Numbers 31:27

27 Then divide the captives between the troops who went out to battle and the rest of the congregation.

Numbers 31:27 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 31:27

And divide the prey into two parts
Into two equal parts, both the number of the people and of the cattle, when taken:

between them that took the war upon them, and went out to battle;
the soldiers; and by this it appears that they went voluntarily and cheerfully:

and between all the congregation;
so that the part of them that went to battle, and of those that stayed in the camp, were alike, and which in process of time became a statute and ordinance, ( 1 Samuel 30:24 1 Samuel 30:25 ) ( Psalms 68:12 ) .

Numbers 31:27 In-Context

25 The LORD said to Moses,

26 “You and Eleazar the priest and the family heads of the congregation are to take a count of what was captured, both of man and beast.

27 Then divide the captives between the troops who went out to battle and the rest of the congregation.

28 Set aside a tribute for the LORD from what belongs to the soldiers who went into battle: one out of every five hundred, whether persons, cattle, donkeys, or sheep.

29 Take it from their half and give it to Eleazar the priest as an offering to the LORD.