Numbers 7:60 (KJV)

What does Numbers 7:60 mean?

Numbers 7:60 records that on the ninth day of the dedication offerings for the altar, Abidan, the son of Gideoni and leader (prince) of the tribe of Benjamin, brought his tribe’s offering. This verse marks Benjamin’s turn in a sequence where each tribe’s leader presents gifts for the altar.

This verse is part of a detailed account where each tribal leader, in turn, brings offerings as part of the dedication of the tabernacle altar. The setting is the wilderness, with Moses overseeing the process and each tribe following a set order. Abidan represents the tribe of Benjamin, showing their participation and equal standing among the tribes of Israel.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 7:60

• "ninth" (תְּשִׁעִי, t’shi‘i): This word specifies the sequence, making clear that Benjamin’s offering came after eight others, emphasizing order and completeness in the ceremony.
• "prince" (נָשִׂיא, nasi’): This term means a chief or leader, highlighting Abidan’s authority and responsibility as the representative of his tribe.
• "children" (בֵּן, ben): Used here to mean "descendants" or "members" of the tribe, not just literal sons, showing the collective identity of Benjamin’s people.

Why Numbers 7:60 matters

• This verse shows that every tribe, including Benjamin, had a recognized leader and a role in the national worship, reinforcing unity among the Israelites.
• The careful listing of each leader and tribe underlines the fairness and orderliness of the dedication process, with no tribe left out or favored.
• By naming Abidan and his lineage, the verse connects the present ceremony to the broader family history of Israel, rooting the people’s worship in their shared ancestry.