Numbers 7 55

Numbers 7:55 kjv

His offering was one silver charger of the weight of an hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering:

Numbers 7:55 nkjv

His offering was one silver platter, the weight of which was one hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver bowl of seventy shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering;

Numbers 7:55 niv

His offering was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels and one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel, each filled with the finest flour mixed with olive oil as a grain offering;

Numbers 7:55 esv

his offering was one silver plate whose weight was 130 shekels, one silver basin of 70 shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering;

Numbers 7:55 nlt

His offering consisted of a silver platter weighing 3 1?4 pounds and a silver basin weighing 1 3?4 pounds (as measured by the weight of the sanctuary shekel). These were both filled with grain offerings of choice flour moistened with olive oil.

Numbers 7 verses

Numbers 7 55 Meaning

Numbers 7:55 records the meticulous account of the offerings presented by Abidan, son of Gideoni, the leader of the tribe of Benjamin, on the ninth day of the Tabernacle's dedication. This verse, part of a detailed priestly record, emphasizes the orderly and unified worship of God by all twelve tribes of Israel through their divinely appointed leaders, with each offering being identical in substance and purpose. It signifies the complete and willing participation of each segment of the nation in sanctifying the altar for the service of the Lord.

Numbers 7 55 Context

Numbers chapter 7 details the unique occasion of the dedication of the Tabernacle altar, occurring after the Tabernacle's completion and anointing in Exodus 40. For twelve consecutive days, beginning on the first day of the first month of the second year after the Exodus, the leader (nasi) from each of the twelve tribes presented an identical offering for the altar. This grand dedication celebrated the establishment of God's dwelling place among His people. The precise repetition of the offerings for each day emphasizes God's meticulous instructions, the unity of the tribes in worship, and their obedience. This particular verse (Numbers 7:55) marks the offering made on the ninth day, identifying Abidan, the tribal leader from Benjamin, as the one who brought his tribe's gift. Historically and culturally, this reflects the ordered, tribal structure of Israel and the importance of consecrated leadership in corporate worship, especially during a pivotal moment when God solidified His covenant presence among them. The consistent nature of the offerings underscores the equality before God, with no tribe being privileged over another in this act of dedication.

Numbers 7 55 Word analysis

• On the ninth day (יוֹם הַתְּשִׁיעִי - yom hat-teshi'i): "Day, the ninth." This precise temporal marker emphasizes the sequential, ordered nature of the dedication offerings. It signifies the adherence to a divinely ordained schedule, highlighting God's meticulousness and the Israelites' obedience in a period of transition and establishment. The repeated daily notation throughout Numbers 7 serves as a literary device to underscore the complete fulfillment of the instruction.
• Abidan (אֲבִידָן - Avidan): A personal name meaning "my father is judge" or "father of judgment." This name carries a theological implication, subtly referencing God as the ultimate judge and authority. Abidan is explicitly identified as the tribal leader, holding significant representative authority bestowed by divine appointment, not mere human election. His presence marks Benjamin's formal participation.
• the son of Gideoni (בֶּן-גִּדְעוֹנִי - ben Gid'oni): This patronymic ("son of") firmly establishes Abidan's lineage, providing specific identification within the tribal structure. "Gideoni" likely means "my hewer" or "feller," similar to the root for Gideon. This emphasis on family lines was crucial for tribal identity, inheritance, and ensuring proper authority within Israel.
• leader (נָשִׂיא - nasi): This term denotes a "prince," "chieftain," or "exalted one." In Numbers, the nasi are specific individuals chosen by God through Moses (Num 1:4-16) to represent their tribes. They were responsible for administration, military organization, and especially in this context, leading their tribes in corporate worship. Abidan’s status as nasi meant he acted on behalf of the entire tribe of Benjamin in presenting their dedication offering. This points to a divinely sanctioned hierarchy.
• of the people of Benjamin (לִבְנֵי בִּנְיָמִן - livnei Binyamin): "Of the sons of Benjamin." Benjamin means "son of my right hand." As the youngest of Jacob's sons, the tribe held a distinctive place in Israelite history, later producing the first king, Saul, and known for fierce warriors (Jud 20:16). Identifying Abidan with "the people of Benjamin" underscores that his offering was not just personal but representative, for his entire tribe, binding them collectively in the act of dedication.
• brought his offering (הִקְרִיב קָרְבָּנוֹ - hiqriv qorbano): This phrase literally means "caused to draw near his offering." The root qarab (קרב) is fundamental to all acts of worship involving gifts, signifying the worshiper's approach to God through the consecrated gift. This "bringing near" implies an act of reverence, devotion, and a willingness to provide resources for divine service. The qorban (offering) itself signifies something dedicated or presented to God, set apart for holy use. The uniform nature of the offering for each leader underscores a shared purpose and unified act of devotion, emphasizing equality in giving and God's acceptance.

• "On the ninth day Abidan": This phrase immediately connects the specific offering event with a precise time and a particular leader. It sets the scene, grounding the action within the established temporal and leadership structure of the Tabernacle dedication.
• "Abidan the son of Gideoni, leader of the people of Benjamin": This extended identification is rich with meaning. It provides Abidan's name, lineage, tribal affiliation, and crucially, his office. It signifies not merely a random individual but a recognized, authoritative representative. This thorough identification validates the legitimacy of the offering and the tribal participation.
• "brought his offering": This short, powerful phrase succinctly describes the act of worship. It denotes the fulfillment of the divine command to contribute to the Tabernacle's dedication, an act of faith and obedience. The "his" emphasizes the responsibility and personal agency of the leader acting on behalf of his tribe, while "offering" points to the consecrated nature of the gift itself. The repetitiveness of this phrase throughout Numbers 7 creates a literary rhythm, impressing upon the reader the consistent, identical nature of each tribal offering and the collective dedication of Israel.

Numbers 7 55 Bonus section

The extensive repetition of the offerings throughout Numbers 7 (over 80 verses dedicated to this) is unique in the Pentateuch, drawing special scholarly attention. It is not mere redundancy but a literary and theological emphasis on completeness, exactness, and divine approbation. The sheer detail stresses that the instructions were perfectly carried out, every gift was consecrated, and every tribe participated. This also reinforces the idea of God’s omnipresence and meticulous attention, not missing any part of the dedication of His dwelling place among His people. The tribe of Benjamin, despite its tumultuous history later in Judges (Jdg 19-21) and its prominent role with King Saul, here stands in full, obedient unity with the rest of Israel under God’s covenant. The name "Benjamin," meaning "son of my right hand," is particularly significant in the context of being a part of God's covenant people, suggesting divine strength and favor for those aligned with Him. This systematic dedication solidified the tabernacle as the center of Israelite life, the place where God’s glory resided, before their journey to the promised land began.

Numbers 7 55 Commentary

Numbers 7:55, while seemingly a simple record of a historical event, carries profound theological implications. It is part of a remarkably detailed and repetitive chapter that underscores several divine truths. First, it highlights God's absolute insistence on order and precision in His worship; the meticulous recording of each tribe's identical offering demonstrates that every detail, down to the specific day and the representative leader, matters to Him. This points to God's character as one of divine order, not chaos (1 Cor 14:33). Second, the identical nature of each offering emphasizes the unity and equality of all the tribes before God. Despite their distinct identities and placements in the camp, all brought the same gifts, signifying a unified dedication and showing that no single tribe was favored above another in the act of bringing near to the Lord. Third, the role of the "leader" (nasi) is prominent, underscoring the importance of consecrated leadership in bringing the people to God. Abidan, as a divinely appointed prince, acted as the spiritual and civic representative of Benjamin, offering on behalf of his entire tribe. This foreshadows principles of representation in faith. The whole chapter exemplifies the foundational principle of obedience, portraying a nation fully complying with God’s instructions for establishing His presence among them. Practically, it teaches that our contributions, when offered in obedience and with unity of heart, are fully acceptable to God, whether grand or seemingly small, as long as they are "brought near" according to His will. It encourages thoroughness in devotion and an understanding that every part of the Body has an equally valuable role in corporate worship.