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 Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur.

NUMBERS 7:59KJV
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Numbers 7:59 (KJV)

What does Numbers 7:59 mean?

Numbers 7:59 records the animals Gamaliel son of Pedahzur gave for a peace offering at the dedication of the altar. His gift was part of the public presentation by Israel’s tribal leaders, with each leader bringing an offering on an appointed day.

The verse closes the account of Gamaliel’s gift, which began on the eighth day with verse 54. The narrator lists animals for a shared sacrificial meal: in a peace offering, portions were burned on the altar, portions went to the priests, and the person bringing the offering could eat a portion (Leviticus 3; 7:11–21, 28–34).

The Hebrew behind Numbers 7:59

  • “peace offerings” — שְׁלָמִים (shelamim): This term names a kind of offering associated with well-being or peace. In this verse, it identifies the purpose of the listed animals.
  • “offering” — קָרְבָּן (qorban): This word means a gift brought near or presented. Here it refers to Gamaliel’s gift as a whole, not only to the animals listed in verse 59.

Why Numbers 7:59 matters

  • Gamaliel’s gift represents a tribe, not just his household. Verse 54 identifies him as the leader of the people of Manasseh.
  • The repeated quantities are part of the passage’s pattern. Each leader brings the same kinds and numbers of animals, while the account names each leader separately.

Where else these words appear

“Gamaliel” Hebrew H1583 · used in 5 verses

  • Numbers 1:10 Of the children of Joseph: of Ephraim; Elishama the son of Ammihud: of Manasseh; Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur.
  • Numbers 2:20 And by him shall be the tribe of Manasseh: and the captain of the children of Manasseh shall be Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur.
  • Numbers 7:54 On the eighth day offered Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur, prince of the children of Manasseh:

“Pedahzur” Hebrew H6301 · used in 5 verses

  • Numbers 1:10 Of the children of Joseph: of Ephraim; Elishama the son of Ammihud: of Manasseh; Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur.
  • Numbers 2:20 And by him shall be the tribe of Manasseh: and the captain of the children of Manasseh shall be Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur.
  • Numbers 7:54 On the eighth day offered Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur, prince of the children of Manasseh:

“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: