Chapter Summary
Core Passages from Numbers 31
Numbers 31:3So Moses spoke to the people, saying, "Arm men from among you for the war, that they may go against Midian to execute the Lord's vengeance on Midian.
Moses frames this war as executing 'the Lord's vengeance,' indicating the battle was divine justice, not human conflict.Numbers 31:16Behold, these, on Balaam's advice, caused the people of Israel to act treacherously against the Lord in the incident of Peor, and so the plague came among the congregation of the Lord.
This verse provides the crucial backstory, linking the war directly to the sin at Peor, where Midianite women intentionally led Israel into idolatry, causing a plague that killed 24,000 Israelites.Numbers 31:49and they said to Moses, "Your servants have counted the men of war who are under our command, and there is not a man missing from us.
In a stunning report, the army commanders reveal that not a single Israelite soldier was killed in the battle, highlighting God's complete and miraculous protection over them.
Historical & Cultural Context
The Aftermath of Spiritual Betrayal
This chapter doesn't happen in a vacuum. It's the direct and severe consequence of the events in Numbers 25, known as the 'incident of Peor.' There, on the advice of the prophet Balaam, Midianite women seduced Israelite men into sexual immorality and the worship of their god, Baal. This act of treachery brought a devastating plague upon Israel. God is now calling for an accounting, not for a military or political grievance, but for a significant spiritual attack against His people.
Purification, Plunder, and Divine Order
As the Israelite army returns victorious, the focus immediately shifts from warfare to worship and order. The narrative slows down to detail Moses' instructions for purification from death, the proper handling of captives, and a meticulous system for dividing the spoils. This wasn't a chaotic raid but a structured, divinely-ordered campaign. The detailed accounting shows that every part of the process, from the battle to the distribution of plunder, was meant to be done under God's authority and for His purposes.
The War Against Midian
On the plains of Moab, with the Promised Land in sight, God gives Moses one of his final, and most difficult, commands. In Numbers 31, Israel is instructed to execute judgment on the Midianites for their role in the spiritual corruption at Peor. The chapter unfolds in distinct phases: the call to arms, the battle itself, the challenging process of purification, and the final accounting of God's provision.
The Call to Arms and Swift Victory (Numbers 31:1-12)
1 The Lord spoke to Moses, saying,
2 Avenge the people of Israel on the Midianites. Afterward you shall be gathered to your people.
3 So Moses spoke to the people, saying, "Arm men from among you for the war, that they may go against Midian to execute the Lord's vengeance on Midian.
4 And you shall send a thousand from each of the tribes of Israel to the war.”
5 So there were provided, out of the thousands of Israel, a thousand from each tribe, twelve thousand armed for war.
6 And Moses sent them to the war, a thousand from each tribe, together with Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, with the vessels of the sanctuary and the trumpets for the alarm in his hand.
7 They warred against Midian, as the Lord commanded Moses, and killed every male.
8 They killed the kings of Midian with the rest of their slain, Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba, the five kings of Midian. And they also killed Balaam the son of Beor with the sword.
9 And the people of Israel took captive the women of Midian and their little ones, and they took as plunder all their cattle, their flocks, and all their goods.
10 And they burned all their cities where they lived, and all their encampments with fire.
11 They captured all the spoil and plunder, both of man and of beast.
12 Then they brought the captives and the plunder and the spoil to Moses, and to Eleazar the priest, and to the congregation of the people of Israel, at the camp on the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho.
Commentary:
Israel carries out God's command for vengeance, achieving a total victory over Midian.
A Harsh Judgment and Ritual Cleansing (Numbers 31:13-24)
13 Moses and Eleazar the priest and all the chiefs of the congregation went to meet them outside the camp.
14 And Moses was angry with the officers of the army, the commanders of thousands and the commanders of hundreds, who had come from service in the war.
15 Moses said to them, "Have you let all the women live?
16 Behold, these, on Balaam's advice, caused the people of Israel to act treacherously against the Lord in the incident of Peor, and so the plague came among the congregation of the Lord.
17 Now therefore, kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman who has known man by lying with him.
18 But all the young girls who have not known man by lying with him keep alive for yourselves.
19 Encamp outside the camp seven days. Whoever of you has killed any person and whoever has touched any slain, purify yourselves and your captives on the third day and on the seventh day.
20 And purify all your garments, all that is made of skin, all that is made of goats' hair, and all that is made of wood."
21 Then Eleazar the priest said to the men of war who had gone to battle: “This is the statute of the law that the Lord has commanded Moses:
22 Only the gold, the silver, the bronze, the iron, the tin, and the lead,
23 everything that can stand the fire, you shall pass through the fire, and it shall be clean. But it shall also be purified with the water of purification. And whatever cannot stand the fire, you shall pass through the water.
24 And you shall wash your clothes on the seventh day and be clean, and afterward you may come into the camp.
Commentary:
Moses orders the execution of the remaining sources of corruption and institutes a mandatory purification for all soldiers and spoils.
Dividing the Spoils of War (Numbers 31:25-47)
25 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,
26 Take the count of the plunder that was taken, both of man and of beast, you and Eleazar the priest and the heads of the fathers' houses in the congregation,
27 and divide the plunder into two parts between the warriors who went out to battle and all the congregation.
28 levy a tax for the Lord from the men of war who went out to battle, one out of five hundred, of the people and of the oxen and of the donkeys and of the flocks.
29 take it from their half and give it to Eleazar the priest as a contribution to the Lord.
30 And from the people of Israel's half you shall take one drawn out of every fifty, of the people, of the oxen, of the donkeys, and of the flocks, of all the cattle, and give them to the Levites who keep guard over the tabernacle of the Lord."
31 And Moses and Eleazar the priest did as the Lord commanded Moses.
32 Now the plunder remaining of the spoil that the army took was 675,000 sheep,
33 half, the portion of those who had gone out in the army, numbered 337,500 sheep;
34 and 16,000 persons,
35 and 32,000 persons in all, women who had not known man by lying with him.
36 The half, the portion of those who had gone out in the army, numbered 337,500 sheep,
37 and the Lord's tribute of sheep was 675.
38 The oxen were 36,000, of which the tribute for the Lord was 72.
39 the donkeys were 30,500, of which the Lord's tribute was 61
40 The persons were sixteen thousand, of which the Lord's tribute was thirty-two persons.
41 and the human beings were sixteen thousand, of whom the Lord's tribute was thirty-two persons.
42 And of the people of Israel's half, which Moses separated from that of the men who had served in the army -
43 (The congregation's half was 337,500 sheep,
44 and 36,000 cattle, 45 and the half, the portion of those who had gone out in the army, numbered 337,500 sheep, 46 and the Lord's tribute of sheep was 675.
45 and 32,000 persons in all, women who had not known man by lying with him.
46 and sixteen thousand persons,
47 even the men of war who went out to battle, all the congregation,
Commentary:
God instructs Moses on a fair system to divide the plunder between the soldiers and the community, with a portion set aside for the priests and Levites.
An Offering of Thanksgiving (Numbers 31:48-54)
48 Then the officers who were over the thousands of the army, the commanders of thousands and the commanders of hundreds, came near to Moses,
49 and they said to Moses, "Your servants have counted the men of war who are under our command, and there is not a man missing from us.
50 And we have brought the Lord's offering, what each man found, articles of gold, armlets, and bracelets, signet rings, earrings, and beads, to make atonement for ourselves before the Lord."
51 And Moses and Eleazar the priest took the gold from them, all crafted articles.
52 And all the gold of the contribution that they presented to the Lord, from the commanders of thousands and the commanders of hundreds, was sixteen thousand seven hundred fifty shekels.
53 (the men of war had taken spoil), every man for himself.
54 So 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 people of Israel before the Lord.
Commentary:
Discovering no casualties, the army commanders give a massive, voluntary gold offering to God in gratitude for His miraculous protection.
Key Ideas in the War Against Midian
The Holiness of God and Judgment on Sin
This chapter starkly illustrates that God takes sin seriously, especially sin that threatens to corrupt His people from within. The war against Midian was not about territory but about removing a cancerous spiritual influence. God's holiness requires that such threats be dealt with completely to preserve the purity of His covenant community.
The Necessity of Purification
Even after being obedient to God's command, the soldiers were considered ritually unclean from their contact with death. The detailed cleansing rituals for people and objects show that approaching a holy God always requires purification. Our actions, even good ones, don't automatically make us right with God. We are always in need of His cleansing.
God's Miraculous Protection and Provision
The fact that not one Israelite soldier died is a clear miracle, demonstrating that this was truly the Lord's battle. Furthermore, the equitable distribution of the spoils shows God's character as a provider for the entire community, not exclusively for the powerful or the warriors. His justice and care extend to everyone, including the priests and Levites who minister before Him.
Applying Ancient Commands Today
Numbers 31 shows that compromise with corrupting influences is dangerous. While we don't wage physical war, you are called to be equally decisive in removing habits, relationships, or media that pull your heart away from God. This isn't about being cruel, but about protecting your spiritual health with the seriousness it deserves.
The need for purification points to our constant need for God's grace. After you engage with the world, even in doing good things, it's important to return to God for spiritual cleansing. This looks like regular confession, spending time in His Word, and reminding yourself of the forgiveness offered through Jesus, which purifies you from all unrighteousness.
Their offering was not commanded. It was a spontaneous overflow of gratitude for God's incredible protection. When you recognize God's hand preserving you, whether in a big or small way, let it move you to generosity. True gratitude is more than a feeling. It is an action that gives back to God from the abundance He has given you.
Holiness Demands Justice and Purity
Numbers 31 delivers a sobering message about the non-negotiable holiness of God. It reveals that God will execute justice to protect His people from spiritual corruption that threatens their relationship with Him. Yet, it also shows that even those who carry out His justice are not exempt from the need for purification. The ultimate message is that living as God's people requires both a separation from sin and a constant pursuit of the cleansing that only He can provide.
What This Means for Us Today
This chapter, in its severity, invites us to take our own spiritual purity seriously. It calls us to identify and remove the 'Midianite' influences in our lives that draw us away from God. The call is not to physical violence, but to a decisive, spiritual battle for holiness, trusting in God's protection and embracing the cleansing He offers through Christ.
- What influence in your life needs to be decisively removed for the sake of your spiritual health?
- In what area do you need to seek God's purification today?
- How can you thank God for His protection with a tangible act of generosity?
Further Reading
Immediate Context
This preceding chapter discusses the laws concerning vows, emphasizing the importance of keeping one's word before God and the community.
The following chapter deals with the request of the tribes of Reuben and Gad to settle in the land east of the Jordan, raising questions of tribal unity and responsibility.
Connections Across Scripture
This chapter is essential reading as it details the sin at Peor, providing the direct reason for the holy war commanded in Numbers 31.
This passage outlines the general rules for warfare in ancient Israel, offering a broader legal and theological framework for understanding holy war.
The New Testament references this event, specifically blaming Balaam for teaching Balak 'to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality.'
Discussion Questions
- Numbers 31 contains commands that are very difficult for modern readers to understand. How can we hold onto the goodness of God while wrestling with passages like this?
- The Israelite commanders were amazed that not one soldier was lost. When have you been surprised by the completeness of God's protection in your life, and how did it change your perspective?
- The purification laws applied to everyone and everything returning from battle. What does this teach us about how seriously God takes holiness in every area of our lives?
Glossary
figures
Eleazar
The son of Aaron and the High Priest of Israel after his father's death.
Phinehas
The son of Eleazar, a zealous priest known for stopping the plague at Peor.
Balaam
A non-Israelite prophet who was hired to curse Israel but blessed them instead, yet later advised the Midianites on how to corrupt them.
theological concepts
Holy War
A war commanded by God and fought for His purposes, following specific divine instructions.
Atonement
The act of making amends or reparation for a wrong; in the Bible, it involves restoring a right relationship with God.
Purification
The ritual process of cleansing from physical or moral impurity to become fit to approach God.