Numbers 7:1 - On the day that Moses had finished setting up the tabernacle, and had anointed it and sanctified it, with all its furniture, and the altar with all its vessels, and had anointed and sanctified them;

Generated Verse: Numbers 7:1

What does "Numbers 7:1" mean?


Numbers 7:1 describes the completion of a crucial step in the Israelites' journey: the dedication of the Tabernacle. Let's break down the meaning:

"On the day that Moses had finished setting up the tabernacle...": This indicates that the physical construction of the Tabernacle was complete. This was a massive undertaking, involving skilled artisans and the entire community. The Tabernacle served as the dwelling place of God among the Israelites, a mobile sanctuary they would carry with them in the wilderness.

"...and had anointed it and sanctified it, with all its furniture...": Anointing with oil was a symbolic act that set something apart as holy and dedicated to God's service. Moses was commanded to anoint not just the Tabernacle structure itself, but also all the items within it (like the Ark of the Covenant, the table of showbread, the lampstand). This process transformed these ordinary objects into sacred vessels.

"...and the altar with all its vessels, and had anointed and sanctified them;": The altar was the place where sacrifices were offered to God. Like the Tabernacle and its furniture, the altar and its associated vessels (e.g., basins, forks, pans) were also anointed and sanctified. This made them suitable for their specific purpose in the sacrificial system.

In summary, Numbers 7:1 highlights:

Completion: It marks the end of the Tabernacle's construction phase.
Consecration: It emphasizes the act of anointing and sanctifying, which transformed the Tabernacle and its contents into sacred objects. This made them suitable for use in worshiping God and offering sacrifices.
Holiness: The verse underscores the holiness of the Tabernacle as God's dwelling place and the importance of dedicating it and its contents to God's service.

This dedication was essential because it established the Tabernacle as the central place of worship and sacrifice for the Israelites, signifying God's presence among them and their covenant relationship. It was a pivotal moment in their history, setting the stage for the Tabernacle's role in their religious and social life during their wilderness wanderings.

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