translation_id: net-engnet

book_id: NUM

label: NET study note

text: This long and repetitious chapter has several parts to it: the introduction (vv. 1-3 ), the assigning of gifts (vv. 4-9 ), the time of presentation (vv. 10-11 ), and then the tribes (vv. 12-83 ), and then a summary (vv. 84-89 ).


text: For a discussion and drawings, see W. S. McCullough, IDB 1:540. But see also D. J. Wiseman, IBD 1:254.


text: Some commentators take the word “dedication” in the sense of a dedication gift, and so make it the direct object. Many modern scholars assume that this is a late word, belonging only in P, the Chronicler, and the heading of (a Davidic psalm).


text: The tribe of Judah is listed first. It seems that it had already achieved a place of prominence based on the patriarchal promise of the Messiahship in Judah ( Gen 49:10 ).


text: Even though the chapter seems wearisome and repetitious to the modern reader, it is a significant document. A. Rainey shows how it matches the exact ledgers of ancient sanctuaries (see ZPEB 5:202). The recording would have been done by the priestly scribes. Of the many points that can be observed here, it should not be missed that each tribe, regardless of its size or relative importance, was on equal footing before the Lord . Each tribe shared in the work of the Lord equally. Each tribe approached the sanctuary in precisely the same way on this memorable occasion. All such devotion to the work of the Lord was to receive the blessing of God.