וַיַּקְרִ֙יבוּ֙ נְשִׂיאֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל רָאשֵׁ֖י בֵּ֣ית אֲבֹתָ֑ם הֵ֚ם נְשִׂיאֵ֣י הַמַּטֹּ֔ת הֵ֥ם הָעֹמְדִ֖ים עַל־הַפְּקֻדִֽים׃
Lalu para pemimpin Israel, para kepala kaum keluarga mereka, membawa persembahan. Merekalah para pemimpin suku-suku, dan merekalah yang mengawasi orang-orang yang dihitung.
Pesikta DeRav Kahana
"And the chieftains of Israel -- they are the chieftains of the tribes -- brought near [their offerings]" (Num. 7:2): This was in Egypt. "And they are those who are presiding over the counting" (ibid.): This was over the [tribal] banners (i.e., in the desert).
"And they brought their offerings before Hashem: Six covered wagons, etc." (Num. 7:3): Corresponding to the six days of Creation. Six corresponding to six orders of the Mishnah. Six corresponding to the six Matriarchs. And who are they? Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, and Leah, Bilhah, [and] Zilpah.
Said Rabbi Yochanan: Six corresponding to [the six] commandments that were commanded to the king. And which are they? "He shall not multiply wives for himself" (Deut. 17:17); "And he shall not multiply horses for himself" (Deut. 17:16); "And silver and gold he shall not multiply for himself" (Deut. 17:17); "He shall not pervert judgment, nor show favoritism, nor take a bribe" (Deut. 17:19). Six corresponding to the "six steps [that led up] to the throne" (1 Kings 10:19). How so? He ascended to sit, and upon [reaching] the first step, the crier goes out and says, "He shall not multiply wives for himself." He ascended to sit, and upon [reaching] the second step, the crier goes out and says, "He shall not multiple horses for himself." He ascended to sit, and upon [reaching] the third step, the crier goes out and says, "And gold and silver he shall not multiply for himself greatly." He ascended to sit, and upon [reaching] the fourth step, the crier goes out and says, "He shall not pervert judgment." He ascended to sit, and upon [reaching] the fifth step, the crier goes out and says, "Nor show favoritism." He ascended to sit, and upon [reaching] the sixth step, the crier goes out and says, "Nor take a bribe." He comes to sit, and upon [reaching] the seventh step, he says to him, "Know before whom you are sitting" (cf. Avot 3:1). "... And the throne had a back with a rounded top" (1 Kings 10:19). Said Rabbi Acha, like that soft-backed chair of Moses. "... And the throne had armrests on this side and that side of the seat" (ibid.). How so? There was a golden scepter behind it, and a dove on its head, and a golden crown in the dove's mouth, and he would sit under it in the seat [of throne], and it would touch yet not touch.
Six [covered wagons] corresponding to six firmaments. But are they not seven? Said Rabbi Avin, where the king resides (i.e., in the seventh heaven), there is the crown property.
"And they brought their offerings before Hashem: Six covered wagons, etc." (Num. 7:3): Corresponding to the six days of Creation. Six corresponding to six orders of the Mishnah. Six corresponding to the six Matriarchs. And who are they? Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, and Leah, Bilhah, [and] Zilpah.
Said Rabbi Yochanan: Six corresponding to [the six] commandments that were commanded to the king. And which are they? "He shall not multiply wives for himself" (Deut. 17:17); "And he shall not multiply horses for himself" (Deut. 17:16); "And silver and gold he shall not multiply for himself" (Deut. 17:17); "He shall not pervert judgment, nor show favoritism, nor take a bribe" (Deut. 17:19). Six corresponding to the "six steps [that led up] to the throne" (1 Kings 10:19). How so? He ascended to sit, and upon [reaching] the first step, the crier goes out and says, "He shall not multiply wives for himself." He ascended to sit, and upon [reaching] the second step, the crier goes out and says, "He shall not multiple horses for himself." He ascended to sit, and upon [reaching] the third step, the crier goes out and says, "And gold and silver he shall not multiply for himself greatly." He ascended to sit, and upon [reaching] the fourth step, the crier goes out and says, "He shall not pervert judgment." He ascended to sit, and upon [reaching] the fifth step, the crier goes out and says, "Nor show favoritism." He ascended to sit, and upon [reaching] the sixth step, the crier goes out and says, "Nor take a bribe." He comes to sit, and upon [reaching] the seventh step, he says to him, "Know before whom you are sitting" (cf. Avot 3:1). "... And the throne had a back with a rounded top" (1 Kings 10:19). Said Rabbi Acha, like that soft-backed chair of Moses. "... And the throne had armrests on this side and that side of the seat" (ibid.). How so? There was a golden scepter behind it, and a dove on its head, and a golden crown in the dove's mouth, and he would sit under it in the seat [of throne], and it would touch yet not touch.
Six [covered wagons] corresponding to six firmaments. But are they not seven? Said Rabbi Avin, where the king resides (i.e., in the seventh heaven), there is the crown property.
Midrash Tanchuma Buber
[(Numb. 8:2:) WHEN YOU SET UP THE LAMPS.] What is written above on the matter (in Numb. 7:1–2)? SO IT CAME TO PASS ON THE DAY THAT MOSES HAD FINISHED [ … ] THAT THE PRINCES OF ISRAEL, <THE HEADS OF THEIR ANCESTRAL HOUSES, NAMELY THE PRINCES OF THE TRIBES, THE ONES IN CHARGE OF THOSE BEING NUMBERED, > MADE THEIR OFFERINGS. Then afterwards (in Numb. 8:2): SPEAK UNTO AARON [AND SAY UNTO HIM]: WHEN YOU SET UP <THE LAMPS>.15Tanh. Numb. 3:5; Numb. R. 15:6. This text is related (to Ps. 34:10 [9]): FEAR THE LORD, O YOU HIS HOLY ONES, FOR THOSE WHO FEAR HIM LACK NOTHING. You find above (in Numb. 7) that eleven tribes made offerings. So while the tribe of Ephraim made offerings, the tribe of Levi made no offering. Moreover all the princes made offerings except for the prince of Levi. Now who was the prince of Levi? This was Aaron, as stated (in Numb. 17:18 [3]):AND YOU SHALL WRITE THE NAME OF AARON UPON THE ROD OF LEVI. So Aaron did not make an offering with the princes for he said: Woe to me! Perhaps it is because of me that the Holy One is not accepting the tribe of Levi. The Holy One said to him: Go, say unto Aaron: Do not be afraid. You are ordained for something greater than this. It is therefore written (in Numb. 7:2): SPEAK UNTO AARON…. The offerings remain in force as long as the Temple exists, but the lamps are forever. (According to Numb. 8:2 cont:) LET <THE SEVEN LAMPS> GIVE THEIR LIGHT IN FRONT OF THE MENORAH, and all the blessings which I have given you to bless my children shall never pass away.
Bamidbar Rabbah
“The princes of Israel, the heads of their patrilineal houses, brought offerings; they were the princes of the tribes, they were those who stood over those who were counted” (Numbers 7:2).
“The princes of Israel…brought offerings” – why did the princes rush to come and sacrifice first, but for the labor of the Tabernacle they were indolent and brought only onyx stones and stones for setting, last? It is because when Moses said: Anyone who is generous of heart shall bring the gift of the Lord for the labor of the Tabernacle, but he did not say it to the princes, they were displeased that he did not tell them to bring. They said: Let the people bring what they will bring, and we will complete what is lacking. All Israel rejoiced over the labor of the Tabernacle and joyfully brought every donation enthusiastically. See what is written: “The men came together with the women” (Exodus 35:22), that they would crowd each other, and the men and the women would come in a muddled throng, and in two mornings they brought all the donations, as it is stated: “They brought him more donations morning after morning” (Exodus 36:3), and it is written: “And the material was sufficient…” (Exodus 36:7). After two days, the princes sought to bring their donation, but they were unable to do so, as Moses already commanded: “They circulated a proclamation in the camp, [saying: Man or woman shall not perform any more labor for the gifts of the Sanctuary, and the people ceased bringing]” (Exodus 36:6). The princes were lamenting the fact that they did not have the privilege of participating in the donations for the Tabernacle. They said: Since we did not have the privilege of participating in the donations for the Tabernacle, we will donate the vestments of the High Priest. That is what is written: “The princes brought the onyx stones [and the stones for setting for the ephod and for the breastplate]” (Exodus 35:27).
The Holy One blessed be He said: Regarding My children who were alacritous, it will be written that they brought and there was more than enough. The princes [hanesiim], who were indolent, He removed one letter from their title, as “hanesiim” (Exodus 35:27) is written without a yod. Once the Tabernacle was completed, they came early and brought an offering with alacrity. That is what is written: “The princes of Israel brought…” – they said: This is the time to sacrifice offerings joyfully, as the Divine Presence rested upon our handiwork. Once the Tabernacle was crafted and nothing was lacking, they said: What can we bring? They went and brought carts upon which they could carry the Tabernacle. Who gave them that counsel? It was the tribe of Issachar. This is what they said to them: Does the Tabernacle that you crafted float in the air? Rather, pledge carts upon which you could carry it. That is why it is written: “The princes of Israel brought,” as they regretted what they had done initially.
“The princes of Israel” – I hear that they were commoners and were appointed? The verse states: “The heads of their patrilineal houses.” Not only the heads of a patrilineal house, but even the princes of a tribe. That is what is written: “They were the princes of the tribes” – princes the sons of princes. “They were the princes of the tribes” – it is they who were appointed over them in Egypt: “The foremen of the children of Israel…were beaten…” (Exodus 5:14). “They were those who stood over those who were counted” – over the count of the banners, just as it says: “And with you shall be a man for each tribe…” (Numbers 1:4).
“The princes of Israel…brought offerings” – why did the princes rush to come and sacrifice first, but for the labor of the Tabernacle they were indolent and brought only onyx stones and stones for setting, last? It is because when Moses said: Anyone who is generous of heart shall bring the gift of the Lord for the labor of the Tabernacle, but he did not say it to the princes, they were displeased that he did not tell them to bring. They said: Let the people bring what they will bring, and we will complete what is lacking. All Israel rejoiced over the labor of the Tabernacle and joyfully brought every donation enthusiastically. See what is written: “The men came together with the women” (Exodus 35:22), that they would crowd each other, and the men and the women would come in a muddled throng, and in two mornings they brought all the donations, as it is stated: “They brought him more donations morning after morning” (Exodus 36:3), and it is written: “And the material was sufficient…” (Exodus 36:7). After two days, the princes sought to bring their donation, but they were unable to do so, as Moses already commanded: “They circulated a proclamation in the camp, [saying: Man or woman shall not perform any more labor for the gifts of the Sanctuary, and the people ceased bringing]” (Exodus 36:6). The princes were lamenting the fact that they did not have the privilege of participating in the donations for the Tabernacle. They said: Since we did not have the privilege of participating in the donations for the Tabernacle, we will donate the vestments of the High Priest. That is what is written: “The princes brought the onyx stones [and the stones for setting for the ephod and for the breastplate]” (Exodus 35:27).
The Holy One blessed be He said: Regarding My children who were alacritous, it will be written that they brought and there was more than enough. The princes [hanesiim], who were indolent, He removed one letter from their title, as “hanesiim” (Exodus 35:27) is written without a yod. Once the Tabernacle was completed, they came early and brought an offering with alacrity. That is what is written: “The princes of Israel brought…” – they said: This is the time to sacrifice offerings joyfully, as the Divine Presence rested upon our handiwork. Once the Tabernacle was crafted and nothing was lacking, they said: What can we bring? They went and brought carts upon which they could carry the Tabernacle. Who gave them that counsel? It was the tribe of Issachar. This is what they said to them: Does the Tabernacle that you crafted float in the air? Rather, pledge carts upon which you could carry it. That is why it is written: “The princes of Israel brought,” as they regretted what they had done initially.
“The princes of Israel” – I hear that they were commoners and were appointed? The verse states: “The heads of their patrilineal houses.” Not only the heads of a patrilineal house, but even the princes of a tribe. That is what is written: “They were the princes of the tribes” – princes the sons of princes. “They were the princes of the tribes” – it is they who were appointed over them in Egypt: “The foremen of the children of Israel…were beaten…” (Exodus 5:14). “They were those who stood over those who were counted” – over the count of the banners, just as it says: “And with you shall be a man for each tribe…” (Numbers 1:4).