Numbers 31:9-20

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

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 31:14

And Moses was wroth with the officers of the host ,.... The general officers who had the command of the army, for there does not appear to be anyone that was one general over the whole, otherwise the displeasure would have fallen upon him: with the captains over thousands, and captains over hundreds, which came from the battle ; rather "with" should be left out, not being in the text; and these captains only explain who the officers were, and these were one hundred and thirty two, as... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 31:15

And Moses said unto them, have ye saved all the women alive? Which either had been reported to him, or he concluded, by seeing so many with them; and this question is put, not for information, but by way of reproof, and as chiding them for what they had done; for they might have received orders from him to put them to death, when he sent them out; and if so, there was the more reason to be angry with them; or he might conclude they would have done this of themselves, knowing what instruments... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 31:16

Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam ,.... Who advised the Midianites to send their women into the camp of Israel, and allure them to uncleanness, and so draw them into idolatry, which counsel they followed and it succeeded; for, by this means, they were brought to commit trespass against the Lord in the matter of Peor ; by worshipping Baalpeor, the god of the Moabites and Midianites; whereby they transgressed the commandment of God, which forbid... read more

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