Numbers 31
Overview
31:1 The Midianites are spoiled, and Balaam slain;
31:13 Moses is wroth with the officers, for saving the women alive;
31:19 How the soldiers, with their captives and spoil, are to be purified;
31:25 The proportion in which the prey is to be divided;
31:48 The voluntary oblation unto the treasury of the Lord. Verse 1 Reciprocal Numbers 10:31 - forasmuch; 1 Kings 8:44 - whithersoever Verse 2 Avenge Numbers 31:3, 25:17, 25:18; Deuteronomy 32:35; Judges 16:24, 16:28-30; Psalm 94:1-3; Isaiah 1:24; Nahum 1:2; Luke 21:22; Romans 12:19, 13:4; 1 Thessalonians 4:6; Habakkuk 3:1; Revelation 6:10; 18:20, 19:2 the Midianites Numbers 25:6, 25:14-18; Genesis 25:1-4; Exodus 2:16 gathered Numbers 27:13; Genesis 15:15, 25:8, 25:17; Judges 2:10; Acts 13:36 Reciprocal Genesis 25:2 - Midian; 37:28 - Midianites; Numbers 20:24 - gathered; Joshua 10:13 - until; 1 Kings 11:18 - Midian; 1 Chronicles 1:32 - Midian; 2 Chronicles 6:34 - by the way; Psalm 149:7 - General; Habakkuk 3:7 - Midian Verse 3 Arm some Exodus 17:9-13 avenge the LordIt was God's quarrel, not their own, that they were now to take up. These people were idolaters, and had seduced the Israelites to practise the same abominations. Idolatry is an offence against God; and the civil power has no authority to meddle with what belongs to Him, without especial directions, certified, as in this case, in the most unequivocal manner. Private revenge, ambition, or avarice were to have no place in this business: Jehovah is to be avenged; and through Him, the children of Israel - Numbers 31:2
because they were nearly ruined by their idolatries. If Jehovah, instead of punishing sinners by earthquakes, pestilence, or famine,is pleased expressly to command any person or people to avenge his cause, this commission justifies, nay sanctifies, war, massacre, or devastation. Though none at present shew such a commission, yet the Israelites could; and it is therefore absurd to censure Moses, Joshua, and Israel, for the dreadful slaughter made by them. God himself passed sentence of condemnation, and employed them merely as ministers of his vengeance; and unless it could be proved that the criminals did not deserve their doom, or that God had no right to punish his rebellious creatures, such objectors only shew their enmity to God by becoming the unsolicited advocates of his enemies. 25:11, 25:13; Exodus 17:16; Leviticus 26:25; Judges 5:2, 5:23; 2 Kings 9:7, 10:30; Jeremiah 46:10; 50:28 Reciprocal Genesis 37:28 - Midianites; Psalm 149:7 - General Verse 4 Of every tribe a thousandHeb. A thousand of a tribe, a thousand of a tribea thousand Leviticus 26:8; Judges 7:2; 1 Samuel 14:6 Reciprocal Exodus 17:9 - Choose Verse 6 a thousandTwelve thousand in all - a small number in proportion to all Israel, or to the forces which they had to encounter. As they were under the conduct of captains of thousands and hundreds, they probably had no general; for Phinehas seems to have accompanied them simply to take charge of "the holy instruments;" probably the ark and silver trumpets.Phinehas Numbers 25:7-13 the holy instruments 14:44, 33:20-22; Exodus 25:9; Joshua 6:4-6, 6:13-15; 1 Samuel 4:4, 4:5, 4:17, 14:18; 23:9; 2 Samuel 11:11 to blow Numbers 10:8, 10:9; 2 Chronicles 13:12-15 Reciprocal Exodus 6:25 - Phinehas; Deuteronomy 20:2 - General; 1 Samuel 4:3 - Let us; 1 Chronicles 6:4 - Phinehas; 9:20 - Phinehas; Ezra 7:5 - Phinehas Verse 7 all Deuteronomy 20:13, 20:14; Judges 21:11; 1 Samuel 27:9; 1 Kings 11:15, 11:16 the males Judges 6:1, 6:2, 6:33 Reciprocal Genesis 34:25 - Simeon; Numbers 24:14 - I will advertise; Psalm 83:9 - as unto Verse 8 the kings Numbers 22:4; Joshua 13:21, 13:22 Zur Numbers 25:15, 25:18 Balaam 22:10, 24:25; Joshua 13:22; Psalm 9:16, 10:2; 1 Timothy 6:9, 6:10; 2 Peter 2:15; Jude 1:11; Revelation 2:14, 19:20 Reciprocal Genesis 25:2 - Midian; 37:28 - Midianites; 1 Kings 22:25 - Behold; Psalm 68:12 - Kings; 83:9 - as unto; Micah 6:5 - Balaam; Matthew 7:22 - have we Verse 9 Numbers 31:15, 31:16; Deuteronomy 20:14; 2 Chronicles 28:5, 28:8-10 Reciprocal Genesis 37:28 - Midianites; Numbers 25:6 - a Midianitish; Deuteronomy 2:35 - General; Joshua 11:14 - the spoil; 1 Samuel 30:20 - This is David's spoil; 2 Chronicles 14:15 - carried away; Psalm 68:12 - Kings Verse 10 Joshua 6:24; 1 Samuel 30:1; 1 Kings 9:16; Isaiah 1:7; Revelation 18:8 Reciprocal 1 Chronicles 6:54 - castles Verse 11 Deuteronomy 20:14; Joshua 8:2
Verse 12 the plains of Moab Numbers 22:1 Reciprocal 26:3 - General; 31:13 - without the camp; 35:1 - General; Deuteronomy 20:14 - the women Verse 13 went forth Genesis 14:17; 1 Samuel 15:12, 30:21 without the camp Numbers 31:12, 31:22-24, 5:2, 19:11
Verse 14 wroth Numbers 12:3; Exodus 32:19, 32:22; Leviticus 10:16; 1 Samuel 15:13, 15:14; 1 Kings 20:42; 2 Kings 13:19; Ephesians 4:26 battleHeb. host of warReciprocal Genesis 41:34 - officers; Deuteronomy 1:15 - captains over thousands; 20:5 - the officers; 1 Chronicles 15:25 - captains; Jeremiah 48:10 - Cursed; 50:21 - and do Verse 15 Deuteronomy 2:34, 20:13, 20:16-18; Joshua 6:21, 8:25, 10:40, 11:14; 1 Samuel 15:3; Psalm 137:8, 137:9; Jeremiah 48:10; Ezekiel 9:6 Reciprocal Numbers 25:1 - the people; 25:18 - vex you; 31:9 - General; 2 Chronicles 20:25 - precious jewels; Proverbs 28:10 - causeth Verse 16 these caused Numbers 24:14, 25:1-3; Proverbs 23:27; Ecclesiastes 7:26; 2 Peter 2:15; Revelation 2:14 in the matter Numbers 25:18; Deuteronomy 4:3; Joshua 22:17 and there Numbers 25:9 Reciprocal 31:9 - General; Psalm 106:28 - joined; Proverbs 7:13 - she; 28:10 - causeth; Micah 6:5 - Balak; James 3:6 - a world Verse 17 kill every maleThe sword of war should spare women and children, as incapable of resisting; but the sword of justice knows no distinction, except that of guilty or not guilty, or more or less guilty. This was the execution of a righteous sentence upon a guilty nation, in which the women were the greatest criminals; and it may safely be said, that their lives were forfeited by their personal transgressions. With respect to the execution of the male infants, who cannot be supposed to have been guilty, God, the author and supporter of life, who has a right to dispose of it when and how he thinks proper, commanded it; and "shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?" Judges 21:11, 21:12 himHeb. a maleReciprocal Genesis 4:1 - knew; 24:16 - known; 34:25 - Simeon; 34:28 - General; Numbers 31:32 - the booty; Deuteronomy 20:13 - thou shalt smite; 1 Samuel 15:3 - slay; 1 Kings 11:15 - every male Verse 18 keep alive for yourselvesIt has been groundlessly asserted, that Moses here authorised the Israelites to make concubines of the whole number of female children; and an insidious objection against his writings has been grounded upon this monstrous supposition. But the whole tenor of the law, and especially a statute recorded in Deuteronomy 21:10-14, proves most decisively to the contrary. They were merely permitted to possess them as female slaves, educating them in their families, and employing them as domestics; for the laws concerning fornication, concubinage, and marriage, were in full force, and prohibited an Israelite even from marrying a captive, without delays and previous formalities; and if he afterwards divorced her, he was to set here at liberty, "because he had humbled her." Leviticus 25:44; Deuteronomy 20:14, 21:10-14; 2 Chronicles 28:8-10; Isaiah 14:2 Reciprocal Genesis 24:16 - known; Deuteronomy 20:13 - thou shalt smite; 21:11 - that; Judges 21:11 - every male Verse 19 abideThough the Israelites had acted by the commission of God, yet they had contracted pollution by touching the dead; and the spoil having been used by idolaters, must also be purified in the prescribed manner. Numbers 5:2, 19:11-22; 1 Chronicles 22:8 Reciprocal Genesis 22:4 - third; Numbers 19:12 - third day; 19:16 - toucheth; 19:19 - on the seventh day he; Joshua 6:23 - left them Verse 20 raiment Numbers 19:14-16, 19:22; Genesis 35:2; Exodus 19:10 that is madeHeb. instrument, or, vesselReciprocal 26:7 - goats' hair; Numbers 8:7 - wash their; 19:15 - General; 1 Chronicles 22:8 - Thou hast shed Verse 21 Numbers 30:16 Reciprocal 19:2 - the ordinance Verse 22 Reciprocal Genesis 4:22 - brass; Numbers 31:13 - without the camp; Joshua 8:27 - the cattle; Job 28:2 - Iron Verse 23 abide Isaiah 43:2; Zechariah 13:9; Malachi 2:2, 2:3; Matthew 3:11; 1 Corinthians 3:13; 1 Peter 1:7, 4:12; Revelation 3:18 it shall be purified Numbers 8:7, 19:9, 19:17 ye shall make Leviticus 11:32, 15:17; Ephesians 5:26; Titus 3:5, 3:6; 1 Peter 3:21
Verse 24 Numbers 19:19; Leviticus 11:25, 14:9, 15:13 Reciprocal Genesis 35:2 - clean; Exodus 19:10 - wash; Numbers 19:9 - a water of separation; 1 Chronicles 22:8 - Thou hast shed Verse 26 that was takenHeb. of the captivity, Numbers 31:26 Reciprocal Joshua 8:27 - the cattle Verse 27 two parts Joshua 22:8; 1 Samuel 30:4, 30:24, 30:25; Psalm 68:12
Verse 28 levy Genesis 14:20; Joshua 6:19, 6:24; 2 Samuel 8:11, 8:12; 1 Chronicles 18:11, 26:26, 26:27; Proverbs 3:9, 3:10; Isaiah 18:7, 23:18, 60:9; Matthew 22:21 one soul Numbers 31:30, 31:47, 18:26 Reciprocal 31:32 - the booty; Deuteronomy 16:10 - a tribute; 2 Chronicles 15:11 - offered Verse 29 an heave Numbers 18:26; Exodus 29:27; Deuteronomy 12:12, 12:19 Reciprocal Exodus 29:28 - is an heave; Leviticus 7:14 - an heave; Numbers 18:19 - the heave; 31:41 - Eleazar; 2 Chronicles 15:11 - offered Verse 30 one portion Numbers 31:42-47 flocksor, goatsand give 31:28, 18:24-28; 1 Corinthians 9:13, 9:14 keep the Numbers 3:7, 3:8, 3:25, 3:31, 3:36-39, 18:1-5, 18:23; 1 Chronicles 9:27-29, 23:32, 26:20-27; Acts 20:28; 1 Corinthians 4:2; Colossians 4:17; Habakkuk 3:1 Reciprocal Numbers 1:53 - and the; 8:26 - to keep; 31:32 - the booty; 31:47 - kept the charge; 1 Chronicles 26:26 - over all the treasures; 2 Chronicles 14:15 - carried away Verse 31 Reciprocal Ezra 7:5 - Eleazar Verse 32 the bootyIt appears from the enumeration here, that the Israelites, in this war with the Midianites, took 32,000 female prisoners, 61,000 asses, 72,000 beeves, and 675,000 sheep and small cattle; besides the immense number of males who fell in battle, and the women and children who were slain by the divine command - Numbers 31:17. This booty was divided into equal parts, by which partition a far larger share was justly given to the warriors employed on the expedition, who were only 12,000, than to those, who being equally willing to go, were ordered to stay in the camp. Each party was to give a certain proportion to Jehovah, as their sovereign, in grateful acknowledgment that to him they owed their success. The soldiers to give to the Lord one out of every five hundred persons, beeves, asses, and sheep - 31:28
and the people, who by staying at home risked nothing, and had no fatigue, were to give one out of fifty of each of the above to the Levites, who were far more numerous than the priests - 31:30. The booty, its division among the soldiers and people, and the proportion given by each to the Lord and to the Levites, will be seen at one view by the following table:

Offering Types | To Soldiers | To God | To People | To Levites | Total Offerings
Sheep | 337,500 | 675 | 337,500 | 6,750 | 675,000
Beeves | 36,000 | 72 | 36,000 | 720 | 72,000
Asses | 30,500 | 61 | 30,500 | 610 | 61,000
Persons | 16,000 | 32 | 16,000 | 320 | 32,000

It does not appear that a single ox, sheep, or ass, was required by Moses as his portion; or that there was any given to him by the people; and though he had a family as well as others, yet no provision was made for them above the common lot of Levites!Reciprocal Job 1:3 - seven Verse 35 Reciprocal Deuteronomy 20:14 - the women; 1 Chronicles 5:21 - men Verse 37 Reciprocal Deuteronomy 16:10 - a tribute Verse 41 Eleazar Numbers 31:29-31, 18:8, 18:19; Matthew 10:10; 1 Corinthians 9:10-14; Galatians 6:6; 1 Timothy 5:17; Habakkuk 3:1-7:6, 3:1-7:12 Reciprocal Exodus 29:28 - is an heave; Leviticus 7:14 - an heave Verse 42 Reciprocal Numbers 31:30 - one portion Verse 47 the Levites Numbers 18:21-24; Deuteronomy 12:17-19; Luke 10:1-8; 1 Thessalonians 5:12, 5:13 kept the charge Numbers 31:30; Psalm 134:1; Isaiah 56:10, 56:11 Reciprocal Numbers 1:53 - and the; 31:28 - one soul Verse 48 Reciprocal Deuteronomy 20:5 - the officers Verse 49 chargeHeb. handlacketh 1 Samuel 30:18, 30:19; Psalm 72:14; John 18:9 Reciprocal 1 Samuel 30:23 - which the Lord; 2 Samuel 17:22 - there lacked; Jeremiah 23:4 - neither Verse 50 therefore broughtThe officers of the army having mustered their men, found they had not lost a man in the contest with Midian! Penetrated with gratitude for this most remarkable interposition of Providence in their favour, they now offer to Jehovah the golden jewels which they had found among the spoil, to the amount of 16,750 shekels, equal to,869, 16s. 5d. of our money.an oblation Psalm 107:15, 107:21, 107:22, 116:12, 116:17 gottenHeb. foundan atonement Exodus 30:12, 30:15, 30:16; Leviticus 17:11 Reciprocal Exodus 35:22 - bracelets; 2 Chronicles 15:11 - offered; Proverbs 3:9 - General; Song of Songs 1:10 - thy neck; Isaiah 3:19 - the bracelets; Ezekiel 16:11 - General Verse 51 Numbers 7:2-6
Verse 52 offeringHeb. heave-offering, Numbers 31:52
Verse 53 Deuteronomy 20:14
Verse 54 a memorial Numbers 16:40; Exodus 30:16; Joshua 4:7; Psalm 18:49, 103:1, 103:2, 115:1, 145:7; Zechariah 6:14; Luke 22:19; Acts 10:4 Reciprocal Exodus 28:12 - for a memorial; Ezra 7:5 - Eleazar; Psalm 68:12 - Kings; Mark 14:9 - a memorial