Numbers 7 17

Numbers 7:17 kjv

And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Nahshon the son of Amminadab.

Numbers 7:17 nkjv

and for the sacrifice of peace offerings: two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs in their first year. This was the offering of Nahshon the son of Amminadab.

Numbers 7:17 niv

and two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Nahshon son of Amminadab.

Numbers 7:17 esv

and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Nahshon the son of Amminadab.

Numbers 7:17 nlt

For a peace offering he brought two bulls, five rams, five male goats, and five one-year-old male lambs. This was the offering brought by Nahshon son of Amminadab.

Numbers 7 verses

Numbers 7 17 Meaning

Numbers 7:17 describes a specific part of the dedication offering made by the tribal leaders for the newly erected Tabernacle. It details the composition and precise measurements of the grain offering (minchah) that was to accompany the animal burnt offerings: three-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil for each bull, two-tenths for each ram, and one-tenth for each male lamb. This verse emphasizes the meticulous and pure requirements for offerings presented to God, symbolizing dedication, sustenance, and the anointing presence of the divine.

Numbers 7 17 Context

Numbers chapter 7 details the extensive dedication offerings made by the leaders of the twelve tribes of Israel for the Tabernacle after its completion and consecration (Num 7:1-3). Following the specific instructions from God to Moses, each of the twelve tribal leaders brought identical gifts on consecutive days, beginning with Nahshon of Judah. Verse 17 is part of the recurring description of these daily offerings, which were precisely defined by God. The broader context highlights Israel's unified act of worship, generosity, and obedience in providing for the operations of the sacred dwelling, underscoring the importance of meticulously following God's commands regarding holy worship and sacrificial system in the wilderness journey.

Numbers 7 17 Word analysis

• וּלְמִנְחָה (u-le-minkhah): "and for the grain offering"
  • מִנְחָה (minchah): This Hebrew term refers specifically to a non-bloody offering, typically made of grain. It often accompanied animal sacrifices but could also be offered independently as a remembrance offering or a gift. It signifies gratitude, homage, dedication, or seeking favor. It underscores God's acceptance of agricultural produce as a form of worship, highlighting the Israelite's dependence on Him for sustenance.
• סֹלֶת (solet): "fine flour"
  • This refers to the finest quality of ground flour, often from wheat. It symbolizes excellence and purity. God required the best for His worship, reflecting His holiness and demanding a dedication of prime resources from His people. This detail ensures the offering is unblemished and represents the highest form of devotion.
• בְּלוּלָה (belulah): "mixed"
  • Derived from the verb בָּלַל (balal), meaning "to mix" or "to mingle." This implies a thorough integration, not just a casual sprinkling. The flour and oil were intimately combined, indicating the complete fusion of ingredients. Spiritually, this can represent the harmonious blending of different elements in worship and devotion.
• בַשֶּׁמֶן (va-shemen): "with oil"
  • שֶׁמֶן (shemen): Often olive oil. In the Old Testament, oil has multifaceted symbolic meanings including consecration, anointing for special service, blessing, provision, healing, and joy. It signified a set-apart quality and the presence or influence of the divine. The mixing of flour with oil makes the grain offering consecrated and fragrant before God. In later theological interpretation, oil can also symbolize the Holy Spirit.
• שְׁלֹשָׁה (sh'loshah): "three"
  • A numerical detail, part of the exact prescribed measurements.
• עֶשְׂרֹנִים (esronim): "tenths"
  • עִשָּׂרוֹן (issaron): This term means "a tenth." Specifically, it refers to a tenth of an ephah, which was a standard dry measure (approx. 2.2 litres). The emphasis on "tenths" and precise fractions underscores the exactitude required in priestly offerings. It points to divine precision in the Mosaic Law and the necessity of strict obedience in all aspects of worship.
• לַפָּר הָאֶחָד (la-par ha-ekhad): "for the one bull" (or "for each bull")
  • פָּר (par): A young bull. A bull was the largest and most expensive animal for sacrifice, usually offered for significant communal or priestly sins, or as a burnt offering to fully ascend to God. The accompanying large grain offering was commensurate with the importance of the animal sacrifice.
• שְׁנֵי עֶשְׂרֹנִים לָאַיִל הָאֶחָד (sh'nei esronim la-ayil ha-ekhad): "two tenths for the one ram" (or "for each ram")
  • אַיִל (ayil): A ram, a male sheep. Rams were commonly used in various sacrifices, including burnt offerings and peace offerings. The amount of grain offering corresponded to the ram's size and significance as an offering.
• וְעִשָּׂרוֹן אֶחָד לַכֶּבֶשׂ הָאֶחָד (v'issaron ekhad la-keves ha-ekhad): "and one tenth for the one male lamb" (or "for each male lamb")
  • כֶּבֶשׂ (keves): A young male lamb. Lambs were the most frequent animal for daily sacrifices and other regular offerings due to their relative accessibility and their association with purity. The "one-tenth of an ephah" was the standard daily grain offering for a single lamb (Num 28:5).
• Fine flour mixed with oil: This specific combination highlights the qualitative requirement. Not just any flour, but the finest (solet); not dry flour, but permeated by oil. This speaks to the need for a spiritual "excellence" in worship, fully consecrated and made holy by divine presence, not merely formal adherence.
• Measurements (three-tenths... two-tenths... one-tenth): The proportional relationship between the animal's size/value and the required grain offering underscores a principle of proportionality in devotion and sacrifice. Greater blessings or atonements often required a more substantial accompanying dedication. It also illustrates God's methodical approach to worship, leaving nothing to chance or human discretion.

Numbers 7 17 Bonus section

The repetitive nature of Numbers chapter 7, where the exact same list of offerings is repeated twelve times, strongly emphasizes the complete obedience, unity, and generosity of the tribal leaders. It is not redundant but a literary device to demonstrate thoroughness and faithfulness to divine instruction. The Tabernacle, a dwelling place for God's glory among His people, was consecrated with deliberate, costly, and harmonious offerings, reflecting the whole nation's commitment. The specific details, such as those in verse 17, reinforced the sanctity and precision demanded in all aspects of Old Covenant worship, laying the groundwork for understanding the perfect and ultimate sacrifice of Christ, which precisely fulfilled these types and shadows without further repetition (Heb 10:10-14).

Numbers 7 17 Commentary

Numbers 7:17, though specific in its details of sacrificial offerings, holds profound spiritual implications. It reveals God's unyielding standard for worship: it must be precise, pure, and proportionally sacrificial. The grain offering (minchah) signifies an offering of one's sustenance, work, and gratitude. The use of "fine flour" emphasizes bringing one's very best to God, not leftovers or what is easy. The flour "mixed with oil" highlights the importance of consecration and divine enabling in all we offer. The varying measures based on the animal (bull, ram, lamb) illustrate that God establishes appropriate contributions and recognizes the nature of the primary sacrifice. While the New Covenant no longer requires such literal sacrifices, the underlying principles endure: genuine worship involves giving our best, dedication in proportion to our capacity and calling, and reliance on the Holy Spirit's anointing for our "spiritual sacrifices" to be acceptable to God (Rom 12:1; 1 Pet 2:5). It is a call to intentional and consecrated devotion in every aspect of our lives.