Chieftain and tribal prince of the tribe of Naphtali
The exodusTribal princeChieftainMilitary leaderCensus officialcirca 1400s BC
Ahira, son of Enan, was appointed by God as tribal prince (נָשִׂיא, nasi) over Naphtali during Israel's wilderness journey. He assisted Moses in the census and in organizing the camp and march. As commander of Naphtali's military division, he also bore military responsibility, and his tribe took the last position in the marching order – behind Dan's banner on the north side of the tabernacle. When the altar of the tabernacle was dedicated, Ahira brought forward his offering on the twelfth and final day. The fact that his gifts were identical to those of the other tribal leaders emphasizes that every tribe stood equally before God in their worship. Although Ahira is mentioned only in a few passages in Numbers, the description portrays him as a leader who faithfully carried out the task entrusted to him.
Under Ahira's leadership, the tribe of Naphtali was counted, and the number of men able to serve in the army from twenty years old and upward was 53,400.
42The descendants of Naphtali: all the men twenty years old and upward who were fit for military service were listed by name, according to their genealogy, by clan and family.
Ahira led the tribe of Naphtali in their assigned position on the north side of the tabernacle under the banner of Dan, both within the camp and as the last division in the marching order when breaking camp.
On the twelfth and final day of the altar dedication, Ahira brought his offering, consisting of a silver plate, a silver basin, a gold bowl with incense, a burnt offering, a sin offering, and a peace offering—identical to the gifts of the other tribal leaders.
79His offering was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels and one silver basin of seventy shekels, by the sanctuary shekel, both of them filled with fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering;