Numbers 7 42

Numbers 7:42 kjv

On the sixth day Eliasaph the son of Deuel, prince of the children of Gad, offered:

Numbers 7:42 nkjv

On the sixth day Eliasaph the son of Deuel, leader of the children of Gad, presented an offering.

Numbers 7:42 niv

On the sixth day Eliasaph son of Deuel, the leader of the people of Gad, brought his offering.

Numbers 7:42 esv

On the sixth day Eliasaph the son of Deuel, the chief of the people of Gad:

Numbers 7:42 nlt

On the sixth day Eliasaph son of Deuel, leader of the tribe of Gad, presented his offering.

Numbers 7 verses

Numbers 7 42 Meaning

Numbers 7:42 records the dedicated act of Abidan, son of Gideoni, the appointed leader of the tribe of Benjamin. On the sixth day of the twelve-day consecration ceremony, he came forward to present the required offerings for the newly anointed Tabernacle and its altar. This moment signifies Benjamin's participation and obedience to God's divine instructions, as part of the unified worship of the assembled tribes of Israel.

Numbers 7 42 Context

Numbers chapter 7 provides a detailed, repetitive account of the dedication of the Tabernacle and its altar following its anointing, as described in Exodus 40. This entire chapter is dedicated to listing the specific offerings presented by the leaders (nasi) of each of the twelve tribes of Israel, one tribe per day for twelve consecutive days. Each leader brings an identical set of valuable items for various types of offerings (burnt offering, grain offering, sin offering, peace offering) and specific items for the Tabernacle's service. The historical context places this event shortly after the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai, with the Israelites freshly organized into camps and the divine presence residing among them in the Tabernacle. This meticulous record emphasizes the divine order, the absolute obedience of the people and their leaders, and the collective consecration of Israel to Yahweh through communal worship and sacrifice. Numbers 7:42 specifically focuses on the offering presented by the tribal leader of Benjamin on the sixth day.

Numbers 7 42 Word analysis

• On the sixth day (בַּיּוֹם הַשִּׁשִּׁי - ba-yom ha-shi-shi):
  • Word: "day" (יוֹם - yom) often denotes a period of 24 hours but can signify an era. Here, it refers to a specific ordinal day within a ceremonial sequence.
  • Significance: The explicit mention of the "sixth day" underscores the methodical, pre-determined order of the Tabernacle dedication. This highlights divine meticulousness and the precise execution of God's commands, as opposed to spontaneous action. Six is often associated with human work and activity (e.g., six days of creation, six days of labor). In this context, it signifies a dedicated portion of time specifically for God's work of dedication.
• Abidan (אֲבִידָן - Avidan):
  • Word: "Abidan" literally means "my father is judge" or "father of judgment."
  • Significance: Names in ancient Israel often carried prophetic or significant meanings. While not directly interpreted in this verse, a leader named "My father is judge" brings a sense of divine authority or an appeal to justice through his lineage into the act of offering. He represents his tribe in this significant act.
• the son of Gideoni (גִּדְעוֹנִי - Gid'oni):
  • Word: "Gideoni" has a debated meaning, potentially "feller" (one who cuts down), "mighty," or related to a "stump" (suggesting a source or foundation).
  • Significance: Lineage was crucial in Israel for tribal identity and social structure. Mentioning his father affirms Abidan's identity and position within his tribal clan.
• leader (נָשִׂיא - nasi'):
  • Word: This Hebrew term means "prince," "chief," "tribal head," "dignitary," or "one lifted up." It implies an appointed or elected leader rather than a king (מֶלֶךְ - melekh).
  • Significance: The nasi played a vital role in the civil administration and representation of each tribe, distinct from the priestly duties of the Levites and Aaronites. Abidan, as nasi of Benjamin, officially represents his entire tribe in this communal act of worship and dedication, demonstrating collective obedience and unity.
• of the sons of Benjamin (בִּנְיָמִן - Binyamin):
  • Word: "Benjamin" means "son of the right hand" or "son of good fortune." It refers to the youngest son of Jacob and Rachel.
  • Significance: The tribe of Benjamin held a unique position. Despite being the smallest tribe in the wilderness census (Num 1:36-37), they provided Israel's first king, Saul, and remained loyal to Judah, contributing significantly to later Israelite history. Their participation here underscores their integral role within the covenant community and their equal standing in dedication before God.
• presented his offering (הִקְרִ֤יב קָרְבָּנ֙וֹ֙ - hiqriv qorbano):
  • Words: hiqriv (הִקְרִיב) is a Hiphil verb from the root קרב (qarab), meaning "to cause to come near" or "to bring near." qorbano (קָרְבָּנוֹ) is "his offering," from the noun קָרְבָּן (qorban), which specifically denotes something "brought near" to God, i.e., an offering or sacrifice.
  • Significance: This phrase indicates the physical act of bringing sacrificial items close to the Tabernacle, symbolizing a spiritual act of drawing near to God in worship. The offering is "his" specific and tangible contribution, meticulously prepared as per God's command (detail of what it constituted is found in the subsequent verses Num 7:43-48). This act of "drawing near" underscores the very essence of worship and sacrifice as a means of communion and atonement.

Numbers 7 42 Bonus section

The seemingly repetitive nature of Numbers 7 emphasizes the non-hierarchical, equal dedication required from all tribes, irrespective of their size, wealth, or historical prominence. Each tribe brought the exact same set of valuable offerings (as detailed in Num 7:43-48), underscoring that their value before God in terms of dedication was uniform and not based on worldly distinctions. The offerings themselves covered various aspects of fellowship and atonement (burnt offerings, sin offerings, peace offerings), symbolizing a complete spiritual covering for the people. This twelve-day process, concluding the anointing and setting apart of the Tabernacle, positioned Israel as a prepared and consecrated people ready to live under the direct presence and leadership of God as they departed Sinai.

Numbers 7 42 Commentary

Numbers 7:42, within the broader context of Numbers chapter 7, highlights the principle of ordered obedience and corporate worship in ancient Israel. The meticulous, day-by-day record of each tribal leader's offering, even with identical offerings, is not a superfluous repetition but a profound theological statement. It underscores God's absolute demand for precise adherence to His instructions and Israel's perfect, unified response. Abidan, the leader of Benjamin, fulfilling his specific role on the sixth day, exemplifies the participation of every segment of the covenant community in the vital act of Tabernacle dedication. This national act of drawing near to God through sacrifice cemented Israel's covenant relationship and prepared them for God's ongoing presence and guidance as they journeyed toward the Promised Land. The fact that the leaders brought offerings underscores their representation of their entire tribe, signifying a communal act of faith and dedication by all Israel.