Numbers 7:60
On the ninth day Abidan the son of Gideoni, prince of the children of Benjamin, offered:
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
בִנְיָמִ֑ן
of Benjamin
H1144
בִנְיָמִ֑ן
of Benjamin
Strong's:
H1144
Word #:
5 of 8
binjamin, youngest son of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
Historical Context
Benjamin's territory included Jerusalem (Joshua 18:28), making them geographically central despite small size. The tribe nearly faced extinction after the Judges 19-21 civil war, surviving only through divine mercy. Famous Benjamites include King Saul (1 Samuel 9:1-2), Queen Esther (Esther 2:5-7), and the apostle Paul (Philippians 3:5), demonstrating God's restoration of the nearly-destroyed tribe.
Questions for Reflection
- What does Benjamin's equal offering (despite being the smallest tribe) teach about God's valuation of people regardless of worldly status or size?
- How does Abidan's name ('my father is judge') and heritage (Benjamin = 'son of my right hand') connect to Christ as Judge seated at God's right hand (Acts 7:55-56)?
- In what ways does Benjamin's near-extinction and restoration (Judges 21) picture themes of judgment, mercy, and redemption throughout Scripture?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
On the ninth day Abidan the son of Gideoni, prince of the children of Benjamin, offered—Benjamin, Jacob's youngest son (Genesis 35:18), was Rachel's only son born in Canaan. Abidan ('my father is judge,' אֲבִידָן, Avidan) and Gideoni ('hewer/warrior,' גִּדְעֹנִי, Gid'oni) both carry militant overtones, fitting Benjamin's fierce warrior reputation (Genesis 49:27: 'Benjamin shall ravin as a wolf').
The ninth day continues beyond the eighth-day renewal into sustained consecration. Numbers 7's twelve-day pattern emphasizes thoroughness—God desired every tribe's full participation, not abbreviated or consolidated offerings. Abidan's offering mirrors all others precisely, demonstrating that the smallest tribe (Benjamin often appears last in tribal lists) received equal honor in worship. God shows no tribal favoritism.