Numbers 7:18 kjv
On the second day Nethaneel the son of Zuar, prince of Issachar, did offer:
Numbers 7:18 nkjv
On the second day Nethanel the son of Zuar, leader of Issachar, presented an offering.
Numbers 7:18 niv
On the second day Nethanel son of Zuar, the leader of Issachar, brought his offering.
Numbers 7:18 esv
On the second day Nethanel the son of Zuar, the chief of Issachar, made an offering.
Numbers 7:18 nlt
On the second day Nethanel son of Zuar, leader of the tribe of Issachar, presented his offering.
Numbers 7 18 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Num 7:1 | "On the day Moses finished setting up the tabernacle... anointed it and consecrated it and all its furnishings... anointed the altar and all its utensils, and consecrated them." | The starting point for the dedication offerings. |
| Num 7:10 | "The leaders brought their offerings for the dedication of the altar the day it was anointed... Judah's leader Nahshon presented his offering." | Establishes the pattern of daily tribal offerings. |
| Num 1:8 | "Nethanel son of Zuar, of Issachar," | Identifies Nethanel as a recognized leader in the census. |
| Num 10:15 | "Nethanel son of Zuar was commander of the company of the tribe of Issachar." | Confirms Nethanel's leadership role during Israel's journey. |
| Gen 49:14-15 | "Issachar is a strong donkey, lying down between two burdens... he bowed his shoulder to bear a burden and became a slave at forced labor." | Jacob's prophecy concerning Issachar, relating to labor. |
| Deut 33:18-19 | "Of Zebulun he said, 'Rejoice, Zebulun, in your going out, and Issachar, in your tents... for they will feast on the abundance of the seas, and on the treasures hidden in the sand.'" | Moses' blessing for Issachar, mentioning prosperity and wisdom. |
| Ex 25:9 | "According to all that I show you concerning the pattern of the tabernacle, and of all its furniture, so you shall make it." | Emphasizes God's command for precise adherence to His divine design. |
| Ex 40:33 | "So Moses finished the work." | The completion of the Tabernacle, leading to its dedication. |
| Lev 1:2-3 | "When any one of you brings an offering to the Lord..." | Describes the general principle of bringing offerings to God. |
| Heb 8:5 | "They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. For when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed by God..." | The earthly Tabernacle is a copy of a heavenly reality. |
| Heb 9:11-12 | "But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things to come... he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption." | Christ as the ultimate, single offering, making Old Covenant offerings unnecessary. |
| Heb 10:10 | "And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." | Focus on Christ's single perfect offering. |
| Rom 12:1 | "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship." | New Covenant call to self-dedication as a spiritual offering. |
| Phil 4:18 | "I have received full payment and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God." | Monetary giving considered a spiritual offering, pleasing to God. |
| 1 Pet 2:5 | "You yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." | Believers as priests offering spiritual sacrifices in Christ. |
| 1 Cor 14:33 | "For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the saints." | Principle of order, reflected in the structured dedication. |
| 1 Cor 14:40 | "But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way." | General principle of orderliness in worship and community. |
| Psa 51:17 | "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise." | Emphasizes the heart behind the offering as primary. |
| Isa 1:11 | "The multitude of your sacrifices—what are they to me?" says the Lord. "I have more than enough of burnt offerings..." | Warns against external ritual without true internal devotion. |
| Ezra 7:17 | "So be careful to purchase with this money bulls, rams, and lambs, with their grain offerings and drink offerings, and present them on the altar of the house of your God in Jerusalem." | Post-exilic example of commanded offerings for worship. |
| Luke 2:24 | "and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, 'a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.'" | An example of presenting offerings in accordance with Mosaic Law, demonstrating obedience. |
| Acts 20:24 | "However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace." | Dedication of life to God's purpose, a New Covenant form of offering. |
Numbers 7 verses
Numbers 7 18 Meaning
Numbers 7:18 records the specific detail of Nethanel, the leader of the tribe of Issachar, presenting his tribe's dedication offering on the second day of the twelve-day consecration period for the newly erected Tabernacle. This verse is part of a meticulous record that highlights the orderly, distinct, yet uniformly prescribed contributions from each of Israel's tribes, underscoring their communal participation in establishing a sacred dwelling for God.
Numbers 7 18 Context
Numbers Chapter 7 is situated immediately after the completion and anointing of the Tabernacle and its furnishings (Num 7:1-9) and the consecration of the Levitical priests. This dedication marked a pivotal moment in Israel's wilderness journey, solidifying the presence of God among His people through the central worship structure. The chapter meticulously details the twelve-day period during which each of the tribal leaders presents an identical offering for the dedication of the altar. The repetition for each tribe, while seemingly monotonous, emphasizes the unified participation, the equality of each tribe before God, and the sacred precision required in all matters related to divine worship. Nethanel's offering on the second day represents the continuation of this precise and orderly process, affirming Issachar's allegiance and contribution alongside the other tribes. This structured act of dedication visually depicted Israel as a covenant community, devoted to God according to His prescribed instructions.
Numbers 7 18 Word analysis
On the second day (בַּיּוֹם הַשֵּׁנִי - bay-yōm ha-šē-nî):
- Word: "day" (יוֹם - yom), "second" (שֵּׁנִי - sheni).
- Analysis: Emphasizes the orderly, sequential nature of the dedication. This systematic approach, prescribed by God, highlights divine order and Israel's obedience. Each tribe having a distinct day also underscored their individual identity while contributing to a corporate act of worship.
Nethanel (נְתַנְאֵל - Nethan’el):
- Word: A proper name.
- Analysis: Means "God has given" or "Gift of God." This common Hebrew name underscores a theological truth: leadership and capacity to give offerings come from divine provision.
son of Zuar (בֶּן-צוּעָר - ben Tsū'ār):
- Word: "son of" (בֶּן - ben), Zuar (צוּעָר - Tsū'ār).
- Analysis: Identifies Nethanel's paternal lineage, a crucial element in ancient Israel for establishing identity, tribal affiliation, and legal standing. Zuar may mean "small" or "insignificant," highlighting how God works through individuals and their families, regardless of perceived status.
leader (נָשִׂיא - nāśî'):
- Word: Prince, chieftain, tribal head.
- Analysis: Designates a prominent and authoritative figure, not a priest. The nasi served as a representative of his tribe, responsible for administrative and leadership functions, including leading this important dedication. This shows the communal and hierarchical structure of Israelite society.
of Issachar (לְיִשָּׂשׂכָר - lə-Yiśśāḵār):
- Word: A proper noun for the tribe.
- Analysis: Pinpoints the specific tribal affiliation, connecting the leader to his people. Issachar was one of the twelve tribes descended from Jacob, whose blessing spoke of a "strong donkey," and who later distinguished themselves by "understanding the times" (1 Chron 12:32), suggesting practical wisdom and insight—qualities that complement the act of ordered giving.
made his offering (הִקְרִ֤יב אֶת-קָרְבָּנ֙וֹ֙ - hiq-rîḇ ’eṯ-qor-bā-nōw):
- Words: "made... to bring near, to present" (הִקְרִ֤יב - Hiphil form of קרב - qarab), "his offering" (קָרְבָּנ֙וֹ֙ - qorbanow from קָרְבָּן - qorban).
- Analysis: The verb qarab (Hiphil, causative) signifies the active bringing near or presentation of something to God. Qorban is the general term for an offering, implying that it is "brought near" to the altar/God. This highlights the intentional act of devotion, emphasizing a personal, yet representational, act of giving from Nethanel to the Lord. Unlike pagan rites of appeasement, this was a voluntary covenant act of devotion.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "On the second day Nethanel son of Zuar": Establishes the specific timing and the identity of the tribal leader. The repetition of this detailed format for each tribe throughout Numbers 7 serves as an undeniable legal record, demonstrating each tribe's compliance with God's commands and ensuring no partiality or oversight in the divine ledger. It also emphasizes the precision expected in worship.
- "leader of Issachar, made his offering": Connects the leader to his tribal identity and his specific action of communal dedication. The tribal leaders were key figures in leading the people's worship, contributing materially to the sacred space and acknowledging God's rightful claim on their firstfruits and devotion. This corporate act of worship fostered unity and reinforced Israel's covenant relationship with Yahweh.
Numbers 7 18 Bonus section
The repetitive nature of Numbers Chapter 7, listing almost identical details for each tribal offering over twelve days, is a distinctive literary and theological feature. This seemingly monotonous structure serves several critical purposes beyond merely documenting the offerings. It functions as a meticulous legal and historical record, verifying that every single tribe, under its respective leader, participated fully and equally in the sacred act of consecration for the Tabernacle. This divine insistence on repetition and exact detail communicates the supreme importance God placed on the Tabernacle as His dwelling place among Israel and the absolute necessity of obedience in its establishment and use. This pattern ensures there is no doubt regarding the full and unanimous dedication, reflecting divine approval and endorsing the complete submission of the Israelite leadership to God’s directives. Furthermore, it reinforces the themes of communal solidarity and the comprehensive nature of worship required from God's entire covenant nation.
Numbers 7 18 Commentary
Numbers 7:18 is a concise snapshot within an extensive narrative, meticulously detailing the offerings presented by each tribal leader for the Tabernacle's dedication. Its seemingly repetitive nature is intentional, highlighting key theological principles. Firstly, it underscores God's insistence on order and precision in worship; the distinct daily offerings follow a divinely prescribed sequence, demonstrating that true worship is not chaotic but structured according to God's will. Secondly, the uniformity of each offering's contents across all twelve tribes, though individually presented, powerfully communicates the unity and equality of God's people before Him—no tribe was favored above another in this corporate act of dedication. Nethanel's specific mention affirms the participation and commitment of Issachar, solidifying their place within the covenant community. This passage affirms that devotion to God involves specific actions, leadership, and a spirit of joyful compliance to divine instructions for the sanctification of a holy dwelling place for God's presence.