Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, “Count the plunder that was taken, both of man and of animal, you, and Eleazar the priest, and the heads of the fathers’ households of the congregation; and divide the plunder into two parts: between the men skilled in war, who went out to battle, and all the congregation. Levy a tribute to Yahweh of the men of war who went out to battle: one soul of five hundred; of the persons, of the cattle, of the donkeys, and of the flocks. Take it from their half, and give it to Eleazar the priest, for Yahweh’s wave offering.
Show the surrounding paragraph
Numbers 31:25-29 sits inside this longer paragraph.
Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, “Count the plunder that was taken, both of man and of animal, you, and Eleazar the priest, and the heads of the fathers’ households of the congregation; and divide the plunder into two parts: between the men skilled in war, who went out to battle, and all the congregation. Levy a tribute to Yahweh of the men of war who went out to battle: one soul of five hundred; of the persons, of the cattle, of the donkeys, and of the flocks. Take it from their half, and give it to Eleazar the priest, for Yahweh’s wave offering. Of the children of Israel’s half, you shall take one drawn out of every fifty, of the persons, of the cattle, of the donkeys, and of the flocks, of all the livestock, and give them to the Levites, who perform the duty of Yahweh’s tabernacle.”
Parallel Translations
-
Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,
“Count the plunder that was taken, both of man and of animal, you, and Eleazar the priest, and the heads of the fathers’ households of the congregation;
and divide the plunder into two parts: between the men skilled in war, who went out to battle, and all the congregation.
Levy a tribute to Yahweh of the men of war who went out to battle: one soul of five hundred; of the persons, of the cattle, of the donkeys, and of the flocks.
Take it from their half, and give it to Eleazar the priest, for Yahweh’s wave offering.
-
And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Take the sum of the prey that was taken, both of man and of beast, thou, and Eleazar the priest, and the chief fathers of the congregation:
And divide the prey into two parts; between them that took the war upon them, who went out to battle, and between all the congregation:
And levy a tribute unto the LORD of the men of war which went out to battle: one soul of five hundred, both of the persons, and of the beeves, and of the asses, and of the sheep:
Take it of their half, and give it unto Eleazar the priest, for an heave offering of the LORD.
Show all 3 translations
-
And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying:
'Take the sum of the prey that was taken, both of man and of beast, thou, and Eleazar the priest, and the heads of the fathers' houses of the congregation;
and divide the prey into two parts: between the men skilled in war, that went out to battle, and all the congregation;
and levy a tribute unto the LORD of the men of war that went out to battle: one soul of five hundred, both of the persons, and of the beeves, and of the asses, and of the flocks;
take it of their half, and give it unto Eleazar the priest, as a portion set apart for the LORD.
Cross-references (23)
- Joshua 22:8 (v27) and spoke to them, saying, “Return with much wealth to your tents, with very much livestock, with silver, with gold, with bronze, with…
- Numbers 18:26 (vv28–29) “Moreover you shall speak to the Levites, and tell them, ‘When you take of the children of Israel the tithe which I have given you from…
- Numbers 31:30 (v28) Of the children of Israel’s half, you shall take one drawn out of every fifty, of the persons, of the cattle, of the donkeys, and of the…
- Numbers 31:47 (v28) even of the children of Israel’s half, Moses took one drawn out of every fifty, both of man and of animal, and gave them to the Levites,…
- 1 Samuel 30:24-25 (v27) Who will listen to you in this matter? For as his share is who goes down to the battle, so shall his share be who stays with the baggage.…
Show all 22 cross-references
- Psalms 68:12 (v27) “Kings of armies flee! They flee!” She who waits at home divides the plunder,
- Genesis 14:20 (v28) Blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” Abram gave him a tenth of all.
- Exodus 29:27 (v29) You shall sanctify the breast of the wave offering and the thigh of the wave offering, which is waved, and which is raised up, of the ram…
- Numbers 18:21 (v28) “To the children of Levi, behold, I have given all the tithe in Israel for an inheritance, in return for their service which they serve,…
- Deuteronomy 12:12 (v29) You shall rejoice before Yahweh your God—you, and your sons, your daughters, your male servants, your female servants, and the Levite who…
- Deuteronomy 12:19 (v29) Be careful that you don’t forsake the Levite as long as you live in your land.
- Joshua 6:19 (v28) But all the silver, gold, and vessels of bronze and iron are holy to Yahweh. They shall come into Yahweh’s treasury.”
- Joshua 6:24 (v28) They burned the city with fire, and all that was in it. Only they put the silver, the gold, and the vessels of bronze and of iron into the…
- 1 Samuel 30:4 (v27) Then David and the people who were with him lifted up their voice and wept until they had no more power to weep.
- 2 Samuel 8:11-12 (v28) King David also dedicated these to Yahweh, with the silver and gold that he dedicated of all the nations which he subdued; of Syria, of…
- 1 Chronicles 18:11 (v28) King David also dedicated these to Yahweh, with the silver and the gold that he carried away from all the nations; from Edom, from Moab,…
- 1 Chronicles 26:26-27 (v28) This Shelomoth and his brothers were over all the treasures of the dedicated things, which David the king, and the heads of the fathers’…
- Proverbs 3:9-10 (v28) Honor Yahweh with your substance, with the first fruits of all your increase: so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will…
- Isaiah 18:7 (v28) In that time, a present will be brought to Yahweh of Armies from a people tall and smooth, even from a people awesome from their beginning…
- Isaiah 23:18 (v28) Her merchandise and her wages will be holiness to Yahweh. It will not be treasured nor laid up; for her merchandise will be for those who…
- Isaiah 60:9 (v28) Surely the islands will wait for me, and the ships of Tarshish first, to bring your sons from far, their silver and their gold with them,…
- Matthew 22:21 (v28) They said to him, “Caesar’s.” Then he said to them, “Give therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are…
22 distinct cross-references across this passage (23 total citations).
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this passage (16 sources)
Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.
Private notes
Saved on this device only — never synced or sent anywhere.
Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv27–28 The prey is first divided equally among all.
The prey is first divided equally among all.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv27–28 The congregation hath some share, because the warriors went…
The congregation hath some share, because the warriors went in the name of all, and because all having been injured by the Midianites, all were to have some share in the reparations; but the warriors, who were but 12,000, have a far greater share than others of their brethren, because they underwent greater pains and dangers.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv25–29 And levy a tribute unto the Lord of the…
And levy a tribute unto the Lord of the men of war, which went out to battle,.... That is, out of the part of the prey which was divided to them:
one soul of five hundred, both "of the persons"; or one woman of five hundred, as the Targum of Jonathan:
Read full note →
and of the beeves, and of the asses, and of the sheep; that is, one out of five hundred, of each of them also.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv27, 29 Two parts - The congregation hath some share, because…
Two parts - The congregation hath some share, because the warriors went in the name of all, and because all having been injured by the Midianites, all were to have some share in the reparations: but the warriors who were but 12000, have a far greater share than their brethren, because they underwent greater pains and dangers.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On v28 Verse 28. And levy a tribute unto the Lord…
Verse 28. And levy a tribute unto the Lord - one soul of five hundred, &c.] The person to be employed in the Lord's service, under the Levites-the cattle either for sacrifice, or for the use of the Levites, Nu 31:30. Some monsters have supposed that one out of every five hundred of the captives was offered in sacrifice to the Lord! but this is abominable. When God chose to have the life of a man, he took it in the way of justice, as in the case of Midianites above, but never in the way of sacrifice.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On vv27, 29 Num 31:27. Two parts — The congregation was to…
Num 31:27. Two parts — The congregation was to have some share, because the warriors went in the name of all, and because all having been injured by the Midianites, all were to have some share in the reparations: but the warriors, who were but twelve thousand, were to have a far greater share than their brethren, because they underwent greater pains and dangers.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On v29 An heave-offering - Render simply an offering, and compare…
An heave-offering - Render simply an offering, and compare Num 18:24. The verb from which the word here rendered “heave-offering” is derived, is rightly translated “levy” in Num 31:28.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On v27 Equally. Those who had been in battle, had about…
Equally. Those who had been in battle, had about a 50th part more than the rest. They gave the first-fruits to the priests, while those in the camp presented theirs to the Levites. Other rules were afterwards observed. See 1 Kings xxx. 24., and 2 Machabees viii. 28. The Rabbins assign the greatest share to the king, (Selden, Jur. vi. 16,) and Homer gives the largest portion to the general; after which the rest was equally divided, and even the absent partook. The gods were not forgotten. So also among the Hebrews, Syrians, &c., the general make an equal division. David assigns a part of the booty for sacred uses, 1 Paralipomenon xxvi. 26. See Exodus xv. 9. (Calmet)
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On v25 Take the sum of the prey that was taken--that…
Take the sum of the prey that was taken--that is, of the captives and cattle, which, having been first lumped together according to ancient usage (Exo 15:9; Jdg 5:30), were divided into two equal parts: the one to the people at large, who had sustained a common injury from the Midianites and who were all liable to serve: and the other portion to the combatants, who, having encountered the labors and perils of war, justly received the largest share. From both parts, however, a certain deduction was taken for the sanctuary, as a thank offering to God for preservation and for victory. The soldiers had greatly the advantage in the distribution; for a five-hundredth part only of their half went to the priest, while a fiftieth part of the congregation's half was given to the Levites.
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv26–29 THE ALLOTMENT OF THE SPOILS, Num_31:25-47.
THE ALLOTMENT OF THE SPOILS, Num_31:25-47.
26. Chief fathers — This means heads of the fathers’ houses. See full form, Exo_6:14.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv25, 28 25–54. The apportionment of the spoil. Those who fought…
25–54. The apportionment of the spoil. Those who fought and those who remained behind were to receive equal shares. This was an ancient custom, which was traced to the action of David (1Sa_30:24 f.). But before the appropriation by individuals, a religious tax was to be paid. The fighters were to pay from their share 1/500th to the priests, and the others 1/50th to the Levites. Such a tax is not mentioned elsewhere in the O.T., but perhaps, like the foregoing regulation, it had an ancient custom behind it. Mohammed, whose religion was ultimately based on the O.T., enjoined a similar tax of 1/5th (Koran viii. 42, cited by Gray).
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv27–28 (27) And divide the prey into two parts .…
(27) And divide the prey into two parts . . . —It was reasonable that those who had encountered the perils and hardships of the war should receive a larger share of the spoil than those who had remained in the camp. It was equally reasonable that the latter should not be left without some substantial benefit from the victory miraculously achieved over the enemies of the Lord and of His people. A similar direction is found in Jos_22:8 in regard to the division of spoil taken from enemies, but no general ordinance appears to have been made in regard to the division of the spoils of war until the time of David. (See 1Sa_30:24-25.)
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv25, 26, 27, 29 Vers. 25-47. The distribution of the spoils.
Vers. 25-47. The distribution of the spoils.
I GOD TAKES THE DISTRIBUTION INTO HIS OWN HANDS. The victory was his, and it was for him to arrange the spoils as might best serve his own purposes. It was the only effectual way of blighting in the bud all discord and jealousy. It was also the means of teaching important lessons to all in the community who were willing to learn. It helped to manifest afresh the unity of Israel. Those who had gone to the war had gone as representatives of the whole of Israel, hence it was for the whole of Israel to share in the spoil. While part was away, avenging the Lord of Midian, another part stayed at home, also serving God in its own way, and looking after the interests of those who were absent. We must not get into the way of looking at one part of the community as more necessary than another. It was not for the army to say, "What would Israel have done in taking vengeance on Midian but for us?" seeing that God had made it plain how he was working in and through the army. Nor was it for the people who stayed at home to say, "What right have twelve thousand men to half the spoils?" The twelve thousand were not looked at in themselves; they stood for Israel militant. All Israel gained a real blessing by this expedition, and the chief gain to them was in so far as they were effectually warned against the perils of idolatry. Whatever there might be in the way of improved perception of truth and duty and the Divine character was far more than all the spoil. God did not send them against Midian for the sake of the spoil, but for the sake of vengeance.
Read full note →
II THE SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO THE LEVITES. It was very appropriate that this should be strictly exacted, after all the service which Phinehas had rendered. The tribe of Levi had done its part in a way which could not be mistaken. Upon this great occasion, when so much had to be distributed, God taught the lesson that distribution should be made according to the needs of men. The Levites had need not only to be supported, but well supported. The work they had to do, in the reality, the extent, the continuity, and the minuteness of it, had been lately indicated in more ways than one. Consider all the Levitical service that was involved in the offerings mentioned in chapters 28 and 29. It was becoming more and more clear that Levi must be set apart and properly maintained; for thus only could there be regularity and efficiency in the service of God.
III BALAAM"S ASS WAS PROBABLY AMONG THE ASSES THAT WERE TAKEN (verse 34). It is pleasant to imagine that it may have found its way into the Lord"s tribute, and that the animal which had so long borne a wicked man faithfully, would now with equal faithfulness be able to bear perhaps Eleazar himself. We need much of the spirit of obedience to God to use rightly that vast multitude of the brute creation which God has put under our control. How pitiable to see the horse carefully trained for war, and, as one might almost think, taught to cherish feelings which by nature are alien to it! May we not well wish for the day when not only the sword of the dragoon shall be turned to the ploughshare, but the horse on which he tides shall draw that share along? Think how the horse and other animals are degraded by the occasions for gambling which they furnish. Think of all the cruel field-sports in which man finds such pleasure. When be leaves the pleasures which are appropriate to his nature, what a tyrannous and hideous monster he may become! Man in all his life should be drawing nearer to God, and, rising higher himself, should raise all creation with him. Whereas he is drawn downward, and in his willing descent he degrades even the lower creation. Y.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Paul E. Kretzmann 1924 · Public Domain On v25 The Division of the Spoils
The Division of the Spoils
v. 25. And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
Read full note →
v. 26. Take the sum of the prey that was taken, of everything that was captured in this campaign, both of man and of beast, thou and Eleazar, the priest, and the chief fathers of the congregation, the heads of the fathers’ houses, Exo 6:14;
v. 27. and divide the prey into two parts; between them that took the war upon them, who assumed the offensive, made the attack, who went out to battle, and between all the congregation. The army received half the spoil, as having been actively engaged in the arduous campaign, but the congregation was also fairly entitled to its share, a rule which was observed also in later times, Jos 22:8; 1Sa 30:24.
v. 28. And levy a tribute unto the Lord of the men of war which went out to battle: one soul of five hundred, both of the persons, the female captives, and of the beeves, and of the asses, and of the sheep, the levy thus being one-fifth of one per cent. ;
v. 29. take it of their half, and give it unto Eleazar, the priest, for an heave-offering of the Lord.
v. 30. And of the children of Israelis half, of the portion which had been allotted to the congregation that had remained in camp, thou shall take one portion of fifty, or two per cent. of the persons, of the beeves, of the asses, and of the flocks, of all manner of beasts, and give them unto the Levites, which keep the charge of the Tabernacle of the Lord. This special order was intended for only this one case, and was not to be a precedent.
v. 31. And Moses and Eleazar, the priest, did as the Lord commanded Moses.
v. 32. And the booty, being the rest of the prey which the men of war had caught, after deducting the persons that were slain by the command of God, and the animals that were consumed during the return to camp, was six hundred thousand and seventy thousand and five thousand sheep (675,000),
v. 33. and threescore and twelve thousand beeves (72,000),
v. 34. and threescore and one thousand asses (61,000),
v. 35. and thirty and two thousand persons in all, of women that had not known man by lying with him.
v. 36. And the half, which was the portion of them that went out to war, was in number three hundred thousand and seven and thirty thousand and five hundred sheep (337,500);
v. 37. and the Lord’s tribute of the sheep was six hundred and threescore and fifteen (675).
v. 38. And the beeves were thirty and six thousand; of which the Lord’s tribute was threescore and twelve (72).
v. 39. And the asses were thirty thousand and five hundred; of which the Lord’s tribute was threescore and one (61).
v. 40. And the persons were sixteen thousand; of which the Lord’s tribute was thirty and two persons.
v. 41. And Moses gave the tribute which was the Lord’s heave-offering unto Eleazar, the priest, as the Lord commanded Moses, undoubtedly for their maintenance, the girls becoming their slaves, and the other property being theirs to dispose of as they saw fit.
v. 42. And of the children of Israel’s half, which Moses divided from the men that warred,
v. 43. (now the half that pertained unto the congregation was three hundred thousand and thirty thousand and seven thousand and five hundred sheep,
v. 44. and thirty and six thousand beeves,
v. 45. and thirty thousand asses and five hundred,
v. 46. and sixteen thousand persons;)
v. 47. even of the children of Israel’s half Moses took one portion of fifty, both of man and of beast, and gave them unto the Levites, which kept the charge of the Tabernacle of the Lord, observing all the precepts which pertained to the ministry, as it was entrusted to them, as the Lord commanded Moses. The maintenance of the Old Testament Church was a duty commanded by God and prescribed by Him in detail; that of the New Testament Church is a privilege regulated by our love for the cause of the Lord, surely the greatest inducement to make us willing in His service.
Paul E. Kretzmann, Popular Commentary of the Bible (1921–1924) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv25, 28 Count all the plundered things that were taken
Count all the plundered things that were taken
This can be stated in active form. AT: "Count all of the possessions that the soldiers took" (See: Active or Passive)
Read full note →
plunder
This refers to all the items taken from the people Israel killed or captured in battle.
the leaders of the community's ancestor's clans
"the leaders of each clan"
translationWords
priest
clan
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On v25 31:25-31 The plunder was divided into two equal parts,…
31:25-31 The plunder was divided into two equal parts, with half going to those who fought against the Midianites and half going to the Israelites who stayed behind (cp. 1 Sam 30:21-25). In this sense, everyone participated in the armed conflict, but the relatively small number of warriors each received a larger portion than the much larger number of those who stayed behind.
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.