Chapter 31

1 The Midianites are spoiled, and Balaam slain. 13 Moses is wroth with the officers, for saving the women alive. 19 How the soldiers, with their captives and spoil, are to be purified. 25 The proportion whereby the prey is to be divided. 48 The voluntary oblation unto the treasury of the Lord.

1. The Lord spake. As recorded in ch. 25:16–18, the command to smite the Midianites had already been given to Moses; now he was to organize the military expedition to execute God’s will. The Midianites, at the suggestion of Balaam, had led Israel into grievous sin, which in turn brought a plague from God upon His people.

2. Avenge. The offense of the Midianites had taken place during the leadership of Moses; he was now commissioned of God to punish the offenders before laying down his authority.

Afterward. God had previously spoken to Moses of his impending death (ch. 27:12, 13). In addition to the campaign against the Midianites, there remained the duty of passing on directions concerning the conquest of the land of Canaan (chs. 32 and 34), and making provision for the Levites (ch. 35:1–8).

3. Arm some of yourselves. Literally, “arm from among those with you, men.” Verse 2 speaks of avenging the children of Israel; this verse calls it the vengeance of Jehovah. Thus, closely, are the interests of God and His people identified.

4. A thousand. This small number suggests careful selection, inasmuch as some of the larger tribes could easily have supplied a much greater number.

All the tribes. Some think this may have included the Levites, not perhaps to bear arms, but as a service unit behind the front line. But the fact that the Levites received their share of the booty from that portion of it assigned to those who did not go to war (vs. 30, 37–41) seems to preclude such an idea.

5. Twelve thousand. Compare Judges 21:10, where the same number was sent against Jabesh-gilead. The idea conveyed in v. 5 is that the young men were levied. The number seems small in comparison with the Midianites, who had five kings with their armed forces.

6. Moses sent them. That is, commissioned them with authority to carry out God’s command.

Phinehas. We are not told whether Phinehas went as commander of the expedition, thereby superseding Joshua, or whether he went solely in his role as chief priest (see Joshua 22:13). His former deed of valor for the honor of God had no doubt given him a great reputation for decision and courage (ch. 25:8).

The holy instruments. That is, the sacred vessels. We are not told which vessels were taken. Some have suggested the ark (see Num. 10:33; Joshua 3:14; 6:8), others, the plate of gold that Aaron wore upon his head (Ex. 28:36). The word here translated “instruments” is the same as that rendered “vessels” in Num. 3:31. It may be permissible to think of the trumpets of the sanctuary as being “holy instruments.”

7. They warred. The Israelitish forces, presumably, crossed the border into Midianite territory and there engaged their forces.

Slew all the males. That is, of the attacking force, presumably males of military age. Another destruction of the Midianites is recorded in Judges 8:12, by Gideon. The wiping out of the entire male population would have led to the extinction of the nation; yet the Midianites appear again and again as violent enemies of Israel (Judges 6:1, 2; 7:14; 8:22; 9:17, 28; Isa. 60:6).

8. The kings of Midian. Various titles are used for these men: elders (ch. 22:4), and dukes or princes (Joshua 13:21).

Evi. See Joshua 13:21.

Rekem. See Joshua 13:21; 1 Chron. 2:43; 7:16. Also the name of a Benjamite town (Joshua 18:27).

Zur. See Num. 25:15; Joshua 13:21.

Hur. Given also as the name of an Israelite (Ex. 17:10), a relative of Caleb.

Balaam. His end was vastly different from the hope he had expressed for himself (Num. 23:10; Joshua 13:22).

9. Took all the women. It was an ancient custom to slay the men but not the women and children (Gen. 34:25; 1 Kings 11:16). The law of God later required, in certain instances, simply the slaying of the males, in other instances, the slaying of the whole population (Deut. 20:13, 14, 16).

Cattle. The word thus translated is from the verb “to be tongue-tied,” “to be dumb.” It often includes all the larger domesticated animals. The Midianites were famous for their camels (Judges 6:5), which are not mentioned separately here (see Ex. 9:25; 12:12; Ps. 135:8; Jer. 50:3).

10. Their cities. The destruction of these fortified places would tend to prevent a serious uprising later.

Goodly castles. Literally, “their encampments,” a reference to the circular encampments of nomadic tribes. See Gen. 25:16, where the same word is used.

11. The spoil. They had obtained possession of the spoil, as noted in v. 9, and now they carried it away.

12. The captives. The conquest of this tribe of Midianites was complete. The “captives” were the women and children; the “prey,” the camels, oxen, sheep, and goats; and the “spoil,” the precious metals, jewels, clothing, etc.

The congregation. Perhaps a reference to the 70 elders and the princes of the tribes, who represented the people.

The plains of Moab. From where they had set out to give battle to the Midianites (see chs. 22:1; 26:3, 63).

13. Went forth. This was a reception committee to welcome the victors and to make such arrangements as might be necessary for the cleansing, separation, or destruction of unclean things.

14. Moses was wroth. Particularly so, because unacceptable Midianite women had been brought as captives, including the very ones who had been the cause of the plague that had swept the camp (see vs. 15, 17).

Officers. Literally, “inspectors” or “overseers.”

15. Have ye saved? The punishment of the women, instruments used of Satan to bring sin into the camp of Israel, was implicit in the command to “avenge the children of Israel of the Midianites” (ch. 31:2). Compare the punishment of the Amalekite women (1 Sam. 15:3).

17. Kill every male. In order to reduce an idolatrous nation to impotency.

Every woman that hath known man. Probably including the very ones responsible for Israel’s debasement.

18. The women children. Since they were young and impressionable there was the possibility of their being weaned from idolatry and its unclean practices.

Keep alive. For a law that came later, the enactment of which may have reflected the capture of these women, see Deut. 21:10–14.

19. Abide without the camp. See ch. 19:9–11.

Purify. With water mingled with the ashes of a red heifer (see ch. 19). Ceremonial uncleanness was a serious matter for the children of Israel (see Mark 7:15).

20. Purify. This could be accomplished by the water of separation, or in running water (Lev. 11:32, 33). Both apparently came under the ordinance for those who had come into contact with dead bodies.

Made of skins. Including footwear, saddles, etc.

Goats’ hair. This would apply to tents (Ex. 25:4), and also to rugs and bedding (1 Sam. 19:13, 16).

22. The brass. That is, bronze or copper (see on Ex. 27:3).

Lead. See Jer. 6:29. The six metals here mentioned were common in Egypt and other ancient countries.

23. Fire. Water is not an adequate cleanser of metals, but fire is. The various utensils taken from the Midianites were unclean by reason of contact with dead bodies, and also because they had been used by the heathen.

24. Wash. See ch. 19:19.

25. The Lord spake. That is, after the ritual of purification had been completed and the men had entered camp.

26. The sum of the prey. Literally, “the head of the prey.” No mention is made of the spoil of jewels, precious metals, and cloth. These things afterward provided a voluntary oblation (vs. 50, 53).

27. Divide the prey. The entire camp had suffered at the hand of the Midianites; therefore it was proper that the ones who had remained in camp should also receive a share.

28. Levy a tribute. Literally, “lift up a fixed amount.” The word here translated “tribute” occurs elsewhere only in vs. 37–41. For other examples of the division of booty see Joshua 22:8; 1 Sam. 30:24, 25.

Sheep. The Hebrew word includes goats as well as sheep.

29. Give it unto Eleazar. As a tithe for the maintenance of the priests and the Levites (see ch. 18:21, 24, 26).

30. One portion of fifty. This was 2 per cent of the spoil apportioned to the congregation. The portion of the Levites was 320 maidens, 6,750 sheep and goats, 720 cattle, and 610 asses. The percentage was no doubt commanded in proportion to the relative number of Levites. The priests were not allowed, however, to marry non-Israelite wives (Lev. 21:14).

31. Moses and Eleazar. The command was given to Moses (v. 25), with Eleazar as assistant (v. 26). No mention is made here of “the chief fathers of the congregation” (v. 26). Undoubtedly they had full confidence in the integrity of Eleazar.

32. The rest of the prey. Perhaps better, “the rest that remains,” that is, of the booty. The spoil taken on the field of battle would be diminished by a number of factors; the slaughter of some animals for food, the death of some from the hardships of the march, from straying, and from disease.

48. The officers. Those in command made a personal report to Moses of the discharge of their responsibilities.

49. Lacketh not one man. When the roll was called of all who had been engaged in the expedition, it was revealed the Israelites had not suffered a single casualty. It had indeed been the battle of the Lord (see v. 3). No doubt it would have been regarded as a tragedy for men to lose their lives on the very threshold of the promised inheritance.

50. An oblation. Ornaments of precious metals were commonly worn by nomadic peoples. Often, the ornaments for the neck, wrists, and ankles were of silver or gold coins strung together (see Judges 8:24–26).

Every man. Each wished to offer something to Jehovah in thankfulness for the victory and safe return (see Gen. 14:20; 2 Sam. 8:11, 12; 1 Chron. 26:26, 27).

Jewels of gold. Better, “ornaments of gold” (see Gen. 24:53; Ex. 3:22).

Chains. For the ankles, and perhaps also for the upper part of the arms.

Bracelets. See Gen. 24:47; Eze. 16:11.

Rings. See Gen. 41:42; Esther 3:10.

Earrings. Very common among Eastern peoples, both ancient and modern.

To make an atonement. Perhaps in reference to the matter of v. 14, as well as to other personal incidents involving uncleanness and guilt that may have occurred during the battle.

53. Every man for himself. Undoubtedly there had been individual plundering and spoilation; but of all that each man received, he gladly gave a portion to God, in thankfulness of heart.

54. For a memorial. Much of the great quantity of gold was no doubt melted down and made into vessels for use in the sanctuary.

Ellen G. White comments

1-54PP 456

2, 7 PP 456

8     PP 451, 456; SR 177

16        PP 451; 5T 599