Chasing a Rabbit: Names in Numbers (7:1-89; 1:5-15)
The next section of Numbers involves the preparation of the Tabernacle for the march and the life of the camp. In chapter 7, we see the Tabernacle completed and consecrated. This is done on 12 successive days as each tribe offers animals and oil and grain on silver and gold pans and bowls and dishes. Each of the leaders of the twelve tribes gives these gifts, and the list we see is of the same men from chapter 1.
As I looked at the names of the leaders, each the son of another named man, I got to thinking about the generational aspects of this account. Numbers will be the story of one generation handing the covenant and the promises off to the next generation. However, here in chapter 7 and earlier in chapter 1, we saw the current generation’s leaders named alongside the names of the previous generation. What can we learn from these names? Is there some generational trend? Here is what I was able to find out:
Tribe: This Generation Meaning Past Generation Meaning
Reuben Elizur “God is a Rock” Shedur “Spreader of Light”
Simeon Shelumiel “Peace of God” Zurishaddai “My Rock is Almighty”
Judah Nahshon “Enchanter?” Amminadab “My Kinsman is Noble”
Issachar Nethanel “Given of God” Zuar “Little One”
Zebulun Eliab “God is Faithful” Helon “Strong”
Ephraim Elishama “God has Heard” Ammihud “My Kinsman is Majesty”
Manasseh Gamaliel “Reward of God” Pedahzur “A Rock has Ransomed”
Benjamin Adidan “My Father is Judge” Gideoni “Warlike”
Dan Ahiezer “My Brother is Help” Ammishaddai “My Kinsman is Almighty”
Asher Pagiel “Accident of God” Ochran “Muddler”
Gad Eliasaph “God has Added” Deuel “Known of God”
Naphtali Ahira “My Brother is Evil” Enan from “Having Eyes”
There is, admittedly, not much here—and one certainly wants to avoid reading into the text. Interesting tidbits: The Exodus generation has 8 of 12 names related to God; the previous one merely one name is related to God. Both generations have 3 names related to family (Father, Brother, Kinsman). Some names jump out due to strange meanings: “Accident of God” and “My Brother is Evil”, particularly so!
As I looked at the names of the leaders, each the son of another named man, I got to thinking about the generational aspects of this account. Numbers will be the story of one generation handing the covenant and the promises off to the next generation. However, here in chapter 7 and earlier in chapter 1, we saw the current generation’s leaders named alongside the names of the previous generation. What can we learn from these names? Is there some generational trend? Here is what I was able to find out:
Tribe: This Generation Meaning Past Generation Meaning
Reuben Elizur “God is a Rock” Shedur “Spreader of Light”
Simeon Shelumiel “Peace of God” Zurishaddai “My Rock is Almighty”
Judah Nahshon “Enchanter?” Amminadab “My Kinsman is Noble”
Issachar Nethanel “Given of God” Zuar “Little One”
Zebulun Eliab “God is Faithful” Helon “Strong”
Ephraim Elishama “God has Heard” Ammihud “My Kinsman is Majesty”
Manasseh Gamaliel “Reward of God” Pedahzur “A Rock has Ransomed”
Benjamin Adidan “My Father is Judge” Gideoni “Warlike”
Dan Ahiezer “My Brother is Help” Ammishaddai “My Kinsman is Almighty”
Asher Pagiel “Accident of God” Ochran “Muddler”
Gad Eliasaph “God has Added” Deuel “Known of God”
Naphtali Ahira “My Brother is Evil” Enan from “Having Eyes”
There is, admittedly, not much here—and one certainly wants to avoid reading into the text. Interesting tidbits: The Exodus generation has 8 of 12 names related to God; the previous one merely one name is related to God. Both generations have 3 names related to family (Father, Brother, Kinsman). Some names jump out due to strange meanings: “Accident of God” and “My Brother is Evil”, particularly so!
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