Numbers 31:23-24

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Numbers 31:1-54

WAR AND SETTLEMENT1. THE WAR WITH MIDIANNumbers 31:1-54THE command to vex and smite the Midianites {; Numbers 25:16-17} has already been considered. Israel had not the spiritual power which would have justified any attempt to convert that people. Degrading idolatry was to be held in abhorrence, and those who clung to it suppressed. Now the time comes for an exterminating war. While hordes of Bedawin occupy the hills and the neighbouring desert, there can be no security either for morals,... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

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

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Numbers 31:23

31:23 Every thing that may abide the fire, ye shall make [it] go through the fire, and it shall be clean: nevertheless it shall be {h} purified with the water of separation: and all that abideth not the fire ye shall make go through the {i} water.(h) The third day and before it is molten.(i) It shall be washed. 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

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Numbers 31:23

Expiation, with which even the vessels which had been through the fire, were to be purified, or washed, as the Hebrew, Septuagint, &c., observe. (Calmet) --- Moses perhaps gave this ordinance by word of mouth, on this occasion, (Menochius) though something similar be prescribed before, Leviticus vi. 28., xi. 33, and xv. 12. 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