Keraia
Numbers 31

Numbers 31:26

Division of the Spoils · Numbers 31:25–47
Read Numbers 31

Translations

Modern
“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.
Traditional
Take the sum of the prey that was taken, both of man and of beast, thou, and Eleazar the priest, and the chief fathers of the congregation:
Literal
“Count up the sum of the plunder that was taken of the man and the beast, you and Eleazar the priest and the heads of the fathers of the congregation.
Latin
Tollite summam eorum quæ capta sunt, ab homine usque ad pecus, tu et Eleazar sacerdos et principes vulgi:

Original

Hebrew
English
“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.

Notes

Numbers 31:25–31

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.

Theme notes and profiles

Moses

People

Eleazar: Son of Aaron, high priest after his father

Glossary

Deuteronomy, Book of Numbers, Book of

Topics

Armies: March in Ranks: A Share the Spoils Heave-Offering: Consisted of Part of Spoil Taken in War Journey of Israel Through The Desert: Return to the Plains of Moab: Midianites Destroyed and Balaam Slain Priest: Benefits of Part of the Plunder of War, Including Captives Priest: Distribute the Plunder of War Spoils: Divided Between the Combatants and Non-Combatants of the Israelites, Including Priests and Levites