Numbers 31:18

18 But all the female children that have not known a man by lying with him keep alive for yourselves.

Numbers 31:18 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 31:18

But all the women children
The females among the little ones:

that have not known a man by lying with him;
which might be pretty clear, and easily concluded, from their age:

keep for yourselves;
either to be handmaids to them, or to be married among them when grown up, and become proselytes, and initiated into their religion.

Numbers 31:18 In-Context

16 Behold, these caused the sons of Israel through the counsel of Balaam to commit trespass against the LORD in the matter of Peor for which there was a plague among the congregation of the LORD.

17 Now therefore kill every male among the little ones and kill every woman that has known a man by lying with him.

18 But all the female children that have not known a man by lying with him keep alive for yourselves.

19 And ye must abide outside the camp seven days; and whoever has killed any person and whoever has touched any dead body ye shall remove the sin from them on the third and on the seventh day, both of yourselves and of your captives.

20 Likewise remove all sin from all your clothing and all that is made of skins and all work of goats’ hair and every vessel made of wood.