King James Version

What Does Numbers 7:65 Mean?

Numbers 7:65 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 Abidan the son of Gideoni.”

Numbers 7:65 · KJV

Peace

Context

63

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

64

One kid of the goats for a sin offering:

65

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 Abidan the son of Gideoni.

66

On the tenth day Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai, prince of the children of Dan, offered:

67

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
And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year—The shelamim (שְׁלָמִים, peace offerings) derives from shalom (שָׁלוֹם), meaning wholeness, completeness, and peace. Unlike burnt and sin offerings, the peace offering was partially eaten by the worshiper (Leviticus 7:15-18), making it a fellowship meal shared with God. The generous quantity—seventeen animals total—reflects abundant joy and celebration.

This was the offering of Abidan the son of Gideoni—Abidan ('my father is judge,' אֲבִידָן) brought offerings preceding Dan and Naphtali. The peace offering crowned the sacrificial sequence: burnt offering (consecration), sin offering (atonement), peace offering (communion). Romans 5:1 captures this progression: 'Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.' Peace follows justification, never precedes it.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Peace offerings were voluntary expressions of thanksgiving, vow-fulfillment, or freewill devotion (Leviticus 7:11-16). The ritual involved laying hands on the animal (identifying with it), slaughter, blood manipulation by priests, burning fat on the altar, and communal eating. The worshiper's family could invite guests, making it a joyous, festive occasion—a rare opportunity for common Israelites to eat meat.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the peace offering's fellowship meal aspect (eating with God) anticipate the Lord's Supper and eternal wedding feast (Revelation 19:9)?
  2. What is the significance of the sacrificial order: consecration (burnt), atonement (sin), then communion (peace)—and how does this sequence reflect salvation's logic?
  3. Why were peace offerings so abundant (seventeen animals) compared to single burnt and sin offerings?

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

אֲבִידָ֖ן15 of 17

“of Abidan”

H27

abidan, an israelite

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

גִּדְעֹנִֽי׃17 of 17

“of Gideoni”

H1441

gidoni, 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 7:65 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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