Gamaliel

In Scripture’s book of Numbers, Gamaliel is a name from a census and a procession of gifts. He is the son of Pedahzur and leader of the tribe of Manasseh as Israel camps in the wilderness. On the eighth day of the tabernacle’s dedication it is his turn to bring an offering: a silver charger, a silver bowl, a golden spoon full of incense, and animals for burnt, sin and peace offerings. Each tribal leader gave the same gift in order, so no tribe was passed over. Numbers 7:54-59 gives his day; Numbers 1 and 2 place him in the camp.

8 verses

Numbers

Numbers 1:10

Of the children of Joseph: of Ephraim; Elishama the son of Ammihud: of Manasseh; Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur.

Numbers 2:20

And by him shall be the tribe of Manasseh: and the captain of the children of Manasseh shall be Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur.

Numbers 7:54

On the eighth day offered Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur, prince of the children of Manasseh:

Numbers 7:55

His offering was one silver charger of the weight of 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:

Numbers 7:56

One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense:

Numbers 7:57

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

Numbers 7:58

One kid of the goats for a sin offering:

Numbers 7:59

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 Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur.

From Easton's Bible Dictionary

Matthew George Easton, 1897

Reward of God. (1.) A chief of the tribe of Manasseh at the census at Sinai (Num. 1:10; 2:20; 7:54, 59).

(2.) The son of rabbi Simeon, and grandson of the famous rabbi Hillel. He was a Pharisse, and therefore the opponent of the party of the Sadducees. He was noted for his learning, and was president of the Sanhedrim during the regins of Tiberius, Caligula, and Claudius, and died, it is said, about eighteen years before the destruction of Jerusalem.

When the apostles were brought before the council, charged with preaching the resurrection of Jesus, as a zealous Pharisee Gamaliel councelled moderation and calmness. By a reference to well-known events, he advised them to “refrain from these men.” If their work or counsel was of man, it would come to nothing; but if it was of God, they could not destroy it, and therefore ought to be on their guard lest they should be “found fighting against God” (Acts 5:34-40). Paul was one of his disciples (22:3).

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From Smith's Bible Dictionary

William Smith, 1884

(recompense of God).

(1.) Son of Pedahzur; prince or captain of the tribe of Manasseh at the census at Sinai, (Numbers 1:10; 20:20; 7:54,59) and at starting on the march through the wilderness. ch. (Numbers 10:23) (B.C. 1490.)

(2.) A pharisee and celebrated doctor of the law, who gave prudent worldly advice in the Sanhedrin respecting the treatment of the followers of Jesus of Nazareth. (Acts 5:34) ff. (A.D. 29.) We learn from (Acts 22:3) that he was the preceptor of St. Paul. He is generally identified with the very celebrated Jewish doctor Gamaliel, grandson of Hillel, and who is referred to as authority in the Jewish Mishna.