Numbers 7 72

Numbers 7:72 kjv

On the eleventh day Pagiel the son of Ocran, prince of the children of Asher, offered:

Numbers 7:72 nkjv

On the eleventh day Pagiel the son of Ocran, leader of the children of Asher, presented an offering.

Numbers 7:72 niv

On the eleventh day Pagiel son of Okran, the leader of the people of Asher, brought his offering.

Numbers 7:72 esv

On the eleventh day Pagiel the son of Ochran, the chief of the people of Asher:

Numbers 7:72 nlt

On the eleventh day Pagiel son of Ocran, leader of the tribe of Asher, presented his offering.

Numbers 7 verses

Numbers 7 72 Meaning

Numbers 7:72 describes the specific contribution of Ahiezer, the leader of the tribe of Dan, towards the dedication of the newly erected Tabernacle and its altar. It states that on the eleventh successive day of the dedication period, Ahiezer brought his pre-ordained offering, mirroring the offerings presented by the leaders of the other Israelite tribes. This verse emphasizes the precise adherence to divine instruction and the orderly participation of all tribal leaders in Israel's communal worship and consecration before the Lord.

Numbers 7 72 Context

Numbers chapter 7 details the specific offerings presented by each of the twelve tribal leaders for the dedication of the altar in the Tabernacle. This occurs immediately after the Tabernacle's completion and anointing (Num 7:1) and serves as a foundational act of worship and consecration for Israel. God instructs Moses directly about these offerings, and the detailed repetition for each tribe underscores the divine order and importance of this event. Each day, for twelve consecutive days, a different tribal leader presents an identical offering, highlighting both tribal distinctiveness in participation and national unity in worship. Numbers 7:72, situated near the end of this meticulous recounting, emphasizes Dan's place within the theocratic order.

Historically and culturally, these extensive offerings would have signified great devotion and resources, reflective of a newly formed nation's commitment to its God. The precise and structured nature of the offerings stands in stark contrast to the often arbitrary and less ordered religious practices of contemporary pagan cultures. This methodical approach serves as an indirect polemic against the chaotic and unpredictable nature of pagan worship systems, demonstrating Yahweh's orderliness, holiness, and demand for prescribed, faithful obedience rather than appeasement through unbridled or self-invented rituals. It established a precedent for all future worship and sacrifice, demonstrating God's expectations for His covenant people.

Numbers 7 72 Word analysis

• On the eleventh day: The repetition of a specific "day" (יוֹם - yom) for each offering (from the first to the twelfth day) signifies the methodical, ordered nature of God's requirements and Israel's obedience. This precise timeline emphasizes the divine scheduling and the comprehensive, step-by-step consecration process, reinforcing the idea of a deliberate and completed act of dedication.
• Ahiezer (אַחִיעֶזֶר - Achiyʻezer): Meaning "My brother is help" or "Brother of help." This name carries a spiritual significance, hinting at the concept of divine aid or support, or perhaps indicating that help comes through fellowship and solidarity within the community. For a tribal leader, it reflects a leader who is a helper to his people.
• the son of Ammishaddai (עַמִּישַׁדָּי - ʻAmmishaddai): Meaning "My kinsman is Shaddai" or "People of the Almighty." "Shaddai" is a divine name for God (El Shaddai), often translated as "God Almighty" or "God All-Sufficient." This patronymic explicitly links Ahiezer's lineage and, by extension, his tribe, to the powerful and all-sufficient God of the covenant, reinforcing the foundational relationship between Israel and Yahweh.
• leader (נָשִׂיא - nasi): This term denotes a tribal chieftain, prince, or exalted one, indicating a significant position of authority and representation within the tribe. A nasi was not merely a military commander but a civil and religious representative, responsible for the welfare and spiritual direction of their clan. Ahiezer acted on behalf of the entire tribe of Dan, emphasizing collective participation through designated leadership.
• of the people of Dan: Dan (דָּן - Dan), meaning "he judged," was one of the twelve tribes of Israel, tracing its lineage to Jacob's fifth son. Its inclusion underscores that all tribes, regardless of size, status, or position in the camp (Dan's camp was typically on the northern side, Num 2:25), were equally obligated and privileged to participate in the sacred covenant with God through their representatives.
• brought his offering (הִקְרִ֤יב אֶת־קָרְבָּנ֔וֹ - hiqriv et-qorbano):
  • Brought (hiqriv): From the root קָרַב (qarab), meaning "to draw near" or "to present." This highlights the act of drawing near to God in worship. It is a proactive gesture of devotion and consecration.
  • offering (qorbano, from קָרְבָּן - korban): This general term refers to anything brought near to God, typically as a sacrifice. It signifies a consecrated gift given in homage or worship, for atonement, or in thanksgiving. In this context, it was a freewill offering specifically for the dedication of the altar, making it fit for divine use. The identity of the offering (silver dishes, bowls, gold pans, animals for burnt, sin, and peace offerings, Num 7:73-75) signifies significant material wealth, highlighting the cost and sincerity of their communal worship.

Numbers 7 72 Bonus section

The deliberate repetition in Numbers chapter 7, including verse 72, serves as a powerful rhetorical device. While seemingly redundant to a modern reader, for the original Israelite audience, it emphasized several key theological truths:

• Divine Completeness: The 12 days align with the 12 tribes, symbolizing a complete, inclusive dedication of the entire nation and its worship.
• God's Precision: The exact same offering by each leader highlights that God's instructions were specific and detailed, requiring careful and complete adherence without deviation.
• Testimony of Unity: Despite tribal differences and future complexities, at this foundational moment, all tribes united under God's prescribed worship.
• Future Foundation: These offerings were crucial for establishing the sacred space where God would dwell and speak among them (Num 7:89), setting the stage for all future priestly service and national covenant interaction with Yahweh.
• Atype for Christ's All-Sufficient Sacrifice: While these animal and material offerings purified and consecrated, they pointed forward to the single, all-sufficient sacrifice of Christ that truly sanctifies believers (Heb 9:11-14; 10:10). The meticulous nature of the Law's demands highlighted the impossibility of perfect human fulfillment without a perfect substitute.

Numbers 7 72 Commentary

Numbers 7:72, though a concise statement within a lengthy repetitive chapter, is profoundly significant. It portrays God's meticulous instructions for the dedication of the Tabernacle and the altar, emphasizing order, obedience, and communal worship through tribal representation. Each leader, like Ahiezer of Dan, brought an identical, lavish offering, demonstrating uniformity in devotion and resourcefulness in honoring God. This was not a burdensome tax, but a willing gift for consecration (Num 7:3). The repetition ensures that no tribe is overlooked, highlighting divine impartiality and the equal standing of all before God, while establishing a foundational act of worship for Israel's wilderness journey. It serves as a reminder that the cost of following God is often substantial, yet His detailed guidance provides the pathway for appropriate and accepted worship. The New Testament spiritualizes these material offerings, calling believers to present their bodies as living sacrifices (Rom 12:1) and to offer spiritual sacrifices of praise and good deeds (Heb 13:15-16), aligning with the principle of bringing what is valuable to honor God.