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Numbers 7:67 - Generous gifts for Divine service

Numbers 7:67 - במדבר 7:67

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, 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

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

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

Context of the Verse

This verse (Bamidbar 7:13) 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) and a silver bowl (mizrak kesef), both filled with fine flour mixed with oil for a meal offering (mincha).

Explanation of the Vessels

  • Ka'arat Kesef (Silver Dish): Rashi explains that the ka'ara was a deep dish, similar to a large bowl used for serving food. Its weight of 130 shekels symbolizes completeness, as it corresponds to the numerical value of the word "Sinai" (סיני), alluding to the giving of the Torah (Midrash Tanchuma, Naso 14).
  • Mizrak Kesef (Silver Bowl): The mizrak was a smaller vessel used for pouring libations. Its weight of 70 shekels corresponds to the 70 elders of Israel (Sanhedrin 16a), representing the leadership and wisdom of the nation.

Significance of the Fine Flour and Oil

The fine flour (solet) mixed with oil symbolizes the refinement of human effort and divine blessing. The Rambam (Hilchos Maaseh HaKorbanos 13:4) explains that the mincha offering represents humility and submission before Hashem, as it is made from simple, ground flour rather than an animal sacrifice.

Shekel HaKodesh (Sacred Shekel)

The verse specifies that the weights were measured according to the shekel hakodesh, the sacred shekel used in the Mishkan. Rashi notes that this shekel was double the weight of a regular shekel (Shemos 30:13), emphasizing the elevated sanctity of the offerings brought in the Mishkan.

Nachshon's Leadership

Nachshon ben Aminadav was the first to bring his offering, demonstrating his courage and leadership. The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 13:7) praises him for his willingness to step forward, just as he later did at the splitting of the Yam Suf (Red Sea), where he was the first to enter the waters before they miraculously parted.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the significance of the silver dish and bowl in Numbers 7:67?
A: The silver dish (ka'arat kesef) and bowl (mizrak) were part of the offerings brought by the tribal leaders during the dedication of the Mishkan (Tabernacle). Rashi explains that these vessels were used to hold the fine flour mixed with oil for the meal offering (mincha), showing the importance of bringing one's best for sacred purposes.
Q: Why does the verse specify the exact weight of the silver vessels?
A: The Torah specifies the weights (130 shekels for the dish, 70 for the bowl) to emphasize the precision and care taken in serving Hashem. The Rambam teaches that every detail in Divine service matters, and the exact measurements reflect the seriousness of the offerings brought to the Mishkan.
Q: What does 'after the shekel of the sanctuary' mean in this verse?
A: This phrase means the weights were measured according to the standardized holy shekel used for all sacred matters in the Mishkan. The Talmud (Bekhorot 50a) explains that this ensured fairness and consistency in all offerings, preventing disputes about measurements.
Q: Why was fine flour mixed with oil used for the meal offering?
A: The mincha (meal offering) of fine flour (solet) mixed with oil represents basic sustenance elevated for holy purposes. The Midrash (Vayikra Rabbah 3:1) teaches that just as flour and oil sustain the body, our spiritual service sustains the soul. The mixing symbolizes the integration of physical and spiritual devotion.
Q: How does this verse apply to our lives today?
A: While we no longer bring these physical offerings, the principles remain: 1) We should dedicate our finest possessions and efforts to holy purposes (like charity or Torah study), 2) Our service to Hashem should be precise and wholehearted, and 3) Even ordinary items like flour can become sacred when used properly, teaching us to elevate the mundane.