Numbers 31 22

Numbers 31:22 kjv

Only the gold, and the silver, the brass, the iron, the tin, and the lead,

Numbers 31:22 nkjv

Only the gold, the silver, the bronze, the iron, the tin, and the lead,

Numbers 31:22 niv

Gold, silver, bronze, iron, tin, lead

Numbers 31:22 esv

only the gold, the silver, the bronze, the iron, the tin, and the lead,

Numbers 31:22 nlt

Anything made of gold, silver, bronze, iron, tin, or lead ?

Numbers 31 verses

Numbers 31 22 Meaning

Numbers 31:22 precisely lists the six metals—gold, silver, bronze, iron, tin, and lead—that were to be saved and purified from the spoils taken during the battle against the Midianites. This verse acts as an exclusionary directive, stating that only these specific metals, by virtue of their inherent non-porous and heat-resistant properties, could withstand the designated ritual cleansing process and thus be retained for use by the community of Israel. It emphasizes the importance of meticulously adhering to God's standards of ritual purity, even concerning material possessions gained from war.

Numbers 31 22 Context

Numbers 31 describes Israel's punitive military campaign against the Midianites, undertaken as divine retribution for their role in luring Israelites into idolatry and sexual immorality at Peor (Num 25). After the victory, Moses commanded the Israelites to put to death all adult Midianite women who had known a man and all their male children (vv. 13-18). Crucially, the people who engaged in the battle, along with all the spoils taken, incurred ritual defilement due to contact with the dead. In response, Eleazar the priest, guided by the Lord's instruction (v. 21), issued directives for purification. Verse 22 forms part of these purification instructions, specifically delineating which types of materials were eligible for ritual cleansing by fire due to their enduring properties, in contrast to those that could be cleansed by water or those that had to be utterly destroyed (Num 31:20-21). This emphasis underscores the gravity of ritual impurity and God's absolute demand for holiness within the Israelite community, even in matters related to war and its gains.

Numbers 31 22 Word analysis

• "only" (אַךְ - 'akh): This Hebrew particle serves to limit or emphasize. Here, it signifies a strong restriction, asserting that exclusively the items specified are permitted to undergo the prescribed purification by fire, distinguishing them from other war spoils mentioned previously (Num 31:20) that required water cleansing or were to be discarded.
• "the gold" (הַזָּהָב - ha-zahab): From זָהָב (zahab), referring to this highly precious, incorruptible, and easily molded metal. Gold was esteemed for its purity and beauty, extensively used in the Tabernacle. Spiritually, it signifies divine value and things of eternal worth, enduring through testing.
• "and the silver" (וְהַכֶּסֶף - v'ha-kesef): From כֶּסֶף (kesef), indicating this precious, white metal, valued next to gold. Used for currency, ornamentation, and holy vessels, silver also represents purity and the outcome of refinement, often used to depict redemption or truth when tested.
• "the bronze" (הַנְּחֹשֶׁת - ha-nekho'shet): From נְחֹשֶׁת (nekhoshet), frequently translated as copper, but in biblical contexts, usually denotes bronze, an alloy stronger and more durable. It was essential for tools, weapons, and sacred structures (like the altar of burnt offering), symbolizing strength, resilience, and even judgment.
• "the iron" (הַבַּרְזֶל - ha-barzel): From בַּרְזֶל (barzel), representing the extremely strong, hard, and versatile metal. Iron signified unyielding strength and dominion, often associated with powerful tools, weaponry, and instruments that endure.
• "the tin" (הַבְּדִיל - ha-bedil): From בְּדִיל (bedil), a relatively soft, pliable metal. Though less prominent in biblical texts than others, its inclusion points to an awareness of its properties and uses, often as an alloy. It possesses a lower melting point but remains a metallic substance able to withstand the fiery purification without being consumed.
• "and the lead" (וְהָעֹפֶרֶת - v'ha-'oferet): From עֹפֶרֶת ('oferet), signifying the heaviest of the common metals, known for its pliability and low melting point. Primarily used for weights or in various alloys. Its resistance to consumption by fire, similar to other metals, made it suitable for the required purification process.

Words-group analysis:

• "only the gold, and the silver, the bronze, the iron, the tin, and the lead": This precise and comprehensive enumeration of metals underscores the meticulous nature of God's purity laws. These metals share a common characteristic: they are non-porous and can withstand intense heat without being consumed or absorbing impurity, unlike fabrics, leather, or wooden articles (Num 31:20). Their ability to endure fire made them candidates for this specific type of ritual cleansing. The divine instruction highlights that certain materials, because of their intrinsic nature, are able to undergo transformative purification and retain their integrity, a spiritual analogy for what endures divine testing or sanctification. This distinct handling ensures that no element tainted by the enemy or death remains as a defilement within the holy camp of Israel.

Numbers 31 22 Bonus section

• Purity Laws' Comprehensiveness: The distinction between fire purification for metals and water purification for other articles (Num 31:23) demonstrates the detailed and systematic nature of the Levitical purity code, aiming to address every possible avenue of defilement within the holy camp.
• Symbolism of Metals: Beyond their literal properties, these metals often carried symbolic weight in ancient Israel and throughout the Bible, frequently representing purity, endurance, strength, value, and refinement (e.g., gold and silver refined by fire symbolize tested faith or pure character).
• Avoiding Syncretism: The careful purification of spoils prevented Israel from absorbing not only ritual defilement but also the spiritual contamination or idolatrous associations of the Midianite culture (Deut 7:25-26 provides a general principle of destroying idol-related spoils).
• Divine Ownership: This entire process implicitly affirms God's ownership of all things, even spoils of war. He dictates how His people may use these possessions, ensuring they align with His holy standards.

Numbers 31 22 Commentary

Numbers 31:22 is a crucial, though specific, part of the instructions for ritual purification after Israel's victorious battle against Midian. Following the death and defilement of war, Moses, through the priest Eleazar, outlines how captured articles are to be rendered ritually clean. This verse zeroes in on metallic items, specifying "only the gold, and the silver, the bronze, the iron, the tin, and the lead." These particular metals are distinguished because, unlike porous materials (like clothing or skin articles mentioned in verse 20), they are inherently non-absorbent to impurity and, critically, can withstand purification by fire, which is the prescribed method in the following verse (v. 23). This reflects divine wisdom concerning the properties of materials. The detailed categorization reinforces God's uncompromising demand for holiness within the community. Even items acquired in war must undergo a divine process of cleansing to be acceptable and not defile the holy people of God. The instruction underscores that spiritual purity requires active separation from contamination and a submission to divine purification processes. This passage subtly demonstrates that even material possessions come under God's dominion and His holy law.