King James Version

What Does Numbers 7:47 Mean?

Numbers 7:47 in the King James Version says “And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the o...” — study this verse from Numbers chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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 Eliasaph the son of Deuel.”

Numbers 7:47 · KJV

Peace

Context

45

One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering:

46

One kid of the goats for a sin offering:

47

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 Eliasaph the son of Deuel.

48

On the seventh day Elishama the son of Ammihud, prince of the children of Ephraim, offered:

49

His offering was one silver charger, the weight whereof was an hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering:

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
For a sacrifice of peace offerings (זֶבַח שְׁלָמִים, zevach shelamim)—The shelamim (from shalom, peace/wholeness) involved shared consumption: portions for God (burnt on altar), priests (breast and thigh), and offerer (remaining meat). This communal meal symbolized covenant fellowship. Eliasaph's offering—two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year—totaled thirteen animals, representing abundance and generosity.

The specific quantities weren't random but followed the prescribed pattern each tribal prince offered (7:13-83). The repetition across twelve tribes creates liturgical rhythm in Numbers 7, emphasizing Israel's unity in worship. Unlike burnt offerings (wholly consumed), peace offerings celebrated reconciliation through shared feasting.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This occurred at the tabernacle's dedication (1444 BC), immediately after its construction in Exodus 40. Eliasaph represented Gad's tribe (2:14). The twelve-day dedication ceremony (one prince per day) reflected both orderliness and equality—no tribe received preference. Each prince brought identical offerings, preventing competition or pride.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the 'peace offering' as a shared meal between God, priests, and offerer model the nature of true fellowship and reconciliation?
  2. What does the identical offering from each tribe teach about equality in worship and the danger of competitive giving?
  3. In what ways might the deliberate repetition in Numbers 7 (each tribe's offering described fully) challenge modern preferences for efficiency over liturgical thoroughness?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וּלְזֶ֣בַח1 of 17

“And for a sacrifice”

H2077

properly, a slaughter, i.e., the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the victim or the act)

הַשְּׁלָמִים֮2 of 17

“of peace offerings”

H8002

properly, requital, i.e., a (voluntary) sacrifice in thanks

בָּקָ֣ר3 of 17

“oxen”

H1241

a beeve or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing); collectively, a herd

שְׁנַיִם֒4 of 17

“two”

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

אֵילִ֤ם5 of 17

“rams”

H352

properly, strength; hence, anything strong; specifically an oak or other strong tree

חֲמִשָּׁ֑ה6 of 17

“five”

H2568

five

עַתֻּדִ֣ים7 of 17

“he goats”

H6260

prepared, i.e., full grown; spoken only (in plural) of he-goats, or (figuratively) leaders of the people

חֲמִשָּׁ֑ה8 of 17

“five”

H2568

five

כְּבָשִׂ֥ים9 of 17

“lambs”

H3532

a ram (just old enough to butt)

בֶּן10 of 17

“of the first”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

שָׁנָ֖ה11 of 17

“year”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

חֲמִשָּׁ֑ה12 of 17

“five”

H2568

five

זֶ֛ה13 of 17
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

קָרְבַּ֥ן14 of 17

“this was the offering”

H7133

something brought near the altar, i.e., a sacrificial present

אֶלְיָסָ֖ף15 of 17

“of Eliasaph”

H460

eljasaph, the name of two israelites

בֶּן16 of 17

“of the first”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

דְּעוּאֵֽל׃17 of 17

“of Deuel”

H1845

deuel, an israelite

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Numbers. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Numbers 7:47 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

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