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 Ahira the son of Enan.

NUMBERS 7:83KJV
Know the Bible

Numbers 7:83 (KJV)

What does Numbers 7:83 mean?

Numbers 7:83 lists the animals given as a peace offering by Ahira son of Enan: two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five year-old lambs. This verse records the specific sacrifice brought by the leader of the tribe of Naphtali during the dedication of the altar.

In the setting of Numbers 7, each tribal leader brings an identical offering as part of a ceremony to dedicate the altar in the Tabernacle. Moses is recording these gifts, and this verse details what Ahira, representing Naphtali, presented. The focus is on the careful, orderly participation of every tribe in Israel’s worship.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 7:83

  • The word for "peace offerings" is שְׁלָמִים (shelamim), which refers to sacrifices meant to express fellowship, thanksgiving, or fulfillment of a vow. This highlights that the offering was about relationship and gratitude, not just ritual.
  • The word for "offering" is קָרְבָּן (qorban), meaning something brought near or presented. It emphasizes the act of drawing close to God through a gift.
  • The animals listed use specific Hebrew terms: "oxen" (בָּקָר, baqar), "rams" (אֵילִים, elim), "goats" (עַתּוּדִים, attudim), and "lambs" (כְּבָשִׂים, kevasim), each chosen for their suitability and symbolic value in sacrificial worship.

Why Numbers 7:83 matters

  • This verse shows that every tribe, including Naphtali, participated equally in the dedication, underlining unity and shared responsibility in Israel’s worship.
  • The detailed listing of animals and numbers demonstrates the care and precision expected in approaching God, reflecting the seriousness of the occasion.
  • By naming Ahira son of Enan, the verse connects the offering to a real leader and tribe, reminding readers that worship involved real people and real commitments.

Where else these words appear

“Ahira” Hebrew H299 · used in 5 verses

  • Numbers 1:15 Of Naphtali; Ahira the son of Enan.
  • Numbers 2:29 Then the tribe of Naphtali: and the captain of the children of Naphtali shall be Ahira the son of Enan.
  • Numbers 7:78 On the twelfth day Ahira the son of Enan, prince of the children of Naphtali, offered:

“Enan” Hebrew H5881 · used in 5 verses

  • Numbers 1:15 Of Naphtali; Ahira the son of Enan.
  • Numbers 2:29 Then the tribe of Naphtali: and the captain of the children of Naphtali shall be Ahira the son of Enan.
  • Numbers 7:78 On the twelfth day Ahira the son of Enan, prince of the children of Naphtali, 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 7:59 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.
  • 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: