Numbers 7:59

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וּלְזֶ֣בַח
And for a sacrifice
properly, a slaughter, i.e., the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the victim or the act)
#2
הַשְּׁלָמִים֮
of peace offerings
properly, requital, i.e., a (voluntary) sacrifice in thanks
#3
בָּקָ֣ר
oxen
a beeve or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing); collectively, a herd
#4
שְׁנַיִם֒
two
two; also (as ordinal) twofold
#5
אֵילִ֤ם
rams
properly, strength; hence, anything strong; specifically an oak or other strong tree
#6
חֲמִשָּׁ֑ה
five
five
#7
עַתֻּדִ֣ים
he goats
prepared, i.e., full grown; spoken only (in plural) of he-goats, or (figuratively) leaders of the people
#8
חֲמִשָּׁ֑ה
five
five
#9
כְּבָשִׂ֥ים
lambs
a ram (just old enough to butt)
#10
בֶּן
of the first
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#11
שָׁנָ֖ה
year
a year (as a revolution of time)
#12
חֲמִשָּׁ֑ה
five
five
#13
זֶ֛ה
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
#14
קָרְבַּ֥ן
this was the offering
something brought near the altar, i.e., a sacrificial present
#15
גַּמְלִיאֵ֖ל
of Gamaliel
gamliel, an israelite
#16
בֶּן
of the first
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#17
פְּדָהצֽוּר׃
of Pedahzur
pedahtsur, an israelite

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing peace contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Numbers Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes peace in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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