Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Numbers 7:2
That the princes of Israel, heads of the house of their fathers, who [were] the princes of the tribes, and were over them that were numbered, offered:
2. offered ] The verb cannot, as in English, stand alone with an absolute force. It is intended to govern ‘their oblation’ in Num 7:3; but the remainder of the verse is a parenthesis, and the sentence is then resumed with another verb, ‘and they brought.’
covered wagons ] The word zbh, rendered ‘covered,’ is doubtful. It is the singular of a substantive found only in Isa 66:20 (R.V. ‘litters’). The expression may mean litter-wagons, i.e. wagons covered like a litter or palanquin. So LXX. , ‘wagons like covered chariots.’ But perhaps the text is corrupt.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
To wit, in the manner and days hereafter mentioned.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
2, 3. the princes of Israel . . .brought their offering before the LordThe finishing of thesacred edifice would, it may well be imagined, be hailed as anauspicious occasion, diffusing great joy and thankfulness throughoutthe whole population of Israel. But the leading men, not content withparticipating in the general expression of satisfaction,distinguished themselves by a movement, which, while purelyspontaneous, was at the same time so appropriate in the circumstancesand so equal in character, as indicates it to have been the result ofconcerted and previous arrangement. It was an offer of the means ofcarriage, suitable to the migratory state of the nation in thewilderness, for transporting the tabernacle from place to place. Inthe pattern of that sacred tent exhibited on the mount, and to whichits symbolic and typical character required a faithful adherence, noprovision had been made for its removal in the frequent journeyingsof the Israelites. That not being essential to the plan of the divinearchitect, it was left to be accomplished by voluntary liberality;and whether we look to the judicious character of the gifts, or tothe public manner in which they were presented, we have unmistakableevidence of the pious and patriotic feelings from which they emanatedand the extensive interest the occasion produced. The offerers were”the princes of Israel, heads of the house of their fathers,”and the offering consisted of six covered wagons or little cars, andtwelve oxen, two of the princes being partners in a wagon, and eachfurnishing an ox.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
That the princes of Israel,…. The princes of the twelve tribes of Israel:
heads of the house of their fathers; of the each of the houses and families the tribes were divided into, and took their name from each of their ancestors, as is next explained:
who were princes of the tribes; the twelve tribes, as before observed, Nu 1:4;
and were over them that were numbered; over the children of Israel that were numbered, Nu 1:19; by which it that these princes are the very same persons that are mentioned by name there, as they are here afterwards; and were with Moses and Aaron, and assisting to them when they took the number of them; but according to the Targum of Jonathan, and Jarchi, these were appointed over them in Egypt; but the former is right: these now
offered not sacrifices but gifts; they brought their presents to the Lord for the service of his sanctuary, and set them before him, as follows.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
The presentation of six waggons and twelve oxen for the carriage of the materials of the tabernacle is mentioned first, and was no doubt the first thing that took place. The princes of Israel, viz., the heads of the tribe-houses (fathers’ houses), or princes of the tribes (see Num 1:4.), “ those who stood over those that were numbered, ” i.e., who were their leaders or rulers, offered as their sacrificial gift six covered waggons and twelve oxen, one ox for each prince, and a waggon for every two. , (lxx), i.e., according to Euseb. Emis., two-wheeled vehicles, though the Greek scholiasts explain as signifying , and (cf. Schleussner, Lex. in lxx s.v.), and Aquila, , i.e., plaustra tecta ( Vulg. and Rabb.). The meaning “litters,” which Gesenius and De Wette support, can neither be defended etymologically, nor based upon in Isa 66:20.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
2. Princes of Israel See Num 1:5-10, notes.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Num 7:2 That the princes of Israel, heads of the house of their fathers, who [were] the princes of the tribes, and were over them that were numbered, offered:
Ver. 2. The princes of Israel offered. ] So they did at the making of the tabernacle, and at the building of the temple, Exo 35:27 1Ch 29:6-8 which was but to give God of his own; as David aeknowledgeth with all thankfulness, 1Ch 29:14 . a Of thine own we offer unto thee, said Justinian, when he had offered up, in the temple of Sophia, at Constantinople, a communion table that had in it, saith the author, all the riches of land and sea.
a Cedrenus.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
the princes. Though their offerings were the same as the others, yet each is recorded separately.
offered = brought near. Hebrew. karab. App-43.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
the princes: Num 1:4-16, Num 2:1-34, Num 10:1-36
and were over: etc. Heb. who stood
offered: Exo 35:27, 1Ch 29:6-8, 2Ch 35:8, Ezr 2:68, Ezr 2:69, Neh 7:70-72
Reciprocal: Lev 4:22 – a ruler hath sinned Num 1:16 – the renowned Num 10:4 – General Num 30:1 – General Num 31:51 – General 1Ch 29:5 – General Ezr 6:17 – offered Pro 3:9 – General
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Num 7:2-3. The princes of Israel The heads or chiefs of the several tribes, mentioned Num 1:5-16. Offered In the manner, and on the days hereafter mentioned. Before the Lord That is, they were presented to God at the door of the tabernacle, as it follows; six covered wagons Wagons that were covered above, for the convenience of carrying the heavier parts of the tabernacle, and preserving them from the injuries of the weather. They were probably very rich and sumptuous, since two of the great men joined in the present of one wagon.