Numbers 31:48 kjv
And the officers which were over thousands of the host, the captains of thousands, and captains of hundreds, came near unto Moses:
Numbers 31:48 nkjv
Then the officers who were over thousands of the army, the captains of thousands and captains of hundreds, came near to Moses;
Numbers 31:48 niv
Then the officers who were over the units of the army?the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds?went to Moses
Numbers 31:48 esv
Then the officers who were over the thousands of the army, the commanders of thousands and the commanders of hundreds, came near to Moses
Numbers 31:48 nlt
Then all the generals and captains came to Moses
Numbers 31 48 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exod 18:21 | "Moreover, you shall select from all the people able men... and place such over them as commanders of thousands, of hundreds..." | Jethro's counsel establishing the hierarchical structure of leadership. |
| Deut 1:15 | "So I took the heads of your tribes, wise and experienced men, and made them heads over you, commanders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens..." | Moses implements the structured leadership hierarchy in Israel. |
| 1 Sam 8:12 | "...and he will appoint for himself commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties..." | Demonstrates the ongoing existence of these military ranks in later Israelite history. |
| 1 Chron 27:1 | "Now this is the enumeration of the children of Israel, the heads of fathers’ houses, the commanders of thousands and hundreds, and their officers who served the king..." | Confirmation of the enduring military and administrative structure. |
| Num 31:49 | "and said to Moses, 'Your servants have counted the men of war under our command, and not one of us is missing.'" | The immediate reason for the officers approaching Moses and making their offering. |
| Num 31:50 | "So we have brought as an offering to the Lord what every man acquired..." | The purpose of their approach: presenting a communal offering for divine protection. |
| Ps 3:8 | "Salvation belongs to the Lord; your blessing be on your people!" | Victory and preservation are solely from God. |
| Ps 44:5-6 | "Through You we push back our foes... For not in my bow do I trust, nor can my sword save me." | Emphasizes reliance on God for military success and safety, not human strength. |
| Ps 115:1 | "Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to Your name give glory..." | Underscores that all glory for preservation and victory belongs to God. |
| Prov 21:31 | "The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but deliverance is from the Lord." | Reiteration that God determines the outcome of conflicts. |
| Zech 4:6 | "...‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts." | God's power, not human effort, achieves success, fitting for divine preservation. |
| 2 Sam 8:11 | "King David also dedicated these to the Lord, along with the silver and gold that he had dedicated..." | Example of dedicating spoils of war to God as an act of worship. |
| 1 Chron 18:11 | "King David also dedicated these to the Lord, along with the silver and gold which he had brought from all the nations..." | Further instance of war spoils being consecrated to the Lord. |
| Lev 17:11 | "For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls..." | Context for atonement, contrasting the typical blood offering with this unique gold offering for no casualties. |
| Heb 9:22 | "Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins." | Highlights the unusual nature of a metal "atonement" for preserved lives, emphasizing God's unique provision. |
| Exod 30:16 | "You shall take the atonement money from the people of Israel and give it for the service of the tent of meeting, that it may be a memorial for the people of Israel before the Lord, to make atonement for your souls.” | Similar instance where money/silver is used for atonement for lives (census tax). |
| 2 Chron 29:31 | "Then Hezekiah answered and said, 'Now that you have consecrated yourselves to the Lord, come near and bring sacrifices and thank offerings to the house of the Lord.'" | Leaders and people bringing offerings out of consecration and thanksgiving. |
| Phil 4:18 | "...a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God." | Principle of offerings that are pleasing to God, which this unique gold offering was. |
| Rom 12:1 | "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship." | New Covenant parallel for giving thanks and making an offering in response to God's mercy and preservation. |
| 1 Chron 29:9 | "Then the people rejoiced because these had offered so willingly, for with a whole heart they had offered willingly to the Lord. And King David also rejoiced greatly." | Exemplifies willing and joyous offerings, mirroring the commanders' spirit. |
Numbers 31 verses
Numbers 31 48 Meaning
Numbers 31:48 states that the ranking military officers, specifically the appointed officers over thousands of the army, along with the captains of thousands and the captains of hundreds, collectively approached Moses. This action immediately precedes their voluntary offering of gold as an atonement to the Lord, in recognition of the fact that not a single soldier under their command was lost during the campaign against Midian.
Numbers 31 48 Context
Numbers chapter 31 describes the war against the Midianites, commanded by the Lord due to their role in corrupting Israel (through Balaam and the incident at Peor). After Israel's decisive victory and the extensive plundering of the Midianite camp, the Israelites return. Moses and Eleazar outline detailed instructions for purification from contact with the dead and for the division of the immense spoils of war. This verse, 31:48, immediately follows the division of the spoil, specifically concerning the portion given to the soldiers and the subsequent tithe for the Lord. The leaders approach Moses as an act of reporting and presenting a unique offering, not demanded but voluntarily given, in recognition of God's unparalleled protection during the conflict where no Israelite soldier perished.
Numbers 31 48 Word analysis
- and the officers (פְקִידֵי - p'qîḏê): From the root
פקד(paqad), meaning "to visit, appoint, command, muster, oversee." This term signifies individuals who hold a designated position of authority, responsible for oversight and specific duties within the military structure. It emphasizes their official, appointed roles, highlighting accountability. - of the thousands (אַלְפֵי - 'al(ə)pê): Refers to a unit of military organization, typically meaning "thousands." This reflects the numerical structure established earlier in Israel's organization (Exod 18, Deut 1), denoting large military divisions.
- of the army (הַצָּבָא - hatstsāvāʾ): From
צָבָא(tsāvāʾ), meaning "host, army, multitude, organized force." In biblical context, it frequently denotes an army ready for battle, often connected with "the Lord of hosts" (YHWH Tsva'ot), implying divine command over military matters. - the captains (שָׂרֵי - śārê): From
שׂר(sar), meaning "prince, ruler, leader, captain." These are specific leaders of various military echelons. Distinct fromפְקִידֵי,שָׂרֵיemphasizes leadership, headship, or princely status, indicating authority and command. - of thousands (הָאֲלָפִים - hā'ălāpîm): Refers again to the leaders over units of a thousand. Reinforces the systematic military hierarchy.
- and captains of hundreds (וְשָׂרֵי הַמֵּאוֹת - wəśārê hammēʾōwt): Leaders over units of a hundred. This reiterates the established decimal system of organization (tens, fifties, hundreds, thousands) as first advised by Jethro and implemented by Moses. The presence of these specific leaders signifies that all levels of military command participated in this significant action.
- came near (קָרְבוּ - qārrəḇū): From the root
קרב(qarab), meaning "to approach, draw near, present oneself." This verb often indicates an approach for a significant purpose, such as worship, offering, critical communication, or seeking a hearing. It suggests respect, formality, and urgency in their address to Moses. - to Moses (אֶל מֹשֶׁה - ʾel mōšeh): Signifies the direct channel of communication. Moses, as God's chosen prophet and leader, was the proper authority and mediator through whom such significant reports and offerings were to be brought, particularly after a divinely commanded war.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "the officers of the thousands of the army, the captains of thousands, and captains of hundreds": This comprehensive enumeration highlights that representatives from all key levels of the Israelite military command, from the overarching "officers" (those specifically appointed over thousands within the entire host) down to the "captains of hundreds," united in their purpose. This collective action demonstrates broad consensus, shared understanding, and a unified response from the military leadership regarding their extraordinary preservation. It also underscores the highly structured and disciplined nature of Israel's military force under divine guidance. This emphasis on hierarchical representation ensures the action is seen as a formal, recognized military-spiritual gesture, not an isolated act.
- "came near to Moses": This phrase underlines the established chain of command and spiritual authority in Israel. Instead of taking matters into their own hands, the military leaders humbly approached the divinely appointed mediator. Their act of "coming near" indicates respect for Moses' leadership, acknowledgement of his unique position as God's mouthpiece, and an understanding that significant spiritual matters and unique offerings should be brought before him as the intermediary. This also implicitly prepares for the sacred dialogue and offering that follows.
Numbers 31 48 Bonus section
- Unprecedented Atonement: While "atonement" usually implies covering for sin, here it's offered in thanksgiving for deliverance, an unusual application demonstrating a recognition of life itself as a sacred gift needing acknowledgment, particularly after battle. It highlights that God's preservation of their lives was such an immense grace that it warranted a form of at-one-ment, bringing them closer to Him in profound gratitude.
- Spiritual Insight of Leadership: The fact that all levels of military command initiated this offering, not just Moses, points to a widespread spiritual understanding within the Israelite army. They grasped that their absolute preservation in such a violent war was miraculous and demanded a communal, sacred response to the Lord.
- Polemic against Self-Reliance: In a world where military prowess was celebrated and victories were attributed to the strength of kings and armies or the favor of local deities, Israel's leaders here demonstrate a counter-cultural humility. Their actions strongly argue against human self-sufficiency in battle, presenting Yahweh as the sole source of ultimate victory and protection.
Numbers 31 48 Commentary
Numbers 31:48 marks a pivotal moment of transition from battle to gratitude. It showcases the highly organized and disciplined structure of Israel's military, with its hierarchy of thousands and hundreds, a system implemented early in their wilderness journey (Exod 18, Deut 1). The commanders' collective approach to Moses is a display of their accountability, humility, and recognition of divine sovereignty. Their specific acknowledgment in the subsequent verse (v. 49) that "not one of us is missing" profoundly shapes their decision to bring an unprecedented atonement offering (v. 50). This voluntary act, not a mandatory one for a sin committed but for lives divinely preserved, demonstrates a deep sense of theological awe and gratitude. It preempts any human boasting or pride, unequivocally attributing their impossible safety in war to God alone. It serves as an example of leadership that is not only competent in military strategy but also profoundly spiritual, acknowledging God as the ultimate provider and protector.