Numbers 31 54

Numbers 31:54 kjv

And Moses and Eleazar the priest took the gold of the captains of thousands and of hundreds, and brought it into the tabernacle of the congregation, for a memorial for the children of Israel before the LORD.

Numbers 31:54 nkjv

And Moses and Eleazar the priest received the gold from the captains of thousands and of hundreds, and brought it into the tabernacle of meeting as a memorial for the children of Israel before the LORD.

Numbers 31:54 niv

Moses and Eleazar the priest accepted the gold from the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds and brought it into the tent of meeting as a memorial for the Israelites before the LORD.

Numbers 31:54 esv

And Moses and Eleazar the priest received the gold from the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, and brought it into the tent of meeting, as a memorial for the people of Israel before the LORD.

Numbers 31:54 nlt

So Moses and Eleazar the priest accepted the gifts from the generals and captains and brought the gold to the Tabernacle as a reminder to the LORD that the people of Israel belong to him.

Numbers 31 verses

Numbers 31 54 Meaning

Numbers 31:54 describes Moses and Eleazar the priest taking the gold offered by the Israelite military commanders—who had found no loss of life in the battle against Midian—and bringing it into the Tabernacle. This act served as a perpetual memorial for the people of Israel before the Lord, signifying gratitude, consecration of spoils, and acknowledgment of divine preservation and favor.

Numbers 31 54 Context

Numbers 31 records Israel's punitive war against the Midianites, commanded by the Lord due to Midian's role in seducing Israel into idolatry and immorality at Baal-Peor (Numbers 25). The war was a decisive victory, with all Midianite males, five kings, and Balaam slain. The chapter details the purification rites for the soldiers and spoil, and the intricate division of the enormous spoil between the warriors, the congregation, and a special tribute to the Levites and Eleazar the priest.

Verse 54 specifically follows the spontaneous and voluntary offering by the military commanders—the captains of thousands and of hundreds (Num 31:48-50). They had counted their men after the battle and found that not a single soldier had been lost. In profound gratitude and awe for this divine preservation, which they perceived as a miracle, they felt compelled to give an additional, personal offering of gold objects they had taken as spoil, above and beyond the prescribed divisions. This "memorial offering" served as an act of atonement, or rather, an acknowledgment of their deliverance and a perpetual testament to God's safeguarding presence "before the Lord" in the sacred Tabernacle. It signifies a collective act of worship and thanksgiving following a holy victory, highlighting that victory and safety came from God, not from their own strength.

Numbers 31 54 Word analysis

• And Moses and Eleazar the priest took (וַיִּקַּח מֹשֶׁה וְאֶלְעָזָר הַכֹּהֵן - Vayyiqqah Mosheh v'Eleazar haKohen):

  • וַיִּקַּח (Vayyiqqah): "and he took" (or "they took," here collective singular with a compound subject). From laqach, to take, grasp, receive. Signifies an authoritative and formal acceptance of the offering by the appointed spiritual and temporal leaders. Their involvement validates the offering as sacred and properly presented.
  • מֹשֶׁה (Mosheh): Moses, the political and spiritual leader of Israel.
  • אֶלְעָזָר הַכֹּהֵן (Eleazar haKohen): Eleazar the priest, the religious leader and Aaron's successor, responsible for the Tabernacle and its sacred functions. Their joint action underlines the divine sanction and institutional nature of the dedication.

• the gold (אֶת־הַזָּהָב - et-haZahav):

  • הַזָּהָב (haZahav): "the gold." A highly valued, incorruptible metal frequently used in the Tabernacle furnishings, symbolizing divine glory, purity, and enduring value. Its use for the Tabernacle sanctified it, differentiating it from mere material wealth or idol-making materials.

• from the captains of thousands and of hundreds (מֵאֵת שָׂרֵי הָאֲלָפִים וְהַמֵּאוֹת - me'et sarei ha'alafim v'ham'ot):

  • שָׂרֵי (sarei): "captains" or "princes." From sar, meaning head, chief, ruler. Refers to military commanders, reflecting the organized structure of Israel's army.
  • הָאֲלָפִים (ha'alafim): "of thousands."
  • וְהַמֵּאוֹת (v'ham'eot): "and of hundreds." This phrase denotes the entire military command, from the highest-ranking commanders to those overseeing smaller units. It emphasizes the collective and united gratitude of the armed forces for divine protection. Their initiative underscores the voluntary nature of this particular offering.

• and brought it into the tent of meeting (וַיָּבִאוּ אֹתוֹ אֶל־אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד - vayyavi'u oto el-Ohel Mo'ed):

  • וַיָּבִאוּ (vayyavi'u): "and they brought." From bo, to come, bring. This verb indicates a formal act of presentation, a sacred delivery to the designated holy place.
  • אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד (Ohel Mo'ed): "Tent of Meeting" or "Tabernacle." The portable sanctuary where God communicated with Moses and Israel met with Him. It was the central point of worship and divine presence, the appropriate place for a perpetual memorial.

• as a memorial (לְזִכָּרוֹן - l'zikaron):

  • לְזִכָּרוֹן (l'zikaron): "for a remembrance" or "as a memorial." From zakar, to remember. In biblical context, a "memorial" is often more than just a human memory aid; it is something that causes God to "remember" or take note, signifying an ongoing presence or perpetual intercession. Here, it is a lasting testimony to God's protective hand. It also reminds the people of God's saving act and their deliverance.

• for the people of Israel (לִבְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל - livnei Yisrael):

  • לִבְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל (livnei Yisrael): "for the sons of Israel," meaning the entire Israelite community. The offering, though from the commanders, benefited the whole nation by perpetually reminding God of His covenant with them and their act of faith and gratitude. It linked the individual act of a few with the communal identity.

• before the Lord (לִפְנֵי יְהוָה - lifnei YHWH):

  • לִפְנֵי (lifnei): "before the face of," or "in the presence of."
  • יְהוָה (YHWH): The covenant name of God, typically rendered "LORD" in English Bibles. Placing the memorial "before the Lord" signifies its divine acceptance and constant visibility in God's eyes, underscoring the spiritual significance and its eternal value.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "Moses and Eleazar the priest took... and brought it into the tent of meeting": This highlights the institutional validation of the offering. The collaboration of the supreme civil/spiritual and religious authorities ensures the sanctity and proper administration of the dedication according to divine instruction, placing it firmly within the religious life of Israel.
  • "the gold from the captains of thousands and of hundreds": This emphasizes the source and nature of the offering. It was gold, a precious metal, taken from war spoils but given voluntarily by specific leaders. The context of their offering (not a single man lost) turns potentially tainted spoil into a purified offering, sanctifying their wealth and success.
  • "as a memorial for the people of Israel before the Lord": This encapsulates the theological purpose. It's not merely a historical record but an active, perpetual testimony. It secures God's favorable remembrance of His people, signifying an enduring covenant relationship and an ongoing plea or thanksgiving presented to Him. It links the commanders' specific experience of divine protection to the entire community and to God Himself.

Numbers 31 54 Bonus section

• The fact that the offering came specifically from the officers and was made with atonement in mind (v. 50) highlights a remarkable level of spiritual sensitivity and accountability from the leadership. They took personal responsibility and initiated this collective act of worship for the entire army under their command.
• This act can be seen as a fulfillment of God's broader command regarding firstfruits and offerings: acknowledging God's blessing through tangible dedication of the best. Here, it is an offering of a special portion of the war spoil.
• The use of gold in the Tabernacle frequently served to emphasize God's glory, majesty, and the holiness of His dwelling place. By dedicating gold, the commanders contributed to the beauty and reverence of the sanctuary.
• The uniqueness of "not a man missing" (v. 49) in such an extensive military campaign would have left an indelible impression, solidifying their faith and motivating this extraordinary offering. This sets it apart from typical tithing or offering requirements, elevating it to an act of deep spiritual recognition.

Numbers 31 54 Commentary

Numbers 31:54 brings to a climactic conclusion the account of the Midianite war and the subsequent distribution and purification of spoil. This verse, though seemingly administrative, is profoundly significant. The commanders' act of bringing this substantial gold offering to the Tabernacle was not commanded, but a spontaneous overflow of profound gratitude and humility. Finding no casualties among their ranks after such a fierce battle was undeniably miraculous, compelling them to acknowledge God's direct hand in their preservation.

The dedication of these war spoils "as a memorial" underscored several key theological truths: first, that all success, even in warfare, ultimately originates from God. Second, it demonstrated Israel's spiritual maturity, recognizing the need to consecrate what was gained, acknowledging God's sovereignty over even the plunder of war. Third, placing it "before the Lord" meant it was a perpetual reminder—both for God to "remember" His covenant and favor, and for the people to perpetually recall His faithfulness and their deliverance. This transformation of potentially defiled spoil into sacred, pure offerings (signified by gold in the Tabernacle) points to the redemptive power of God, who can take human victories and dedicate them for His glory, turning grateful hearts into lasting testimonies within His presence. This sets a precedent for dedicating war treasures to God, a practice later followed by kings like David and Solomon.