Numbers 7:54
On the eighth day offered Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur, prince of the children of Manasseh:
Original Language Analysis
בַּיּוֹם֙
day
H3117
בַּיּוֹם֙
day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
1 of 8
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
נָשִׂ֖יא
prince
H5387
נָשִׂ֖יא
prince
Strong's:
H5387
Word #:
3 of 8
properly, an exalted one, i.e., a king or sheik; also a rising mist
בֶּן
of the children
H1121
בֶּן
of the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
4 of 8
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
מְנַשֶּׁ֑ה
of Manasseh
H4519
מְנַשֶּׁ֑ה
of Manasseh
Strong's:
H4519
Word #:
5 of 8
menashsheh, a grandson of jacob, also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
Historical Context
Manasseh and Ephraim (Joseph's sons) received full tribal status when Jacob adopted them (Genesis 48:5), replacing Joseph's single portion. This created thirteen tribes, necessitating Levi's non-territorial status (serving at the tabernacle). Manasseh later split into half-tribes (east and west of Jordan), fulfilling Jacob's blessing that Ephraim's younger brother would 'also become great' (Genesis 48:19).
Questions for Reflection
- What significance do you see in Manasseh offering on the 'eighth day'—moving beyond Sabbath rest into new beginnings?
- How does Gamaliel's name ('reward of God') and patronym ('the Rock has ransomed') shape your understanding of worship as responding to divine initiative?
- In what ways does Joseph's double portion through Ephraim and Manasseh reflect New Testament themes of abundance and inheritance (Ephesians 1:3-14)?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
On the eighth day offered Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur, prince of the children of Manasseh—The eighth day transcends the seven-day creation week, symbolizing new creation and resurrection (Jesus rose on the eighth day counting from Palm Sunday). Manasseh, Joseph's firstborn, received the secondary blessing (Genesis 48:14), yet remained prominent among the tribes. Gamaliel ('reward of God,' גַּמְלִיאֵל, Gamliel) appears as a theophoric name acknowledging divine blessing.
The son of Pedahzur ('the Rock has ransomed') connects offering to redemption theology. Names in Numbers 7 aren't incidental but carry theological freight. Gamaliel later appears in the census (1:10, 2:20) as Manasseh's representative. His eighth-day offering begins the second week of dedication, suggesting renewal and fresh consecration beyond Sabbath completion.