Numbers 31:37 kjv
And the LORD's tribute of the sheep was six hundred and threescore and fifteen.
Numbers 31:37 nkjv
and the LORD's tribute of the sheep was six hundred and seventy-five.
Numbers 31:37 niv
of which the tribute for the LORD was 675;
Numbers 31:37 esv
and the LORD's tribute of sheep was 675.
Numbers 31:37 nlt
of which 675 were the LORD's share;
Numbers 31 37 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Num 25:17-18 | "Harass the Midianites and strike them, for they harass you with their wiles... on account of the matter of Peor and on account of the matter of Cozbi..." | Cause of the Midianite war; divine judgment. |
| Num 31:3 | "And Moses spoke to the people, saying, 'Arm some of yourselves for war, that they may go against Midian to execute the LORD's vengeance on Midian.'" | War as God's vengeance/judgment. |
| Num 31:7 | "And they warred against Midian, just as the LORD commanded Moses, and they killed every male." | Obedience to God's command in warfare. |
| Num 31:25-27 | "Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 'Count the plunder... both man and beast, you and Eleazar the priest and the heads of the fathers' houses of the congregation.'" | Instruction for dividing all plunder. |
| Num 31:28 | "Levy a tribute for the LORD from the men of war who went out to battle, one out of every five hundred..." | Explains the calculation method for the tribute. |
| Num 31:29 | "Take it from their half and give it to Eleazar the priest as a heave offering to the LORD." | Specific recipient of the tribute (Priests). |
| Num 31:30 | "And from the people's half you shall take one out of every fifty, of the people, of the cattle, of the donkeys, and of the flocks... and give them to the Levites..." | Comparison: people's tribute for Levites. |
| Num 31:31-47 | "And Moses and Eleazar the priest did as the LORD commanded Moses." ... (details remaining portions of the spoils for different parties). | Execution of the spoils distribution. |
| Lev 27:30-33 | "Every tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the trees, is the LORD's; it is holy to the LORD." | Principle of holy tithes/offerings to God. |
| Deut 14:22-29 | "You shall truly tithe all the increase of your seed that the field produces year by year." | Command to tithe annually. |
| Ex 13:2 | "Consecrate to me all the firstborn, whatever opens the womb among the people of Israel, both of man and of beast; it is mine." | Principle of God claiming firstfruits/firstborn. |
| Prov 3:9-10 | "Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty..." | Honoring God with portions of prosperity. |
| Mal 3:8-10 | "Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, 'How have we robbed you?' In tithes and offerings." | Importance of bringing prescribed offerings to God. |
| Ps 24:1 | "The earth is the LORD's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein." | God's absolute ownership over all creation. |
| Haggai 2:8 | "'The silver is mine, and the gold is mine,' declares the LORD of hosts." | God's ownership of all material wealth. |
| Num 18:8 | "Then the LORD spoke to Aaron: 'Behold, I have given you charge of the contributions made to me...'" | God's provision for the priestly service. |
| Heb 7:5-6 | "And those among the sons of Levi who receive the priestly office have a command to collect tithes from the people according to the law..." | New Testament reflection on priestly tithes. |
| Rom 12:1 | "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship." | Broader New Testament concept of consecrated life to God. |
| Phil 4:18 | "I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God." | Financial giving as an offering pleasing to God. |
| 1 Cor 9:13-14 | "Do you not know that those who are employed in the temple service get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in the sacrificial offerings?" | Principle of supporting those in spiritual service. |
| Deut 20:1-4 | "When you go out to war against your enemies, and see horses and chariots and an army larger than your own, you shall not be afraid of them..." | God's involvement and assistance in Israel's battles. |
| Josh 6:18-19 | "But you, keep yourselves from the things devoted to destruction, lest when you have devoted them to destruction you take some of the devoted things..." | The concept of herem or devoted things to God. |
Numbers 31 verses
Numbers 31 37 Meaning
Numbers 31:37 describes a specific portion of the war spoils from the Midianite campaign that was set apart as a sacred offering to the LORD. This tribute, specifically counted as six hundred seventy-five sheep, was derived from the plunder taken by the Israelite soldiers directly engaged in the battle. It represents God's claim over the gains of warfare and His people's duty to acknowledge His sovereignty by consecrating a part of their spoils.
Numbers 31 37 Context
Numbers chapter 31 describes the execution of God's vengeance upon the Midianites. This punitive expedition was commanded by the LORD due to Midian's role in leading Israel into idolatry and sexual immorality at Peor (Num 25). The war was devastating for Midian. After the victory, specific instructions were given for the division of the immense spoils of war. The entire chapter focuses on these meticulously detailed regulations for purification of both people and items, and the subsequent apportionment of plunder among the soldiers, the congregation, the priests (Eleazar), and the Levites. Verse 37 falls within this intricate distribution, specifically detailing a very small but symbolically significant portion set aside for the LORD from the direct fighters' share. This portion served as a physical acknowledgment of God's sovereignty over the battle's outcome and the wealth acquired.
Numbers 31 37 Word analysis
and the tribute: (וּמֶכֶס - u-mekes)
- "and the": Connects this clause to the previous enumeration of spoils (horses, donkeys, cattle, flocks) taken by the soldiers.
- "tribute": (mekes) Refers to a tax, levy, or customs duty. It's not a voluntary offering but a commanded assessment. This term signifies God's direct claim over a portion of the acquired wealth. It emphasizes divine ownership and authority, making clear that all spoils ultimately belonged to the LORD. This particular mekes for the LORD from war plunder is distinct from regular tithes or taxes collected from agriculture.
for the LORD: (לַיהוָה - la-YHWH)
- "for the LORD": Denotes dedication and ownership. The four-letter name YHWH (Yahweh) is the personal covenant name of God, emphasizing His relationship with Israel and His unique divine authority over the spoils. This dedication ensures the spoils' holiness and distinguishes them from ordinary possession.
from the men of war: (מֵאַנְשֵׁי הַצָּבָא - me-anshei ha-tzava)
- "from": Indicates the source of the tribute – specifically the soldiers who were in active combat and therefore directly engaged in the divinely ordained conflict.
- "men of war": (anshei ha-tzava) Refers to the military combatants, distinct from the general congregation. It implies those physically engaged in the bloodshed and acquisition of spoils. They bore the risk of battle and thus received the majority of the spoil, but God claimed a portion even from them.
who went out to battle: (הַיֹּצְאִים לַמִּלְחָמָה - ha-yotzim la-milḥamah)
- "who went out": Active participation, those who deployed for war.
- "to battle": (milḥamah) Refers specifically to the military conflict against Midian. This was not random plunder but the divinely commanded engagement against an enemy of God and Israel. This underscores the holy nature of this war.
was six hundred seventy-five sheep: (שׁשׁ־מֵאוֹת חֲמִשִּׁים וְחָמֵשׁ לַמֵּאוֹת אֶלֶף צֹאן - shesh me’ot chamishim v’chamish la-me’ot elef tzon... actually just counting "sheep" - Numbers 31:37, in English: "six hundred seventy-five sheep." The full Hebrew of the Numbers 31:37, regarding sheep specifically is "וּמֶכֶס לַיהוָה שׁשׁ־מֵאוֹת חֲמִשִּׁים וְחָמֵשׁ לַמֵּאוֹת" - "and tribute to YHWH six hundred and seventy five (as in the 675 for the animals)"). It's critical to note the source verse says 675. Let me correct my thought here - the Hebrew word order for the count is a bit different, but the number is exactly 675 sheep for this verse (vs 38 also mentions 72 donkeys, vs 39 61 cattle, vs 40 32 human).
- "six hundred seventy-five": This precise number is the exact calculated portion of 1/500th of the 337,500 sheep that comprised the warriors' half of the spoils (cf. Num 31:34 where the total is 675,000, then Num 31:48 says 337,500). The numerical specificity emphasizes the exactness of God's commands and the meticulous adherence to them. It underscores divine order and accountability in all matters.
- "sheep": (tzon) A primary source of wealth in an agrarian and pastoral society, used for food, clothing, and sacrifice. Its inclusion signifies that valuable resources were given, highlighting the significance of the offering.
Numbers 31 37 Bonus section
- The tribute described in Num 31:37 and related verses (28-30) illustrates a principle found throughout the Bible: a portion of blessing or gain, particularly from divine provision, is to be returned to the LORD. This concept transcends specific economic systems and reflects an underlying spiritual reality that God is the ultimate provider.
- The meticulous accounting, down to the exact number of sheep, human persons, cattle, and donkeys, serves as a divine object lesson. It demonstrates that God's commands are precise and intended to be followed with exactness, contrasting with arbitrary human regulations. It speaks to God's careful attention to every detail of His covenant with His people.
- While this specific event involves war spoils, the underlying principle extends to everyday life for believers, encouraging acknowledgment of God in all our gains, be it through tithes, offerings, or service, recognizing His ownership and benevolent provision (1 Cor 10:31).
Numbers 31 37 Commentary
Numbers 31:37 is a snapshot of God's detailed demands even amidst the chaos and bounty of war. The "tribute" (mekes) underscores the foundational theological principle that all possessions, especially those acquired through God-given victory, ultimately belong to Him. This specific levy from the "men of war" serves multiple purposes. First, it acknowledges YHWH's absolute sovereignty over the battle's outcome; without His intervention, no spoils would have been gained. Second, by being set apart for the LORD and specifically for Eleazar the priest (as per Num 31:29), it symbolically purifies the acquired wealth and dedicates a portion back to divine service and the sustenance of those ministering in the tabernacle. The exactitude of the number – six hundred seventy-five sheep, derived from a precise 1/500th calculation – speaks volumes about God's orderly nature and the strict obedience expected of Israel. It differentiates this holy tribute from casual offerings, framing it as a sacred obligation foundational to the covenant. This act was not merely economic but deeply theological, a practical expression of trust, gratitude, and worship.