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 7:83KJVWhat 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.