Numbers 31:18

18 But keep alive for yourselves all the young girls who have not known a man intimately.

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 Look, these women caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to trespass against the Lord in the incident of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the Lord.

17 Now therefore, kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman who has known a man intimately.

18 But keep alive for yourselves all the young girls who have not known a man intimately.

19 And as for you, remain outside the camp seven days; whoever has killed any person, and whoever has touched any slain, purify yourselves and your captives on the third day and on the seventh day.

20 Purify every garment, everything made of leather, everything woven of goats' hair, and everything made of wood."