Numbers 31 35

Numbers 31:35 kjv

And thirty and two thousand persons in all, of women that had not known man by lying with him.

Numbers 31:35 nkjv

and thirty-two thousand persons in all, of women who had not known a man intimately.

Numbers 31:35 niv

and 32,000 women who had never slept with a man.

Numbers 31:35 esv

and 32,000 persons in all, women who had not known man by lying with him.

Numbers 31:35 nlt

and 32,000 virgin girls.

Numbers 31 verses

Numbers 31 35 Meaning

Numbers 31:35 records the number of unmarried young women who had not experienced sexual intercourse with a man, totaling thirty-two thousand, as part of the spoils of war taken from the Midianites by the Israelites under divine command. These virgins were spared while other segments of the Midianite population were destroyed, representing a distinct category of non-combative individuals who could be assimilated without bringing defilement.

Numbers 31 35 Context

Numbers Chapter 31 describes a specific divinely commanded holy war (milḥamah) waged by Israel against the Midianites. This punitive expedition was commanded by the Lord Himself (Num 31:1-2) as retribution for Midian's pivotal role in tempting Israel into sexual immorality and idolatry with Baal of Peor (Num 25:1-9, 16-18; Num 31:16). Moses' initial command to "kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman who has known a man intimately" (Num 31:17) and "keep alive for yourselves all the little girls who have not known a man intimately" (Num 31:18) forms the direct preceding context for the spoils detailed in verse 35.

Historically, this event reflects Israel's distinctive relationship with God, who demanded their separation from pagan religious and moral practices. The Midianites' severe punishment was a direct consequence of their specific offense that directly undermined God's covenant with Israel, indicating divine judgment against those who lead God's people astray. The selective sparing of only virgin females aligned with concerns for ritual and moral purity, as well as practicality: non-combatants and women who had participated in pagan practices or rites of sexual immorality were to be removed, while those considered "undefiled" were potentially fit for integration into Israelite society or to serve as legitimate spoil.

Numbers 31 35 Word analysis

• and of maidens: The Hebrew word is ha-b'tulah (הַבְּתוּלָה), meaning "the virgin" or "the maiden." This term specifically refers to an unmarred, sexually untouched young woman. In the context of holy war spoils, distinguishing between virgins and non-virgins was crucial due to differing laws regarding their purity and potential integration into Israelite society. Virgins were seen as not having participated in pagan fertility cults or sexual immorality, unlike many adult women in such societies, particularly Midianites involved in the Peor incident. Their 'undefiled' status allowed for their preservation.
• that had not known man: This is a common biblical euphemism for not having engaged in sexual intercourse. The Hebrew phrase is asher lo yada'u ish (אֲשֶׁר לֹא־יָדְעוּ אִישׁ), literally "who had not known a man." The verb yada' (ידע), "to know," in this context signifies intimate, carnal knowledge. This phrase strongly emphasizes their virginity and differentiates them from the adult women who were to be killed. Their sexual inexperience ensured their ritual purity according to the Israelite understanding and made them suitable for taking as legitimate spoil without carrying the defilement of Midianite religious practices or lineage in the same way.
• by lying with him: This further clarifies the "knowing" as a physical act of sexual intimacy. The Hebrew phrase implicitly reinforces the state of never having experienced such a union. This additional phrase, while seemingly redundant after "had not known man," often serves to explicitly confirm the absence of any sexual activity, making the definition of virgin explicit and legally unambiguous within the ancient Israelite framework.
• thirty and two thousand: This precise numerical figure, sh'loshim u'shtayim elef (שְׁלֹשִׁים וּשְׁנַיִם אֶלֶף), "thirty and two thousand," emphasizes the meticulous record-keeping and exact fulfillment of the divine command regarding the distribution of spoils. Such precise numbers underline the scale of the victory and the rigorous obedience to the Law in dividing the spoils, with distinct portions for the warriors and for the Lord's dedicated share (the "tribute"). It shows the magnitude of the Midianite population and the complete nature of God's judgment and Israel's obedience.

Words-group analysis:

• "maidens that had not known man by lying with him": This entire phrase serves as a strict legal and ritual criterion. It defines the specific, exclusive category of individuals permitted to live out of the conquered Midianite populace. The careful selection, based on sexual purity, aligns with God's overarching command for Israel to remain distinct and undefiled from the corrupt practices of surrounding nations. This distinction directly combats the very issue that led to the war—the sexual immorality and idolatry associated with Baal-Peor.

Numbers 31 35 Bonus section

The inclusion of "virgins" as spoil destined for assimilation illustrates the ancient practice of absorbing non-combatant populations into the victor's society. For Israel, this process was distinct, requiring careful ritual purification and adherence to the Law (cf. Deut 21:10-14 for taking a foreign wife). This act underlines a key tension in Old Testament holy war: the destruction of the utterly depraved balanced with the potential for assimilation of those considered "clean" from direct spiritual defilement. The very large number (32,000) shows the massive scale of the divine judgment and the resultant "inheritance" or spoil, meticulously accounted for and divided as per God's command.

Numbers 31 35 Commentary

Numbers 31:35 is part of the detailed account of the division of spoil following Israel's divinely commanded war against Midian. The instruction to spare only virgin females while eradicating other segments of the Midianite population (male children, and women who had "known a man intimately") is striking. This reflects the intense purity requirements and specific judgments intrinsic to Israel's covenant relationship with God. The Midianites were targeted for specific wickedness, having actively lured Israel into egregious sin and idolatry at Baal-Peor. God's judgment here is swift and total against a corrupting influence on His holy people.

The sparing of virgin girls stemmed from multiple considerations. From a ritual perspective, they were considered "undefiled" from the pervasive sexual cults and idolatry prevalent in Midianite society. They lacked the direct complicity in leading Israel astray through prostitution or specific pagan rituals that might have implicated married women. From a practical standpoint, these virgins could be assimilated into the Israelite population (often as wives), and through appropriate cleansing and supervision, potentially become proselytes, contributing to the nation without bringing inherent spiritual contamination from their former culture's defilement. The distinction ensured that Israel itself would not absorb the very evil it was commanded to judge. This act, while confronting modern sensibilities, illustrates God's unbending holiness and His resolute separation of Israel from nations utterly consumed by idolatry and gross immorality.