Thematic Bible
Numbers 31:1 (show verse)
The Lord spoke to Moses,
Numbers 31:2 (show verse)
“Execute vengeance for the Israelites against the Midianites. After that, you will be gathered to your people.”
Numbers 31:3 (show verse)
So Moses spoke to the people, “Equip some of your men for war. They will go against Midian to inflict the Lord’s vengeance on them.
Numbers 31:4 (show verse)
Send 1,000 men to war from each Israelite tribe.”
Numbers 31:5 (show verse)
So 1,000 were recruited from each Israelite tribe out of the thousands in Israel—12,000 equipped for war.
Numbers 31:6 (show verse)
Moses sent 1,000 from each tribe to war. They went with Phinehas son of Eleazar the priest, in whose care were the holy objects and signal trumpets.
the Armies of israel » Attended by priest with trumpets
the Armies of israel » Men selected from, for difficult enterprises
Midianites » With the moabites » Punished for seducing israel
Phinehas » Sent to sound the trumpets in the battle with the midianites
Priest » The function he served was superior to that of other priests » A second priest, under the high priest
Priest » Duties of » Sound the trumpet in summoning assemblies and in battle
Trumpet » Used for » Sounding for a memorial when the people went into battle
Trumpet » To summon soldiers » By phinehas
the Armies of israel » Men selected from, for difficult enterprises
Midianites » With the moabites » Punished for seducing israel
Phinehas » Sent to sound the trumpets in the battle with the midianites
Priest » The function he served was superior to that of other priests » A second priest, under the high priest
Priest » Duties of » Sound the trumpet in summoning assemblies and in battle
Trumpet » Used for » Sounding for a memorial when the people went into battle
Trumpet » To summon soldiers » By phinehas
Numbers 31:7 (show verse)
They waged war against Midian, as the Lord had commanded Moses, and killed every male.
Canaan, land of » Miscellaneous topics » Wars of extermination waged against early inhabitants of
Extermination » Wars of extermination waged against early inhabitants of
Homicide » Justifiable, described as » Killing enemies in battle
Massacre » Instances of » Midianites
Midianites » With the moabites » Punished for seducing israel
Trumpet » Used for » Sounding for a memorial when the people went into battle
War » Of extermination
Extermination » Wars of extermination waged against early inhabitants of
Homicide » Justifiable, described as » Killing enemies in battle
Massacre » Instances of » Midianites
Midianites » With the moabites » Punished for seducing israel
Trumpet » Used for » Sounding for a memorial when the people went into battle
War » Of extermination
Numbers 31:8 (show verse)
Along with the others slain by them, they killed the Midianite kings—Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba, the five kings of Midian. They also killed Balaam son of Beor with the sword.
balaam » General references to
balaam » Death of
Evi » Prince of midian, killed
Homicide » Justifiable, described as » Killing enemies in battle
Hur » King of midian
Massacre » Instances of » Midianites
Midianites » With the moabites » Punished for seducing israel
Midianites » Governed by kings
Reba » Killed by the israelites
Rekem » King of the midianites » Killed » By israelites
War » Of extermination
Zur » A prince of midian
balaam » Death of
Evi » Prince of midian, killed
Homicide » Justifiable, described as » Killing enemies in battle
Hur » King of midian
Massacre » Instances of » Midianites
Midianites » With the moabites » Punished for seducing israel
Midianites » Governed by kings
Reba » Killed by the israelites
Rekem » King of the midianites » Killed » By israelites
War » Of extermination
Zur » A prince of midian
Numbers 31:9 (show verse)
The Israelites took the Midianite women and their children captive, and they plundered all their cattle, flocks, and property.
Numbers 31:10 (show verse)
Then they burned all the cities where the Midianites lived, as well as all their encampments,
Numbers 31:11 (show verse)
and took away all the spoils of war and the captives, both man and beast.
Numbers 31:12 (show verse)
They brought the prisoners, animals, and spoils of war to Moses, Eleazar the priest, and the Israelite community at the camp on the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho.
Numbers 31:13 (show verse)
Moses, Eleazar the priest, and all the leaders of the community went to meet them outside the camp.
Numbers 31:14 (show verse)
But Moses became furious with the officers, the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, who were returning from the military campaign.
Numbers 31:15 (show verse)
“Have you let every female live?” he asked them.
Numbers 31:16 (show verse)
“Yet they are the ones who, at Balaam’s advice, incited the Israelites to unfaithfulness against the Lord in the Peor incident, so that the plague came against the Lord’s community.
balaam » General references to
balaam » Counsel of, an occasion of israel's corruption with the midianites
balaam » evil counsellor
Captive » Cruelty to » Putting to death
Church of israel » Called the » Congregation of the lord
Counsel » Evil
Evil » Results of » Counsel
Offence » Exemplified
Sanitation » Quarantine
War » Of extermination
Woman » Frequently » Active in instigating to iniquity
Women » Active in instigating to iniquity
balaam » Counsel of, an occasion of israel's corruption with the midianites
balaam » evil counsellor
Captive » Cruelty to » Putting to death
Church of israel » Called the » Congregation of the lord
Counsel » Evil
Evil » Results of » Counsel
Offence » Exemplified
Sanitation » Quarantine
War » Of extermination
Woman » Frequently » Active in instigating to iniquity
Women » Active in instigating to iniquity
Numbers 31:17 (show verse)
So now, kill all the male children and kill every woman who has had sexual relations with a man,
Numbers 31:18 (show verse)
but keep alive for yourselves all the young females who have not had sexual relations.
Numbers 31:19 (show verse)
“You are to remain outside the camp for seven days. All of you and your prisoners who have killed a person or touched the dead are to purify yourselves on the third day and the seventh day.
Armies » March in ranks » Purifications
the Armies of israel » Purified on returning from war
Captive » Cruelty to » Putting to death
Defilement » Caused by » Touching the dead
Defilement » Caused by » Killing in battle
Disease » Remedies » Quarantine
Mourning » Caused ceremonial defilement
Purification » For those who had recently killed someone in battle
Sanitation » Disinfection
Sanitation » Carcasses
Sanitation » Quarantine
the Armies of israel » Purified on returning from war
Captive » Cruelty to » Putting to death
Defilement » Caused by » Touching the dead
Defilement » Caused by » Killing in battle
Disease » Remedies » Quarantine
Mourning » Caused ceremonial defilement
Purification » For those who had recently killed someone in battle
Sanitation » Disinfection
Sanitation » Carcasses
Sanitation » Quarantine
Numbers 31:20 (show verse)
Also purify everything: garments, leather goods, things made of goat hair, and every article of wood.”
Armies » March in ranks » Purifications
the Armies of israel » Purified on returning from war
Captive » Cruelty to » Putting to death
Defilement » Caused by » Touching the dead
Defilement » Caused by » Killing in battle
Dress » Ceremonial purification of
Garments » Cleansed by water from ceremonial uncleanness
Goat » Hair of, used for clothing
Purification » For those who had recently killed someone in battle
Sanitation » Disinfection
Sanitation » Quarantine
the Armies of israel » Purified on returning from war
Captive » Cruelty to » Putting to death
Defilement » Caused by » Touching the dead
Defilement » Caused by » Killing in battle
Dress » Ceremonial purification of
Garments » Cleansed by water from ceremonial uncleanness
Goat » Hair of, used for clothing
Purification » For those who had recently killed someone in battle
Sanitation » Disinfection
Sanitation » Quarantine
Numbers 31:21 (show verse)
Then Eleazar the priest said to the soldiers who had gone to battle, “This is the legal statute the Lord commanded Moses:
Numbers 31:22 (show verse)
Only the gold, silver, bronze, iron, tin, and lead—
Armies » March in ranks » Purifications
the Armies of israel » Purified on returning from war
Brass » Taken in war » Cleansed by fire
Iron » Mode of purifying, taken in war
Lead » Purified by fire
Metals » Ceremonially cleansed by fire
Metals » Mentioned in scripture » Tin
Purification » For those who had recently killed someone in battle
Sanitation » Disinfection
Silver » Taken in war purified by fire
the Armies of israel » Purified on returning from war
Brass » Taken in war » Cleansed by fire
Iron » Mode of purifying, taken in war
Lead » Purified by fire
Metals » Ceremonially cleansed by fire
Metals » Mentioned in scripture » Tin
Purification » For those who had recently killed someone in battle
Sanitation » Disinfection
Silver » Taken in war purified by fire
Numbers 31:23 (show verse)
everything that can withstand fire—you are to pass through fire, and it will be clean. It must still be purified with the purification water. Anything that cannot withstand fire, pass through the water.
Armies » March in ranks » Purifications
the Armies of israel » Purified on returning from war
Brass » Taken in war » Cleansed by fire
Fire » As a purifier
Fire » Characterized as » Purifying
Iron » Mode of purifying, taken in war
Metals » Ceremonially cleansed by fire
Purification » Water of
Purification » For those who had recently killed someone in battle
Purification » By fire, for things that resist fire
Sanitation » Disinfection
Silver » Taken in war purified by fire
the Armies of israel » Purified on returning from war
Brass » Taken in war » Cleansed by fire
Fire » As a purifier
Fire » Characterized as » Purifying
Iron » Mode of purifying, taken in war
Metals » Ceremonially cleansed by fire
Purification » Water of
Purification » For those who had recently killed someone in battle
Purification » By fire, for things that resist fire
Sanitation » Disinfection
Silver » Taken in war purified by fire
Numbers 31:24 (show verse)
On the seventh day wash your clothes, and you will be clean. After that you may enter the camp.”
Numbers 31:25 (show verse)
The Lord told Moses,
Numbers 31:26 (show verse)
“You, Eleazar the priest, and the family leaders of the community are to take a count of what was captured, man and beast.
Numbers 31:27 (show verse)
Then divide the captives between the troops who went out to war and the entire community.
Numbers 31:28 (show verse)
Set aside a tribute for the Lord from what belongs to the fighting men who went out to war: one out of every 500 humans, cattle, donkeys, sheep, and goats.
Armies » March in ranks » A share the spoils
Heave-offering » Consisted of » Part of spoil taken in war
Priest » The function he served was superior to that of other priests » Distribute the plunder of war
Priest » Benefits of » Part of the plunder of war, including captives
Servant » Bond » Captive bondservants shared by priests and levites
Spoils » Divided
Heave-offering » Consisted of » Part of spoil taken in war
Priest » The function he served was superior to that of other priests » Distribute the plunder of war
Priest » Benefits of » Part of the plunder of war, including captives
Servant » Bond » Captive bondservants shared by priests and levites
Spoils » Divided
Numbers 31:29 (show verse)
Take the tribute from their half and give it to Eleazar the priest as a contribution to the Lord.
Armies » March in ranks » A share the spoils
Dedication » Personal of offerings » Heave
Heave-offering » Consisted of » Part of spoil taken in war
Offerings » Heave
Offerings » Heave » Plunder, including captives and other articles of war
Priest » The function he served was superior to that of other priests » Distribute the plunder of war
Priest » Benefits of » Part of the plunder of war, including captives
priests » Revenues of » A fixed portion of the spoil taken in war
Servant » Bond » Captive bondservants shared by priests and levites
Spoils » Divided
Dedication » Personal of offerings » Heave
Heave-offering » Consisted of » Part of spoil taken in war
Offerings » Heave
Offerings » Heave » Plunder, including captives and other articles of war
Priest » The function he served was superior to that of other priests » Distribute the plunder of war
Priest » Benefits of » Part of the plunder of war, including captives
priests » Revenues of » A fixed portion of the spoil taken in war
Servant » Bond » Captive bondservants shared by priests and levites
Spoils » Divided
Numbers 31:30 (show verse)
From the Israelites’ half, take one out of every 50 from the people, cattle, donkeys, sheep, and goats, all the livestock, and give them to the Levites who perform the duties of the Lord’s tabernacle.”
Numbers 31:31 (show verse)
So Moses and Eleazar the priest did as the Lord commanded Moses.
Numbers 31:32 (show verse)
The captives remaining from the plunder the army had taken totaled:
675,000 sheep and goats,
Numbers 31:33 (show verse)
Numbers 31:34 (show verse)
Numbers 31:35 (show verse)
Numbers 31:36 (show verse)
The half portion for those who went out to war numbered:
337,500 sheep and goats,
Numbers 31:37 (show verse)
from the sheep and goats;
Numbers 31:38 (show verse)
the tribute to the Lord was 72;
Numbers 31:39 (show verse)
the tribute to the Lord was 61;
Numbers 31:40 (show verse)
the tribute to the Lord was 32 people.
Numbers 31:41 (show verse)
Moses gave the tribute to Eleazar the priest as a contribution for the Lord, as the Lord had commanded Moses.
Armies » March in ranks » A share the spoils
Heave-offering » Consisted of » Part of spoil taken in war
Offerings » Heave » Plunder, including captives and other articles of war
priests » Revenues of » A fixed portion of the spoil taken in war
Servant » Bond » Captive bondservants shared by priests and levites
Spoils » Divided
Heave-offering » Consisted of » Part of spoil taken in war
Offerings » Heave » Plunder, including captives and other articles of war
priests » Revenues of » A fixed portion of the spoil taken in war
Servant » Bond » Captive bondservants shared by priests and levites
Spoils » Divided
Numbers 31:42 (show verse)
From the Israelites’ half, which Moses separated from the men who fought,
Numbers 31:43 (show verse)
the community’s half was:
337,500 sheep and goats,
Numbers 31:44 (show verse)
Numbers 31:45 (show verse)
Numbers 31:46 (show verse)
Numbers 31:47 (show verse)
Moses took one out of every 50, selected from the people and the livestock of the Israelites’ half. He gave them to the Levites who perform the duties of the Lord’s tabernacle, as the Lord had commanded him.
Numbers 31:48 (show verse)
The officers who were over the thousands of the army, the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, approached Moses
Numbers 31:49 (show verse)
and told him, “Your servants have taken a census of the fighting men under our command, and not one of us is missing.
Numbers 31:50 (show verse)
So we have presented to the Lord an offering of the gold articles each man found—armlets, bracelets, rings, earrings, and necklaces—to make atonement for ourselves before the Lord.”
Adorning » Rich apparel » Earrings
Adorning » Rich apparel » Bracelets
Adorning » Jewels » General references to
Adorning » Jewels » Brought as offerings to God
Atonement » By jewels
Bracelet » Taken as spoils
Bracelet » Dedicated to the tabernacle
Chains » Worn » Ankles
Giving » To God, general references to
Gold » Used in the arts » Into ornaments
Jewels » General references to
Jewels » Brought as offerings to God
Jewels » Dedicated to the tabernacle
Liberality » Instances of » Israelites at the erection of the tabernacle
Necklace » Av, tablets, rv, armlet
Ornaments » Rich apparel » Earrings
Ornaments » Rich apparel » Bracelets
Ornaments » Jewels » General references to
Ornaments » Jewels » Brought as offerings to God
Ring » Offerings of, to the tabernacle
Ring » Of gold
Rings » Made of gold and set with precious stones
Rings » Numbers of, taken from midianites
Spoils » Divided
Thankfulness » To God, instances of » Of the people of israel
Adorning » Rich apparel » Bracelets
Adorning » Jewels » General references to
Adorning » Jewels » Brought as offerings to God
Atonement » By jewels
Bracelet » Taken as spoils
Bracelet » Dedicated to the tabernacle
Chains » Worn » Ankles
Giving » To God, general references to
Gold » Used in the arts » Into ornaments
Jewels » General references to
Jewels » Brought as offerings to God
Jewels » Dedicated to the tabernacle
Liberality » Instances of » Israelites at the erection of the tabernacle
Necklace » Av, tablets, rv, armlet
Ornaments » Rich apparel » Earrings
Ornaments » Rich apparel » Bracelets
Ornaments » Jewels » General references to
Ornaments » Jewels » Brought as offerings to God
Ring » Offerings of, to the tabernacle
Ring » Of gold
Rings » Made of gold and set with precious stones
Rings » Numbers of, taken from midianites
Spoils » Divided
Thankfulness » To God, instances of » Of the people of israel
Numbers 31:51 (show verse)
Moses and Eleazar the priest received from them all the articles made out of gold.
Numbers 31:52 (show verse)
All the gold of the contribution they offered to the Lord, from the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, was 420 pounds.
Numbers 31:53 (show verse)
Each of the soldiers had taken plunder for himself.
Numbers 31:54 (show verse)
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.