Definition: And his offering [was] one silver charger, the weight thereof [was] an hundred and thirty [shekels], one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them [were] full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering:
Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from Numbers 7:13. It’s a really interesting and somewhat unusual detail about how offerings were made in ancient Israel. Here’s the explanation in simple terms: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a special offering – a large amount of food – that was made to God at the Tabernacle (a place where Jewish people worshiped). It wasn't just any food; it was incredibly generous and carefully prepared. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “Numbers 7:13” : This is the verse itself, giving us the context – a specific part of God’s law. “And his offering [was] one silver charger…” : This means they were making a single large, shiny metal charger made of silver. Think of it like a very important and valuable piece of metal. “…the weight thereof [was] an hundred and thirty shekels…” : “The weight thereof” is crucial. It tells us the charger weighed exactly 130 silver shekels (which were a unit of ancient Jewish currency). That’s roughly equivalent to about 8 pounds! “…one silver bowl of seventy shekels…” : This refers to a large, carefully prepared bowl filled with food. It contained 70 silver shekels – imagine a huge amount of food! “after the shekel of the sanctuary” : This is super important . “The shekel” was a very precious and sacred coin used in temple worship. This means the offering had to be perfectly aligned with God's law and dedicated to His presence in the Temple. It wasn’t just any food; it was a symbolic representation of a complete sacrifice. “both of them [were] full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering:” This is the most unique part. They weren't just offering food – they were offering a complete meal ! The flour and oil were mixed together to represent a sacrificial animal, symbolizing Jesus Christ. What’s the point? This detailed offering was a powerful demonstration of faith and devotion. It showed that the people were willing to give their best, most precious resources – their wealth, time, and attention – to God. It wasn't just about what they offered, but how they offered it, with a profound sense of reverence. In short: This verse describes an incredibly valuable offering made to God at the Tabernacle, representing a complete sacrifice of food and symbolizing the ultimate offering of Jesus Christ. --- Do you want me to: Explain any of these details in more detail? Relate this verse to other biblical stories or examples? Talk about the significance of the "shekel"?