Numbers 31:8-54 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Numbers 31:7-12

Here is, 1. The descent which this little army of Israelites made, under the divine commission, conduct, and command, upon the country of Midian. They warred against the Midianites. It is very probable that they first published their manifesto, showing the reasons of the war, and requiring them to give up the ringleaders of the mischief to justice; for such afterwards was the law (Deut. 20:10), and such the practice, Jdg. 20:12; 13. But the Midianites justifying what they had done, and... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Numbers 31:13-24

We have here the triumphant return of the army of Israel from the war with Midian, and here, I. They were met with great respect, Num. 31:13. Moses himself, notwithstanding his age and gravity, walked out of the camp to congratulate them on their victory, and to grace the solemnity of their triumphs. Public successes should be publicly acknowledged, to the glory of God, and the encouragement of those that have jeoparded their lives in their country's cause. II. They were severely reproved for... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Numbers 31:25-47

We have here the distribution of the spoil which was taken in this expedition against Midian. God himself directed how it should be distributed, and Moses and Eleazar did according to the directions, and thus unhappy contests among themselves were prevented and the victory was made to turn to the common benefit. It was fit that he who gave them the prey should order the disposal of it. All we have is from God, and therefore must be subject to his will. I. The prey is ordered to be divided into... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Numbers 31:48-54

Here is a great example of piety and devotion in the officers of the army, the colonels, that are called captains of thousands, and the inferior officers that were captains of hundreds; they came to Moses as their general and commander-in-chief, and, though he was now going off the stage they very humbly and respectfully addressed themselves to him, calling themselves his servants; the honours they had 1305 won did not puff them up, so as to make them forget their duty to him. Observe in their... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 31:8

And they slew the kings of Midian, beside the rest of them that were slain ,.... Besides the males of the common people, they slew their kings, who were petty kings or princes, perhaps under the king of Moab, or had reassumed their titles and government after the death of Sihon the king of the Amorites, who, in his time, were called dukes of Sihon, Joshua 13:21 , namely: Evi, and Rekem, and Zur, and Hur, and Reba, five kings of Midian ; the Targum of Jonathan says of Zur, this is... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 31:9

And the children of Israel took all the women of Midian captives ,.... The word "all" is not in the original text, nor should it be supplied; for if all had been taken, and carried captive, and put to death, as those were afterwards, how could there have been such an increase of the Midianites as there was in some time after this? see Judges 6:1 but the meaning is, that as many as fell into their hands they took and carried captive: and their little ones ; both male and female: ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 31:10

And they burnt all their cities wherein they dwelt , &c.;) So far as they went into the country, which, perhaps, might not be the whole land of Midian: and all their goodly castles with fire ; which were either the palaces of their princes and nobles, or such like great personages; or they were fortified places, for the security of their cities and country: the Targums of Onkelos and Jonathan interpret them of their houses of worship, their temples, and their altars. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 31:11

And they took all the spoil ,.... In their cities and castles; and all the prey, both of men and of beasts; all sorts of cattle, oxen, sheep, and asses. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 31:12

The women and children, who were the captives, and the beasts which were the prey, and the gold, silver, &c.; which were the spoil: unto Moses and Eleazar the priest, and unto the congregation of the children of Israel ; that is, they were bringing the above persons things unto them, returning from the war with Midian: unto the camp at the plains of Moab, which are by Jordan near Jericho : see Numbers 22:1 , but they were stopped, and were not admitted into the camp until seven... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 31:13

And Moses and Eleazar the priest, and all the princes of the congregation ,.... Attended, no doubt, with a proper retinue: went forth to meet them without the camp ; partly to do honour to them, and to congratulate them on their victory, and partly to hinder them going into the camp directly, until they were purified; see Genesis 14:17 . read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Numbers 31:7-12

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Numbers 31:13-24

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Numbers 31:25-47

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Numbers 31:48-54

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 31:8

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 31:9

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 31:10

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 31:11

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 31:12

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 31:13

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