Numbers 31:21 NIV

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Numbers 31:1-54

7. The War Against the Midianites CHAPTER 31 1. The command to fight Midian (Numbers 31:1-6 ) 2. The war (Numbers 31:7-12 ) 3. The cleansing (Numbers 31:13-24 ) 4. The spoil taken (Numbers 31:25-47 ) 5. The oblation of the officers (Numbers 31:48-54 ) War is commanded next by the Lord. The Lord said to Moses, “Avenge the children of Israel of the Midianites; afterward shalt thou be gathered to thy people.” This is, therefore, the last thing in the official life of Moses. This war... read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 31:1-54

VENGEANCE ON MIDIAN (vs.1-11) The Midianites had been guilty of seducing Israel, and God required that account to be settled. This was the last charge laid upon Moses before his death (v.2). His own father in law was a Midianite (Exodus 3:1), so that it was surely a traumatic responsibility for Moses to command Israel to take vengeance for the Lord on Midian. Yet there is no indication that he even hesitated. He had learned the word of the Lord is absolute and he would not at all question... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Numbers 31:1-54

BALAAM ’S SCHEME We are not through with the “hireling” prophet. We find him referred to in three places in the New Testament. 2 Peter 2:15 speaks of his “way,” Jude 1:11 of his “error” and Revelation 2:14 of his “doctrine.” His way is that which characterizes all false teachers, viz: making a market of their gifts. His error lay in failing to see the principle of the vicarious atonement by which God can be just and yet the justifier of believing sinners (Romans 3:26 ). In other words, he... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Numbers 31:19-24

The law respecting uncleanness had so much in it of allusion to the gospel, that it is not to be wondered at we meet with it upon every occasion. But Reader! how delightful is it to see our privileges in JESUS. Let us go forth unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. Hebrews 13:13 . read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 31:19-24

19-24 The Israelites had to purify themselves according to the law, and to abide without the camp seven days, though they had not contracted any moral guilt, the war being just and lawful, and commanded by God. Thus God would preserve in their minds a dread and detestation of shedding blood. The spoil had been used by Midianites, and being now come into the possession of Israelites, it was fit that it should be purified. read more

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - Numbers 31:19-24

The Purification of the Army v. 19. And do ye abide without the camp seven days, because they had touched the bodies of slain people and must be purified, Numbers 19:11; whosoever hath killed any person and whosoever hath touched any slain, purify both yourselves and your captives on the third day and on the seventh day, Numbers 19:9. v. 20. And purify all your raiment, and all that is made of skins, the vessels and the coverings made of skins, and all work of goats' hair, garments woven... read more

Johann Peter Lange

Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Critical, Doctrinal and Homiletical - Numbers 31:1-54

EIGHTH SECTIONThe new Separation from the Heathenism of Midian analogous to the earlier Separation from the Heathenism of Egypt. The war of Revenge against Midian as a prologue to the extermination of the Canaanites. The Midianitish spoil a parallel to the Egyptian.Numbers 31:1-541, And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, 2Avenge the children of Israel of the Midianites: afterward shalt thou be gathered unto thy people. 3And Moses spake unto the people, saying, Arm some of yourselves unto the... read more

Frederick Brotherton Meyer

F.B. Meyer's 'Through the Bible' Commentary - Numbers 31:21-54

the Disposition of the Spoils of War Numbers 31:21-54 This law, which subjected the victors to a whole week of separation and to special purification, instead of an immediate welcome into the camp, was intended to wean the Hebrews from the practice of war, giving them a higher standard than that of surrounding nations. Thus God educates us, by placing before us an ever higher standard, as we are able to obey it. It is easy to say hard things against this treatment of Midian, but... read more

G. Campbell Morgan

G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible - Numbers 31:1-54

Here we have the story of the end of Balaam. It took place in connection with a war directly resulting from the sin of the people committed through the influence of Balaam. They had corrupted the national life by cohabitation with the women of Midian. This, as specifically stated, resulted from "the counsel of Balaam." In this war Phinehas led as priest. This is arresting as revealing the peculiar and religious note of the conflict. It was the relationship of the people to God that was... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 31:1-24

(i) The Sentence Passed and Carried Out on the Local Midianites (Numbers 31:1-24 ). Analysis. a The command to avenge Yahweh on Midian (Numbers 31:1-6). b The judgment of Yahweh in the defeat of Midian (Numbers 31:7-8). c The sparing of the women who had caused them to sin at Baal-peor (Numbers 31:9-12). c The judgment on the sparing of the women who had made them sin (Numbers 31:13-18). b Purification before returning to the camp to avoid judgment (Numbers 31:19-20). a Retention... read more