Numbers 31:29-39

29 It's a God-tax taken from their half-share to be turned over to Eleazar the priest on behalf of God.

30 Tax the congregation's half-share at the rate of one life out of fifty, whether persons, cattle, donkeys, sheep, goats, or other animals. Give this to the Levites who are in charge of the care of God's Dwelling."

31 Moses and Eleazar followed through with what God had commanded Moses.

32 The rest of the plunder taken by the army: 675,000 sheep

33 72,000 cattle

34 61,000 donkeys

35 32,000 women who were virgins

36 The half-share for those who had fought in the war:

37 with a tax of 675 for God

38 36,000 cattle, with a tax of 72 for God

39 30,500 donkeys, with a tax of 61 for God

Numbers 31:29-39 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO NUMBERS 31

This chapter contains an order to make war upon Midian, which was accordingly done, Nu 31:1-12, but Moses was wroth, because they saved the women alive, who, through the counsel of Balaam, had been the cause of sin, and of the plague for it in Israel, and therefore orders them, and the male children, to be slain, Nu 31:13-18, and then directs to the purification of the soldiers, their captives and spoil, Nu 31:19-24, and by the command of God an account is taken of the prey, and a division of it made between the soldiers and the congregation, and out of each part a tribute is levied for the Lord, Nu 31:25-31 and the sum of the whole booty is given, Nu 31:32-35 and of the part which belonged to the soldiers, and of the tribute given to the Lord, Nu 31:36-41 and of the part which belonged to the children of Israel, Nu 31:42-47 and besides the above tribute to the Lord, the officers made a voluntary oblation out of their spoil, both by way of gratitude for sparing their lives, and to make atonement for their souls, Nu 31:48-54.