Numbers 31 Study Notes

Numbers chap. 31 is consistent with the instructions given in other pentateuchal passages, including Dt 7:5,24-25; 12:1-12; and 20:16-19 (purging of idolatry) and Dt 21:10-14 (female captives). But the instructions for Israel in the era of Moses and Joshua have been superseded by the law of Christ and the law of love. God still abhors evil in society, and the people of God should be diligent in opposing every expression of evil, but not to the extent of conducting holy war.

31:25 The Lord told Moses is again the language of divine revelation and instruction that anticipates faithful obedience, summarized in v. 31.

31:26-46 These instructions for the distribution of the spoils of war among the community members set the standard for the coming campaigns in the promised land.

31:47 From the spoils of war Moses took one out of every fifty . . . of the Israelites’ half and gave them to the Levites. The two percent here contrasts with the tradition in Abraham’s day, where a tithe of ten percent was presented to the temple priesthood.

31:48-54 The amount of gold offered by Israel’s commanders exceeded the minimal requirement of one-half shekel per person by nearly threefold, with the armlets, bracelets, signet rings, earrings, and necklaces totaling 16,750 shekels (6,700 ounces, or nearly 420 pounds). The leaders gave sacrificially in the spirit of thanksgiving to God.