This verse is part of a larger passage in Numbers 7 that describes the offerings brought by the leaders of the twelve tribes of Israel after the tabernacle was set up. Each leader brought an identical set of gifts, and the passage meticulously lists each item and its weight.
Let's break down the verse "one golden ladle of ten shekels, full of incense;":
"one golden ladle": Each tribe's leader brought one ladle made of gold. A ladle was a small, shallow bowl, likely used to measure and transport the incense.
"of ten shekels": This indicates the weight of the gold ladle itself. A shekel was a unit of weight used in ancient times, roughly equivalent to 11.5 grams (though the exact weight could vary slightly). So, the ladle weighed about 115 grams of gold.
"full of incense": The ladle was filled with incense, a fragrant substance that was burned as an offering to God. The type of incense used is specified elsewhere in the Bible (Exodus 30:34-38) and was a carefully prescribed mixture of spices.
Significance of the Verse
Dedication: The offering of the golden ladle and incense signifies the dedication and devotion of the tribal leaders to God. It represents a precious and pleasing offering.
Uniformity: The repetition of the exact same offering from each tribe emphasizes the unity of the people of Israel in their worship and obedience to God.
Symbolism of Incense: Incense in the Bible symbolizes prayer ascending to God (Psalm 141:2, Revelation 5:8). The ladle full of incense represents the prayers and petitions of the people being offered to God.
Value: The gold and the spices were valuable commodities, representing the people offering the best they had to God.
Orderliness: The detailed description of the offering, including its weight, demonstrates the orderliness and precision God expected in worship.
In summary, the verse describes a specific and valuable offering of a golden ladle filled with incense, representing the devotion, prayer, and unity of the people of Israel offered to God at the dedication of the tabernacle. The emphasis on detail underscores the importance and solemnity of the occasion.
This verse is part of a larger passage in Numbers 7 that describes the offerings brought by the leaders of the twelve tribes of Israel after the tabernacle was set up. Each leader brought an identical set of gifts, and the passage meticulously lists each item and its weight.
Let's break down the verse "one golden ladle of ten shekels, full of incense;":
"one golden ladle": Each tribe's leader brought one ladle made of gold. A ladle was a small, shallow bowl, likely used to measure and transport the incense.
"of ten shekels": This indicates the weight of the gold ladle itself. A shekel was a unit of weight used in ancient times, roughly equivalent to 11.5 grams (though the exact weight could vary slightly). So, the ladle weighed about 115 grams of gold.
"full of incense": The ladle was filled with incense, a fragrant substance that was burned as an offering to God. The type of incense used is specified elsewhere in the Bible (Exodus 30:34-38) and was a carefully prescribed mixture of spices.
Significance of the Verse
Dedication: The offering of the golden ladle and incense signifies the dedication and devotion of the tribal leaders to God. It represents a precious and pleasing offering.
Uniformity: The repetition of the exact same offering from each tribe emphasizes the unity of the people of Israel in their worship and obedience to God.
Symbolism of Incense: Incense in the Bible symbolizes prayer ascending to God (Psalm 141:2, Revelation 5:8). The ladle full of incense represents the prayers and petitions of the people being offered to God.
Value: The gold and the spices were valuable commodities, representing the people offering the best they had to God.
Orderliness: The detailed description of the offering, including its weight, demonstrates the orderliness and precision God expected in worship.
In summary, the verse describes a specific and valuable offering of a golden ladle filled with incense, representing the devotion, prayer, and unity of the people of Israel offered to God at the dedication of the tabernacle. The emphasis on detail underscores the importance and solemnity of the occasion.