Numbers 31:17

17 Now therefore kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman who has known man by lying with him.

Numbers 31:17 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 31:17

Now therefore kill every male among the little ones
Which they had taken and brought captives, ( Numbers 31:9 )

and kill every woman that hath known man by lying with him;
who might be such, at least many of them, who had lain with Israelitish men; and as the adulterers had been put to death, so now the adulteresses; or they were ordered to, be slain, even all of them, lest they should entice the children of Israel to uncleanness, and so to idolatry again: now these were known to be such, either by conjecture at their age, or rather, through the examination of matrons, unless it can be thought, as it is by some, that it was by divine revelation.

Numbers 31:17 In-Context

15 Moshe said to them, Have you saved all the women alive?

16 Behold, these caused the children of Yisra'el, through the counsel of Bil`am, to commit trespass against the LORD in the matter of Pe`or, and so the plague was among the congregation of the LORD.

17 Now therefore kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman who has known man by lying with him.

18 But all the girls, who have not known man by lying with him, keep alive for yourselves.

19 Encamp you outside of the camp seven days: whoever has killed any person, and whoever has touched any slain, purify yourselves on the third day and on the seventh day, you and your captives.