Numbers 7:12

_AND HE THAT OFFERED HIS OFFERING THE FIRST DAY WAS NAHSHON THE SON OF AMMINADAB, OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH:_ And he that offered his offering the first day was Nabshon. Judah having had the precedence assigned to it, the prince or head of that tribe was the first admitted to offer as its representative; and his offering, as well as that of the others, is thought, from its costliness, to have been furnished, not from his own private means, but from the general contributions of each tribe. Some parts of the offering, as the animals for sacrifice, were for the ritual service of the day, the peace offerings being by much the most numerous, since the princes and some of the people joined with the priests afterward in celebrating the occasion with festive rejoicing. Hence, the feast of dedication afterward became an anniversary festival. Other parts of the offering were intended for permanent us...

12._And he that offered his offering the first day _The oracular declaration which God made by the mouth of Jacob is well known. “The scepter shall not depart from Judah,” etc. (Genesis 49:10.) Non, although the time had not yet arrived when the truth of this prophecy should be manifested by its fulfillment, still it was brought to pass by the admirable counsel of God that certain marks of supremacy should exist in the tribe of Judah; and, by general consent, if not dominion, at least the chief dignity, was always lodged in it. The assignment of the first day to Nahshon was, therefore,a presage of that future kingdom which was at length set up in the person of David. If any should allege the absurdity that the tribe of Reuben, who was the first-born, should be kept back till the fourth day, I reply that the tribes of Zebulun and Issachar were ranked under the banner of Judah; since i

10-89 The princes and great men were most forward in the service of God. Here is an example to those in authority, and of the highest rank; they ought to use their honour and power, their estate and interest, to promote religion and the service of God in the places where they live. Though it was a time of joy and rejoicing, yet still, in the midst of their sacrifices, we find a sin-offering. As, in our best services, we are conscious that there is sin, there should be repentance, even in our most joyful services. In all approaches to God we must by faith look to Christ as the Sin-offering. They brought their offerings each on a day. God's work should not be done confusedly, or in a hurry; take time, and we shall have done the sooner, or, at least, we shall have done the better. If services are to be done for twelve days together, we must not call it a task and a burden. All their offeri...

The several princes make their offerings in the order assigned to the tribes Numbers 2. It was doubtless the tribes themselves which presented these gifts through their chiefs. The twelve offerings are strictly alike, and were offered on twelve separate days....

EXPOSITION THE OFFERINGS OF THE PRINCES (Numbers 7:1). NUMBERS 7:1 ON THE DAY THAT MOSES HAD fully SET UP THE TABERNACLE. This expression, "on the day", has given rise to considerable difficulty. Strictly speaking it should mean the first day of the first month of the second year (Exodus 40:17); and so the Targum of Palestine, "It was on the day which begins the month Nisan." It is, however, quite clear from the narrative itself, as well as from its position, that the offerings were not actually made until after the taking of the census and the distribution of their resp

AND HE THAT OFFERED HIS OFFERING ON THE FIRST DAY,.... Was he whose standard was pitched first, at the east, to the rising sun: and this WAS NAHSHON THE SON OF AMMINADAB, OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH; who was the prince and captain of that tribe, though the title is not here given him, as to the rest of the princes, this being left to be concluded from his offering first; for if they that offered after him were princes, he must needs be one; or it may be this title is omitted, because the chief prince, of the prince of the tribe of Judah, most peculiarly belongs to a greater Personage, even the Messiah, who was to spring, and did spring from that tribe, 1 Chronicles 5:2; and, as Baal Hatturim says, from Nahshon; and who also observes, that Ben Nahshon is the Messiah....

5. THE OFFERINGS OF THE PRINCES CHAPTER 7 _ 1. The princes present their offerings (Numbers 7:1)_ 2. The command concerning these offerings and the Levites (Numbers 7:4) 3. The twelve princes and what they offered (Numbers 7:12) 4. Moses hears the voice from the mercy-seat (Numbers 7:89) This is the longest chapter in Numbers. The princes of Israel appear to bring their free-will offerings in six covered wagons drawn each by two oxen. No command had been given. With a willing heart they devoted of their possessions to the service of the sanctuary. The Lord accepting the offerings gave directions that

OFFERINGS OF VESSELS, ANIMALS, AND OTHER MATERIALS FOR USE IN SACRIFICE. The weights of each charger, bowl, and spoon (or cup) presented by the several princes were about 60, 33, and 4¾ oz. respectively. NUMBERS 7:10. FOR THE DEDICATION: better (_mg._), the dedication gift; and so in Numbers 7:11; Numbers 7:84; Numbers 7:88. Numbers 7:89. This verse is incomplete at both its beginning and its close; for the words with him must refer to Yahweh, who is not mentioned in the preceding context, whilst the statement he spake unto him is n

TRIBE. The order is the same as in Numbers 2. See App-45....

HE THAT OFFERED—THE FIRST DAY, WAS NAHSHON, &C.— Bishop Kidder judiciously observes, that though Nahshon offered first, according to the order fixed in chap. 2: and might upon that account be envied for the conspicuous place he held, yet is he so far from being therefore magnified, that he is the only person among these officers who is not called prince of his tribe; which might possibly be intended to prevent envy and emulation among the leaders. As the offering consisted of so many particulars, it is probable that the rest of the great men of the tribe of Judah joined with Nahshon in their contributions towards it. The same may be observed respecting the offering of the other chiefs; each of whom, doubtless, offered in the name of the whole tribe. We may note too, once for all, that there is no difference in their offerings; which might be so ordered to prevent all occasion of vanity a...