Nu 31:1-54.
THE
MIDIANITES
SPOILED AND
BALAAM
SLAIN.
1, 2. 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
[Nu 25:1-3, 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
(De 2:9)
and because the measure of their iniquities was not yet full. God spoke
of avenging "the children of Israel"
[Nu 31:2];
Moses spoke of avenging the Lord
[Nu 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.
3. Arm some of yourselves--This order was issued but a short time
before the death of Moses. The announcement to him of that approaching
event
[Nu 31:2]
seems to have accelerated, rather than retarded, his warlike
preparations.
5. there were delivered--that is, drafted, chosen, an equal amount
from each tribe, to prevent the outbreak of mutual jealousy or strife.
Considering the numerical force of the enemy, this was a small quota to
furnish. But the design was to exercise their faith and animate them
to the approaching invasion of Canaan.
6. Moses sent . . . Eleazar the priest, to the war--Although it is not
expressly mentioned, it is highly probable that Joshua was the general
who conducted this war. The presence of the priest, who was always with
the army
(De 20:2),
was necessary to preside over the Levites, who accompanied the
expedition, and to inflame the courage of the combatants by his sacred
services and counsels.
holy instruments--As neither the ark nor the Urim and Thummim were
carried to the battlefield till a later period in the history of Israel,
the "holy instruments" must mean the "trumpets"
(Nu 10:9).
And this view is agreeable to the text, by simply changing "and" into
"even," as the Hebrew particle is frequently rendered.
7. they slew all the males--This was in accordance with a divine order
in all such cases
(De 20:13).
But the destruction appears to have been only partial--limited to those
who were in the neighborhood of the Hebrew camp and who had been
accomplices in the villainous plot of Baal-peor
(Nu 25:1-3),
while a large portion of the Midianites were absent on their pastoral
wanderings or had saved themselves by flight. (Compare
Jud 6:1).
8. the kings of Midian--so called, because each was possessed of
absolute power within his own city or district; called also dukes or
princes of Sihon
(Jos 13:21),
having been probably subject to that Amorite ruler, as it is not
uncommon in the East to find a number of governors or pachas tributary
to one great king.
Zur--father of Cozbi
(Nu 25:15).
Balaam also . . . they slew with the sword--This unprincipled man,
on his dismissal from Balak, set out for his home in Mesopotamia
(Nu 24:25).
But, either diverging from his way to tamper with the Midianites, he
remained among them without proceeding farther, to incite them against
Israel and to watch the effects of his wicked counsel; or, learning in
his own country that the Israelites had fallen into the snare which he
had laid and which he doubted not would lead to their ruin, he had,
under the impulse of insatiable greed, returned to demand his reward
from the Midianites. He was an object of merited vengeance. In the
immense slaughter of the Midianitish people--in the capture of their
women, children, and property and in the destruction of all their
places of refuge--the severity of a righteous God fell heavily on that
base and corrupt race. But, more than all others, Balaam deserved and
got the just reward of his deeds. His conduct had been atrociously
sinful, considering the knowledge he possessed, and the revelations he
had received, of the will of God. For any one in his circumstances to
attempt defeating the prophecies he had himself been the organ of
uttering, and plotting to deprive the chosen people of the divine favor
and protection, was an act of desperate wickedness, which no language
can adequately characterize.
13. Moses, and Eleazar the priest, . . . went forth to meet them
without the camp--partly as a token of respect and congratulation on
their victory, partly to see how they had executed the Lord's commands,
and partly to prevent the defilement of the camp by the entrance of
warriors stained with blood.
14-18. And Moses was wroth with the officers of the host--The
displeasure of the great leader, though it appears the ebullition of a
fierce and sanguinary temper, arose in reality from a pious and
enlightened regard to the best interests of Israel. No order had been
given for the slaughter of the women, and in ancient war they were
commonly reserved for slaves. By their antecedent conduct, however, the
Midianitish women had forfeited all claims to mild or merciful
treatment; and the sacred character, the avowed object of the war
(Nu 31:2, 3),
made their slaughter necessary without any special order. But why "kill
every male among the little ones"? It was designed to be a war of
extermination, such as God Himself had ordered against the people of
Canaan, whom the Midianites equalled in the enormity of their
wickedness.
19-24. abide without the camp seven days: whosoever hath killed any
person . . . purify both yourselves and your captives--Though the
Israelites had taken the field in obedience to the command of God, they
had become defiled by contact with the dead. A process of purification
was to be undergone, as the law required
(Le 15:13;
Nu 19:9-12),
and this purifying ceremony was extended to dress, houses, tents, to
everything on which a dead body had lain, which had been touched by the
blood-stained hands of the Israelitish warriors, or which had been the
property of idolaters. This became a standing ordinance in all time
coming
(Le 6:28; 11:33; 15:12).
25-39. 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
(Ex 15:9;
Jud 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.
32-47. the booty, being the rest of the prey which the men of war had
caught--Some of the captives having been killed
(Nu 31:17)
and part of the cattle taken for the support of the army, the total
amount of the booty remaining was in the following proportions:
Prey
Total Amount
Half to Soldiers
Deducted to God
Half to Congregation
Deducted to Levites
Sheep
675,000
337,500
675
337,500
6,750
Beeves
72,000
36,000
72
36,000
720
Asses
61,000
30,500
61
30,500
610
Persons
32,000
16,000
32
16,000
320
48-54. officers . . . said . . . there lacketh not one man of us--A
victory so signal, and the glory of which was untarnished by the loss
of a single Israelitish soldier, was an astonishing miracle. So clearly
betokening the direct interposition of Heaven, it might well awaken the
liveliest feelings of grateful acknowledgment to God
(Ps 44:2, 3).
The oblation they brought for the Lord "was partly an atonement" or
reparation for their error
(Nu 31:14-16),
for it could not possess any expiatory virtue, and partly a tribute of
gratitude for the stupendous service rendered them. It consisted of the
"spoil," which, being the acquisition of individual valor, was not
divided like the "prey," or livestock, each soldier retaining it in
lieu of pay; it was offered by the "captains" alone, whose pious
feelings were evinced by the dedication of the spoil which fell to
their share. There were jewels to the amount of 16,750 shekels,
equal to £87,869 16s. 5d. sterling.
Numbers 31 Bible Commentary
Jamieson, Faussett, and Brown
Nu 31:1-54. THE MIDIANITES SPOILED AND BALAAM SLAIN.
1, 2. 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 [Nu 25:1-3, 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 (De 2:9) and because the measure of their iniquities was not yet full. God spoke of avenging "the children of Israel" [Nu 31:2]; Moses spoke of avenging the Lord [Nu 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.
3. Arm some of yourselves--This order was issued but a short time before the death of Moses. The announcement to him of that approaching event [Nu 31:2] seems to have accelerated, rather than retarded, his warlike preparations.
5. there were delivered--that is, drafted, chosen, an equal amount from each tribe, to prevent the outbreak of mutual jealousy or strife. Considering the numerical force of the enemy, this was a small quota to furnish. But the design was to exercise their faith and animate them to the approaching invasion of Canaan.
6. Moses sent . . . Eleazar the priest, to the war--Although it is not expressly mentioned, it is highly probable that Joshua was the general who conducted this war. The presence of the priest, who was always with the army (De 20:2), was necessary to preside over the Levites, who accompanied the expedition, and to inflame the courage of the combatants by his sacred services and counsels.
holy instruments--As neither the ark nor the Urim and Thummim were carried to the battlefield till a later period in the history of Israel, the "holy instruments" must mean the "trumpets" (Nu 10:9). And this view is agreeable to the text, by simply changing "and" into "even," as the Hebrew particle is frequently rendered.
7. they slew all the males--This was in accordance with a divine order in all such cases (De 20:13). But the destruction appears to have been only partial--limited to those who were in the neighborhood of the Hebrew camp and who had been accomplices in the villainous plot of Baal-peor (Nu 25:1-3), while a large portion of the Midianites were absent on their pastoral wanderings or had saved themselves by flight. (Compare Jud 6:1).
8. the kings of Midian--so called, because each was possessed of absolute power within his own city or district; called also dukes or princes of Sihon (Jos 13:21), having been probably subject to that Amorite ruler, as it is not uncommon in the East to find a number of governors or pachas tributary to one great king.
Zur--father of Cozbi (Nu 25:15).
Balaam also . . . they slew with the sword--This unprincipled man, on his dismissal from Balak, set out for his home in Mesopotamia (Nu 24:25). But, either diverging from his way to tamper with the Midianites, he remained among them without proceeding farther, to incite them against Israel and to watch the effects of his wicked counsel; or, learning in his own country that the Israelites had fallen into the snare which he had laid and which he doubted not would lead to their ruin, he had, under the impulse of insatiable greed, returned to demand his reward from the Midianites. He was an object of merited vengeance. In the immense slaughter of the Midianitish people--in the capture of their women, children, and property and in the destruction of all their places of refuge--the severity of a righteous God fell heavily on that base and corrupt race. But, more than all others, Balaam deserved and got the just reward of his deeds. His conduct had been atrociously sinful, considering the knowledge he possessed, and the revelations he had received, of the will of God. For any one in his circumstances to attempt defeating the prophecies he had himself been the organ of uttering, and plotting to deprive the chosen people of the divine favor and protection, was an act of desperate wickedness, which no language can adequately characterize.
13. Moses, and Eleazar the priest, . . . went forth to meet them without the camp--partly as a token of respect and congratulation on their victory, partly to see how they had executed the Lord's commands, and partly to prevent the defilement of the camp by the entrance of warriors stained with blood.
14-18. And Moses was wroth with the officers of the host--The displeasure of the great leader, though it appears the ebullition of a fierce and sanguinary temper, arose in reality from a pious and enlightened regard to the best interests of Israel. No order had been given for the slaughter of the women, and in ancient war they were commonly reserved for slaves. By their antecedent conduct, however, the Midianitish women had forfeited all claims to mild or merciful treatment; and the sacred character, the avowed object of the war (Nu 31:2, 3), made their slaughter necessary without any special order. But why "kill every male among the little ones"? It was designed to be a war of extermination, such as God Himself had ordered against the people of Canaan, whom the Midianites equalled in the enormity of their wickedness.
19-24. abide without the camp seven days: whosoever hath killed any person . . . purify both yourselves and your captives--Though the Israelites had taken the field in obedience to the command of God, they had become defiled by contact with the dead. A process of purification was to be undergone, as the law required (Le 15:13; Nu 19:9-12), and this purifying ceremony was extended to dress, houses, tents, to everything on which a dead body had lain, which had been touched by the blood-stained hands of the Israelitish warriors, or which had been the property of idolaters. This became a standing ordinance in all time coming (Le 6:28; 11:33; 15:12).
25-39. 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 (Ex 15:9; Jud 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.
32-47. the booty, being the rest of the prey which the men of war had caught--Some of the captives having been killed (Nu 31:17) and part of the cattle taken for the support of the army, the total amount of the booty remaining was in the following proportions:
Amount
Soldiers
to God
Congregation
to Levites
48-54. officers . . . said . . . there lacketh not one man of us--A victory so signal, and the glory of which was untarnished by the loss of a single Israelitish soldier, was an astonishing miracle. So clearly betokening the direct interposition of Heaven, it might well awaken the liveliest feelings of grateful acknowledgment to God (Ps 44:2, 3). The oblation they brought for the Lord "was partly an atonement" or reparation for their error (Nu 31:14-16), for it could not possess any expiatory virtue, and partly a tribute of gratitude for the stupendous service rendered them. It consisted of the "spoil," which, being the acquisition of individual valor, was not divided like the "prey," or livestock, each soldier retaining it in lieu of pay; it was offered by the "captains" alone, whose pious feelings were evinced by the dedication of the spoil which fell to their share. There were jewels to the amount of 16,750 shekels, equal to £87,869 16s. 5d. sterling.