Numbers 31:37-38 NIV

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

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Numbers 31:37

"Handfuls of Purpose" For All Gleaners "The Lord's tribute." Num 31:37 The association of the words is remarkable. Who can give anything to the Lord, when the earth is his and the fulness thereof? This again, as in the former instance, is a mystery of spiritual love. It is indeed because all is his, that we are expected to give him part of it. What is ours is ours, for convenience, comfort, for passing necessity of any kind, and never ours in the sense of proprietorship. This is vividly set... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Numbers 31:25-47

I think it not necessary to break the chain of those verses, when one general observation may be properly made from the whole taken together. It is worthy of remark, how graciously the LORD, by taking a portion to himself, hath taught us to consider from whom all blessings flow, and therefore to whom tribute should return, in a perpetual thanksgiving. It is suitable in all our alms, to the poor, to keep in view that they are the LORD'S poor, and therefore the gift is first and principally on... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 31:25-47

25-47 Whatever we have, God justly claims a part. Out of the people's share God required one in fifty, but out of the soldiers' share only one in five hundred. The less opportunity we have of honouring God with personal services, the more should we give in money or value. read more

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - Numbers 31:25-47

The Division of the Spoils v. 25. And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, v. 26. Take the sum of the prey that was taken, of everything that was captured in this campaign, both of man and of beast, thou and Eleazar, the priest, and the chief fathers of the congregation, the heads of the fathers' houses, Exodus 6:14; v. 27. and divide the prey into two parts; between them that took the war upon them, who assumed the offensive, made the attack, who went out to battle, and between all the... 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 31:32-47

The Division Between the Men of War, Yahweh (the Priests), the People and the Levites (Numbers 31:32-47 ). The assessing and dividing of the spoils follows a sequential pattern rather than the usual chiastic pattern. a The sum of the prey assessed (Numbers 31:32-35). b Sum of the half which belongs to the soldiers and to Yahweh’s tribute (Numbers 31:36-40). c Yahweh’s tribute given to Eleazar the Priest (Numbers 31:41). a The congregation’s half divided from the men that warred... read more