King James Version

What Does Numbers 7:71 Mean?

Numbers 7:71 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 Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai.”

Numbers 7:71 · KJV

Peace

Context

69

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

70

One kid of the goats for a sin offering:

71

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.

72

On the eleventh day Pagiel the son of Ocran, prince of the children of Asher, offered:

73

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 abundant shelamim (שְׁלָמִים, peace offerings) climaxes the sacrificial pattern: seventeen animals offered in thanksgiving and fellowship. The peace offering's unique characteristic was the communal meal—worshipers ate portions of the sacrifice in God's presence (Leviticus 7:15-18), symbolizing reconciliation and shared fellowship. The abundant quantity (especially compared to single burnt and sin offerings) reflects lavish celebration.

This was the offering of Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai—Dan's prince, whose very name ('my brother is help') and patronymic ('my kinsman is Shaddai/Almighty') anchor identity in covenantal relationship and divine sufficiency. The progression from burnt offering (consecration) through sin offering (atonement) to peace offering (communion) reflects salvation's logical sequence: we cannot have peace with God without atonement, and atonement is meaningless without whole-life consecration. Romans 5:1 captures this: 'Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.'

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Historical & Cultural Context

Peace offerings included three types: thanksgiving offerings (spontaneous gratitude), vow offerings (fulfilling promises to God), and freewill offerings (voluntary devotion). Leviticus 7:11-16 specified time limits for eating the sacrifice: thanksgiving offerings must be consumed the same day, vow and freewill offerings allowed two days. Violating these times resulted in defilement, teaching that even good things (worship) become corrupt when we disregard God's boundaries.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the peace offering's communal meal aspect point forward to the Lord's Supper and the wedding feast of the Lamb (Revelation 19:9)?
  2. What does the sacrificial sequence (burnt, sin, peace) teach about the order of salvation—and why can't this order be rearranged?
  3. Why did peace offerings involve such abundance (seventeen animals) compared to the 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

אֲחִיעֶ֖זֶר15 of 17

“of Ahiezer”

H295

achiezer, 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

עַמִּֽישַׁדָּֽי׃17 of 17

“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 7:71 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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