26 "You and Eleazar the priest and the family leaders of each tribe are to make a list of all the plunder taken in the battle, including the people and animals. 27 Then divide the plunder into two parts, and give half to the men who fought the battle and half to the rest of the people. 28 From the army's portion, first give the Lord his share of the plunder-one of every 500Â of the prisoners and of the cattle, donkeys, sheep, and goats. 29 Give this share of the army's half to Eleazar the priest as an offering to the Lord . 30 From the half that belongs to the people of Israel, take one of every fifty of the prisoners and of the cattle, donkeys, sheep, goats, and other animals. Give this share to the Levites, who are in charge of maintaining the Lord 's Tabernacle." 31 So Moses and Eleazar the priest did as the Lord commanded Moses. 32 The plunder remaining from everything the fighting men had taken totaled 675,000 sheep and goats, 33 72,000 cattle, 34 61,000 donkeys, 35 and 32,000 virgin girls. 36 Half of the plunder was given to the fighting men. It totaled 337,500 sheep and goats, 37 of which 675Â were the Lord 's share; 38 36,000 cattle, of which 72Â were the Lord 's share; 39 30,500 donkeys, of which 61Â were the Lord 's share; 40 and 16,000 virgin girls, of whom 32Â were the Lord 's share. 41 Moses gave all the Lord 's share to Eleazar the priest, just as the Lord had directed him. 42 Half of the plunder belonged to the people of Israel, and Moses separated it from the half belonging to the fighting men. 43 It totaled 337,500 sheep and goats, 44 36,000 cattle, 45 30,500 donkeys, 46 and 16,000 virgin girls. 47 From the half-share given to the people, Moses took one of every fifty prisoners and animals and gave them to the Levites, who maintained the Lord 's Tabernacle. All this was done as the Lord had commanded Moses.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Numbers 31:26-47
Commentary on Numbers 31:25-47
(Read Numbers 31:25-47)
Whatever we have, God justly claims a part. Out of the people's share God required one in fifty, but out of the soldiers' share only one in five hundred. The less opportunity we have of honouring God with personal services, the more should we give in money or value.