Numbers 31:27

Numbers 31:27 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And divide the prey into two parts; between them that took the war upon them, who went out to battle, and between all the congregation:
• New International Version (NIV)Divide the spoils equally between the soldiers who took part in the battle and the rest of the community.
• English Standard Version (ESV)and divide the plunder into two parts between the warriors who went out to battle and all the congregation.
• New King James Version (NKJV)and divide the plunder into two parts, between those who took part in the war, who went out to battle, and all the congregation.

Context of Numbers 31:27

25The LORD said to Moses, 26“You and Eleazar the priest and the family heads of the congregation are to take a count of what was captured, both of man and beast. Then divide the captives between the troops who went out to battle and the rest of the congregation. 28Set aside a tribute for the LORD from what belongs to the soldiers who went into battle: one out of every five hundred, whether persons, cattle, donkeys, or sheep. 29Take it from their half and give it to Eleazar the priest as an offering to the LORD.

Numbers 31:27 word by word

וְחָצִ֙יתָ֙ אֶת־הַמַּלְק֔וֹחַ בֵּ֚ין תֹּפְשֵׂ֣י הַמִּלְחָמָ֔ה הַיֹּצְאִ֖ים לַצָּבָ֑א וּבֵ֖ין כָּל־הָעֵדָֽה׃Read the interlinear

• Then divideחָצָהchâtsâh · to divideH2673
• ·אֵת'êth · [Obj.]H853
• the captivesמַלְקוֹחַmalqôach · preyH4455
• betweenבַּ֫יִןbêyn · betweenH996
• the troopsתָּפַשׂtâphaώ · to captureH8610
• the troopsמִלְחָמָהmilchâmâh · battleH4421
• who went outיָצָאyâtsâ' · to come out: comeH3318
• to battleצָבָאtsâbâ' tsebâ'âh · army: warH6635
• and the rest ofכֹּלkôl kôl · allH3605
• the congregationעֵדָה‛êdâh · congregationH5712

Cross-references for Numbers 31:27

• Joshua 22:8saying, “Return to your homes with your great wealth, with immense herds of livestock, with silver, gold, bronze, iron, and very many clothes. Divide with your brothers the spoil of your enemies.”
• 1 Samuel 30:4So David and the troops with him lifted up their voices and wept until they had no strength left to weep.
• Psalms 68:12“Kings and their armies flee in haste; she who waits at home divides the plunder.

Commentaries on Numbers 31:27

• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 25-47Verses 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 the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 25-31They divided the plunder into two equal parts. Half went to those who fought against the Midianites and half to the Israelites who stayed behind (compare 1 Samuel 30:21–25). In this way, everyone participated in the conflict. Yet, the smaller group of soldiers each received a larger portion than the much larger group who stayed behind.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 25-3925-39. Take the sum of the prey that was taken--that is, of the captives and cattle, which, having been first lumped together according to ancient usage (Ex 15:9; Jud 5:30), were divided into two equal parts: the one to the people at large, who had sustained a common injury from the Midianites and who were all liable to serve: and the other portion to the combatants, who, having encountered the labors and perils of war, justly received the largest share…Read the comment

Topics related to Numbers 31:27

• Armies
• Priest
• Spoils

In the dictionaries

• Booty
• Prey
• Purify
• Abel-Shittim
• Balaam
• Moses
• Number
• Numbers, Book of
• Skill; Skilful
• Slave; Slavery

Commentaries on Numbers 31

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings