4 pounds or about 1.5 kilograms; also elsewhere in this chapter
  2. Numbers 7:13 That is, about 1 3/4 pounds or about 800 grams; also elsewhere in this chapter
  3. Numbers 7:14 That is, about 4 ounces or about 115 grams; also elsewhere in this chapter
  4. Numbers 7:16 Or purification offering; also elsewhere in this chapter
  5. Numbers 7:85 That is, about 60 pounds or about 28 kilograms
  6. Numbers 7:86 That is, about 3 pounds or about 1.4 kilograms
  7. Numbers 8:8 Or purification offering; also in verse 12