Numbers 7:71

KJV

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 Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai.

KJV (with Strong's)

And for a sacrifice {H2077} of peace offerings {H8002}, two {H8147} oxen {H1241}, five {H2568} rams {H352}, five {H2568} he goats {H6260}, five {H2568} lambs {H3532} of the first {H1121} year {H8141}: this was the offering {H7133} of Ahiezer {H295} the son {H1121} of Ammishaddai {H5996}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and, for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs in their first year. This was the offering of Achi'ezer the son of 'Ammishaddai.

Berean Standard Bible

and a peace offering of two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai.

American Standard Version

and for the sacrifice of peace-offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he-goats, five he-lambs a year old: this was the oblation of Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 7:71 concludes the detailed account of the eleventh day's dedication offerings for the newly consecrated Tabernacle, specifically highlighting the contribution of Ahiezer, son of Ammishaddai, the leader of the tribe of Dan. This verse meticulously itemizes his substantial offering, which included two oxen, five rams, five he-goats, and five one-year-old lambs, all designated as a "sacrifice of peace offerings." This final entry for the day underscores the communal spirit, generosity, and unified worship that characterized Israel's initial acts of devotion around God's dwelling place in the wilderness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers chapter 7 provides an exhaustive and highly repetitive record of the offerings brought by the twelve tribal leaders of Israel over twelve consecutive days. This elaborate dedication ceremony immediately follows the completion and anointing of the Tabernacle and its furnishings, as described in [Numbers 7:1](/numbers/7-1 "Numbers 7:1 - Anointing of the Tabernacle"). Each day, a different tribal leader presented an identical set of gifts, emphasizing the unity and equality of all tribes before God. Numbers 7:71 specifically details the offering of Ahiezer, the leader of the tribe of Dan, marking the completion of the eleventh day's contributions. The preceding verses (Numbers 7:66-70) would have listed the offerings for the tenth day, and the subsequent verses (Numbers 7:72-77) would detail the offerings for the twelfth and final day, culminating in a summary of all offerings in [Numbers 7:78-88](/numbers/7-78 "Numbers 7:78-88 - Summary of Offerings"). The meticulous repetition underscores the importance and uniformity of this national act of worship.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting for Numbers 7 is the wilderness, shortly after the Exodus from Egypt and the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai. The Tabernacle, having just been erected and consecrated, served as the central point of worship and the tangible dwelling place of God among His people. In ancient Israelite society, offerings were a fundamental expression of devotion, atonement, and fellowship with God. The leaders, representing their respective tribes, brought these substantial gifts not merely as a tax, but as a voluntary act of worship and support for the Levitical service. The "peace offerings" (Hebrew: _shelamim_) were unique among sacrifices, as they culminated in a communal meal shared by the offerer, his family, and the priests, symbolizing restored fellowship and well-being with God. This act of dedication, involving such significant resources, demonstrated the nation's commitment to the covenant and their reliance on God's presence as they prepared for their journey to the Promised Land, as detailed throughout the book of [Numbers](/numbers/1 "The Book of Numbers - Wilderness Wanderings").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Peace Offerings (Hebrew, _shelamim'_):** Derived from the root _shalom_, meaning "peace," "completeness," "wholeness," or "well-being." Unlike sin or burnt offerings, which focused on atonement or complete surrender, the _shelamim_ were voluntary sacrifices offered in thanksgiving, for a vow, or simply as a freewill offering to express fellowship and communion with God. A portion was burned on the altar for God, a portion was given to the priests, and the remainder was eaten by the offerer and his family in a sacred meal, symbolizing a harmonious and restored relationship with the divine.
* **Ahiezer (Hebrew, _'Achiy'ezer'_):** Meaning "my brother is help" or "brother of help." Ahiezer, the son of Ammishaddai, was the leader (or "prince") of the tribe of Dan, first mentioned in [Numbers 1:12](/numbers/1-12 "Numbers 1:12 - Ahiezer, Leader of Dan"). His name itself, implying assistance or support, resonates with the nature of his offering—a contribution that helped establish and sustain the Tabernacle service, thereby aiding the spiritual life of the community.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And for a sacrifice of peace offerings,"**: This phrase identifies the specific category of sacrifice. Peace offerings were distinct from other sacrifices (like burnt offerings or sin offerings) in their purpose: they were primarily about fellowship, thanksgiving, and the enjoyment of a harmonious relationship with God. They were not for atonement but for communion.
* **"two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year:"**: This detailed enumeration lists the animals contributed for the peace offerings. The substantial number and variety of animals indicate a significant and costly offering, reflecting the generosity and devotion of the tribal leader. The "lambs of the first year" specify young, unblemished animals, signifying the best of the flock.
* **"this [was] the offering of Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai."**: This concluding clause identifies the specific donor, Ahiezer, the leader of the tribe of Dan, and explicitly states that this entire collection of animals constituted his individual contribution for the dedication of the Tabernacle. It serves as a clear attribution within the repetitive structure of Numbers 7.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Numbers 7:71, and indeed throughout the entire chapter, is **Repetition**. The identical listing of offerings for each tribal leader, day after day, serves to emphasize the unity of the tribes in their worship and their equal standing before God. It also highlights the meticulous obedience to divine instruction and the thoroughness of the dedication process. Furthermore, **Enumeration** is prominent, as the verse precisely lists the quantity and type of animals, underscoring the substantial nature of the gift and the detailed record-keeping within the Mosaic law. The very act of offering these sacrifices carries profound **Symbolism**, with the "peace offerings" symbolizing restored fellowship, wholeness, and the communal enjoyment of God's presence, while the unblemished animals symbolize purity and the costly nature of true devotion.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 7:71, as part of the broader Tabernacle dedication narrative, powerfully illustrates the theological principle of covenant relationship and the importance of communal worship. The peace offering, in particular, speaks to the desire for and experience of fellowship with God, where the worshiper shares a meal in God's presence, signifying reconciliation and harmony. This act of giving also highlights the themes of generosity and obedience, as the leaders brought their best in response to God's presence among them. The uniformity of the offerings across all tribes underscores the unity of God's people and the equal access to Him through prescribed worship.

* [Leviticus 3:1-17](/leviticus/3-1 "Leviticus 3 - Laws of the Peace Offering") - Details the regulations for peace offerings, emphasizing their voluntary nature and the communal meal aspect.
* [Deuteronomy 12:6-7](/deuteronomy/12-6 "Deuteronomy 12:6-7 - Eating before the Lord") - Commands the Israelites to bring their offerings to the central sanctuary and eat them there, rejoicing before the Lord, reinforcing the communal and joyful aspect of these sacrifices.
* [Psalm 50:14](/psalm/50-14 "Psalm 50:14 - Offer Thanksgiving to God") - Encourages the offering of "thanksgiving sacrifices" (often associated with peace offerings) and the fulfillment of vows, pointing to the spiritual essence behind the physical act.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The meticulous record of Ahiezer's offering, like all the others in Numbers 7, invites us to reflect on the nature of our own offerings to God. It's not merely about the quantity or value of what we give, but the heart behind it—a heart seeking peace, fellowship, and communion with our Creator. The peace offering was a celebration of restored relationship, a shared meal with God. For us today, this translates into a call to live in continuous fellowship with God through Christ, offering our lives as "living sacrifices" (Romans 12:1). Our worship, our service, and our giving should flow from a place of gratitude for the peace we have in Christ, demonstrating our desire for a complete and harmonious relationship with Him, bringing Him glory and experiencing His profound peace in return.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does it mean to offer a "peace offering" in a contemporary context, where physical animal sacrifices are no longer required?**
* **How does the unity of the tribal offerings in Numbers 7 challenge or affirm our understanding of corporate worship and giving in the church today?**
* **In what ways can our generosity be an expression of our desire for deeper fellowship and peace with God?**

### FAQ
**What was the primary purpose of the "peace offerings" mentioned in Numbers 7:71?**

Answer: The "peace offerings" (Hebrew: _shelamim_) were primarily voluntary sacrifices offered to express fellowship, thanksgiving, or to fulfill a vow. Unlike sin or burnt offerings, which focused on atonement or complete surrender, peace offerings celebrated a harmonious relationship with God. A unique aspect was the communal meal where the offerer, their family, and the priests would eat a portion of the sacrifice, symbolizing shared communion and well-being in God's presence. This is further detailed in [Leviticus 3](/leviticus/3 "Leviticus 3 - The Law of Peace Offerings").

**Why were all the offerings from the tribal leaders in Numbers 7 identical?**

Answer: The identical nature of the offerings from all twelve tribal leaders emphasizes several key points. It underscores the unity of the tribes in their worship and dedication to God, demonstrating that all were equally committed and had equal access to God's presence. It also highlights the meticulous obedience to divine instruction and the organized, structured nature of Israelite worship. Furthermore, it prevents any tribe or leader from appearing superior or inferior in their devotion, fostering a sense of corporate solidarity in their national act of consecration for the Tabernacle, as seen throughout [Numbers 7](/numbers/7 "Numbers 7 - The Offerings of the Leaders").

**Who was Ahiezer, son of Ammishaddai?**

Answer: Ahiezer, son of Ammishaddai, was the leader (or "prince") of the tribe of Dan. He is first mentioned in [Numbers 1:12](/numbers/1-12 "Numbers 1:12 - Ahiezer, Leader of Dan") as one of the tribal leaders appointed to assist Moses in the census. His participation in the Tabernacle dedication, as recorded in [Numbers 7:71](/numbers/7-71 "Numbers 7:71 - Ahiezer's Offering"), highlights his significant role as a representative of his tribe in the religious and national life of Israel during their wilderness journey.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The peace offerings in Numbers 7:71, symbolizing fellowship and reconciliation with God, find their ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Old Testament sacrifices, including the _shelamim_, were shadows pointing to the one, perfect sacrifice of Christ, who is our true "peace offering." Through His atoning work on the cross, Jesus did not merely offer a way to achieve peace, but He Himself "is our peace" ([Ephesians 2:14](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14 - Christ is Our Peace")), having broken down the dividing wall of hostility between God and humanity, and between Jew and Gentile. His blood "made peace through the blood of his cross" ([Colossians 1:20](/colossians/1-20 "Colossians 1:20 - Peace Through His Blood")), fully reconciling us to God. Unlike the temporary peace offerings that needed to be repeated, Christ's singular sacrifice "perfected forever those who are being sanctified" ([Hebrews 10:14](/hebrews/10-14 "Hebrews 10:14 - Christ's Perfect Sacrifice")). Now, through faith in Him, we "have peace with God" ([Romans 5:1](/romans/5-1 "Romans 5:1 - Peace with God Through Faith")), and are invited into an eternal, unbroken fellowship with the Father, symbolized not by a shared meal of sacrificed animals, but by partaking in the Lord's Supper, which commemorates His body broken and blood shed for our ultimate peace and communion. We, as a "holy priesthood," are called to offer "spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ" ([1-peter/2-5](/1-peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - Spiritual Sacrifices")), living out the reality of the peace He secured.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.