Numbers 31 45

Numbers 31:45 kjv

And thirty thousand asses and five hundred,

Numbers 31:45 nkjv

thirty thousand five hundred donkeys,

Numbers 31:45 niv

30,500 donkeys

Numbers 31:45 esv

and 30,500 donkeys,

Numbers 31:45 nlt

30,500 donkeys,

Numbers 31 verses

Numbers 31 45 Meaning

Numbers 31:45 specifies a particular component of the substantial war booty acquired by the Israelites following their divinely commanded punitive expedition against the Midianites: thirty thousand five hundred donkeys. This precise figure is part of the meticulous inventory taken and subsequently allocated according to God's strict instructions for dividing the spoils among the warriors and the rest of the congregation, with distinct portions consecrated to the Lord and designated for the Levites.

Numbers 31 45 Context

Numbers 31 details the fulfillment of a divine command given by the Lord to Moses: to execute vengeance upon the Midianites (Num 25:17-18) for their role in leading Israel into idolatry and immorality at Peor (Num 25). The chapter chronicles the successful military campaign led by Phinehas, resulting in a total victory over the Midianites and the acquisition of vast quantities of spoil, including captives, livestock, and goods. Following the battle, the narrative meticulously describes the purification rituals for the warriors and their acquired plunder, highlighting the sacredness of objects coming into contact with death. The chapter then moves to the detailed divine protocol for dividing the captured spoil, distinguishing between the portion for the 12,000 warriors who went to battle and the portion for the entire congregation. From both shares, specific tribute offerings were to be dedicated: one part as a heave offering to the Lord and another as a share for the Levites. Verse 45, stating "and of donkeys, 30,500," is a precise count within the overall enumeration of the congregation's half of the spoils, emphasizing the tremendous abundance and economic benefit received by the whole community as a direct result of God's victory. This level of detail underscores divine ownership and the proper stewardship required for divinely sanctioned wealth.

Numbers 31 45 Word analysis

• וּשְׁלֹשִׁ֣ים (ūsh'lo-shim): "and thirty." This prefixed "וּ" (u-) acts as a conjunctive, meaning "and," linking this specific number to the preceding items in the detailed inventory. "שְׁלֹשִׁים" (shloshim) is the Hebrew numeral for thirty. Its use here reinforces the meticulous record-keeping divinely mandated for the spoils.
• אֶ֔לֶף (e-lef): "thousand." A standard unit for large numbers in ancient Hebrew, it highlights the immense scale of the acquisition. The repetition of "thousand" units throughout the Numbers 31 inventory emphasizes the unprecedented wealth acquired through God's power and provision.
• וַחֲמֵ֥שׁ (wa-cha-mesh): "and five." The "וַ" (wa-) again functions as "and." "חֲמֵשׁ" (chamēsh) is the Hebrew numeral for five. Its presence ensures the absolute precision of the numerical count.
• מֵא֖וֹת (me-ot): "hundred." This is the plural form of "מֵאָה" (me'ah), meaning "hundred." Combined with "חֲמֵשׁ" (five), it forms "חֲמֵשׁ מֵאוֹת" (chamēsh me'ōṯ), meaning "five hundred." The consistent breakdown by hundreds, thousands, and even individual units (as seen for human captives) shows rigorous, accountable accounting mandated by the Divine.
• חֲמֹרִֽים (cha-mo-rim): "donkeys" or "asses." This is the plural form of "חֲמוֹר" (chamor), referring specifically to a male donkey, but often used generically for both male and female donkeys. Donkeys were foundational to the ancient Near Eastern economy, serving as primary beasts of burden for transport, plowing, and grinding grain. They symbolized wealth, status, and were crucial for daily life and trade (e.g., Gen 12:16, Exod 4:20). Their immense number signifies a massive transfer of economic power and utility from Midian to Israel, illustrating God's complete provision and enrichment of His people through victory. This meticulous enumeration of valuable livestock directly challenged any pagan belief in lesser deities controlling agricultural prosperity, showing Yahweh as the sole and supreme provider.

Words-group analysis:

• "וּשְׁלֹשִׁ֣ים אֶ֔לֶף וַחֲמֵ֥שׁ מֵא֖וֹת" (And thirty thousand and five hundred): This numerical precision within the list of spoils underscores the divine emphasis on accountability and order in handling sacred wealth. Such exact figures are not arbitrary but reflect God's meticulousness and knowledge of every detail. The overwhelming quantity conveyed by these numbers testifies to the comprehensive nature of the victory and God's abundant provision, affirming His power to transfer wealth from His enemies to His chosen people. It also lays the groundwork for the detailed and structured distribution process that follows, highlighting the disciplined management of divine blessings.
• "חֲמֹרִֽים" (donkeys/asses): The particular mention of "donkeys" highlights their immense practical and economic value in ancient Israelite society. Their acquisition in such vast numbers ensured the Israelites had the necessary resources for travel, agriculture, and general economic flourishing upon entering Canaan. This specific detail among the general categories of livestock speaks to the tangible, practical benefits of obedience to God's commands. It demonstrates that God's justice also leads to the tangible equipping and prosperity of His people, providing not just spiritual but material sustenance. The detail of donkeys, often associated with humility in other biblical contexts (Zech 9:9, Matt 21:5), here signifies basic but fundamental economic power.

Numbers 31 45 Bonus section

The number 30,500 donkeys specifically represents half of the total number of donkeys captured (Num 31:34 states 61,000 donkeys were captured in total). This precisely reflects the stipulated 50/50 division of the spoil between the warriors who went to battle and the rest of the congregation (Num 31:27). This strict numerical fidelity to the divine command highlights the extraordinary degree of order and mathematical exactitude mandated by God in the handling of what might otherwise have been chaotic plunder. This divine blueprint for distributing spoils ensured fairness and prevented disputes, underlining a key aspect of Israel's unique covenant relationship where every detail, even economic distribution, was under divine legislation.

Numbers 31 45 Commentary

Numbers 31:45, a simple numerical entry, is profound in its larger biblical context. It isn't merely a factual tally; it’s a snapshot of divine provision and strict accountability within a sacred military operation. The capture of 30,500 donkeys as part of the congregation's share reflects the incredible extent of wealth transferred from the idolatrous Midianites to Israel, showcasing God's overwhelming generosity towards His obedient people. This meticulous accounting, common throughout Numbers, emphasizes God's precision and requirement for order even amidst the chaos of war spoils. It reinforces the theological principle that all wealth and resources ultimately belong to God and must be managed according to His precise will, including portions set aside for Him (the tribute) and for those who serve Him (the Levites). The donkey, an indispensable beast of burden in the ancient world, symbolizes the practical, tangible benefits and equipping that divine favor brings, enabling agricultural stability, trade, and transportation for the emerging nation of Israel.