“On the eighth day offered Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur, prince of the children of Manasseh:”
This verse is a part of the description of the offerings made by the twelve leaders of the tribes of Israel at the dedication of the altar. The preceding verses (Numbers 7:1-54) detail the offerings brought by each tribe leader over a span of twelve days.
In Numbers 7:55, we specifically learn about the offering made by Gamaliel, the son of Pedahzur, who was the prince or leader of the tribe of Manasseh. This offering was presented on the eighth and final day of the dedication of the altar.
The dedication of the altar was a significant event in the wilderness journey of the Israelites. The construction and consecration of the altar marked the establishment of a sacred space for the Israelites to worship and offer sacrifices to God as they traveled towards the Promised Land.
Reason for recording details:The reason why the specific details of each tribe’s offering are recorded is not explicitly stated in the passage. However, it is likely that these details were included to emphasize the unity and equality among the tribes of Israel. Each tribe had the opportunity to present their offerings, and all were given equal importance in the sight of God.
It is worth noting that Gamaliel:Gamaliel, mentioned in this verse, is not to be confused with the Gamaliel mentioned in the New Testament (Acts 5:34-40, Acts 22:3). The Gamaliel mentioned in Numbers 7:55 was a leader from the tribe of Manasseh during the time of Moses and the wilderness wanderings.
Conclusion:Overall, Numbers 7:55 serves as a record of the offerings made by the tribal leaders during the dedication of the altar, highlighting the participation of Gamaliel, the son of Pedahzur, who presented the offering on behalf of the tribe of Manasseh.
