Numbers 7:26 - one golden ladle of ten shekels, full of incense;

Generated Verse: Numbers 7:26

What does "Numbers 7:26" mean?


This verse, "one golden ladle of ten shekels, full of incense," is part of a detailed list in Numbers chapter 7 that describes the offerings brought by each of the twelve tribal leaders of Israel at the dedication of the Tabernacle. Let's break down the meaning:

"One golden ladle": This refers to a small, hand-held container, likely made of gold, used for holding and transferring materials, in this case, incense. It was a precious and valuable item, reflecting the honor and respect given to God.

"of ten shekels": This specifies the weight of the ladle itself as being ten shekels. A shekel was a standard unit of weight used in ancient Israel. The value would have been significant, as gold was a valuable commodity.

"full of incense": This means the ladle was filled to capacity with incense. Incense was a fragrant mixture of spices that was burned as an offering to God. The smoke was seen as ascending to heaven, symbolizing prayers and worship.

In summary, this verse describes a valuable offering of a golden ladle, weighing ten shekels, filled with incense. The offering symbolizes:

Worship and devotion: The incense represents prayers and worship being offered to God.
Preciousness: The gold ladle and the fragrant incense indicate the value and importance given to the offering and to God.
Completeness: The ladle being "full" suggests a generous and wholehearted offering.

Context within Numbers 7:

It's important to note that this verse is repeated almost verbatim for each of the twelve tribal leaders. This repetition emphasizes:

Equality: Each tribe brought the same offering, showing equality in their devotion and commitment to God.
Orderliness: The meticulous recording highlights the importance of order and precision in worship.
Significance: The extensive details underscore the importance of the dedication ceremony and the offerings themselves.

Therefore, the verse "one golden ladle of ten shekels, full of incense" is a small but significant detail within a larger narrative about worship, devotion, and the establishment of the Tabernacle as the center of Israel's religious life.

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