Numbers 31 10

Numbers 31:10 kjv

And they burnt all their cities wherein they dwelt, and all their goodly castles, with fire.

Numbers 31:10 nkjv

They also burned with fire all the cities where they dwelt, and all their forts.

Numbers 31:10 niv

They burned all the towns where the Midianites had settled, as well as all their camps.

Numbers 31:10 esv

All their cities in the places where they lived, and all their encampments, they burned with fire,

Numbers 31:10 nlt

They burned all the towns and villages where the Midianites had lived.

Numbers 31 verses

Numbers 31 10 Meaning

This verse describes the thorough and complete destruction executed by the Israelite army upon the Midianite settlements. It signifies a decisive act of divine judgment and holy war, where all places of habitation, from cities to strongholds, were utterly consumed by fire. This comprehensive annihilation underscored the seriousness of Midian's sin and Israel's obedience to God's command.

Numbers 31 10 Context

Numbers 31:10 is part of the account of the war against Midian, commanded by Yahweh in response to Midianite women leading Israelite men into idolatry and sexual immorality at Peor (Numbers 25). This conflict served as a severe judgment against Midian for their role in corrupting Israel. The command for war, specifically involving divine vengeance (Num 31:2), marked a holy war where the complete destruction of the Midianite strongholds and living places, as described in this verse, was a non-negotiable aspect of removing their idolatrous influence and asserting Yahweh's authority. Historically, such campaigns by ancient Near Eastern powers often involved devastating conquered cities to eliminate potential resistance and symbols of previous power, though for Israel, it carried a distinct theological imperative for cleansing and removing moral pollution.

Numbers 31 10 Word analysis

• And they burned (וְשָׂרְפוּ - v'sarpū): The verb "sāraph" means to burn or consume with fire. In biblical context, burning signifies complete destruction, eradication, and purification. It often represents divine judgment or a thorough cleansing, leaving nothing behind that could re-emerge or corrupt.

• all (כָּל - kōl): This Hebrew word denotes totality, emphasizing that no part or segment was spared. This indicates the absolute and comprehensive nature of the destruction. It underlines the uncompromising nature of God's judgment on Midian's influence.

• their cities (עָרֵיהֶם - 'ārêhem): Refers to fortified, populated centers where the Midianites dwelt. The plural 'cities' suggests multiple settlements, indicating a widespread act of judgment across their territory.

• wherever they dwelt (מוֹשְׁבֹתָם - mōshvōṯām): This phrase specifies all the residential areas, reinforcing the scope of destruction beyond just main cities. It refers to "their dwelling places," signifying homes, villages, or any settled community.

• and all their fortresses (וְאֵת כָּל טִירֹתָם - v'êt kol ṭîrōṯām): The word "ṭîrāh" (singular of "ṭîrōtām") can mean encampments, dwelling places, or fortresses. In this context, given the mention of cities, it likely refers to their fortified places, military encampments, or defensible strongholds. Burning these ensured no strategic point or place of refuge remained for the Midianites.

• with fire (בָּאֵשׁ - bā'êš): This reiterates the means of destruction. Fire is a potent symbol in the Bible for purification, divine presence, judgment, and complete obliteration. It leaves no trace but ashes, symbolizing finality.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "And they burned all their cities...with fire": This phrase highlights the complete and irreversible nature of the destruction. The chosen method of fire ensures a thorough end, aligning with the concept of "cherem" (devotion to destruction) as seen in other instances of God's judgment against wicked nations.
  • "all their cities wherever they dwelt, and all their fortresses": This pairing demonstrates the extent of the conquest, leaving no Midianite place of habitation or defense untouched. It signifies the dismantling of their societal and military infrastructure, ensuring their inability to reconstitute as a threat or perpetuate their corrupting influence.

Numbers 31 10 Bonus section

The thoroughness of the destruction described in Numbers 31:10 aligns with ancient Near Eastern concepts of 'holy war,' but crucially, for Israel, it was explicitly commanded by Yahweh and served specific theological purposes beyond territorial conquest. It demonstrated Yahweh's unique role as a covenant-keeping God who actively cleanses the land of wickedness and protects His people from spiritual defilement. The very act of burning signified the unholiness of these places and people, making them anathema or 'devoted' (חֵרֶם - cherem) to utter destruction. While not explicitly stated as cherem here, the scope of destruction parallels the principles of cherem observed in Canaanite conquest, ensuring no aspect of their previous life, religion, or power could remain to tempt or ensnare Israel. This commitment to total eradication highlights the serious threat paganism and immorality posed to Israel's spiritual integrity.

Numbers 31 10 Commentary

Numbers 31:10 describes a decisive act of God's righteous judgment against the Midianites, executed through Israel. The thorough destruction by fire—of cities, dwellings, and fortresses—was not mere conquest but a divinely ordained purification. Midian's entanglement in Balaam's counsel (Num 31:16) led them to corrupt Israel with idolatry and immorality, invoking a divine command for vengeance. The burning signified the eradication of pagan strongholds and the removal of stumbling blocks that had led God's people astray. It serves as a stark reminder of God's absolute holiness and His intolerance for unholy influence that compromises His covenant people. This act demonstrated that spiritual dangers must be dealt with comprehensively, uprooting every source of corruption.