Numbers 31:50

50 And we have brought our gift to the Lord, man who has found an article of gold, whether an armlet, or a chain, or a ring, or a bracelet, or a clasp for hair, to make atonement for us before the Lord.

Numbers 31:50 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 31:50

We have therefore brought an oblation to the Lord
A freewill offering, out of the spoil, over and above the tribute levied out of the half that came unto them;

what every man hath gotten:
or "found" ^F6, in the houses, and upon the bodies of the slain, or of such that were taken captives:

of jewels of gold
either such as were set in gold; or rather, as the words may be rendered,

vessels of gold
^F7, as dishes, cups, spoons, and the like:

chains;
which were wore about the neck, or upon the arm, as Aben Ezra:

and bracelets;
for the hand, as the same writer, see ( Genesis 24:22 Genesis 24:30 ) ,

rings;
for the finger:

ear rings;
for the ear, as we render it, the word signifies something round:

and tablets;
which, according to the Targum of Jonathan, were ornaments that hung down between the breasts:

to make an atonement for our souls before the Lord;
not only this offering was brought as a token of gratitude and thankfulness, for sparing of everyone of their lives, and giving them such success and victory, and so large a spoil of the enemy; but also to expiate any sins they had been guilty of in going out, and coming in, and particularly for sparing the women they should have put to death, for which Moses was wroth with them, ( Numbers 31:14 ) .

---

FOOTNOTES:

F6 (aum) "invenit", Pagninus, Montanus.
F7 (bhz ylk) "vas auri", Montanus; "vasa aurea", Vatablus.

Numbers 31:50 In-Context

48 And all those who were appointed to be officers of thousands of the host, captains of thousands and captains of hundreds, approached Moses, and said to Moses,

49 Thy servants have taken the sum of the men of war with us, and not one is missing.

50 And we have brought our gift to the Lord, man who has found an article of gold, whether an armlet, or a chain, or a ring, or a bracelet, or a clasp for hair, to make atonement for us before the Lord.

51 And Moses and Eleazar the priest took the gold from them, even every wrought article.

52 And all the wrought gold, even the offering that they offered to the Lord, was sixteen thousand and seven hundred and fifty shekels from the captains of thousands and the captains of hundreds.