“Each charger of silver weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, each bowl seventy: all the silver vessels weighed two thousand and four hundred shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary.”
This verse is part of a longer passage in the book of Numbers that describes the offerings brought by the leaders of the twelve tribes of Israel for the dedication of the altar. In Numbers 7, each tribal leader brings an offering that consists of various items, including silver chargers, silver bowls, and other vessels. These offerings were made for the service of the tabernacle, the place of worship and sacrifice in the wilderness.
In the specific verse you mentioned, Numbers 7:85, the verse provides a summary of the silver vessels brought by the tribal leaders. It states that each charger of silver weighed a hundred and thirty shekels, while each bowl weighed seventy shekels. In total, the weight of all the silver vessels was two thousand and four hundred shekels, using the shekel of the sanctuary as the standard of measurement.
While this verse may appear to be a specific account of weights and measures, it serves as a record of the dedication and commitment of the leaders of the twelve tribes of Israel to the service of the tabernacle. It highlights their willingness to contribute generously to the worship of God and the upkeep of the sanctuary. Overall, this verse is part of the historical and descriptive accounts found in the book of Numbers. It provides details about the offerings made by the Israelite leaders during the time when they were journeying through the wilderness and constructing the tabernacle, which served as a central place of worship for the nation of Israel.
