Numbers 31:50-54

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Numbers 31:53

This verse seems to imply that the soldiers, as distinct from the officers (compare Numbers 31:49), did not make any offering from their plunder. Of course besides the gold there would be much spoil of less precious materials; see Numbers 31:20, Numbers 31:22. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Numbers 31:50

Numbers 31:50. We have brought an oblation Finding, to their great joy and surprise, that not a single man was missing of the whole twelve thousand, they unanimously resolved, out of the free plunder, to make a voluntary offering to God, for the service of religion. To make an atonement For their error, noted Numbers 31:14-16; and withal for memorial, or by way of gratitude for such a stupendous assistance and deliverance. We should never take any thing to ourselves, in war or trade, of... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Numbers 31:1-54

Judgment on Midian (31:1-54)God now sent Israel to carry out his judgment on the Midianites (and Balaam with them) for the evil they did to Israel at Peor (see 25:1-9,14-17). Since it was a ‘holy’ war, the person who led the Israelite forces was not the army general Joshua, but the priest Phinehas (see 25:10-13). The Israelites were to destroy the Midianite fighting forces and burn their settlements. All captives and goods seized in battle were to be given to God, represented by the high... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Numbers 31:50

oblation. This was voluntary. The levy in Numbers 31:25 , &c, was commanded. See Leviticus 2:4 . jewels = instruments or vessels. atonement. See note on Exodus 29:33 . souls. Hebrew, plural of nephesh. App-13 . read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Numbers 31:52

offering = heave offering. See App-43 , and note on Exodus 29:27 . offered up = heaved. shekels. See App-51 . read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Numbers 31:54

tabernacle = tent. Hebrew. 'ohel . See App-40 . read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Numbers 31:48-50

Numbers 31:48-50. The officers which were over thousands, &c.— After their return from war, the officers of the army made a muster of the soldiery to see what number they had lost. Three kinds of officers are distinguished: 1. Those who had the command of several thousands as the generals and lieutenant-generals. 2. Those who were over a thousand men each, as our colonels. 3. Centurions, or captains. Upon this muster they found, that not one man had fallen in the battle, Numbers 31:49. A... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Numbers 31:52

Numbers 31:52. Sixteen thousand seven hundred and fifty shekels— See Exodus 25:39. read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Numbers 31:53

Numbers 31:53. (For the men of war had taken spoil, every man for himself)— But the men of war had every one their own booty. Houbigant; or, had reserved the spoil, every man for himself: see on Numbers 31:26. REFLECTIONS.—The piety of the officers of Israel appears here as great as their prowess. On calling their muster-roll, not a man was lost, either by disease or the sword, in this expedition. An instance of Divine protection so amazing could not but affect them: and as they loved their... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Numbers 31:1-54

3. Reprisal against the Midianites and the settlement of the Transjordanian tribes chs. 31-32Moses’ last campaign ch. 31The writer now recorded the fulfillment of God’s instructions to Moses that Israel should destroy the Midianites (Numbers 25:16-18). In this account, the aftermath of the battle receives more attention than the battle itself. Evidently God included this chapter here for two reasons at least. It records Israel’s victory over one of her enemies, and it explains the way she... read more

Group of Brands