Numbers 31:27

27 and divide the prey into two parts: between the men skilled in war, who went out to battle, and all 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 spoke to Moshe, saying,

26 Take the sum of the prey that was taken, both of man and of animal, you, and El`azar the Kohen, and the heads of the fathers' [houses] of the congregation;

27 and divide the prey into two parts: between the men skilled in war, who went out to battle, and all the congregation.

28 Levy a tribute to the LORD of the men of war who went out to battle: one soul of five hundred, [both] of the persons, and of the oxen, and of the donkeys, and of the flocks:

29 take it of their half, and give it to El`azar the Kohen, for the LORD's heave-offering.