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.
Original Language Analysis
וּלְזֶ֣בַח
And for a sacrifice
H2077
וּלְזֶ֣בַח
And for a sacrifice
Strong's:
H2077
Word #:
1 of 17
properly, a slaughter, i.e., the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the victim or the act)
הַשְּׁלָמִים֮
of peace offerings
H8002
הַשְּׁלָמִים֮
of peace offerings
Strong's:
H8002
Word #:
2 of 17
properly, requital, i.e., a (voluntary) sacrifice in thanks
בָּקָ֣ר
oxen
H1241
בָּקָ֣ר
oxen
Strong's:
H1241
Word #:
3 of 17
a beeve or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing); collectively, a herd
אֵילִ֤ם
rams
H352
אֵילִ֤ם
rams
Strong's:
H352
Word #:
5 of 17
properly, strength; hence, anything strong; specifically an oak or other strong tree
עַתֻּדִ֣ים
he goats
H6260
עַתֻּדִ֣ים
he goats
Strong's:
H6260
Word #:
7 of 17
prepared, i.e., full grown; spoken only (in plural) of he-goats, or (figuratively) leaders of the people
בֶּן
of the first
H1121
בֶּן
of the first
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
10 of 17
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
קָרְבַּ֥ן
this was the offering
H7133
קָרְבַּ֥ן
this was the offering
Strong's:
H7133
Word #:
14 of 17
something brought near the altar, i.e., a sacrificial present
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern treaties were sealed with covenant meals, making peace offerings culturally recognizable as ratification ceremonies. The Sinai covenant itself concluded with elders eating before God (Exodus 24:9-11). These tabernacle dedication feasts (twelve consecutive days, one per tribe) reinforced Israel's covenant unity after the golden calf threatened national apostasy.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the peace offering as a shared meal between God, priests, and worshipers inform your understanding of the Lord's Supper as covenant fellowship?
- What does the transformation of sacrifice (burnt and sin offerings) into feasting (peace offerings) teach about worship's ultimate goal being joyful communion with God?
- In what ways might the extended, multi-day feasting in Numbers 7 challenge modern rushed or abbreviated approaches to corporate worship?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
For a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year—Gamaliel's shelamim concludes his offering with the covenant meal. The abundance (13 animals) invited extended fellowship—priests, offerer, and family shared the feast, celebrating reconciliation. The phrase this was the offering of Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur personalizes the prescribed pattern, uniting individual identity with corporate conformity.
Peace offerings created communal bonds—eating together ratified covenant relationship (Exodus 24:11). The NT equivalent appears in the Lord's Supper, where believers commune with Christ and each other through the bread and cup (1 Corinthians 10:16-17). The shelamim transformed worship from duty into joyful fellowship, anticipating the marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:9).