“And Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai, the prince of the children of Dan, brought a charger of gold, ten shekels, full of incense.”
Context:Numbers 7 records the offerings brought by the leaders of the twelve tribes of Israel during the consecration of the Tabernacle.
During this time, each tribal leader brought various offerings to the Lord, which included carts, oxen, silver basins, silver bowls, and gold pans. In verse 13, we see that Nahshon, the leader of the tribe of Judah, brought a silver charger (a large platter) weighing one hundred and thirty shekels, filled with fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering. Then, in verse 14, he presented a silver bowl weighing seventy shekels, filled with incense. Now, when we come to verse 16, we encounter the offering brought by Ahiezer, the leader of the tribe of Dan. He brought a gold charger weighing ten shekels, filled with incense. The “charger” refers to a large dish or platter, usually made of metal, used for serving food or offerings. In this case, it contained incense, which was a fragrant substance burned as an offering to God.
The act of offering incense held significant symbolism in the Israelite worship practices. The rising smoke of the incense represented the prayers and worship ascending to God. It was an act of reverence, acknowledging God’s presence and seeking His favor. Although Numbers 7:16 appears to be a brief mention of a specific offering, it carries a broader message within the context of the consecration of the Tabernacle. It underscores the importance of each tribe’s contribution in the worship and service of God.
