(The Lord speaking is red text)
On the ninth day Abidan the son of Gideoni, prince of the children of Benjamin, [offered]:
On the ninth day was Avidan the son of Gid'oni, leader of the descendants of Binyamin.
On the ninth day Abidan son of Gideoni, the leader of the Benjamites, drew near.
On the ninth day Abidan the son of Gideoni, prince of the children of Benjamin:
On the ninth{H8671} day{H3117} Abidan{H27} the son{H1121} of Gideoni{H1441}, prince{H5387} of the children{H1121} of Benjamin{H1144}, offered:
1. **Themes:**
- **Divine Instruction and Order:** The verse reflects the detailed instructions given by God to Moses for the dedication of the Tabernacle, emphasizing the importance of order and structure in worship.
- **Sacrifice and Worship:** The offering by Abidan is part of a larger narrative of sacrifices made by each tribal leader, highlighting the theme of worship through sacrifice.
- **Leadership and Representation:** Each prince representing their tribe underscores the theme of leadership and communal responsibility in the worship of God.
- **Covenant and Community:** The collective participation of all tribes in the dedication underscores the theme of a unified community in covenant with God.
2. **Historical Context:**
- **Time Period:** The events in Numbers 7 occur shortly after the completion of the Tabernacle, which is a portable sanctuary for God's presence, during the Israelites' journey in the wilderness. This is approximately 1440 BCE, based on traditional biblical chronology.
- **The Tabernacle Dedication:** The book of Numbers begins with a census of the Israelite community and then moves to the organization of the camp around the Tabernacle. Numbers 7 details the offerings brought by the leaders of each of the twelve tribes of Israel over twelve consecutive days to dedicate the altar.
- **Symbolic Gifts:** These offerings included items necessary for the sacrifices and the maintenance of the Tabernacle, such as bowls, trays, cattle, rams, lambs, goats, and flour.
- **Leadership Role:** Abidan, the son of Gideoni, is the prince of the tribe of Benjamin, and his role in offering these items on the ninth day reflects the tribal system of leadership among the Israelites.
- **Significance of Benjamin:** The tribe of Benjamin was one of the smaller tribes, and their participation alongside the larger tribes illustrates the equality of all tribes before God.
In summary, Numbers 7:60 is part of a ceremonial dedication of the Tabernacle that emphasizes divine order, communal worship, and the equality of tribal leaders in their service to God. It reflects the historical context of the Israelites' nomadic life in the wilderness, their organization into tribes, and their structured approach to religious observance.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)