Tyndale Open Study NotesNumbers 31

The Lord instructed Moses to lead Israel in a war against the Midianites. The Midianites had joined the Moabites in influencing the Hebrews to worship idols (chapter 25). The Midianites were a tribal people living in the dry regions south and east of Palestine and east of the Jordan River. They were among the "people of the east" (Judges 6:3, 33; 7:12). They lived in camps or settlements and were famous for their desert transportation skills (compare Genesis 37:28, 36; Isaiah 60:6).

They descended from Abraham and had been friendly to Moses (Genesis 25:1–2; Exodus 2:15–3:1; compare Numbers 10:29). Yet, the elders of Midian joined Balak in hiring Balaam to curse Israel (22:4, 7). Israel's presence threatened the peoples of Transjordan (the area east of the Jordan River).

Each tribe sent 1,000 men to the battle. This allowed everyone to gain combat experience and share the victory.

• Phinehas, son of Eleazar the high priest, led this force of 12,000 men into battle. His leadership showed that this battle was considered a “holy war” (a war carried out in obedience to God). It was an act of judgment for the spiritual harm that Midian had caused Israel (see 25:6–18; 31:15–16). His zeal in this situation matched his actions in the case of Zimri and Cozbi (Numbers 25:11, 13; 25:7–8).

• Many scholars believe the holy objects of the holy place included the ark of the covenant, which the Hebrews sometimes carried into battle (for example, Numbers 10:35–36; Joshua 6:6; 1 Samuel 4:3–11; see also Numbers 14:44). Other scholars suggest they were various holy objects used in Tent of Meeting ceremonies (3:31; 4:15; 18:3; see also 1 Kings 8:4; 1 Chronicles 9:29; 2 Chronicles 5:5). The Israelites likely took some or all of these holy objects as signs that God was with them in this battle.

The Israelites killed all of the Midianite men in the particular groups they attacked from their camp in the plains of Moab (31:12). They did not destroy all the Midianites who were part of the larger Midianite alliance (compare Judges 6–8). The number of animals and virgins mentioned in Numbers 31:32–35 shows that the 12,000 Hebrews fought a large enemy army.

Balaam son of Beor was put to death because his advice caused the people of Israel to turn against the Lord at Mount Peor (Numbers 31:16). He was judged for his evil actions (compare 2 Peter 2:15; Jude 1:11).

After the battle, the Hebrews began the practice that they sometimes followed throughout the period of conquest and beyond (for example, Joshua 6; 8; 10–11). They destroyed their enemies (sometimes the total population), burned towns, and set aside spoils for their own use or as dedicated to the Lord.

cities … encampments: These places included both large towns and smaller camps without walls.

outside the camp: The returning troops probably observed ceremonies to make themselves ceremonially clean. This was to avoid making the Tent of Meeting and the people unclean through contact with dead bodies (31:19–24).

Moses was angry: God had commanded the Israelites to destroy everything. But the Midianite women who had followed Balaam’s advice were allowed to live. These women had played a major role in leading Israel into sin at Baal Peor.

Only young, virgin women were to be spared. They were allowed to live because they had not taken part in the sin at Baal Peor.

Israelite soldiers who touched dead bodies became ceremonially unclean (ritually impure). They had to go through the required purification rituals.

These rituals were routine, but they were important. They also had to purify their equipment (see 5:1–4; 19:1–22).

They 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.

The total number of animals and young girls who were not killed was quite large, which shows that Israel fought against many Midianites.

The plunder was distributed according to the principles established in 31:25–30.

It is unusual for an army to lose no soldiers in battle, but it is not impossible. Ancient writers also described battles in which few or no Roman soldiers were killed.

If the Israelites were well prepared and attacked by surprise, and if they had many more soldiers than their enemies, they could have won the battle without losing any men. This would be even more likely because of God’s blessing.

The commanders happily offered gold objects to show gratitude for a great victory with no loss of life (see Exodus 30:12). Ancient art and literature show that the Midianites and other desert peoples, both men and women, wore gold jewelry. They used it as decoration, and as a form of wealth they could take with them (for example, Judges 8:24–26).

Moses and Eleazar brought this large collection to the Tent of Meeting as a memorial of this special event (compare Numbers 16:39–40; Zechariah 6:14).