Numbers 31:38 kjv
And the beeves were thirty and six thousand; of which the LORD's tribute was threescore and twelve.
Numbers 31:38 nkjv
The cattle were thirty-six thousand, of which the LORD's tribute was seventy-two.
Numbers 31:38 niv
36,000 cattle, of which the tribute for the LORD was 72;
Numbers 31:38 esv
The cattle were 36,000, of which the LORD's tribute was 72.
Numbers 31:38 nlt
36,000 cattle, of which 72 were the LORD's share;
Numbers 31 38 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Num 31:28 | And levy a tribute unto the LORD... for the men of war... one soul of five hundred... of the oxen, and of the asses... | Establishes the specific ratio (1/500) for the Lord's tribute from the warriors' share. |
| Num 31:29 | Take it of their half, and give it unto Eleazar the priest, for an heave offering of the LORD. | Clarifies the recipient of this specific tribute as Eleazar the priest, making it a sacred offering. |
| Num 31:30 | And of the children of Israel's half, thou shalt take one portion of fifty, of all... and give them to the Levites, which keep the charge of the tabernacle of the LORD. | Contrasts with the Levites' portion (1/50) from the congregation's half, showing differentiated sacred shares. |
| Lev 27:30 | And all the tithe of the land... is the LORD's: it is holy unto the LORD. | General principle that a portion (tithe) belongs to God, underscoring holiness. |
| Num 18:8 | And the LORD spake unto Aaron, Behold, I have given thee the charge of mine heave offerings... by reason of the anointing, and by an ordinance for ever. | Highlights God's provision for the priests through specific offerings. |
| Num 3:12-13 | And I, behold, I have taken the Levites... instead of all the firstborn... | Connects to the broader principle of firstborn or dedicated portions belonging to God. |
| Exod 13:13 | Every firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem... | Demonstrates special laws concerning asses, acknowledging their importance as livestock. |
| Ps 24:1 | The earth is the LORD's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. | Underlying theological truth that all possessions originate from God and belong to Him. |
| Deut 20:14 | But the women, and the little ones, and the cattle... shalt thou take unto thyself; and thou shalt eat the spoil of thine enemies... | Laws of war concerning spoils, showing the context from which this specific "tribute" is taken. |
| 1 Sam 30:24-25 | But as his part is that goeth down to the battle, so shall his part be that tarrieth by the stuff: they shall part alike. | David's law of equal sharing of spoils, reinforcing the idea of a fixed division. |
| Prov 3:9-10 | Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase... | Exhortation to give from one's possessions, extending the principle of giving to the Lord. |
| Mal 3:8 | Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. | Emphasizes the obligation and seriousness of withholding God's due portions. |
| 1 Cor 9:13-14 | Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple...? Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel. | New Testament application of the principle of supporting those who serve in ministry, analogous to the priests. |
| 2 Cor 9:7 | Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. | NT principle of giving, relating to the attitude of those from whom tribute is exacted. |
| Phil 4:18 | But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. | Connects monetary gifts to God as acceptable sacrifices, a NT reflection of OT offerings. |
| Heb 7:5-6 | And verily they that are of the sons of Levi... have commandment to take tithes of the people... | Confirms the Levitical right to receive portions according to God's commandment. |
| Heb 7:8 | And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth. | Explains how priestly portions in OT foreshadow Christ's enduring priesthood and receiving gifts. |
| Rom 11:36 | For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen. | Reiterates God's ultimate ownership and sovereignty over all things, including material wealth. |
| Neh 10:37-38 | And that we should bring the firstfruits of our dough... unto the priests... and the tithes of our ground unto the Levites... | Post-exilic commitment to restoring God's established provisions for priests and Levites. |
| Gen 14:20 | And he gave him tithes of all. | Abraham's tithe to Melchizedek demonstrates the pre-Mosaic principle of giving a tenth to God. |
| Exod 35:21 | And they came, every one whose heart stirred him up, and every one whom his spirit made willing, and they brought the LORD's offering... | The principle of bringing offerings to the Lord from one's possessions, motivated by willing heart. |
| Lev 10:10 | And that ye may put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean. | The core Levitical principle of separation and dedication of what is holy to the Lord. |
Numbers 31 verses
Numbers 31 38 Meaning
Numbers 31:38 details the specific quantity of asses designated as "the LORD's tribute" from the war spoils taken from the Midianites. This tribute was a holy portion set apart for the sanctuary and the priesthood, demonstrating God's sovereign claim over all material possessions and the spoils of victory He grants. It highlights the principle of dedicating a part of one's gains, even from warfare, back to the Lord for the support of His service.
Numbers 31 38 Context
Numbers chapter 31 describes Israel's punitive war against the Midianites, commanded by the LORD as retribution for their role in corrupting Israel (referencing Num 25:17-18). Following the successful military campaign, Moses, Eleazar the priest, and the leaders oversaw the capture of extensive spoil, including vast numbers of sheep, oxen, and asses. The chapter then meticulously details the divine regulations for distributing these spoils. The key instruction in verses 26-47 is that the spoils are to be divided into two halves: one for the warriors who participated in the battle and the other for the rest of the congregation. From each half, a "tribute" (mekhes) was exacted for the Lord. This verse specifically accounts for the portion of asses given to the Lord from the warriors' half, which amounted to a very precise fraction of 1/500th. This distribution system emphasized God's sovereignty over the outcome of the war, the provision for His priests (who received the warriors' tribute), and the Levites (who received the congregation's tribute), and reinforced the theological principle that all victories and material gains ultimately belong to Him.
Numbers 31 38 Word analysis
- And: Connects this verse to the preceding tally of animals, signaling the continuation of the inventory and subsequent allocation of the spoil.
- the asses: (Hebrew: חֲמֹרִים, chamorim) Plural of chamor, referring to donkeys or asses. In ancient Israel, asses were highly valuable domestic animals, serving as beasts of burden, for transport, and as a measure of wealth. Their large number (36,000) highlights the immense scale of the spoils.
- were thirty and six thousand: This precise enumeration (36,000) signifies the massive scale of the acquired livestock. God's commandments often include exact figures, emphasizing the meticulousness and order in His divine plan and accountability.
- of which: Indicates a portion or subset of the previously stated total quantity of asses.
- the LORD's tribute: (Hebrew: מֶכֶס לַיהוָה, mekhes l'YHVH)
- מֶכֶס (mekhes): This specific term refers to a levy, tax, or toll, often collected on goods. In this context, it signifies a mandatory sacred contribution or duty set apart for God from the war plunder. It's distinct from other types of offerings like terumah (heave offering) or tithes, specifically applicable to items taken as spoil in a "holy war." This designation highlights that the spoils were not just for human consumption or gain, but God had a direct claim.
- לַיהוָה (l'YHVH): "For the LORD," signifying divine ownership and dedication. This clarifies the ultimate recipient and purpose of this particular share – it was for God, administered by His appointed priest (Eleazar, as per Num 31:29). It points to God's absolute authority over the entire outcome of the war.
- was threescore and eleven: A specific number, 71 (3 x 20 + 11 = 60 + 11 = 71). This precisely matches the 1/500th proportion mandated by God from the 36,000 asses that comprised the warriors' half of the spoils (36,000 / 500 = 71.9, which is rounded to 71 in some interpretations or indicates 71 units with a slight remainder or adjusted rounding). The exactitude underscores God's meticulous instructions for division and emphasizes divine accountability and order.
Numbers 31 38 Bonus section
The precise numerical calculation of the "tribute" (1/500th from the warriors' half given to Eleazar for the LORD, and 1/50th from the congregation's half given to the Levites) in Numbers 31 stands out for its minute detail. This meticulous accounting underscores the divine authorship and the absolute nature of God's commands. It demonstrates that nothing, not even plunder from war, was to be haphazardly used or appropriated without acknowledgment of God's claim. The asses, being common and economically significant animals, represent the Lord's right to claim from even the most mundane of resources. This "mekhes" tribute is a distinct levy from the more familiar "terumah" (heave offering), highlighting specific contexts for different types of divine claims on material possessions. It reminds us that all our acquisitions ultimately flow from God's provision and a part is due back to Him in service or support of His kingdom work.
Numbers 31 38 Commentary
Numbers 31:38 serves as a specific data point within a broader passage outlining the detailed and precise division of war spoils. It reveals several key theological truths. Firstly, God's ultimate sovereignty over all things, including the outcome of battles and the material wealth acquired through them. The "tribute to the LORD" asserts His right to a portion of everything. Secondly, it demonstrates God's consistent provision for the Levitical priesthood. By designating specific shares to the priests (and Levites from the congregation's half), God ensured their livelihood, as they had no tribal land inheritance, thereby enabling them to focus fully on their sacred duties. This structured approach also distinguished Israel's divine order from other ancient near eastern societies, where war spoils often simply enriched the king or individual warriors. This divine mandate emphasized accountability, preventing covetousness or neglect of the sacred within even the spoils of a commanded war.