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Numbers 7:73 - Generous gifts for divine service

Numbers 7:73 - במדבר 7:73

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 (Numbers 7:13) describes the offering brought by Nachshon ben Aminadav, the prince of the tribe of Yehudah, during the dedication of the Mishkan (Tabernacle). The offering consisted of a silver dish and a silver bowl filled with fine flour mixed with oil, which was part of the mincha (meal offering).

Explanation of the Vessels

  • קַעֲרַת־כֶּסֶף (Silver Dish): Rashi explains that the ka'arat kesef (silver dish) was a flat vessel used for holding the flour offering. Its weight of 130 shekels corresponds to the numerical value of the word "Sinai" (סִינַי), alluding to the giving of the Torah (Rashi on Numbers 7:13).
  • מִזְרָק אֶחָד כֶּסֶף (Silver Bowl): The mizrak was a deeper vessel used for mixing or pouring. Its weight of 70 shekels symbolizes the 70 elders of Israel (Sanhedrin) who assisted Moshe in leadership (Ba'al HaTurim on Numbers 7:13).

Significance of the Measurements

The shekel hakodesh (sanctuary shekel) emphasizes that these vessels were consecrated for sacred use in the Mishkan. The Rambam (Hilchos Klei HaMikdash 2:3) notes that all Temple vessels must be made according to precise measurements to maintain their sanctity.

Symbolism of the Flour and Oil

The solet belulah bashemen (fine flour mixed with oil) represents:

  • The necessity of refining one's character (solet as pure flour) and anointing it with wisdom (shemen as oil, symbolizing Torah insight) (Midrash Tanchuma, Terumah 5).
  • The unity of the Jewish people, as flour and oil must be thoroughly mixed to form a proper mincha offering (Sforno on Numbers 7:13).

Nachshon's Leadership

Nachshon, as the first prince to bring an offering, demonstrated his tribe's role in spiritual leadership. The Maharal (Gur Aryeh on Numbers 7:12) connects this to Yehudah's future kingship, as the vessels' weights hint at Torah (130) and leadership (70), the foundations of Jewish monarchy.

📚 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 7:73?
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 used to hold fine flour mixed with oil, symbolizing the dedication and generosity of the Jewish people in serving Hashem. The specific weights (130 and 70 shekels) reflect the importance of precise measurements in Divine service.
Q: Why were the dish and bowl filled with fine flour and oil?
A: The fine flour (solet) mixed with oil (shemen) was a standard meal offering (mincha) brought in the Mishkan. The Talmud (Menachot 104b) teaches that flour represents sustenance, while oil symbolizes wisdom and Divine blessing. Together, they signify our dependence on Hashem for both physical and spiritual nourishment.
Q: What does 'shekel of the sanctuary' mean in this verse?
A: The 'shekel of the sanctuary' (shekel hakodesh) refers to a standardized weight used for holy purposes in the Mishkan. Rambam (Hilchos Shekalim 1:3) explains that this shekel was different from regular currency—it was a sacred measurement ensuring fairness and consistency in donations and offerings for the Mishkan.
Q: How does this verse apply to us today?
A: While we no longer bring physical offerings, the Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 13:15) teaches that the dedication of the tribal leaders inspires us to contribute generously and precisely to holy causes, such as supporting Torah study and communal needs. The flour and oil also remind us to elevate our mundane acts (like eating) into spiritual opportunities by reciting blessings and maintaining mindfulness.