Numbers 7 81

Numbers 7:81 kjv

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

Numbers 7:81 nkjv

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

Numbers 7:81 niv

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

Numbers 7:81 esv

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

Numbers 7:81 nlt

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

Numbers 7 verses

Numbers 7 81 Meaning

Numbers 7:81 details the specific animals offered by Ahira, the leader of the tribe of Naphtali, as a sacrifice of peace offerings for the dedication of the Tabernacle. It lists two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old, concluding the description of his tribal contribution.

Numbers 7 81 Context

Numbers chapter 7 provides a detailed account of the dedication offerings brought by the twelve tribal leaders of Israel for the newly completed Tabernacle. These offerings were presented over twelve consecutive days, with each day featuring one leader's contribution. The specific amounts and types of offerings listed, including various silver and gold vessels filled with fine flour and oil, and numerous animals for different types of sacrifices (burnt, sin, and peace offerings), demonstrate the lavish generosity and unified obedience of the tribes. Verse 81 specifies the peace offerings contributed by Ahira, the leader of the tribe of Naphtali, on the eleventh day, aligning precisely with the standard list of animals for this specific type of sacrifice common to all tribal leaders. Historically, this event took place in the wilderness, establishing the central place of worship and the structured liturgical life of the Israelite community before their journey to the Promised Land.

Numbers 7 81 Word analysis

• and for the sacrifice (וּלְזֶבַח, u'l'zevah):
  • u: "and," connecting to the preceding list of offerings.
  • l': "for the purpose of" or "for."
  • zevah: (זֶבַח), Hebrew noun for "sacrifice" or "slaughtered offering." It generally refers to an animal sacrifice where meat could be eaten, contrasting with 'olah (burnt offering) which was entirely consumed.
  • Significance: Indicates the purpose of the listed animals, linking them to a specific ritual act.
• of peace offerings (הַשְּׁלָמִים, hash-shelamim):
  • ha-: The definite article "the."
  • shelamim: (שְׁלָמִים), Hebrew noun, usually translated as "peace offerings," "fellowship offerings," or "offerings of well-being." Derived from shalom (שָׁלוֹם), meaning "peace, wholeness, completeness, well-being."
  • Significance: These offerings were unique; a portion was burnt to the Lord, a portion given to the priests, and the remaining portion consumed by the worshiper and his household/friends. They signified communion with God, thanksgiving, the fulfillment of vows, and voluntary acts of devotion. They were joyful and communal, unlike sin or guilt offerings.
  • Contextual Note: Polemically contrasts with chaotic or fearful pagan rituals by highlighting a relationship of peace and fellowship with God.
• two oxen (בָּקָר שְׁנַיִם, baqar shnayim):
  • baqar: (בָּקָר), Hebrew noun for "oxen" or "cattle."
  • shnayim: (שְׁנַיִם), Hebrew for "two."
  • Significance: Oxen were large, valuable animals, representing significant wealth and costly devotion. Their inclusion underscores the abundance and generosity of the offering.
• five rams (אֵילִים חֲמִשָּׁה, eilim chamishah):
  • eilim: (אֵילִים), Hebrew noun for "rams."
  • chamishah: (חֲמִשָּׁה), Hebrew for "five."
  • Significance: Rams were commonly used in sacrifices. The number five is consistent across the latter animal categories for peace offerings in Numbers 7, perhaps emphasizing the generosity and unity in contribution from each tribe.
• five male goats (עַתֻּדִים חֲמִשָּׁה, attudim chamishah):
  • attudim: (עַתֻּדִים), Hebrew noun for "male goats."
  • chamishah: (חֲמִשָּׁה), Hebrew for "five."
  • Significance: Goats were another common sacrificial animal. Their inclusion reinforces the structured and uniform nature of the dedication offerings from all tribal leaders.
• and five male lambs (וּכְבָשִׂים חֲמִשָּׁה, u'chevasim chamishah):
  • u': "and."
  • khevasim: (כְּבָשִׂים), Hebrew noun for "male lambs."
  • chamishah: (חֲמִשָּׁה), Hebrew for "five."
• a year old (בְּנֵי שָׁנָה, b'nei shanah):
  • b'nei: (בְּנֵי), "sons of" or "young."
  • shanah: (שָׁנָה), "year."
  • Significance: "Year old" lambs were considered to be in their prime, unblemished, and ideal for sacrifice (e.g., Ex 12:5 for Passover lamb). This requirement speaks to the quality and purity expected in offerings to God.
• This was the offering (זֶה קָרְבַּן, zeh qorban):
  • zeh: (זֶה), "this."
  • qorban: (קָרְבָּן), Hebrew noun for "offering" or "oblation." Derived from the root q-r-b, meaning "to draw near."
  • Significance: Qorban specifically refers to something brought near to God, emphasizing the purpose of the sacrifice as a means of approach and communion with the Divine. It's a precise term for religious donations.
• of Ahira the son of Enan (אַחִירָע בֶּן עֵינָן, Achira ben Einan):
  • Achira: (אַחִירָע), The name "Ahira" means "brother of evil" or "brother is evil one" (though contextually not negative, just a name). He was the leader of the tribe of Naphtali (Num 1:15, Num 2:29).
  • ben: (בֶּן), "son of."
  • Einan: (עֵינָן), "Enan" means "having eyes" or "fountains."
  • Significance: Identifies the specific tribal leader who brought these gifts. This personalized naming underscores the individual accountability and representational role of each tribal head in the unified dedication. It emphasizes the historical specificity and tribal organization of Israel.
• Words-Group Analysis:
  • "sacrifice of peace offerings": Highlights the central theological purpose of this part of Ahira's offering – not atonement for sin (that was handled by a sin offering previously detailed for each leader in Num 7), but the establishment and celebration of a right relationship (peace/shalom) with God and within the community. It points to joyful fellowship and thanksgiving.
  • "two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old": The repetition of "five" for rams, goats, and lambs, and the large number of animals overall, demonstrates significant collective wealth and generous dedication. The specific age of the lambs denotes an offering of ideal quality, unblemished and fitting for God's presence.
  • "This was the offering of Ahira the son of Enan": This concluding formula for each tribal leader’s day underscores both the individual tribal responsibility and the overall uniformity of their contributions, signifying a unified nation participating in the establishment of God's dwelling place. The repeated specific naming gives a sense of meticulous divine record-keeping and highlights tribal identity within the larger collective.

Numbers 7 81 Bonus section

The total animals offered in Numbers 7 for peace offerings by all twelve tribes (calculated from each tribal offering, which included these animals) amounted to 24 oxen, 60 rams, 60 male goats, and 60 male lambs a year old. This staggering number speaks to the immense scale of devotion and the considerable wealth available within the Israelite community, willingly given for the worship of God. The identical nature of the animal sacrifices (burnt, sin, peace offerings) for each tribe, while the valuable metal items (silver and gold bowls/dishes) varied, highlighted the spiritual equality of all tribes before God in worship, regardless of their material contributions in other areas. It emphasized that core communal worship was standardized and universally expected, reflecting unity and covenant commitment.

Numbers 7 81 Commentary

Numbers 7:81, concluding the description of Ahira's peace offering, showcases the significant and intentional giving of Israel for the Tabernacle's dedication. The "sacrifice of peace offerings" (zevah hash-shelamim) was not primarily for expiation but for expressing thanks, making vows, or celebrating fellowship with God and fellow Israelites. The meticulous listing of animals—costly and carefully selected for quality ("lambs a year old")—underscores the gravity and generosity of the worship. This uniformity in offering types across all tribal leaders in Numbers 7 emphasized national unity and collective obedience to divine instruction. The Tabernacle, consecrated by such offerings, symbolized God's dwelling among His people. The detailed Old Covenant sacrificial system, particularly the peace offering with its shared meal, served as a tangible foreshadowing of the ultimate peace and communion believers now enjoy with God through the perfect and all-sufficient sacrifice of Jesus Christ (Col 1:20), who Himself became our peace (Eph 2:14). Believers are now called to offer spiritual "sacrifices" of praise, good deeds, and surrendered lives (Rom 12:1, Heb 13:15-16), a reflection of that continuous communion.