Numbers 31 30

Numbers 31:30 kjv

And of the children of Israel's half, thou shalt take one portion of fifty, of the persons, of the beeves, of the asses, and of the flocks, of all manner of beasts, and give them unto the Levites, which keep the charge of the tabernacle of the LORD.

Numbers 31:30 nkjv

And from the children of Israel's half you shall take one of every fifty, drawn from the persons, the cattle, the donkeys, and the sheep, from all the livestock, and give them to the Levites who keep charge of the tabernacle of the LORD."

Numbers 31:30 niv

From the Israelites' half, select one out of every fifty, whether people, cattle, donkeys, sheep or other animals. Give them to the Levites, who are responsible for the care of the LORD's tabernacle."

Numbers 31:30 esv

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."

Numbers 31:30 nlt

From the half that belongs to the people of Israel, take one of every fifty of the prisoners and of the cattle, donkeys, sheep, goats, and other animals. Give this share to the Levites, who are in charge of maintaining the LORD's Tabernacle."

Numbers 31 verses

Numbers 31 30 Meaning

Numbers 31:30 details a specific portion of the war spoils from the Midianites that was to be given to the Levites. From the half of the spoils designated for the Israelite congregation (those who stayed in camp), one out of every fifty items—whether people, cattle, donkeys, or flocks—was to be collected. This collected tribute was then to be given to the Levites, whose essential duty was to maintain and serve in the Tabernacle of the Lord. This command ensured that those dedicated to divine service were sustained by the entire community, recognizing God's provision and the holiness of His dwelling.

Numbers 31 30 Context

Numbers chapter 31 describes Israel's war against the Midianites, commanded by the Lord as retribution for their role in corrupting Israel (specifically through Balaam's counsel which led to the Baal-Peor incident in Num 25). After a decisive victory, where every male Midianite and many women were killed, a massive amount of spoil was taken. Moses, seeing that the Israelite soldiers had spared all the women (including those who had incited Israel to sin), commanded that only virgin girls be kept alive. The spoil itself needed to be purified. The immediate context for verse 30 begins in verse 25, where the Lord commands Moses, Eleazar the priest, and the tribal heads to count and divide the spoil. The spoil was divided into two equal halves: one for the warriors who went to battle and one for the entire Israelite congregation who stayed in the camp. From the warriors' half, a special tribute was taken for the Lord's treasury and given to Eleazar the priest (1 out of every 500 of the specified items). Numbers 31:30 then details the portion from the congregation's half, specifically allocated for the Levites. This strict allocation system highlights God's ownership of all things, His demand for separation and holiness, and His provision for those consecrated to His service in the Tabernacle.

Numbers 31 30 Word analysis

• But (וּמִמַּחֲצִית֙ - u-mimmachatsiyth): A conjunction connecting this command to the previous one (Num 31:28-29) regarding the warriors' portion. It highlights the distinction and yet interconnectedness of the two halves of the spoil. It also emphasizes the general community's responsibility.
• of the Israelites' half (מַחֲצִית֙ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל - machatsiyth beney Yisra'el): Refers to the portion of the spoils designated for the whole congregation, distinguishing it from the warriors' half. This signifies that the entire community, not just the soldiers, participated in the blessing (or spoils) and therefore shared in the responsibility of providing for the divine service. The word for 'half', machatsiyth, speaks of an exact division, emphasizing fairness as dictated by God.
• you shall take (תִּקָּח֙ - tikach): An imperative verb, directing Moses to facilitate the collection of this tribute. It underscores the divine authority and the mandatory nature of this instruction.
• one out of every fifty (אֶחָ֤ד מִן־הַחֲמִשִּׁים֙ - echad min-hachamishshim): This specifies the exact ratio for the tribute from the congregation's half (2%). This percentage is significantly higher than the 1-in-500 (0.2%) collected from the warriors' half for the priests (Num 31:28-29). This difference implies a broader community responsibility to the Levites, who formed the bulk of the Tabernacle servants and who ministered more broadly to the entire camp, versus the priests who held a more exclusive and holy role representing all Israel.
• of persons (בָאָדָ֤ם - ba'adam): Refers to human beings taken as spoil, specifically the Midianite virgin girls (Num 31:35), who were deemed fit to be kept. It denotes a value on human life, even of captives, as part of God's providence and ownership.
• and of cattle (וּבַבָּקָ֗ר - u-vabbaqar): Refers to large livestock, typically oxen or bovine animals. Essential for agriculture, transport, and food in ancient societies.
• of donkeys (בַּחֲמֹרִים֙ - bachamorim): Refers to asses or donkeys, crucial for transportation and labor. Their inclusion shows the comprehensiveness of the spoils.
• and of flocks (וּבַצֹּ֗אן - u-vatzon): Refers to small livestock like sheep and goats, which provided meat, milk, wool, and skins. This comprehensive listing highlights God's expectation that all forms of wealth or acquired substance contribute to His work.
• even all the animals (מִכֹּל֙ הַבְּהֵמָ֔ה - mikkol habbehemah): A comprehensive phrase to ensure no category of livestock or beast of burden is overlooked. It implies that every kind of creature acquired as spoil falls under this taxation, emphasizing thoroughness and total accountability before God.
• and give them (וְנָתַתָּ֤ה אֹתָם֙ - ve-natattah otam): A direct command for the act of presenting or transferring the collected tribute. It is not an optional gift but a divine instruction.
• to the Levites (לַלְוִיִּם֙ - laleviyyim): The specific recipients of this tribute. The Levites were consecrated to God for temple service, performing duties such as carrying, setting up, and guarding the Tabernacle, unlike the priests who specifically offered sacrifices. This provision recognizes their unique, arduous, and crucial role within the community. They were to have no tribal inheritance in the land, depending entirely on the contributions of the other tribes.
• who keep charge of the tabernacle of the Lord (שֹׁמְרֵ֛י מִשְׁמֶ֥רֶת מִשְׁכַּן־יְהוָ֖ה - shomerey mishmeret mishkan-YHWH): This phrase provides the fundamental justification for the Levites' sustenance. "Keep charge" (shomerey mishmeret) signifies guarding, overseeing, diligently performing the duties related to the Tabernacle, and preserving its holiness. "Tabernacle of the Lord" (mishkan YHWH) highlights its supreme significance as God's dwelling place among His people. Their continuous, meticulous service ensured the maintenance of the sacred space and its rituals, making them indispensable.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "of the Israelites' half, you shall take one out of every fifty... and give them to the Levites": This entire phrase encapsulates the principle of communal support for divine service. It is a mandatory, proportion-based contribution from the collective gain of the entire congregation to sustain those who served God directly on their behalf.
• "of persons and of cattle, of donkeys and of flocks, even all the animals": This grouping illustrates the comprehensive nature of what constituted "spoil" and what was subject to God's portion. It encompasses human and animal assets, covering all forms of wealth and production acquired in the conquest, emphasizing that everything belongs to the Lord and a portion is due back to Him and His designated servants.
• "who keep charge of the tabernacle of the Lord": This specific description of the Levites' role underscores the reason for their support. It elevates their service from mere physical labor to a sacred, custodial duty crucial for maintaining God's presence and holiness among Israel. Their life's calling justified their communal provision.

Numbers 31 30 Bonus section

The differentiated tribute percentages (1/50 from the general congregation for the Levites, versus 1/500 from the warriors for the priests) is significant. It implies distinct levels of dependence and responsibility. The priests, representing God directly, were supported by a very small fraction of the holiest portion (that of the warriors directly involved in God's judgment and warfare), symbolic of their sacred yet exclusive role. The Levites, on the other hand, received a larger share from the general congregation, indicating their broader service to the entire community and their more pervasive need for practical sustenance given their numbers and extensive physical duties in moving and maintaining the Tabernacle. This verse therefore outlines not just a system of financial support, but a recognition of distinct callings and responsibilities within the spiritual administration of Israel. It echoes the concept that all aspects of Israelite life—from the spoil of war to daily produce—were under God's sovereignty and were meant to contribute to the sustenance of His kingdom workers. This principle laid the groundwork for future tithes and offerings (like those commanded in Numbers 18) that would perpetually support the Levitical ministry, ensuring that the service of the Tabernacle and later the Temple could continue without interruption.

Numbers 31 30 Commentary

Numbers 31:30 serves as a pivotal command within the intricate system of the Mosaic Law, emphasizing several theological truths. It establishes the principle of community responsibility for supporting those dedicated to divine service. The Israelites, though not directly engaged in the battle, benefited from the spoil and thus shared the obligation to contribute from their portion to the Levites. This specific percentage (1 out of 50 or 2%) from the common congregation's share, being ten times greater than the priest's portion from the warriors' share (1 out of 500), highlights the extensive need to support the larger Levitical body, who were entrusted with the everyday, strenuous, and ongoing physical care and maintenance of the Tabernacle. This included disassembling, transporting, and reassembling the holy dwelling, guarding it, and assisting the priests. The collection from diverse forms of spoil—people, large and small livestock—underscores God's claim over all aspects of gain and property, demanding a tithe not merely from agricultural produce, but from anything deemed valuable and acquired. This act was not an arbitrary tax but a divine mandate, securing provision for the Levites who had no tribal land inheritance, making them wholly dependent on God's provision through His people. Ultimately, the verse reiterates that serving God is not a means to worldly gain for the minister, but a sacred duty supported by the community, so that the holy worship of the Lord can be perpetually maintained among His people. This foundational concept carries over to New Testament principles of supporting those who minister the gospel (1 Cor 9:13-14, Gal 6:6).