Numbers 7 54

Numbers 7:54 kjv

On the eighth day offered Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur, prince of the children of Manasseh:

Numbers 7:54 nkjv

On the eighth day Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur, leader of the children of Manasseh, presented an offering.

Numbers 7:54 niv

On the eighth day Gamaliel son of Pedahzur, the leader of the people of Manasseh, brought his offering.

Numbers 7:54 esv

On the eighth day Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur, the chief of the people of Manasseh:

Numbers 7:54 nlt

On the eighth day Gamaliel son of Pedahzur, leader of the tribe of Manasseh, presented his offering.

Numbers 7 verses

Numbers 7 54 Meaning

Numbers 7:54 records that on the eighth day of the dedication ceremonies for the newly constructed Tabernacle, Elisur, son of Shedeur and leader of the tribe of Ephraim, presented his offering. This verse is part of a detailed and repetitive account illustrating the ordered, generous, and unified worship brought by each of Israel's tribal leaders to the Lord after the Tabernacle was consecrated. It underscores the specific tribe’s participation in this foundational act of worship and covenant fidelity.

Numbers 7 54 Context

Numbers chapter 7 details the dedication offerings brought by the leaders of each of the twelve tribes of Israel for the Tabernacle. This occurs immediately after the completion and anointing of the Tabernacle and all its furnishings (Num 7:1-9) as commanded by God. Each day, for twelve consecutive days, a different tribal leader brings an identical set of valuable offerings for the service of the Tabernacle: silver dishes, gold pans, and various animals for burnt offerings, grain offerings, sin offerings, and peace offerings. This section emphasizes the orderliness and abundance of the contributions, demonstrating Israel's immediate obedience to God's commands regarding worship and the establishment of His dwelling place among them. Numbers 7:54 specifically highlights the offering of Elisur from the prominent tribe of Ephraim, reflecting the consistent pattern of contributions.

Numbers 7 54 Word analysis

• On the eighth day:
  • Significance: The number "eight" often symbolizes new beginnings or a fresh start in biblical numerology (e.g., circumcision on the eighth day, resurrection on the first day of the week, which is effectively the eighth day from the start of the previous week). Here, it marks a new phase in Israel's relationship with God as they establish formal worship at the consecrated Tabernacle. It continues the meticulous tracking of time for this significant national event.
• Elisur:
  • Hebrew: אליצור (Eliytsur)
  • Meaning: "My God is a rock" or "God is my rock."
  • Significance: This personal name reflects a theology of God's strength and steadfastness. It also serves as a confessional statement about the character of the God being worshipped through these very offerings, emphasizing that even in leadership, personal faith is integral to national worship.
• the son of Shedeur:
  • Hebrew: שדיאור (Shed’ey’ur)
  • Meaning: "Mighty is light" or "Almighty is Light/Fire."
  • Significance: Another name with theological depth, perhaps pointing to God's illuminating or all-consuming power. It links Elisur to a lineage known by the might and glory of God.
• leader:
  • Hebrew: נשיא (Nasi')
  • Meaning: Prince, chief, tribal head, elected leader. This term denotes a prominent figure chosen or recognized as a representative of his tribe.
  • Significance: Highlights the organized, hierarchical structure of Israel. The offerings were brought not by individuals haphazardly, but by divinely-appointed (or at least divinely-recognized) representatives of their respective tribes, signifying a corporate act of worship and submission to God's command.
• of the people of Ephraim:
  • Significance: Ephraim was a prominent tribe, descendant of Joseph, whom Jacob blessed with precedence over Manasseh (Gen 48:19). This tribe would later become a powerful northern kingdom in Israel's history (often symbolically referred to as "Ephraim" in the prophetic books, e.g., Hos 4:17), underscoring their early and continued importance in Israel. Their participation highlights the inclusion of all major segments of the twelve tribes in this national act of dedication.
• brought his offering:
  • Hebrew: קרבנו (qorbânô) – "his offering/gift." This is from the root קרב (qarav), "to draw near."
  • Significance: The word "qorban" literally means "that which is brought near" to God, signifying an act of approaching the divine presence through a material gift. This term encompasses various types of sacrifices and gifts, here referring to the complete and identical set of articles and animals mentioned earlier in Num 7:12-17 (repeated for each tribal offering). The act of bringing the offering highlights obedience, worship, and devotion from the representative of the tribe.

Numbers 7 54 Bonus section

• Identical Offerings: While Numbers 7:54 only states "his offering," the preceding verses (e.g., Num 7:12-17 for the first day) specify that each tribal leader brought the exact same, extensive set of valuable items and animals: one silver plate weighing 130 shekels, one silver basin weighing 70 shekels (both full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering), one gold pan weighing 10 shekels (full of incense), one young bull, one ram, one male lamb a year old (for a burnt offering), one male goat (for a sin offering), and two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old (for a peace offering). This uniformity underscores the principle that all tribes, regardless of their relative size or wealth, contributed equally to the tabernacle’s maintenance and sacrificial system, demonstrating unity in worship and shared responsibility under God’s covenant.
• Name Discrepancy (Elisur vs. Elishama): In Numbers 1:10 and 2:18, Elishama the son of Ammihud is listed as the chief of the tribe of Ephraim for the purpose of the census and the camp arrangement. However, in Numbers 7:54, Elisur the son of Shedeur brings the offering. While seemingly a discrepancy, ancient records occasionally show different leaders for different functions or at slightly different times. It could also suggest a scribal variation or different roles, but the standard view points to Elisur as the representative for this specific event of dedication offerings. This highlights the specificity of divine instruction and the accountability of the individual leader chosen for that moment.

Numbers 7 54 Commentary

Numbers 7:54 is more than a mere record of an event; it serves as a testament to the covenant relationship between God and Israel immediately following the establishment of His dwelling among them. The consistent, precise, and substantial offerings, exemplified by Elisur’s contribution, emphasize meticulous obedience to divine instructions. Each tribal leader, acting as a representative, participated in this lavish act of worship, underscoring national unity in devotion to the Lord. This dedication signifies the establishment of formalized worship, where the entire community, led by its appointed figures, contributed resources to honor the God who had redeemed and resided among them. It illustrates the principle of giving sacrificially, not out of compulsion but as an expression of corporate commitment to God's presence and commands, laying a foundational stone for Israel's liturgical life and national identity under divine law.