Numbers 31 47

Numbers 31:47 kjv

Even of the children of Israel's half, Moses took one portion of fifty, both of man and of beast, and gave them unto the Levites, which kept the charge of the tabernacle of the LORD; as the LORD commanded Moses.

Numbers 31:47 nkjv

and from the children of Israel's half Moses took one of every fifty, drawn from man and beast, and gave them to the Levites, who kept charge of the tabernacle of the LORD, as the LORD commanded Moses.

Numbers 31:47 niv

From the Israelites' half, Moses selected one out of every fifty people and animals, as the LORD commanded him, and gave them to the Levites, who were responsible for the care of the LORD's tabernacle.

Numbers 31:47 esv

from the people of Israel's half Moses took one of every 50, both of persons and of beasts, and gave them to the Levites who kept guard over the tabernacle of the LORD, as the LORD commanded Moses.

Numbers 31:47 nlt

From the half-share given to the people, Moses took one of every fifty prisoners and animals and gave them to the Levites, who maintained the LORD's Tabernacle. All this was done as the LORD had commanded Moses.

Numbers 31 verses

Numbers 31 47 Meaning

Numbers 31:47 details a specific distribution of war spoils taken from the Midianites. From the half of the spoils allotted to the general congregation of Israel, Moses extracted a portion of one out of every fifty items, including both captured people (likely female captives as adult males were killed) and various livestock. This portion was then designated and given to the Levites, who were specifically charged with the care and service of the Tabernacle of the LORD. This action was not of Moses's own initiative but was carried out in precise obedience to the command of the LORD, underscoring the divine authority behind the allocation of resources for the sanctuary and its ministers.

Numbers 31 47 Context

Numbers 31:47 is situated at the conclusion of the Midianite War, a campaign divinely commanded by God as a punitive act for Midian's role in the Baal-peor apostasy (Numbers 25). The Israelites, led by Phinehas and commanded by Moses, utterly defeated the Midianites, destroying their cities and capturing vast amounts of plunder—people, livestock, and goods. Before the spoils could be distributed, Moses, under direct divine instruction (Num 31:25), commanded a specific and meticulous method of purification and division. The plunder was initially divided into two equal halves: one for the warriors who fought, and one for the entire congregation of Israel who remained in the camp. From each of these halves, a further portion was separated as an offering to the LORD. From the warrior's half, a very small portion (1 in 500) of captives and livestock was given to Eleazar the priest "for a heave offering to the LORD" and for "atonement" (Num 31:28-29). Numbers 31:47 specifies the similar tithe, but from the other half—the one belonging to the general Israelite population—a larger portion (1 in 50) of both "man and beast" was taken and given specifically to the Levites. This verse therefore describes the final step in the sanctified process of distributing the vast wealth acquired in war, emphasizing the importance of recognizing God's ownership over all things and ensuring the financial support of His consecrated ministers who had no land inheritance.

Numbers 31 47 Word analysis

• But from the half: Contrasts with the portion from the warriors' half described previously. This signifies the second half of the spoils, designated for the general Israelite congregation. The Hebrew word for 'half' is machatzit (מַחֲצִית), denoting a precise division.
• belonging to the sons of Israel: Identifies the general body of the Israelite people, distinguishing them from the 12,000 warriors who engaged in the battle. This half represents their share of the divine bounty.
• Moses took: Highlights Moses's pivotal role as God's chosen intermediary. He is the one executing the divine command, ensuring its proper fulfillment and conveying divine instruction to the people. The Hebrew verb laqach (לָקַח) means to take or receive.
• one portion of fifty: This specifies the precise ratio (1:50, or 2%) that was exacted from the general congregational share. This ratio is significantly different from the 1:500 ratio taken from the warriors' half (Num 31:28), indicating different purposes or statuses for the two offerings. In Hebrew, echad mi-chamishim (אֶחָד מֵחֲמִשִּׁים) clearly states "one from fifty."
• of man and of beast: Describes the type of spoils being divided. "Man" (Hebrew: adam, אָדָם) in this context refers to captured human beings, typically female captives as male adults and male children were killed (Num 31:17-18). "Beast" (Hebrew: behemah, בְּהֵמָה) refers to livestock such as cattle, donkeys, and sheep/goats, which were plentiful in the Midianite plunder. This inclusion highlights that all aspects of the victory are subject to God's command.
• and gave them to the Levites: Identifies the specific recipients of this tithe-like portion. The Levites, belonging to the tribe of Levi, were designated for sacred service but unlike the Aaronic priests, were not authorized to offer sacrifices.
• who kept the charge of the Tabernacle of the LORD: Defines the specific role and function of these Levites, thereby justifying why they receive this particular portion. Their work involves maintaining and moving the Tabernacle, performing various duties to ensure the sanctity and proper functioning of Israel's central place of worship. The Hebrew phrase shomerei mishmeret mishkan Adonai (שֹׁמְרֵי מִשְׁמֶרֶת מִשְׁכַּן יְהוָה) emphasizes their responsibility for the "keeping of the charge of the dwelling of YHWH."
• as the LORD commanded Moses: This concluding phrase underscores the divine origin and authority for this entire process. It legitimizes Moses's actions and reinforces the idea that all aspects of Israelite life, including war and spoils distribution, were under the direct instruction and sovereignty of Yahweh. It assures that these allocations were not arbitrary human decisions but direct fulfillments of God's will. The verb tzivah (צִוָּה) means to command.

Numbers 31 47 Bonus section

• Distinct Ratios, Distinct Purposes: The contrasting ratios of "1 in 500" from the warriors' half (for the priests as an atoning heave offering) and "1 in 50" from the congregation's half (for the Levites for their upkeep) are highly significant. The much smaller priestly portion from the warriors (0.2%) emphasizes its unique sacred purpose as a direct offering to the LORD for atonement, potentially acknowledging the inherent ritual impurity or bloodshed associated with warfare, which required specific purification by the high priest. The larger Levitical portion (2%) underscores its role as practical financial support for those performing daily Tabernacle duties and upkeep, acknowledging their ongoing need for sustenance.
• Sovereignty Over Spoils: This chapter, culminating in verse 47, vividly demonstrates YHWH's sovereignty not only in granting victory but also in dictating the precise terms of spoil distribution. In the ancient Near East, kings often claimed all war booty as their personal property. Here, God asserts His absolute control, showing that even the plunder from a war belongs to Him and is distributed according to His holy and just will. This would have served as a powerful reminder to Israel that all their prosperity came from Him.
• Provision for Service: The provision for the Levites highlights a fundamental principle of covenant community: those who dedicate themselves to full-time sacred service for the community's spiritual well-being are to be supported by the community. Since the Levites were excluded from tribal land allotments (Joshua 13:33), this comprehensive system of tithes and portions, like the one described here, was crucial for their sustenance, ensuring they could focus entirely on their holy tasks.

Numbers 31 47 Commentary

Numbers 31:47 concludes the precise, divinely orchestrated distribution of spoils from the Midianite war, emphasizing God's ownership and meticulous control over all things, including the rewards of warfare. It illustrates the dual purpose of divine provision: supporting the Aaronic priesthood for specific atoning functions (from the warrior's portion, a 1:500 ratio for atonement, Num 31:28-29) and sustaining the broader Levitical class for their essential service in maintaining the Tabernacle (from the congregation's portion, a 1:50 ratio for support, Num 31:47). This detailed system ensured that the Levites, who had no land inheritance, were financially supported through a communal share in the nation's blessings. The different ratios reflect distinct purposes for the contributions, one highly sacred and related to purity (atonement for war, for priests) and the other for regular sustenance and labor (for Levites). This system set a precedent for communal responsibility towards those dedicated to sacred service, showing how the physical labors and victories of the congregation were inextricably linked to the spiritual sustenance and order provided by the Tabernacle and its ministers.