Numbers 31
A plain-spoken deep dive on the whole chapter. Read the chapter →
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Moses, being one hundred and twenty years old and about to die, calls the people together, and exhorts them to courage and obedience, Deu 31:1-6. Delivers a charge to Joshua, Deu 31:7, Deu 31:8. Delivers the law which he hod written to the priests, with a solemn charge that they should read it every seventh year, publicly to all the people, Deu 31:9-13. The Lord calls Moses and Joshua to the tabernacle, Deu 31:14. He appears to them, informs Moses of his approaching death, and delivers to him a prophetical and historical song, or poem, which he is to leave with Israel, for their instruction and reproof, Deu 31:15-21. Moses writes the song the same day, and teaches it to the Israelites, Deu 31:22; gives Joshua a charge, Deu 31:23; finishes writing the book of the law, Deu 31:24. Commands the Levites to lay it up in the side of the ark, Deu 31:25, Deu 31:26. Predicts their rebellions, Deu 31:27. Orders the elders to be gathered together, and shows them what evils would befall the people in the latter days, Deu 31:28, Deu 31:29, and repeats the song to them, Deu 31:30.
Open source ↗THE MIDIANITES SPOILED AND BALAAM SLAIN. (Num. 31:1-54) the Lord spake unto Moses, Avenge the children of Israel of the Midianites--a semi-nomad people, descended from Abraham and Keturah, occupying a tract of country east and southeast of Moab, which lay on the eastern coast of the Dead Sea. They seem to have been the principal instigators of the infamous scheme of seduction, planned to entrap the Israelites into the double crime of idolatry and licentiousness [Num 25:1-3, Num 25:17-18] by which, it was hoped, the Lord would withdraw from that people the benefit of His protection and favor. Moreover, the Midianites had rendered themselves particularly obnoxious by entering into a hostile league with the Amorites (Jos 13:21). The Moabites were at this time spared in consideration of Lot (Deu 2:9) and because the measure of their iniquities was not yet full. God spoke of avenging "the children of Israel" [Num 31:2]; Moses spoke of avenging the Lord [Num 31:3], as dishonor had been done to God and an injury inflicted on His people. The interests were identical. God and His people have the same cause, the same friends, and the same assailants. This, in fact, was a religious war, undertaken by the express command of God against idolaters, who had seduced the Israelites to practise their abominations.
Open source ↗And the Lord spake unto Moses,.... After the plague upon Israel for their fornication and idolatry, into which they were drawn by the daughters of Moab and Midian, and after the sum of the people was taken in the plains of Moab, and various laws given or repeated, and a little before the death of Moses: saying; as follows.
Open source ↗The Campaign. - After the people of Israel had been mustered as the army of Jehovah, and their future relation to the Lord had been firmly established by the order of sacrifice that was given to them immediately afterwards, the Lord commanded Moses to carry out that hostility to the Midianites which had already been commanded in Num 25:16-18. Moses was to revenge (i.e., to execute) the revenge of the children of Israel upon the Midianites, and then to be gathered to his people, i.e., to die, as had already been revealed to him (Num 27:13). "The revenge of the children of Israel" was revenge for the wickedness which the tribes of the Midianites who dwelt on the east of Moab (see at Num 22:4) had practised upon the Israelites, by seducing them to the idolatrous worship of Baal Peor. This revenge is called the "revenge of Jehovah" in Num 31:3, because the seduction had violated the divinity and honour of Jehovah. The daughters of Moab had also taken part in the seduction (Num 25:1-2); but they had done so at the instigation of the Midianites, and not of their own accord, and therefore the Midianites only were to atone for the wickedness.
Open source ↗In this chapter we have, I. The humble request of the tribes of Reuben and Gad for an inheritance on that side Jordan where Israel now lay encamped (Num 32:1-5). II. Moses's misinterpretation of their request (Num 32:6-15). III. Their explication of it, and stating it aright (Num 32:16-19). IV. The grant of their petition under the provisos and limitations which they themselves proposed (Num 32:20, etc.).
Open source ↗31:1-2 The Lord ordered Moses to lead Israel in a war of retaliation against the Midianites, who had joined the Moabites in leading the Hebrews into idolatry (ch 25). The Midianites were a tribal people who inhabited the arid and semiarid regions south and east of Palestine and east of the Jordan River; they were counted among the “people of the east” (Judg 6:3, 33; 7:12). They lived in camps or settlements and were famous for their knowledge of desert transportation (cp. Gen 37:28, 36; Isa 60:6). While they were descended from Abraham (Gen 25:1-2) and had been friendly toward Moses (Exod 2:15–3:1; cp. Num 10:29), the elders of Midian had joined Balak in hiring Balaam to curse Israel (22:4, 7), whose presence threatened the peoples of Transjordan (the region east of the Jordan).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… מֹשֶׁה (Môsheh, H4872) — Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude)
Open source ↗נָקַם (nâqam, H5358) — to grudge, i.e. avenge or punish נְקָמָה (nᵉqâmâh, H5360) — avengement, whether the act of the passion בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity מִדְיָנִי (Midyânîy, H4084) — a Midjanite or descendant (native) of Midjan אַחַר (ʼachar, H310) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various… אָסַף (ʼâçaph, H622) — to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e. remove (destroy, leave… עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence…
Open source ↗מֹשֶׁה (Môsheh, H4872) — Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) חָלַץ (châlats, H2502) — to pull off; hence (intensively) to strip, (reflex.) to depart; by implication, to… אֱנוֹשׁ (ʼĕnôwsh, H582) — a man in general (singly or collectively) צָבָא (tsâbâʼ, H6635) — a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized forwar (an army);… מִדְיָן (Midyân, H4080) — Midjan, a son of Abraham; also his country and (collectively) his descendants נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) נְקָמָה (nᵉqâmâh, H5360) — avengement, whether the act of the passion יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God
Open source ↗מַטֶּה (maṭṭeh, H4294) — a branch (as extending); figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising… אֶלֶף (ʼeleph, H505) — hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) צָבָא (tsâbâʼ, H6635) — a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized forwar (an army);…
Open source ↗מָסַר (mâçar, H4560) — to sunder, i.e. (transitively) set apart, or (reflex.) apostatize אֶלֶף (ʼeleph, H505) — hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity מַטֶּה (maṭṭeh, H4294) — a branch (as extending); figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising… שְׁנַיִם (shᵉnayim, H8147) — two; also (as ordinal) twofold עָשָׂר (ʻâsâr, H6240) — ten (only in combination), i.e. -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth חָלַץ (châlats, H2502) — to pull off; hence (intensively) to strip, (reflex.) to depart; by implication, to… צָבָא (tsâbâʼ, H6635) — a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized forwar (an army);…
Open source ↗מֹשֶׁה (Môsheh, H4872) — Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) צָבָא (tsâbâʼ, H6635) — a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized forwar (an army);… אֶלֶף (ʼeleph, H505) — hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as… מַטֶּה (maṭṭeh, H4294) — a branch (as extending); figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising… פִּינְחָס (Pîynᵉchâç, H6372) — Pinechas, the name of three Israelites בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… אֶלְעָזָר (ʼElʻâzâr, H499) — Elazar, the name of seven Israelites כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… קֹדֶשׁ (qôdesh, H6944) — a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity כְּלִי (kᵉlîy, H3627) — something prepared, i.e. any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon) חֲצֹצְרָה (chătsôtsᵉrâh, H2689) — a trumpet (from its sundered or quavering note) תְּרוּעָה (tᵉrûwʻâh, H8643) — clamor, i.e. acclamation of joy or a battle-cry; especially clangorof trumpets, as an… יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.),
Open source ↗צָבָא (tsâbâʼ, H6633) — to mass (an army or servants) מִדְיָן (Midyân, H4080) — Midjan, a son of Abraham; also his country and (collectively) his descendants יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God צָוָה (tsâvâh, H6680) — (intensively) to constitute, enjoin מֹשֶׁה (Môsheh, H4872) — Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver הָרַג (hârag, H2026) — to smite with deadly intent זָכָר (zâkâr, H2145) — properly, remembered, i.e. a male (of man or animals, as being the most noteworthy sex)
Open source ↗הָרַג (hârag, H2026) — to smite with deadly intent מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king מִדְיָן (Midyân, H4080) — Midjan, a son of Abraham; also his country and (collectively) his descendants עַל (ʻal, H5921) — above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect)… חָלָל (châlâl, H2491) — pierced (especially to death); figuratively, polluted אֱוִי (ʼĔvîy, H189) — Evi, a Midianitish chief רֶקֶם (Reqem, H7552) — Rekem, the name of a place in Palestine, also of a Midianite and an Israelite צוּר (Tsûwr, H6698) — Tsur, the name of a Midianite and of an Israelite חוּר (Chûwr, H2354) — Chur, the name of four Israelites and one Midianite רֶבַע (Rebaʻ, H7254) — Reba, a Midianite חָמֵשׁ (châmêsh, H2568) — five בִּלְעָם (Bilʻâm, H1109) — Bilam, a Mesopotamian prophet; also a place in Palestine בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… בְּעוֹר (Bᵉʻôwr, H1160) — Beor, the name of the father of an Edomitish king; also of that of Balaam
Open source ↗בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H802) — a woman מִדְיָן (Midyân, H4080) — Midjan, a son of Abraham; also his country and (collectively) his descendants שָׁבָה (shâbâh, H7617) — to transport into captivity טַף (ṭaph, H2945) — a family (mostly used collectively in the singular) בָּזַז (bâzaz, H962) — to plunder בְּהֵמָה (bᵉhêmâh, H929) — properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective) מִקְנֶה (miqneh, H4735) — something bought, i.e. property, but only livestock; abstractly, acquisition חַיִל (chayil, H2428) — probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue,…
Open source ↗שָׂרַף (sâraph, H8313) — to be (causatively, set) on fire עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere… מוֹשָׁב (môwshâb, H4186) — a seat; figuratively, a site; abstractly, a session; by extension an abode (the place or… טִירָה (ṭîyrâh, H2918) — a wall; hence, a fortress or a hamlet אֵשׁ (ʼêsh, H784) — fire (literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) שָׁלָל (shâlâl, H7998) — booty מַלְקוֹחַ (malqôwach, H4455) — transitively (in dual) the jaws (as taking food); intransitively, spoil (and captives)… אָדָם (ʼâdâm, H120) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.) בְּהֵמָה (bᵉhêmâh, H929) — properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective)
Open source ↗בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) שְׁבִי (shᵉbîy, H7628) — exiled; captured; as noun, exile (abstractly or concretely and collectively); by… מַלְקוֹחַ (malqôwach, H4455) — transitively (in dual) the jaws (as taking food); intransitively, spoil (and captives)… שָׁלָל (shâlâl, H7998) — booty מֹשֶׁה (Môsheh, H4872) — Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver אֶלְעָזָר (ʼElʻâzâr, H499) — Elazar, the name of seven Israelites כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… עֵדָה (ʻêdâh, H5712) — a stated assemblage (specifically, a concourse, or generally, a family or crowd) בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity מַחֲנֶה (machăneh, H4264) — an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or… עֲרָבָה (ʻărâbâh, H6160) — a desert; especially (with the article prefix) the (generally) sterile valley of the… מוֹאָב (Môwʼâb, H4124) — Moab, an incestuous son of Lot; also his territory and descendants יַרְדֵּן (Yardên, H3383) — Jarden, the principal river of Palestine
Open source ↗מֹשֶׁה (Môsheh, H4872) — Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver אֶלְעָזָר (ʼElʻâzâr, H499) — Elazar, the name of seven Israelites כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… נָשִׂיא (nâsîyʼ, H5387) — properly, an exalted one, i.e. a king or sheik; also a rising mist עֵדָה (ʻêdâh, H5712) — a stated assemblage (specifically, a concourse, or generally, a family or crowd) יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… קִרְאָה (qirʼâh, H7125) — an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially, opposite) חוּץ (chûwts, H2351) — properly, separate by awall, i.e. outside, outdoors מַחֲנֶה (machăneh, H4264) — an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or…
Open source ↗מֹשֶׁה (Môsheh, H4872) — Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver קָצַף (qâtsaph, H7107) — to crack off, i.e. (figuratively) burst out in rage פָּקַד (pâqad, H6485) — to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care… חַיִל (chayil, H2428) — probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue,… שַׂר (sar, H8269) — a head person (of any rank or class) אֶלֶף (ʼeleph, H505) — hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as… מֵאָה (mêʼâh, H3967) — a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) צָבָא (tsâbâʼ, H6635) — a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized forwar (an army);… מִלְחָמָה (milchâmâh, H4421) — a battle (i.e. the engagement); generally, war (i.e. warfare)
Open source ↗