Lexical Summary Pedahtsur: Pedahtsur Original Word: פְדָהצוּר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Pedahzur From padah and tsuwr; a rock (i.e. God) has ransomed; Pedahtsur, an Israelite -- Pedahzur. see HEBREW padah see HEBREW tsuwr NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom padah and tsur Definition "the rock has ransomed," a Manassite NASB Translation Pedahzur (5). Brown-Driver-Briggs מְּדָהצוּר proper name, masculine (the Rock hath ransomed) Manassite, Numbers 1:10; Numbers 2:20; Numbers 7:54,59; Numbers 10:23 Φαδασσουρ. Topical Lexicon Occurrences in NumbersPedahzur appears six times in the Book of Numbers, always as the father of Gamaliel, chief of the tribe of Manasseh. His name is set in the record of Israel’s organization at Sinai (Numbers 1:10; 2:20), the dedication of the tabernacle (Numbers 7:54, 7:59), and the march from Sinai toward the Promised Land (Numbers 10:23, repeated as the verse recounts the same detail). In each case Scripture places Pedahzur in the background while highlighting his son’s leadership, yet by naming him the text anchors Gamaliel’s authority in a known family line within Manasseh. Historical Setting: The Wilderness Census Numbers 1:10 records the initial wilderness census: “and from the sons of Manasseh, Gamaliel son of Pedahzur”. This census was not merely administrative; it declared that the LORD had transformed an enslaved people into a fighting nation. Pedahzur, though not counted among the tribal commanders himself, is inseparably connected to that moment of national identity. His mention verifies the continuity of tribal families that had survived slavery in Egypt and crossed the Red Sea. Tribal Leadership and Military Organization When the camp was arranged around the tabernacle, Pedahzur’s son again represented Manasseh (Numbers 2:20). Later, as each tribal prince brought offerings for the altar’s dedication, the text twice states “Gamaliel son of Pedahzur” (Numbers 7:54, 7:59). The repetition emphasizes the stable line of authority God ordained. Pedahzur stands behind Manasseh’s war contingents and sacrificial gifts, illustrating that sound leadership in Israel assumes recognized family roots and covenant faithfulness across generations. Pedahzur in the Worship Life of Israel The dedication offerings in Numbers 7 were identical for every tribe, yet the narrator records each in full. Pedahzur’s family contributed through Gamaliel on the eighth day, symbolizing new beginnings and belonging in corporate worship. By placing Pedahzur’s name alongside the silver basin, grain, and fellowship offerings, Scripture quietly links household identity with participation in sacrificial worship. Even unnamed deeds of fathers undergird public acts of sons. Theological Reflections 1. Covenant continuity: Pedahzur exemplifies how God preserves family lines so that each generation may serve His purposes. Though the father remains largely silent in the narrative, his presence proves indispensable to the unfolding story. Christological and Ministry Applications • Pedahzur’s quiet place anticipates the many unnamed or lightly mentioned ancestors in the genealogies of Jesus Christ (for example, “the son of Matthat, the son of Levi,” Luke 3:24). God remembers those whom history forgets, weaving their obedience into His redemptive plan. • For modern ministry, Pedahzur encourages parents and mentors who may never hold public office yet shape future leaders. Faithful nurture within the home prepares servants whom God will position for visible roles in the body of Christ. • In congregational life, the example cautions against measuring worth by public prominence. The LORD values the hidden roots that sustain covenant communities—intercessors, disciplers, and faithful families who, like Pedahzur, quietly uphold the next generation of leadership. Forms and Transliterations פְּדָה־ פְּדָהצֽוּר׃ פדה־ פדהצור׃ צֽוּר׃ צור׃ pə·ḏā·h·ṣūr pə·ḏāh- pedah pəḏāh- pəḏāhṣūr pedahTzur ṣūr TzurLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Numbers 1:10 HEB: גַּמְלִיאֵ֖ל בֶּן־ פְּדָהצֽוּר׃ NAS: Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur; KJV: Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur. INT: Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur Numbers 2:20 Numbers 7:54 Numbers 7:59 Numbers 10:23 Numbers 10:23 6 Occurrences |
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