Is God a chatterbox?

I think most of us would agree that God is economical with His words. He says what He has to say in the minimum number of words, as one would expect from someone infinitely intelligent. If God says anything twice, we realise it is very important. The Bible may be a big book, but considering the time span and how much is in there, it is really a small book!

Until we get to Numbers chapter 7! This chapter describes the dedication of the tabernacle and the offering each of the tribes brings to God. Each tribe brings the same offering, but the list is repeated 12 times, once for each tribe. Why the repetition? What profound truth is hidden in these verses? Is God trying to tell us something? Any ideas from the Forum?

I wondered the same thing, especially in Chronicles where the numbering and genealogies go on and on.

It says in the bible that each word of the Word of God is there for instruction, correction, etc. so while the lists are repetitive it is absolutely critical and written that way for a specific purpose. Perhaps it may not apply to you and me but it is there for a reason and that reason may indeed be part of a profound truth.

I noticed that in verses where numbers are mentioned that they almost always end with a zero or maybe a 5 but every once in awhile the number ends with 1..2...3...etc. When this happens I always ask myself why is this number different. Still don't have an answer but interesting nevertheless.

This is quite correct. And the amount of detail in Numbers 7 is an anomaly. Perhaps it was important for the tribes to know what they had contributed in detail, and that the tabernacle and its offerings were no light matter.

Accuracy? Record keeping? Historical records were being kept. They could refer to them as proof. Each item was being recorded by a scribe when the offering was given. There was a list being recorded. We get that idea from the repetition. As to what each item was a shadow of I am interested in learning. I suppose they all have to do with the mediatorial ministry of Jesus Christ in some form or fashion. There are probably some books by Alfred Eldershiem that might shed some light on it. He is known as a classic commentator on the customs of the temple.

I think God is a chatterbox when we actually hear Him. He’s saying stuff to us all the time if we’d put stuff aside to listen.

It's record keeping. And good record keeping. A sound witness for the things God knows are important.
The whole collection of books is a record and a witness. I believe many things will come to light in the heavenly court of law.
And on earth during the millennial reign of King Jesus. He will settle disputes between nations and administer justice from Jerusalem.
I believe every chapter and verse is/will be important.

Many thanks, folks, for all your kind comments.

Names are very important in the Bible.

Look at Genesis 5:

ADAM– “man” / “mankind” (Root word “Adamah” which means “earth”

SET – “Appointed” / “Appointed another seed”

ENOSH – “Mortal” / “Being Mortal” from the Hebrew Root word “Anash”

KENAN – “Sorrow”

MAHALALEL – Consists of two Hebrew words:“Mahalal” which means “Blessed’ / “Praised” and “EL” which means God. The name thus means: “Blessed/Praised of YHVH”

YERED – “Shall Descend” / “Shall come down”

CHANOCH (ENOCH) – means “teaching” “To teach/instruct people”

MATUSHELACH – consists of two Hebrew words:

Met – which means “death”

Shelach – which means “Shall bring forth” Put them together and it reads “Death shall bring forth”

LAMECH–“Despairing” / “Those in despair”

NOACH– “Comfort” / “Rest”


Together: “Man/Mankind appointed mortal sorrow. The blessed/praised of YHVH shall descend/come down and teach/instruct people that His death shall bring, those in despair, comfort/rest.

Gospel of John, Chapter 21:

25 And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.

Interesting question!

Will have to dig into this at some stage

My God is NOT a chatterbox...………… I don't thing you meant to imply He is. Just a poor choice of words?

chatterbox
[ˈCHadərˌbäks]

NOUN
informal

1. a person who talks at length about trivial matters.

True that sir