Numbers 7 57

Numbers 7:57 kjv

One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering:

Numbers 7:57 nkjv

one young bull, one ram, and one male lamb in its first year, as a burnt offering;

Numbers 7:57 niv

one young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering;

Numbers 7:57 esv

one bull from the herd, one ram, one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering;

Numbers 7:57 nlt

He brought a young bull, a ram, and a one-year-old male lamb for a burnt offering,

Numbers 7 verses

Numbers 7 57 Meaning

Numbers 7:57 details the specific offerings presented by Eliasaph, the leader of the tribe of Gad, on the ninth day of the Tabernacle's dedication. This verse precisely lists the animals for the sin offering: twelve male goats, and then specifies the animals for the peace offerings: two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. It concludes by explicitly stating that these were Eliasaph's contributions, consistent with the pattern set by the previous tribal leaders. This precise enumeration underscores the meticulous nature of divine worship, the universality of sin's atonement, and the blessed communion with God that these sacrifices enabled for the people of Israel.

Numbers 7 57 Context

Numbers chapter 7 details the twelve-day dedication ceremony of the newly erected Tabernacle and its furnishings, which concluded the Israelites' preparations at Mount Sinai for their journey to the Promised Land. This meticulous account follows the command for the census and the organization of the tribes and Levites, underscoring the divine order. Each day, a leader from one of the twelve tribes presents an identical set of elaborate offerings, demonstrating their unity and adherence to God's precise instructions for worship.

Numbers 7:57 specifically records the offerings of Eliasaph, the son of Deuel, the tribal leader for Gad, on the ninth day. The chapter's repetitive structure highlights the precision of God's demands for holiness and the abundance of resources dedicated to His service. Historically, such offerings were central to Israelite religious life, serving to acknowledge God's sovereignty, atone for sin, and facilitate fellowship. The uniformity in the leaders' offerings signaled equal standing before God and the importance of every tribe's participation. The highly detailed and specific nature of these offerings stands in stark contrast to the often arbitrary and idolatrous practices of surrounding cultures, thereby indirectly affirming the singularity and purity of Israel's God and His worship.

Numbers 7 57 Word analysis

• and for the sin offering, (וּלְקָרְבַּן חַטָּאת, u'leqorban chattat)

  • u: "And," serving as a connective conjunction, linking this detail to the preceding lists of offerings.
  • leqorban: "For the offering." From the root qarab, meaning "to draw near." This emphasizes the purpose of the offering: to allow the worshipper to approach God.
  • chattat: (H2403) "Sin offering," or "purification offering." This is a specific type of sacrifice in the Mosaic Law, primarily intended to atone for unintentional sins or to cleanse ritual impurity. Its inclusion highlights the necessity of addressing sin to maintain a right relationship with a holy God. The act involved shedding blood, symbolizing life given for expiation.

• twelve male goats; (שְׂעִירֵי עִזִּים שְׁנֵים עָשָׂר, se'irei 'izzim shenayim 'asar)

  • se'irei 'izzim: "Male goats," literally "hairy ones of goats." Young male goats were a standard animal for sin offerings (e.g., Lev 4:23, 28). They symbolize the blameless life sacrificed.
  • shenayim 'asar: "Twelve." This significant number immediately evokes the twelve tribes of Israel, symbolizing completeness and the corporate nature of Israel's identity and worship before God. Here, it may represent a sin offering sufficient for the entire corporate body or the fullness of God's requirement.

• and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, (וּלְזֶבַח הַשְּׁלָמִים, u'lezevah hashelaimim)

  • u: "And," another conjunction.
  • lezavah: "For the sacrifice." From the root zavah, "to slaughter," denoting the ritual act of killing the animal for dedication to God. It differentiates the specific action of sacrifice from the general bringing of an offering (qorban).
  • hashelaimim: (H8002) "Peace offerings" or "fellowship offerings." From the root shalem, "to be whole, complete, sound, at peace." These were voluntary offerings typically given as thanksgiving, a vow, or a freewill offering. Unique among sacrifices, portions were shared by the offeror and priests, symbolizing communion and peace between God and His people, a "peace meal" where God, the priests, and the worshipper share in the sacred.

• two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. (בָּקָר שְׁנַיִם אֵילִים חֲמִשָּׁה עַתּוּדִים חֲמִשָּׁה כְּבָשִׂים בְּנֵי שָׁנָה חֲמִשָּׁה, baqar shenayim, elim chamishah, attudim chamishah, kevasim benei shanah chamishah)

  • These are the specific animals (types and quantities) prescribed for the peace offering. The selection and number (two and five for various categories) emphasize the generosity and abundance offered, signifying full participation in the joyous communion the peace offering facilitated. "Lambs a year old" signifies unblemished, youthful vigor, ensuring the purity required for worship.

• This was the offering of Eliasaph the son of Deuel. (זֶה קָרְבַּן אֶלְיָסָף בֶּן־דְּעוּאֵל, zeh qorban Elyasaf ben De'uel)

  • zeh: "This," an emphatic demonstrative pronoun, marking the culmination of Eliasaph's distinct contribution.
  • qorban: "Offering," here reiterating that this complete collection belonged to Eliasaph.
  • Elyasaf ben De'uel: Eliasaph, son of Deuel, the appointed leader of the tribe of Gad. Naming the individual highlights accountability, leadership, and God's precise record-keeping. "Eliasaph" means "God has added" or "God has increased," potentially reflecting God's blessings upon the tribal leader and his people. "Deuel" means "knowledge of God," suggesting a heritage rooted in divine awareness.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "and for the sin offering, twelve male goats"This phrase underscores the foundational need for atonement before true fellowship. The "twelve" signifies a complete, all-encompassing purification for the nation, acknowledged through their leader's offering. It speaks to the pervasiveness of sin, even unintentional, requiring a constant provision for reconciliation with God's holiness.

• "and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old."Following the sin offering, the peace offerings signify restored or confirmed fellowship. The variety and abundance of animals denote overflowing gratitude and a rich communion shared between God and His people. This part of the offering reflects the joyous relationship possible after atonement, celebrating God's goodness and provision. The peace offering was a voluntary act of worship, demonstrating the offerer's desire to enjoy God's presence.

• "This was the offering of Eliasaph the son of Deuel."This concluding statement emphasizes individual responsibility within the collective worship of Israel. Each tribal leader, on behalf of his people, brought an identical offering, solidifying unity while honoring the personal dedication required of those entrusted with spiritual oversight. It is a precise divine accounting for each tribal leader's participation in establishing the national sanctuary.

Numbers 7 57 Bonus section

The deliberate repetition of the identical list of offerings for each tribal leader throughout Numbers 7 holds profound significance. It symbolizes the unity and equality of all twelve tribes before God, emphasizing that regardless of tribal size or past deeds, all leaders, and thus their tribes, contributed equally to the Tabernacle's inauguration and shared equally in God's presence. This also underlines the unchangeable and perfect nature of God's commands; there was no room for deviation or personal preference in His worship. Furthermore, the detailed divine accounting in this chapter serves as a testament to God's attentiveness and acknowledgement of every act of obedience and worship from His people. The dedication of such lavish and specific offerings foreshadows the ultimate, singular, and perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ. His life perfectly fulfilled all aspects of the Law's requirements for a sin offering and became the foundation for true and eternal peace and fellowship with God, a reality which the Old Testament rituals could only imperfectly shadow.

Numbers 7 57 Commentary

Numbers 7:57 precisely records the sin and peace offerings of Eliasaph, the leader of Gad, continuing the detailed register of the tribal leaders' dedicatory gifts for the Tabernacle. The explicit listing of "twelve male goats" for the sin offering reveals the seriousness and comprehensive nature of atonement required for all of Israel's unintentional transgressions and impurities before a holy God. The sin offering purged ritual defilement, ensuring the Tabernacle remained a sacred dwelling place.

Following this cleansing, the substantial "peace offerings" of oxen, rams, goats, and lambs, emphasize fellowship and reconciliation with God. These offerings were distinct as they involved a sacred meal, where parts of the sacrifice were consumed by the offeror and the priests, symbolizing communion and peaceful co-existence with the Divine. This verse, like the others in the chapter, is not just a tedious inventory; it meticulously lays out God's requirements for holiness, the provisions for human sinfulness, and the joyous privilege of drawing near to Him. The repetition throughout the chapter reinforces the absolute authority of God's commands, the unity and equality of the tribes before God, and God's precise and personal acknowledgment of each leader's devoted contribution to His sacred space.