Numbers 31 12

Numbers 31:12 kjv

And they brought the captives, and the prey, and the spoil, unto Moses, and Eleazar the priest, and unto the congregation of the children of Israel, unto the camp at the plains of Moab, which are by Jordan near Jericho.

Numbers 31:12 nkjv

Then they brought the captives, the booty, and the spoil to Moses, to Eleazar the priest, and to the congregation of the children of Israel, to the camp in the plains of Moab by the Jordan, across from Jericho.

Numbers 31:12 niv

and brought the captives, spoils and plunder to Moses and Eleazar the priest and the Israelite assembly at their camp on the plains of Moab, by the Jordan across from Jericho.

Numbers 31:12 esv

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.

Numbers 31:12 nlt

they brought them all to Moses and Eleazar the priest, and to the whole community of Israel, which was camped on the plains of Moab beside the Jordan River, across from Jericho.

Numbers 31 verses

Numbers 31 12 Meaning

This verse describes the complete and accountable return of the Israelite forces from their punitive expedition against the Midianites. They presented all their captured persons, acquired goods (spoil), and seized livestock (prey) to Moses, Eleazar the priest, and the entire congregation of Israel at their encampment in the plains of Moab, situated near the Jordan River opposite Jericho. It signifies the formal conclusion of the military campaign and the proper submission of all war gains to the divinely appointed leadership and the community for instruction and distribution according to God's law.

Numbers 31 12 Context

Numbers chapter 31 describes Israel's military campaign against Midian, commanded directly by God. This punitive expedition was ordered because Midian had actively participated in enticing Israel to sin through the Baal-Peor apostasy and immoral practices (Numbers 25), leading to a devastating plague. Twelve thousand Israelite soldiers, 1,000 from each tribe, led by Phinehas the priest (son of Eleazar), successfully carried out this holy war. Verse 12 marks the point of their return, victorious, bringing back their captives and spoils of war to the leaders and the entire congregation. This event occurs while Israel is encamped in the plains of Moab, their final staging ground before entering the promised land. The historical context positions this war not merely as territorial conquest but as a crucial act of divine judgment and purification, both for Israel's enemies and, through subsequent cleansing rituals, for Israel itself, preparing them for covenant fidelity in Canaan.

Numbers 31 12 Word analysis

• And they brought (וַיָּבִיאוּ - vayyāviʾu): The Hebrew perfect consecutive form, emphasizing the immediate and complete action upon their return. It signifies that the soldiers did not hold anything back but presented everything, demonstrating immediate obedience to the protocols of war.
• the captives (הַשְּׁבִי - haššĕviy): Refers to the human prisoners taken, primarily women and children. This would become a point of contention with Moses later in the chapter (Nu 31:15-18) due to their role in the Baal-Peor incident, necessitating specific instructions for their handling.
• and the spoil (וְהַשָּׁלָל - vəhaššālāl): This term broadly encompasses all non-living plunder, such as gold, silver, bronze, iron, garments, and other goods taken from the defeated enemy. It represents the material gains of the conquest.
• and the prey (וְהַמַּלְקוֹחַ - vəhammalqôaḥ): Distinct from "spoil," this term specifically denotes living things captured, primarily livestock like cattle, sheep, and donkeys. The use of this distinct term highlights the detailed accounting and legal distinctions God's law made for different types of war gains.
• unto Moses (אֶל מֹשֶׁה - ʾel Mōsheh): Moses was the supreme human authority appointed by God, serving as the mediator of the covenant, the lawgiver, and the national leader. All significant returns and distributions of spoil had to pass through his judgment as commanded by God.
• and Eleazar the priest (וְאֶלְעָזָר הַכֹּהֵן - vəʾElʿāzār hakkōhēn): Eleazar was the high priest, the chief religious authority, responsible for matters pertaining to holiness, purity, and the sanctuary. His presence signifies that the return of spoils involved not only civil administration but also religious protocol, particularly concerning ritual cleansing.
• and unto the congregation of the children of Israel (וְאֶל־כָּל־הָעֵדָה בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל - vəʾel-kol-hāʿēḏâ bənê Yisrāʾēl): "Congregation" (ʿēḏâ) denotes the entire community or assembly of Israel. This signifies transparency and corporate involvement; the war was a national act commanded by God for the entire nation, and the spoils were considered part of the national bounty, to be dealt with according to community-wide principles.
• unto the camp (אֶל הַמַּחֲנֶה - ʾel hammaḥăneh): The centralized, ordered, and divinely consecrated living space of Israel during their wilderness journey. All returned elements had to enter this holy space under specific divine guidelines, particularly regarding purity and defilement from contact with paganism.
• at the plains of Moab (בְּעַרְבֹת מוֹאָב - bəʿArəvōt Môʾāv): This geographical reference pinpoint the specific location. These plains, east of the Jordan River, were Israel's last encampment before crossing into the Promised Land, marking a pivotal moment in their journey.
• by Jordan near Jericho (עַל יַרְדֵּן יְרֵחוֹ - ʿal Yarədēn Yərêḥô): Further clarifies the location, directly across from the significant city of Jericho, the first major city Israel would conquer upon entering Canaan. This highlights Israel's strategic position at the threshold of their inheritance.

• "they brought the captives, and the spoil, and the prey": This detailed list underscores the totality of the victory and the comprehensive nature of the return. It highlights adherence to the divine command not to keep anything hidden but to present all to the authorities. This classification of war gains (people, inanimate objects, living animals) foreshadows the meticulous regulations that would follow in the chapter concerning their handling, purification, and distribution.
• "unto Moses, and Eleazar the priest, and unto the congregation": This tri-part submission emphasizes the layered authority within Israel: God's designated civil leader (Moses), the spiritual leader (Eleazar, representing the priesthood and access to God's will), and the entire assembled community. This signifies that the victory was of national, civil, and spiritual significance, and its outcomes had to be addressed with full accountability under all these domains. This also signifies transparency in leadership and the corporate nature of Israel’s walk with God.
• "unto the camp at the plains of Moab, by Jordan near Jericho": This detailed geographical description not only pinpoints the exact location but also reinforces the imminent entry into Canaan. The actions taken in this camp, including the handling of these spoils, would directly impact Israel's purity and preparedness for occupying the Holy Land. The mention of "camp" itself reminds of its sacred nature and the need for purity, setting the stage for the subsequent purification rituals outlined later in the chapter for the soldiers and the spoils themselves.

Numbers 31 12 Bonus section

The thorough listing of "captives, spoil, and prey" demonstrates a meticulous categorisation that foreshadows the detailed regulations regarding their cleansing and distribution found later in Numbers 31 (verses 19-24, and 25-54). This distinction highlights the Mosaic Law's precision even in the chaotic aftermath of war, demanding different procedures for human beings, inanimate objects, and living animals to address various levels of ritual defilement or ownership. The entire event served as a practical lesson in holiness and obedience for a generation about to enter and conquer Canaan, emphasizing that victory, resources, and even life itself, are under divine authority and must conform to God's standards of purity and justice. The bringing of the spoils to the high priest highlights the sacral dimension of warfare in ancient Israel—it was a holy war whose conduct and outcomes were under direct divine oversight and priestly guidance, not merely military strategy.

Numbers 31 12 Commentary

Numbers 31:12 serves as a pivotal point, marking the victorious conclusion of Israel's divinely commanded war against Midian. The act of the soldiers bringing all the captives, spoils, and prey to Moses, Eleazar, and the entire congregation underscores absolute obedience, accountability, and transparency in executing God's will. It highlights the structured authority within Israel – God's authority channeled through Moses (civil leader) and Eleazar (spiritual leader), validated before the whole community. This presentation also signifies that the gains of war were not merely personal profit but national resources obtained by divine favor, requiring careful management according to covenant law, especially regarding issues of ritual purity, distribution, and proper use, all of which would be detailed immediately after this scene. It reinforced the communal identity and purpose under God's watchful eye as they prepared to enter the Promised Land.