Numbers 31 52

Numbers 31:52 kjv

And all the gold of the offering that they offered up to the LORD, of the captains of thousands, and of the captains of hundreds, was sixteen thousand seven hundred and fifty shekels.

Numbers 31:52 nkjv

And all the gold of the offering that they offered to the LORD, from the captains of thousands and captains of hundreds, was sixteen thousand seven hundred and fifty shekels.

Numbers 31:52 niv

All the gold from the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds that Moses and Eleazar presented as a gift to the LORD weighed 16,750 shekels.

Numbers 31:52 esv

And all the gold of the contribution that they presented to the LORD, from the commanders of thousands and the commanders of hundreds, was 16,750 shekels.

Numbers 31:52 nlt

In all, the gold that the generals and captains presented as a gift to the LORD weighed about 420 pounds.

Numbers 31 verses

Numbers 31 52 Meaning

Numbers 31:52 records the significant gold offering made to the Lord by the Israelite military commanders—captains of thousands and captains of hundreds—following their victory over the Midianites. This particular offering, totaling 16,750 shekels of gold, was a voluntary, consecrated gift from their share of the battle's spoils, given in recognition of God's preservation and as an act of atonement and thanksgiving. It demonstrates their understanding that all victory and blessing come from the Lord, necessitating a devoted return of a portion of their bounty.

Numbers 31 52 Context

Numbers chapter 31 describes Israel's military campaign against the Midianites, commanded by the Lord as a judgment for their role in leading Israel into idolatry and sexual immorality at Baal of Peor (Numbers 25). The war was a brutal and comprehensive victory for Israel, executed without the loss of a single soldier (Nu 31:49). After the war, specific instructions were given for purifying themselves and the plunder. The spoils were meticulously divided: one half for the warriors who went to battle and one half for the rest of the congregation (Nu 31:27). From each half, specific portions were set aside as a tribute to the Lord—a one five-hundredth portion from the warriors' share given to the priests, and a one fiftieth portion from the congregation's share given to the Levites. Numbers 31:52 refers to an additional, voluntary offering brought by the commanders, above and beyond the required tributes. These leaders, acknowledging God's miraculous preservation of their lives and His hand in their complete victory, felt compelled to offer a substantial gift of atonement (as explicitly stated in verse 50) and thanksgiving for their survival and the vast riches acquired.

Numbers 31 52 Word analysis

• And all the dedicated offerings: וְכָל מַתָּנַ֨ת הַתְּרוּמָ֜ה (ve'khol mattanat ha'terumah).
  • וְכָל (ve'khol): "And all." Emphasizes the totality and comprehensive nature of what was offered by this specific group.
  • מַתָּנַת (mattánat): "Gift of." From mattanah, meaning a present, a gift. It signifies something given voluntarily.
  • הַתְּרוּמָה (ha'terumah): "The heave offering/contribution/dedicated thing." From rum, meaning to lift up. This term signifies a portion lifted out, separated, and dedicated as holy to the Lord. Together, "mattanat ha'terumah" signifies a gift that has been elevated or consecrated specifically for divine use.
• which they offered: הֵרִ֥ימוּ (herimu). From the root rum, meaning to lift, to raise, to heave. This verb reinforces the noun "terumah," literally meaning they "heaved up" or "lifted up" these gifts to the Lord. It signifies a deliberate act of presenting something sacredly.
• to the Lord: לַֽיהוָה֙ (la'Yahweh). Direct object of the offering, emphasizing that these precious gifts were directed exclusively to God, distinguishing them from offerings to idols or personal gain. It underscores Yahweh's sovereignty and receipt of all true worship.
• of gold: זָהָ֖ב (zahav). The specific material offered. Gold, being a precious and incorruptible metal, was the most valuable commodity taken in the spoil. Its dedication symbolizes the highest value given back to God, reflecting the costliness of the offering and its purity, often associated with divine presence and glory (e.g., in the Tabernacle/Temple).
• amounted to sixteen thousand seven hundred and fifty shekels: שִׁשָּׁ֨ה עָשָׂ֥ר אֶ֙לֶף֙ וּשְׁבַ֤ע מֵאֹות֙ וַחֲמִשִּׁ֣ים שֶׁ֔קֶל (shishah asar elef u'shva me'ot va'chamishim shekel).
  • This precise numerical detail emphasizes the meticulous accounting and substantial quantity of the offering.
  • A "shekel" was a unit of weight (approximately 11.5 grams, though ancient measures vary). This amounts to roughly 192 kilograms or over 420 pounds of pure gold, a vast fortune signifying profound gratitude and dedication.
• from the captains of thousands and the captains of hundreds: מִשָּׂרֵ֥י הָאֲלָפִ֖ים וְהָֽמֵאֹֽות (mis'sarei ha'alafim v'ha'me'ot).
  • Captains (śarê): Commanders, leaders. These were high-ranking military officers, responsible for many men.
  • Thousands and Hundreds: Refers to their military units. Their leadership status suggests that this was not merely a portion of plunder, but a prominent, collective act of worship initiated and performed by the highest-ranking survivors. It highlights their example of piety and recognition of God's blessing in preserving every one of them.
• Word-Group Analysis:
  • "dedicated offerings...of gold": This phrase stresses the material value and sacred nature of the gift. It distinguishes this offering from common gifts, marking it as something set apart for divine use, reflecting a concept found throughout Israel's worship, particularly in contributions for the Tabernacle and Temple. The fact that it's "gold" from war spoils reinforces the idea of taking that which was gained through conflict and purifying/sanctifying it for the Lord.
  • "which they offered to the Lord...from the captains": This highlights the deliberate and specific origin and destination of the offering. It's an offering made directly to Yahweh by leaders who had just witnessed divine protection and power in battle. Their offering serves as an acknowledgment of divine sovereignty over their lives, the war, and their possessions. It also sets a leadership precedent for future generations in how to respond to God's providence.

Numbers 31 52 Bonus section

The total gold consecrated by the captains in this verse alone (approx. 192 kg) is significant. It reveals not only the wealth gained from the Midianite victory but also the profound commitment of the Israelite military leadership. This substantial contribution stands apart from the mandated tithes and portions of war spoils (e.g., Nu 31:28-29), underscoring its nature as a freewill offering driven by thanksgiving and a desire for atonement. The fact that "not a man of us is missing" (Nu 31:49) surely magnified their gratitude, transforming a typical post-war tribute into an unprecedented act of corporate generosity and spiritual consecration. The gold would have been put into the "treasury of the house of the Lord" (v. 54), signifying its allocation for Tabernacle and priestly support, directly contributing to the spiritual life of the community. This demonstrates that even objects acquired through warfare can be redeemed and dedicated for sacred, God-honoring purposes.

Numbers 31 52 Commentary

Numbers 31:52 portrays a remarkable act of voluntary devotion and corporate worship from Israel's military leaders. This offering of pure gold, over and above the commanded portions of spoil, serves multiple profound purposes. It is first a direct response to the miraculous preservation of their lives (Nu 31:49), underscoring a deep gratitude and recognition of God's providential care. Furthermore, as Nu 31:50 states, it was brought "to make atonement for ourselves before the Lord." This points to an understanding that despite their righteous victory, participating in war and shedding blood might incur a need for ceremonial purification or a gesture acknowledging their reliance on God's grace for their spiritual standing. The value of the offering—over 16,750 shekels of gold—is astounding, emphasizing the leaders' immense thankfulness and willingness to give lavishly from their spoils. Their initiative not only exemplified sacrificial giving but also ensured that even the material gains of war, inherently fraught with potential for impurity, were sanctified and channeled into supporting the holy service of the Tabernacle through the priests. This act showcases the integral relationship between Israel's success, God's protection, and the required human response of worship and dedication, providing a model of how those blessed by God should respond with open hearts and consecrated resources.