King James Version

What Does Numbers 7:66 Mean?

Numbers 7:66 in the King James Version says “On the tenth day Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai, prince of the children of Dan, offered: — study this verse from Numbers chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Numbers 7:66 · KJV


Context

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:

68

One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense:


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
On the tenth day Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai, prince of the children of Dan, offered—Dan (דָּן, 'judge') was Rachel's son through her maidservant Bilhah (Genesis 30:6). Despite his irregular birth, Dan received full tribal status and inheritance. Ahiezer ('my brother is help,' אֲחִיעֶזֶר, Achi'ezer) and Ammishaddai ('my kinsman is Shaddai,' עַמִּישַׁדַּי, Ammishaddai) both emphasize covenantal relationships and divine sufficiency—the El Shaddai title (God Almighty) first appeared to Abraham (Genesis 17:1).

Dan's position here (tenth day) contrasts with his final-place position in travel order (Numbers 10:25, serving as rear guard). Yet in Ezekiel's temple vision (Ezekiel 48:1), Dan receives the northernmost gate—first position. God's economy reverses human hierarchies. Though Jacob's blessing pronounced Dan would 'judge his people' (Genesis 49:16), the tribe fell into deep idolatry (Judges 18:30-31), revealing that positional blessing requires faithful obedience.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Dan's territory was the smallest tribal allotment (Joshua 19:40-48), and the tribe faced Amorite pressure that forced migration northward. They conquered Laish, renamed it Dan, and established the northernmost boundary of Israel ('from Dan to Beersheba'). Tragically, Dan became a center of calf worship under Jeroboam (1 Kings 12:28-30), and is notably absent from Revelation 7's sealed tribes—a sobering warning about apostasy's consequences.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does Dan's full participation in tabernacle worship (despite later apostasy) teach about the tragedy of starting well but finishing poorly (1 Corinthians 10:12)?
  2. How do Ahiezer's and Ammishaddai's names ('brother is help,' 'kinsman is Shaddai') point to Christ as both our brother (Hebrews 2:11) and all-sufficient God?
  3. What does Dan's omission from Revelation 7's sealed tribes suggest about the possibility of corporate apostasy and covenant judgment?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 8 words
בַּיּוֹם֙1 of 8

day

H3117

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

הָֽעֲשִׂירִ֔י2 of 8

On the tenth

H6224

tenth; by abbreviation, tenth month or (feminine) part

נָשִׂ֖יא3 of 8

prince

H5387

properly, an exalted one, i.e., a king or sheik; also a rising mist

בֶּן4 of 8

of the children

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

דָ֑ן5 of 8

of Dan

H1835

dan, one of the sons of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory; likewise a place in palestine colonized by them

אֲחִיעֶ֖זֶר6 of 8

Ahiezer

H295

achiezer, the name of two israelites

בֶּן7 of 8

of the children

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

עַמִּֽישַׁדָּֽי׃8 of 8

of Ammishaddai

H5996

ammishaddai, 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 7:66 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Numbers 7:66 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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