7:1 The day Moses set up the Tabernacle was the first day of the second year after the Exodus (Exod 40:1-2). • Once Moses finished setting up the Tabernacle, he anointed and set apart (or consecrated) its furnishings, the altar, and its utensils (cp. Exod 40:9-10; Lev 8:10-11). As the locus of sacrifice, the altar held special importance among the sacred furniture.

7:10-11 In addition to the wagons and oxen, the tribal leaders also presented gifts of silver and gold vessels and other religious offerings for the altar at the time it was anointed. Beginning with the tribe of Judah, the tribal leaders brought these gifts to the Tabernacle on twelve consecutive days. The gifts came from items collected from the Egyptians when Israel departed from Egypt (cp. Exod 12:35-36; 25:3).

7:12-83 One by one, the tribal leaders brought their dedicatory gifts and offerings until the entire Hebrew confederation had participated. The repetitious pattern of describing each tribal gift emphasizes the communal nature of this ceremony; all tribes played a role in consecrating their place of worship. The detailed listing might reflect the meticulous record keeping of an archive or ledger. As noted in the record for each tribe, the silver vessels contained grain offerings, and the gold vessels held incense. Every tribe also brought animals as a burnt offering, a sin offering, and a peace offering, as specified in Leviticus.