Numbers 7 48

Numbers 7:48 kjv

On the seventh day Elishama the son of Ammihud, prince of the children of Ephraim, offered:

Numbers 7:48 nkjv

On the seventh day Elishama the son of Ammihud, leader of the children of Ephraim, presented an offering.

Numbers 7:48 niv

On the seventh day Elishama son of Ammihud, the leader of the people of Ephraim, brought his offering.

Numbers 7:48 esv

On the seventh day Elishama the son of Ammihud, the chief of the people of Ephraim:

Numbers 7:48 nlt

On the seventh day Elishama son of Ammihud, leader of the tribe of Ephraim, presented his offering.

Numbers 7 verses

Numbers 7 48 Meaning

Numbers 7:48 introduces Nahshon son of Amminadab, the designated leader of the tribe of Judah, on the seventh day of the twelve-day dedication ceremony of the newly consecrated tabernacle. This verse identifies the specific individual and his lineage, his authoritative role as tribal head, and the particular day appointed for him to present his tribe's uniform and significant offering. It emphasizes divine order, appointed leadership, and participation in the collective act of worship and dedication following God's commands.

Numbers 7 48 Context

Numbers chapter 7 details the dedication of the tabernacle, which had been completed and consecrated according to God's precise instructions in Exodus. Following the anointing of the Tabernacle and its furnishings (Num 7:1), the leaders of the twelve tribes of Israel present their voluntary offerings for the upkeep and service of the holy structure. The chapter lists each tribal leader by name and recounts the identical offerings made by each, presented consecutively over twelve days. Verse 48 specifically focuses on the seventh day of this extensive dedication process, highlighting the meticulous order and personal involvement of each tribal head, affirming their commitment to the established worship of Yahweh and the maintenance of His dwelling place among them. This extended narrative emphasizes the unified nature of Israel's worship, the value of obedience, and the communal contribution towards a sacred purpose.

Numbers 7 48 Word analysis

• On the seventh day (בַּיּוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי, bay-yom hash-shevii):

  • בַּיּוֹם (bay-yom): Combination of preposition 'בְּ' (be - "in, on") and 'יוֹם' (yom - "day"). Denotes a specific point in time.
  • הַשְּׁבִיעִי (hash-shevii): "The seventh." The ordinal number for "seven."
  • Significance: The number seven holds deep symbolic importance in the Bible, representing completeness, perfection, and holiness (e.g., seven days of creation, Sabbath, festivals). Its appearance here underscores the divine order and sanctity of the Tabernacle's dedication, placing Nahshon's offering on a day marked by divine patterns of rest and fullness.

• Nahshon son of Amminadab (נַחְשׁוֹן בֶּן-עַמִּינָדָב, Nachshon ben Amminadav):

  • נַחְשׁוֹן (Nahshon): The individual's proper name. Means "enchanter" or "serpent."
  • בֶּן (ben): "Son of." Identifies paternal lineage.
  • עַמִּינָדָב (Amminadav): Proper name, meaning "my kinsman is noble" or "my people are generous."
  • Significance: Nahshon is historically significant as the head of the prominent tribe of Judah. He is part of the esteemed genealogy of David and, subsequently, Jesus Christ (Ruth 4:20, Matt 1:4). His mention here identifies a crucial figure whose faithful obedience would have long-term redemptive implications, showcasing how God works through specific, obedient individuals in His grand plan.

• leader (נָשִׂיא, nasi):

  • נָשִׂיא (nasi): Hebrew term meaning "prince," "chief," or "leader." It denotes a high-ranking individual or a chieftain appointed or acknowledged as having authority, especially among tribal heads.
  • Significance: The use of nasi highlights Nahshon's divinely appointed and recognized authority within his tribe. These were not self-appointed individuals but figures of stature within God's ordered community, responsible for guiding and representing their people in spiritual and administrative matters. His position implies responsibility, not merely status.

• of the people of Judah (לִבְנֵי יְהוּדָה, liv-ne Yehudah):

  • לִבְנֵי (liv-ne): Combination of preposition 'לְ' (le - "to, for, belonging to") and 'בְּנֵי' (bene - "sons of," "people of").
  • יְהוּדָה (Yehudah): Hebrew for "Judah," the name of Jacob's fourth son and the tribe descended from him.
  • Significance: Judah was already distinguished as a powerful and numerous tribe. The prophecies in Genesis (Gen 49:8-12) point to Judah as the lineage through which kingship would emerge. Nahshon, as its nasi, foreshadows the royal line that would culminate in David and, ultimately, Christ. His offering represents not just him personally, but the entire tribe of Judah, underscoring collective responsibility and worship.

• made his offering:

  • While the phrase "made his offering" explicitly appears in English translations, the Hebrew of Num 7:48 ends with Nahshon's name: "Nahshon son of Amminadab." The details of "his offering" (qorbano) begin in Num 7:49. This English phrasing anticipates the substance of the subsequent verses, summarizing Nahshon's action.
  • Significance: It encapsulates the purpose of Nahshon's appearance in the text—to participate actively in the dedication of the tabernacle by contributing valuable, prescribed sacrifices. This action represents obedience to God's command and active participation in the newly established covenantal worship system. The offering itself symbolizes a consecration of resources, a devotion of first fruits, and an act of worship demonstrating the tribe's commitment to God.

Numbers 7 48 Bonus section

The repetitive nature of Numbers chapter 7, where the same offerings are listed for each tribe (though only the giver and day are listed in this specific verse), serves a profound theological purpose beyond mere record-keeping. It emphasizes several key aspects:

• Divine Impartiality: Every tribe, regardless of size or previous status, was required to give the exact same set of offerings. This underscores God's equitable regard for all His people, promoting unity and dispelling any notion of favoritism in their communal worship.
• Completeness and Thoroughness: The full list of twelve offerings (each over twelve days) signifies the entire nation's collective participation in the dedication, a holistic commitment to God's presence and laws.
• The Cost of Worship: The offerings were substantial (silver plates, basins, gold pans, specific animals). This detail highlights the costly nature of true worship and obedience, emphasizing that devotion to God involves sacrifice of material wealth, time, and effort.
• Foreshadowing of the Church: Just as each tribe had a specific role and contributed to the Tabernacle, so too does each member and community within the Body of Christ contribute uniquely to the functioning and witness of the church (1 Cor 12:12-27), with the ultimate sacrifice having been made by Christ.

Numbers 7 48 Commentary

Numbers 7:48 marks a significant moment in the unfolding narrative of Israel's journey and worship. By meticulously identifying Nahshon, leader of Judah, as the one making an offering on the seventh day, the text underscores precision, order, and the centrality of designated leadership in Israel's divinely organized society. The repeated pattern of offerings across the twelve days (though only the presenter is noted here) speaks to a unity in worship, where each tribe contributes equally and obediently to the Tabernacle's support. The selection of the seventh day further embeds the event within God's patterns of rest and perfection. More than a simple chronicle, this verse, by naming Nahshon, implicitly connects the dedication of the Tabernacle to the greater sweep of God's redemptive plan, reminding the discerning reader that the tribal head of Judah stands in the direct lineage through which the ultimate Leader and Great High Priest would emerge. It teaches the importance of humble, obedient participation by individuals within the framework of divine appointments, knowing that such faithfulness contributes to a larger, eternal purpose.