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Numbers 7:19 - Generous gifts for Divine service

Numbers 7:19 - במדבר 7:19

Hebrew Text

הִקְרִב אֶת־קָרְבָּנוֹ קַעֲרַת־כֶּסֶף אַחַת שְׁלֹשִׁים וּמֵאָה מִשְׁקָלָהּ מִזְרָק אֶחָד כֶּסֶף שִׁבְעִים שֶׁקֶל בְּשֶׁקֶל הַקֹּדֶשׁ שְׁנֵיהֶם מְלֵאִים סֹלֶת בְּלוּלָה בַשֶּׁמֶן לְמִנְחָה׃

English Translation

he offered for his offering one silver dish, the weight of which was a 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 meal offering:

Transliteration

Hikriv et-korban'o ka'arat-kesef achat shloshim ume'a mishkalah mizrak echad kesef shiv'im shekel beshekel hakodesh shneihem melei'im solet belulah vashemen leminchah.

Hebrew Leining Text

הִקְרִ֨ב אֶת־קׇרְבָּנ֜וֹ קַֽעֲרַת־כֶּ֣סֶף אַחַ֗ת שְׁלֹשִׁ֣ים וּמֵאָה֮ מִשְׁקָלָהּ֒ מִזְרָ֤ק אֶחָד֙ כֶּ֔סֶף שִׁבְעִ֥ים שֶׁ֖קֶל בְּשֶׁ֣קֶל הַקֹּ֑דֶשׁ שְׁנֵיהֶ֣ם <b>׀</b> מְלֵאִ֗ים סֹ֛לֶת בְּלוּלָ֥ה בַשֶּׁ֖מֶן לְמִנְחָֽה׃
הִקְרִ֨ב אֶת־קׇרְבָּנ֜וֹ קַֽעֲרַת־כֶּ֣סֶף אַחַ֗ת שְׁלֹשִׁ֣ים וּמֵאָה֮ מִשְׁקָלָהּ֒ מִזְרָ֤ק אֶחָד֙ כֶּ֔סֶף שִׁבְעִ֥ים שֶׁ֖קֶל בְּשֶׁ֣קֶל הַקֹּ֑דֶשׁ שְׁנֵיהֶ֣ם ׀ מְלֵאִ֗ים סֹ֛לֶת בְּלוּלָ֥ה בַשֶּׁ֖מֶן לְמִנְחָֽה׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

The Offering of the Silver Dish and Bowl

The verse describes the offering brought by the tribal leaders during the dedication of the Mishkan (Tabernacle). According to Rashi (Bamidbar 7:13), this was the offering brought by Nachshon ben Aminadav, the prince of the tribe of Yehudah, on the first day of the dedication. The silver dish (ka'arat kesef) and bowl (mizrak echad kesef) were vessels used in the service of the Mishkan.

Significance of the Weights

The Torah specifies the exact weights of these vessels:

  • 130 shekels for the dish - The Ba'al HaTurim notes that 130 is the gematria (numerical value) of the word sulam (ladder), alluding to the connection between heaven and earth established through the Mishkan.
  • 70 shekels for the bowl - The number 70 corresponds to the 70 nations of the world, suggesting that the Mishkan's service impacts all humanity (Midrash Tanchuma, Naso 14).

The Fine Flour and Oil

Both vessels were filled with fine flour (solet) mixed with oil (belulah bashemen). The Rambam (Hilchos Ma'aseh HaKorbanos 13:3) explains that this was the standard preparation for meal offerings, symbolizing:

  • The refinement of character (solet representing purity)
  • The illumination of wisdom (shemen representing enlightenment)

The Shekel of the Sanctuary

The specification that these weights follow "the shekel of the sanctuary" teaches, as the Talmud explains (Bechoros 50a), that all weights and measures in the Temple service must follow the sacred standard maintained by the Sanhedrin, ensuring uniformity in divine service.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the significance of the silver dish and bowl mentioned in Numbers 7:19?
A: The silver dish (ka'arat kesef) and bowl (mizrak kesef) were part of the offerings brought by the tribal leaders during the dedication of the Mishkan (Tabernacle). Rashi explains that these vessels were filled with fine flour mixed with oil, symbolizing the dedication and generosity of the Jewish people in serving Hashem. The specific weights (130 shekels for the dish and 70 shekels for the bowl) teach us about the precision and care taken in divine service.
Q: Why were the offerings in Numbers 7:19 filled with fine flour and oil?
A: The fine flour (solet) mixed with oil (shemen) represents a meal offering (mincha), which was a common form of sacrifice in the Temple. The Rambam teaches that meal offerings symbolize humility and submission to Hashem, as they are made from simple, basic ingredients. The oil represents richness and dedication, showing that even the simplest acts of service can be elevated when done with sincerity.
Q: What does 'after the shekel of the sanctuary' mean in Numbers 7:19?
A: The phrase 'after the shekel of the sanctuary' (b'shekel hakodesh) means that the weights of the silver dish and bowl were measured using the sacred shekel standard, which was kept in the Mishkan. Rashi explains that this emphasizes the importance of using accurate and holy measurements in divine service, ensuring fairness and sanctity in all offerings.
Q: How does Numbers 7:19 apply to us today?
A: Although we no longer bring physical offerings, the message of Numbers 7:19 still applies. The Midrash teaches that our prayers and acts of kindness today replace the Temple offerings. Just as the tribal leaders brought their best with precision and devotion, we too should approach our mitzvot and tefillah with sincerity, generosity, and attention to detail, offering our 'flour and oil'—our time and effort—to serve Hashem.