Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Numbers 31

88 catchwords393 parallels

← Numbers | ← Ch 30 | Ch 32 →

Numbers 31 . 1 , The Midianites are spoiled , and Balaam slain; Numbers 31 . 13 , Moses is wroth with the officers , for saving the women alive; Numbers 31 . 19 , How the soldiers , with their captives and spoil , are to be purified; Numbers 31 . 25 , The proportion in which the prey is to be divided; Numbers 31 . 48 , The voluntary oblation unto the treasury of the Lord.

Numbers 31:1

And the LORD said to Moses,

Numbers 31:1 · BSB

Reciprocal2 parallels

Numbers 31:2

“Take vengeance on the Midianites for the Israelites. After that, you will be gathered to your people.”

Numbers 31:2 · BSB

Avenge17 parallels

the Midianites4 parallels

gathered6 parallels

Reciprocal9 parallels

Numbers 31:3

So Moses told the people, “Arm some of your men for war, that they may go against the Midianites and execute the LORD’s vengeance on them.

Numbers 31:3 · BSB

Arm some1 parallel

avenge the Lord11 parallels

It 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
  • Numbers 25:11
  • Numbers 25:13
  • Exodus 17:16
  • Leviticus 26:25
  • Judges 5:2
  • Judges 5:23
  • 2 Kings 9:7
  • 2 Kings 10:30
  • Jeremiah 46:10
  • Jeremiah 50:28

Reciprocal2 parallels

Numbers 31:4

Send into battle a thousand men from each tribe of Israel.”

Numbers 31:4 · BSB

a thousand3 parallels

Reciprocal1 parallel

Of every tribe a thousand Heb. A thousand of a tribe , a thousand of a tribe

Numbers 31:6

And Moses sent the thousand from each tribe into battle, along with Phinehas son of Eleazar the priest, who took with him the vessels of the sanctuary and the trumpets for signaling.

Numbers 31:6 · BSB

Phinehas1 parallel

the holy instruments11 parallels

to blow3 parallels

Reciprocal6 parallels

a thousand Twelve 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.

Numbers 31:7

Then they waged war against Midian, as the LORD had commanded Moses, and they killed every male.

Numbers 31:7 · BSB

all6 parallels

the males3 parallels

Reciprocal3 parallels

Numbers 31:8

Among the slain were Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba—the five kings of Midian. They also killed Balaam son of Beor with the sword.

Numbers 31:8 · BSB

the kings3 parallels

Zur2 parallels

Balaam11 parallels

Reciprocal7 parallels

Numbers 31:9

The Israelites captured the Midianite women and their children, and they plundered all their herds, flocks, and goods.

Numbers 31:9 · BSB

the whole verse5 parallels

Reciprocal7 parallels

Numbers 31:10

Then they burned all the cities where the Midianites had lived, as well as all their encampments,

Numbers 31:10 · BSB

the whole verse5 parallels

Reciprocal1 parallel

Numbers 31:11

and carried away all the plunder and spoils, both people and animals.

Numbers 31:11 · BSB

the whole verse2 parallels

Numbers 31:12

They brought the captives, spoils, and plunder to Moses, to Eleazar the priest, and to the congregation of Israel at the camp on the plains of Moab, by the Jordan across from Jericho.

Numbers 31:12 · BSB

the plains of Moab1 parallel

Reciprocal4 parallels

Numbers 31:13

And Moses, Eleazar the priest, and all the leaders of the congregation went to meet them outside the camp.

Numbers 31:13 · BSB

went forth3 parallels

without the camp4 parallels

Numbers 31:14

But Moses was angry with the officers of the army—the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds—who were returning from the battle.

Numbers 31:14 · BSB

wroth9 parallels

Reciprocal6 parallels

battle Heb. host of war

Numbers 31:15

“Have you spared all the women?” he asked them.

Numbers 31:15 · BSB

the whole verse12 parallels

Reciprocal5 parallels

Numbers 31:16

“Look, these women caused the sons of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to turn unfaithfully against the LORD at Peor, so that the plague struck the congregation of the LORD.

Numbers 31:16 · BSB

these caused6 parallels

in the matter3 parallels

and there1 parallel

Reciprocal6 parallels

Numbers 31:17

So now, kill all the boys, as well as every woman who has had relations with a man,

Numbers 31:17 · BSB

kill every male2 parallels

The 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?"

Reciprocal8 parallels

him Heb. a male

Numbers 31:18

but spare for yourselves every girl who has never had relations with a man.

Numbers 31:18 · BSB

keep alive for yourselves6 parallels

It 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
  • Deuteronomy 21:10-14
  • 2 Chronicles 28:8-10
  • Isaiah 14:2

Reciprocal4 parallels

Numbers 31:19

All of you who have killed a person or touched the dead are to remain outside the camp for seven days. On the third day and the seventh day you are to purify both yourselves and your captives.

Numbers 31:19 · BSB

abide3 parallels

Though 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

Reciprocal5 parallels

Numbers 31:20

And purify every garment and leather good, everything made of goat’s hair, and every article of wood.”

Numbers 31:20 · BSB

raiment4 parallels

Reciprocal4 parallels

that is made Heb. instrument , or , vessel

Numbers 31:21

Then Eleazar the priest said to the soldiers who had gone into battle, “This is the statute of the law which the LORD has commanded Moses:

Numbers 31:21 · BSB

the whole verse1 parallel

Reciprocal1 parallel

Numbers 31:22

Only the gold, silver, bronze, iron, tin, and lead—

Numbers 31:22 · BSB

Reciprocal4 parallels

Numbers 31:23

everything that can withstand the fire—must be put through the fire, and it will be clean. But it must still be purified with the water of purification. And everything that cannot withstand the fire must pass through the water.

Numbers 31:23 · BSB

abide9 parallels

it shall be purified3 parallels

ye shall make6 parallels

Numbers 31:24

On the seventh day you are to wash your clothes, and you will be clean. After that you may enter the camp.”

Numbers 31:24 · BSB

the whole verse4 parallels

Reciprocal4 parallels

Numbers 31:26

“You and Eleazar the priest and the family heads of the congregation are to take a count of what was captured, both of man and beast.

Numbers 31:26 · BSB

that was taken1 parallel

Heb. of the captivity

Reciprocal1 parallel

Numbers 31:27

Then divide the captives between the troops who went out to battle and the rest of the congregation.

Numbers 31:27 · BSB

two parts5 parallels

Numbers 31:28

Set aside a tribute for the LORD from what belongs to the soldiers who went into battle: one out of every five hundred, whether persons, cattle, donkeys, or sheep.

Numbers 31:28 · BSB

levy14 parallels

one soul3 parallels

Reciprocal3 parallels

Numbers 31:29

Take it from their half and give it to Eleazar the priest as an offering to the LORD.

Numbers 31:29 · BSB

an heave4 parallels

Reciprocal5 parallels

Numbers 31:30

From the Israelites’ half, take one out of every fifty, whether persons, cattle, donkeys, sheep, or other animals, and give them to the Levites who keep charge of the tabernacle of the LORD.”

Numbers 31:30 · BSB

one portion1 parallel

and give4 parallels

keep the14 parallels

Reciprocal6 parallels

flocks or , goats

Numbers 31:31

So Moses and Eleazar the priest did as the LORD had commanded Moses,

Numbers 31:31 · BSB

Reciprocal1 parallel

Numbers 31:32

and this plunder remained from the spoils the soldiers had taken: 675,000 sheep,

Numbers 31:32 · BSB

the booty3 parallels

It 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
  • Numbers 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
  • Numbers 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

Reciprocal1 parallel

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!

Numbers 31:35

and 32,000 women who had not slept with a man.

Numbers 31:35 · BSB

Reciprocal2 parallels

Numbers 31:37

including a tribute to the LORD of 675,

Numbers 31:37 · BSB

Reciprocal1 parallel

Numbers 31:41

Moses gave the tribute to Eleazar the priest as an offering for the LORD, as the LORD had commanded Moses.

Numbers 31:41 · BSB

Eleazar9 parallels

Reciprocal2 parallels

Numbers 31:42

From the Israelites’ half, which Moses had set apart from the men who had gone to war,

Numbers 31:42 · BSB

Reciprocal1 parallel

Numbers 31:47

From the Israelites’ half, Moses took one out of every fifty persons and animals and gave them to the Levites who kept charge of the tabernacle of the LORD, as the LORD had commanded him.

Numbers 31:47 · BSB

the Levites5 parallels

kept the charge4 parallels

Reciprocal2 parallels

Numbers 31:48

Then the officers who were over the units of the army—the commanders of thousands and of hundreds—approached Moses

Numbers 31:48 · BSB

Reciprocal1 parallel

Numbers 31:49

and said, “Your servants have counted the soldiers under our command, and not one of us is missing.

Numbers 31:49 · BSB

lacketh4 parallels

Reciprocal3 parallels

charge Heb. hand

Numbers 31:50

So we have brought to the LORD an offering of the gold articles each man acquired—armlets, bracelets, rings, earrings, and necklaces—to make atonement for ourselves before the LORD.”

Numbers 31:50 · BSB

an oblation5 parallels

an atonement4 parallels

Reciprocal6 parallels

therefore brought The 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.

gotten Heb. found

Numbers 31:51

So Moses and Eleazar the priest received from them all the articles made out of gold.

Numbers 31:51 · BSB

the whole verse1 parallel

Numbers 31:52

All the gold that the commanders of thousands and of hundreds presented as an offering to the LORD weighed 16,750 shekels.

Numbers 31:52 · BSB

offering1 parallel

Heb. heave-offering

Numbers 31:53

Each of the soldiers had taken plunder for himself.

Numbers 31:53 · BSB

the whole verse1 parallel

Numbers 31:54

And Moses and Eleazar the priest received the gold from the commanders of thousands and of hundreds and brought it into the Tent of Meeting as a memorial for the Israelites before the LORD.

Numbers 31:54 · BSB

a memorial11 parallels

Reciprocal4 parallels

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge is the classical cross-reference layer — centuries of catchword parallels beneath the site’s quotations, allusions, and echoes. Every reference above also flows into the wider web of connections.

Have a suggestion, or spotted something to fix?
✦ The Hyperlinked Bible