Numbers 31:15

15 He asked them, "Why have you kept all the women alive?

Numbers 31:15 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 31:15

And Moses said unto them, have ye saved all the women alive?
] Which either had been reported to him, or he concluded, by seeing so many with them; and this question is put, not for information, but by way of reproof, and as chiding them for what they had done; for they might have received orders from him to put them to death, when he sent them out; and if so, there was the more reason to be angry with them; or he might conclude they would have done this of themselves, knowing what instruments of mischief these women had been to Israel.

Numbers 31:15 In-Context

13 Moses, Eleazar, and all the other leaders of the community went out of the camp to meet the army.

14 Moses became angry with the officers, the commanders of battalions and companies, who had returned from the war.

15 He asked them, "Why have you kept all the women alive?

16 Remember that it was the women who followed Balaam's instructions and at Peor led the people to be unfaithful to the Lord. That was what brought the epidemic on the Lord's people.

17 So now kill every boy and kill every woman who has had sexual intercourse,