Numbers 31 33

Numbers 31:33 kjv

And threescore and twelve thousand beeves,

Numbers 31:33 nkjv

seventy-two thousand cattle,

Numbers 31:33 niv

72,000 cattle,

Numbers 31:33 esv

72,000 cattle,

Numbers 31:33 nlt

72,000 cattle,

Numbers 31 verses

Numbers 31 33 Meaning

Numbers 31:33 quantifies a specific part of the spoil taken from the Midianites, stating that "livestock eighteen thousand" (וּבְהֵמָה שְׁמוֹנָה עָשָׂר אֶלֶף) were allocated to the general congregation of Israel. This precise enumeration highlights the meticulous execution of God's command regarding the division of the immense plunder. It signifies the immense provision God bestowed upon His people through victory over their enemies, providing substantial material wealth and resources in the wilderness.

Numbers 31 33 Context

Numbers chapter 31 details the divinely commanded war of vengeance against the Midianites, who were instrumental in leading Israel into idolatry and immorality at Baal of Peor (Num 25). After a decisive victory led by Phinehas, the Israelites brought back extensive spoils, including people, livestock, and goods. Moses' initial anger concerning the spared Midianite women who were the root of the apostasy led to a purification process for the warriors and the spoil itself. This specific verse, 31:33, falls within the elaborate accounting and meticulous division of the war booty, a process commanded directly by God through Moses and Eleazar (Num 31:25). The total spoil was split equally between the 12,000 warriors who fought and the rest of the congregation, with a small "tribute to the LORD" taken from both portions for the priests and Levites, respectively. This precise enumeration underscores not only the massive scale of the victory and plunder but also the strict adherence to divine commands for the handling of 'holy war' spoils.

Historically, wars in the ancient Near East often involved taking spoil as a primary objective. However, Israel's wars, especially against certain groups like Midian, held unique theological significance as acts of divine judgment. The careful distinction of spoil types and their detailed counting and distribution were part of established administrative practices for large military campaigns, but in Israel's case, they were codified divine laws, reflecting God's order and justice in distributing resources from His triumphs.

Numbers 31 33 Word analysis

• וּבְהֵמָה (uḇəhēmāh):
  • Literally, "and livestock" or "and cattle." The Hebrew term בְּהֵמָה (behemâh) is a generic word for land animals, often domestic quadrupeds, typically larger livestock like cattle, oxen, and potentially sheep and goats, distinct from wild animals or smaller creatures.
  • Significance: It emphasizes valuable economic assets vital for the sustenance, wealth, and agricultural-pastoral economy of ancient Israel (food, milk, sacrifices, hides, draft animals). Its inclusion highlights a significant portion of the acquired wealth.
• שְׁמוֹנָה (shəmōnah):
  • The Hebrew cardinal number "eight" (שְׁמֹנָה).
  • Significance: Part of the precise numerical accounting of the spoil, showcasing the meticulousness of the census and the detailed obedience to divine instructions. This attention to specific numbers reflects order rather than arbitrary distribution.
• עָשָׂר (‘āśār):
  • The Hebrew cardinal number "ten" (עָשָׂר). When combined with "eight" (שְׁמוֹנָה), it forms "eighteen."
  • Significance: Reinforces the exactness of the count, ensuring clarity and transparency in the distribution of the war booty among the large population.
• אֶלֶף (’elep̄):
  • The Hebrew word for "thousand" (אֶלֶף). While it can also mean "clan" or "family," in the context of numbers following larger quantities, it unequivocally refers to a numerical thousand.
  • Significance: Denotes the massive scale of the captured wealth. Eighteen thousand livestock represent an enormous herd, emphasizing the overwhelming victory over Midian and the abundant provision given to Israel. This scale of acquisition demonstrates God's capability to enrich His people, even through means of righteous judgment.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• וּבְהֵמָה שְׁמוֹנָה עָשָׂר אֶלֶף (uḇəhēmāh shəmōnah ‘āśār ’elep̄ - "and livestock eighteen thousand"):
  • This phrase represents a critical numerical detail within a comprehensive inventory of the spoils of war. Numbers 31 provides precise figures for sheep, cattle, donkeys, and virgins taken. The fact that the livestock is counted to the thousand, and explicitly broken down, showcases an incredible administrative undertaking.
  • Significance: This precise enumeration is not arbitrary. It reflects the meticulous and divinely ordained process for handling war booty, ensuring transparency and accountability in its distribution. It demonstrates that God's commands extend even to the mundane aspects of wealth management following a holy war.
  • The sheer quantity (18,000 for the congregation's half, implying 36,000 total captured cattle from Numbers 31:32-35) underscores the complete and overwhelming nature of the victory against Midian. It provided substantial economic relief and resources for the nomadic Israelite population in the wilderness, fulfilling God's promise of provision for His obedient people.
  • The precise detail sets a precedent for how spoils of holy war would be managed in future Israelite conflicts, later influencing leaders like King David (1 Sam 30). This highlights the continuity and lasting impact of these detailed commands within Israelite legal and military tradition.

Numbers 31 33 Bonus section

• The division of spoils described in Numbers 31 established a fundamental precedent in Israelite warfare: one-half for those who went to battle, and one-half for the congregation (Num 31:27). From each of these halves, a specific tribute was designated for the LORD, managed by the priests and Levites respectively. This structured system was later affirmed by King David as permanent Israelite law after his victory over the Amalekites (1 Sam 30:24-25).
• The inclusion of such detailed numerical figures not only emphasizes the scale of God's blessing but also the administrative capability required to manage a nation of millions, even in the wilderness. It speaks to divine oversight in mundane practicalities and demonstrates that God's plan is comprehensive.
• This verse contributes to understanding the Midianites' economy as a significant pastoral and potentially trading people, whose wealth was primarily in their herds, which were then transferred to Israel. This was part of God's plan to weaken a persistent enemy of Israel while strengthening His own people.

Numbers 31 33 Commentary

Numbers 31:33, stating "and livestock eighteen thousand," is a seemingly simple numeric detail within the exhaustive account of the Midianite war spoils. Yet, it conveys profound theological and practical implications. Firstly, it testifies to God's incredible bounty and provision for His people. The immense quantity of captured livestock served as a tangible resource, providing food, sacrifice, and economic stability in the challenging wilderness environment. This provision flows directly from Israel's obedience in executing divine judgment against those who led them into sin. Secondly, the meticulous numbering underscores God's divine order and the Israelites' precise adherence to His commands, even in the allocation of spoils. Every detail of the "holy war" was ordained, demonstrating a divinely orchestrated campaign where victory led to both retribution and resource for God's covenant people. The detailed accounting transforms a raw military victory into a testimony of divine justice and faithful sustenance.