On the seventh day Elishama the son of Ammihud, prince of the children of Ephraim, offered:

NUMBERS 7:48KJV
Know the Bible

Numbers 7:48 (KJV)

What does Numbers 7:48 mean?

Numbers 7:48 records that on the seventh day of the dedication offerings for the altar, Elishama, the son of Ammihud and leader of the tribe of Ephraim, brought his tribe’s offering. This verse marks the specific day and the representative who participated in the ceremonial dedication.

The book of Numbers describes a sequence where each tribe of Israel, led by its chief, presents offerings over twelve days to dedicate the altar. Here, the focus is on the tribe of Ephraim, with Elishama acting as its "prince" or leader. The verse is part of a detailed, orderly account showing equal participation by each tribe in the worship life of Israel.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 7:48

  • "seventh" (שְּׁבִיעִי, shevi‘i): This word marks the specific day in the sequence, showing the careful order and structure of the dedication ceremony.
  • "prince" (נָשִׂיא, nasi’): This term means a chief or leader, emphasizing Elishama’s authority and representative role for his tribe.
  • "children" (בֵּן, ben): Used here to mean "descendants" or "members" of Ephraim, not just literal sons, highlighting the collective identity of the tribe.

Why Numbers 7:48 matters

  • Numbers 7:48 highlights the equal and organized participation of each tribe in Israel’s religious life, showing no tribe was left out or favored.
  • The verse connects to the larger theme of shared leadership and responsibility among the tribes, as each "prince" brings offerings on behalf of their people.
  • This careful record-keeping underlines the importance of community and order in Israel’s worship, reflecting the value placed on every tribe’s contribution.

Where else these words appear

“Ammihud” Hebrew H5989 · used in 10 verses

  • Numbers 1:10 Of the children of Joseph: of Ephraim; Elishama the son of Ammihud: of Manasseh; Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur.
  • Numbers 10:22 And the standard of the camp of the children of Ephraim set forward according to their armies: and over his host was Elishama the son of Ammihud.
  • 2 Samuel 13:37 But Absalom fled, and went to Talmai, the son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day.

“Elishama” Hebrew H476 · used in 17 verses

  • Numbers 1:10 Of the children of Joseph: of Ephraim; Elishama the son of Ammihud: of Manasseh; Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur.
  • 2 Kings 25:25 But it came to pass in the seventh month, that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, the son of Elishama, of the seed royal, came, and ten men with him, and smote Gedaliah, that he died, and the Jews and the Chaldees that were with him at Mizpah.
  • 1 Chronicles 14:7 And Elishama, and Beeliada, and Eliphalet.

“seventh” Hebrew H7637 · used in 94 verses

  • Genesis 2:2 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
  • Leviticus 23:16 Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto the LORD.
  • 1 Kings 18:44 And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man's hand. And he said, Go up, say unto Ahab, Prepare thy chariot, and get thee down, that the rain stop thee not.

“prince” Hebrew H5387 · used in 120 verses

  • Genesis 17:20 And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation.
  • Numbers 7:60 On the ninth day Abidan the son of Gideoni, prince of the children of Benjamin, offered:
  • 2 Chronicles 5:2 Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel, and all the heads of the tribes, the chief of the fathers of the children of Israel, unto Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of the city of David, which is Zion.