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Numbers 7:31 - Generous gifts for divine service

Numbers 7:31 - במדבר 7:31

Hebrew Text

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

English Translation

his offering was one silver dish of the weight of 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

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

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

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Parasha Commentary

Explanation of the Verse (Bamidbar 7:13)

The verse describes the offering brought by Nachshon ben Aminadav, the prince of the tribe of Yehudah, during the dedication of the Mishkan. The offering consisted of:

  • A silver dish (ka'arat kesef) weighing 130 shekels
  • A silver bowl (mizrak echad kesef) weighing 70 shekels
  • Both vessels filled with fine flour mixed with oil (solet belulah bashemen) for a meal offering

Commentary from Rashi

Rashi (Bamidbar 7:13) explains that the 130-shekel silver dish alludes to the years of Sarah Imeinu's life before giving birth to Yitzchak (90) and the years Yitzchak lived before Yaakov was born (40), totaling 130. The 70-shekel bowl corresponds to the 70 souls of Yaakov's family who descended to Egypt (Shemot 1:5). This teaches that the offerings were brought with deep spiritual intent, connecting to our forefathers.

Symbolism of the Vessels

The ka'arah (dish) and mizrak (bowl) represent different aspects of divine service:

  • The dish symbolizes the keter kehunah (crown of priesthood), as it was used for presenting offerings.
  • The bowl symbolizes the keter malchut (crown of kingship), as it was used for pouring libations, representing overflowing blessing (based on Rambam, Hilchot Klei HaMikdash 2:3).

Significance of the Fine Flour and Oil

The solet (fine flour) mixed with oil represents:

  • The refinement of human character (middot), as flour must be ground and sifted to become pure (Midrash Tanchuma, Tzav 14).
  • The oil symbolizes wisdom (chochmah), as oil rises above other liquids (Talmud Menachot 85b).
  • Together, they teach that divine service requires both physical actions (ma'aseh hamitzvot) and spiritual intention (kavanah).

Halachic Perspective (Rambam)

Rambam (Hilchot Ma'aseh HaKorbanot 13:3) notes that all tribal princes brought identical offerings to emphasize unity, despite their individual distinctions. The weights were measured according to the shekel of the sanctuary, underscoring that all divine service must align with Torah standards.

📚 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 7:31?
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). According to Rashi, these vessels were used for holding the fine flour mixed with oil (mincha offering), symbolizing the leaders' dedication to serving Hashem with purity and generosity.
Q: Why were the weights of the silver dish and bowl specified in the verse?
A: The Torah specifies the exact weights (130 shekels for the dish and 70 shekels for the bowl) to emphasize the precision and sincerity required in divine service. The Rambam explains that every detail in the Mishkan's construction and offerings reflects spiritual lessons, teaching us to approach mitzvot with care and exactness.
Q: What does the 'fine flour mingled with oil' represent in this verse?
A: The fine flour (solet) mixed with oil symbolizes humility and refinement in serving Hashem. The Midrash teaches that flour represents basic sustenance, while oil represents wisdom and enlightenment. Together, they signify dedicating both material and spiritual efforts to divine service.
Q: Why is this verse important in the context of the Mishkan?
A: This verse highlights the unity and generosity of the tribes during the Mishkan's inauguration. The Talmud (Sotah 13b) notes that each leader brought identical offerings to show equality before Hashem, reinforcing that all contributions—whether large or small—are valued when given with pure intent.
Q: How can we apply the lesson of this verse today?
A: Just as the tribal leaders brought offerings with precise measurements and sincerity, we learn to perform mitzvot with attention to detail and wholeheartedness. The Chofetz Chaim teaches that even small acts of kindness or prayer, when done with proper intention, carry great spiritual weight.