Definition: 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 Nethaneel the son of Zuar.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from Numbers 7:23. It’s quite a detailed description of a significant offering in ancient Jewish tradition. Here's a simplified explanation: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a special offering made to God when someone was trying to make peace or reconciliation with God. It’s a very elaborate and symbolic act. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “Numbers 7:23” : This tells us this is a specific passage from the Book of Numbers, which focuses on rituals and offerings related to the covenant (agreement) between God and Israel. “And for a sacrifice of peace offerings…” : This means the offering wasn’t just any ordinary food or item. It was specifically designed to symbolize peace and reconciliation. It was about showing God that they were willing to forgive and move on from conflict. “Two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year” : This is the key part – it describes exactly what animals were being offered. Let's look at each one: Two oxen: These represent two sides of a problem or two people who needed to be reconciled. Five rams: Rams are powerful and majestic animals. The number five suggests a large, significant offering – representing the strength and power of peace. Five he goats: Goats are symbols of gentleness and innocence, suggesting a desire for forgiveness and healing. Five lambs of the first year: Lambs are young animals and represent new beginnings, innocence, and purity. They symbolize the fresh start needed for reconciliation. “This [was] the offering of Nethaneel the son of Zuar” : This identifies who made this offering. Nethaneel was a man named by God (Zuar) who was a high-ranking official. He was entrusted with preparing and presenting this large offering to demonstrate their commitment to peace. So, what's the significance? This verse is important because it shows how ancient Jewish people believed that honoring God with offerings – especially those representing peace – was crucial for maintaining harmony in the world. It’s a powerful example of ritual and symbolism used to communicate a desire for forgiveness and unity. In short, this verse describes a large and complex offering made to show commitment to peace and reconciliation. --- Do you want me to: Explain any part of this verse in more detail? Connect it to a specific biblical story or theme?