Offerings at the Dedication of the Tabernacle (7:1–89)

When Moses finished setting up the tabernacle (7:1). For chronology, see sidebar and comment on 1:1.

Chronology of Events in Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers
Date (Month/Day/Year)	Scripture	Event
1/14/1	Ex. 14:6, 31–32	Exodus from Egypt
3/14/1	Ex. 19:1	Israelites arrive at Sinai
1/1/2*	Ex. 40:2, 17 Lev. 8:1–36 Lev. 1:1—7:38 Num. 7:1, 3 Num. 9:15	Tabernacle erected with Tent of Meeting Priestly sanctification begins Altar offerings commence Tribal offerings begin Cloud covers tabernacle
1/8/2	Lev. 9:1	Priestly sanctification concluded
1/12/2*	Num. 7:78–83	Tribal offerings completed
1/14/2	Num. 9:1	Second Passover
2/1/2	Num. 1:1–2	First census commences
2/14/2	Num. 9:11	Second Passover for the unclean
2/20/2	Num. 10:11	Cloud moves—Israel departs Sinai

Offerings for its dedication (7:12–83). The pattern of enumeration here reflects an administrative record following the traditional pattern of temple records of the ancient Near East. Levine suggests that the original text was a tabular list,

intended to be read both horizontally and vertically. . . . The system of numeration employed in Num 7:12–88 is perhaps the most revealing feature of all, because it directly links biblical records to known methods of ancient Near Eastern accounting. In Num 7:12–88 the sequence of numeration is (a) item, (b) numerical quantity.68

Wenham proposes that the repetitive nature of the material is primarily theological, to emphasize that every tribe has an equal stake in the worship of God and that each is fully committed to the support of the tabernacle and its priesthood.69

Sanctuary shekel (7:13). The craftsmen of the three types of utensils use the sanctuary shekel, a cultic measurement for weighing gifts and sacrifices or determining their monetary value. The term “shekel” was used throughout the Levant and Mesopotamia as a standard weight measure, generally ranging from ten to thirteen grams. Milgrom and Wenham compute the resultant weights of the objects as approximately three pounds for the large silver plate, two pounds for the silver basin, and four ounces for the small gold ladle for the incense.70