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I. THE PRINCES AND GREAT MEN WERE FIRST AND FOREMOST IN THE SERVICE OF GOD. Those who are entitled to precedence should go before in good works.

II. THE OFFERINGS THEY BROUGHT WERE VERY RICH AND VALUABLE. In works of piety and charity we ought to be generous according to our ability. He that is the best should be served with the best we have.

III. They brought their offerings EACH ON A SEVERAL DAY, in the order that they had lately been put into, so that the solemnity lasted twelve days. God appointed that it should thus he done on several days.

1. That the solemnity might be prolonged, and so might be universally taken notice of by all Israel, and the remembrance of it more effectually preserved.

2. That an equal honour might thereby be put upon each several tribe. In Aaron's breastplate each had his precious stone, so in this offering each had his day.

3. Thus it would be done more decently and in order. God's work should not be done confusedly and in a hurry. Take time and we shall have done the sooner, or at least we shall have done the better.

4. God hereby signified how well pleased He is, and how well pleased we should be, with the exercises of piety and devotion. The repetition of them should be a continued pleasure to us, and we must not be weary of well-doing. If extraordinary services come to be done for twelve days together, we must not snuff at it, nor call it a task and a burden.

5. The priest and Levites having this occasion to offer the same sacrifices, and those some of every sort every day for so many days together, would have their hands well set in, and would be well versed in the laws concerning them.

6. The peace-offerings were all to be eaten the same day they were offered; and two oxen, five rams, five he-goats, and five lambs were enough for one day's festival. Had there been more, especially if all had been brought of a day, there might have been danger of excess. The virtue of temperance must not be left under the pretence of the religion of feasting.

IV. All their offerings were exactly the same, WITHOUT ANY VARIATION, though it is probable the princes were not all alike rich, nor the tribes neither; but thus it was intimated that all the tribes of Israel had an equal share in the altar, and an equal interest in the sacrifices that were offered upon it.

V. NASHON THE PRINCE OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH OFFERED FIRST BECAUSE GOD HAD GIVEN THAT TRIBE THE FIRST POST OF HONOUR in the camp, and the rest of the tribes acquiesced, and offered in the same order that God had appointed them to encamp. Judah, of which tribe Christ came, first; and then the rest. Thus, in the dedication of souls to God every man is presented in his own order, "Christ the first-fruits" (1 Corinthians 15:23).

VI. Though the offerings were all the same, YET THE ACCOUNT OF THEM IS REPEATED AT LARGE FOR EACH TRIBE IN THE SAME WORDS. We are sure there are no vain repetitions in Scripture, what then shall we make of these repetitions? Might it not have served to say of this noble jury, That the same offering which their foreman brought, each on his day brought likewise? No; God would have it specified for each tribe. And why so?

1. It was for the encouragement of all acts of piety and charity, by letting us know that what is so given is lent to the Lord, and He carefully books it with every one's name prefixed to his gift because what is so given He will pay it again, and even a cup of cold water shall have its reward. He is not unrighteous to forget either the cost or labour of love (Hebrews 6:10). We find Christ taking particular notice what was cast into the treasury (Mark 12:41). Though what is offered be but little, while it is according to our ability, though it be a contribution to the charity of others, yet it shall be recorded that it may be recompensed in the resurrection of the just.

VII. THE SUM TOTAL IS ADDED AT THE FOOT OF THE ACCOUNT (vers. 84, 88) to show how well pleased God was with the mention of His free-will offerings, and what a great deal it amounted to in the whole, when every prince brought in his quota. How greatly would the sanctuary of God be enriched and beautified if all would in their places do their part towards it by exemplary purity and devotion, extensive charity, and universal usefulness?

( Matthew Henry, D. D..)

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KJV: And the princes offered for dedicating of the altar in the day that it was anointed, even the princes offered their offering before the altar.

WEB: The princes gave offerings for the dedication of the altar in the day that it was anointed, even the princes gave their offerings before the altar.