And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Eliasaph the son of Deuel.

NUMBERS 7:47KJV
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Numbers 7:47 (KJV)

What does Numbers 7:47 mean?

Numbers 7:47 records the specific animals given by Eliasaph son of Deuel as a peace offering: two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five year-old lambs. This verse lists part of the offerings brought by the leaders of Israel’s tribes during the dedication of the altar.

The setting is the dedication of the tabernacle altar, where each tribal leader brings gifts on behalf of his tribe. Eliasaph represents the tribe of Gad. The verse details the exact animals offered for the "peace offerings," which were meant to express fellowship with God. This listing is part of a larger, orderly record showing each tribe’s participation.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 7:47

  • שֶׁלָמִים (shelemim, H8002): This word is translated "peace offerings." It refers to sacrifices that symbolized harmony and fellowship between the people and God, not just the absence of conflict.
  • פָּרִים (parim, H1241): This is the word for "oxen." Oxen were valuable animals, highlighting the significance and costliness of the offering.
  • כְּבָשִׂים (kevasim, H3532): This word means "lambs." The mention of "first year" (בֶּן־שָׁנָה, ben-shanah, H1121 + H8141) points to the requirement that these lambs be young and without blemish, as was customary for certain sacrifices.

Why Numbers 7:47 matters

  • Numbers 7:47 helps clarify that each tribe’s leader brought the same type and number of offerings, showing equality and unity among the tribes in their worship.
  • The verse highlights the importance of peace offerings (שֶׁלָמִים, shelemim), which were not just about ritual but about expressing a relationship of peace and gratitude toward God.
  • By naming Eliasaph and his father Deuel, the verse roots the event in real people and tribes, emphasizing the communal and historical nature of Israel’s worship practices.

Where else these words appear

“Deuel” Hebrew H1845 · used in 4 verses

  • Numbers 1:14 Of Gad; Eliasaph the son of Deuel.
  • Numbers 7:42 On the sixth day Eliasaph the son of Deuel, prince of the children of Gad, offered:
  • Numbers 10:20 And over the host of the tribe of the children of Gad was Eliasaph the son of Deuel.

“Eliasaph” Hebrew H460 · used in 6 verses

  • Numbers 1:14 Of Gad; Eliasaph the son of Deuel.
  • Numbers 2:14 Then the tribe of Gad: and the captain of the sons of Gad shall be Eliasaph the son of Reuel.
  • Numbers 7:42 On the sixth day Eliasaph the son of Deuel, prince of the children of Gad, offered:

“goats” Hebrew H6260 · used in 29 verses

  • Genesis 31:10 And it came to pass at the time that the cattle conceived, that I lifted up mine eyes, and saw in a dream, and, behold, the rams which leaped upon the cattle were ringstraked, speckled, and grisled.
  • Numbers 7:65 And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Abidan the son of Gideoni.
  • Proverbs 27:26 The lambs are for thy clothing, and the goats are the price of the field.

“offering” Hebrew H7133 · used in 78 verses

  • Leviticus 1:2 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, If any man of you bring an offering unto the LORD, ye shall bring your offering of the cattle, even of the herd, and of the flock.
  • Leviticus 7:16 But if the sacrifice of his offering be a vow, or a voluntary offering, it shall be eaten the same day that he offereth his sacrifice: and on the morrow also the remainder of it shall be eaten:
  • Numbers 7:37 His offering was one silver charger, the weight whereof was 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: