Keraia
Numbers 31

Numbers 31:51

The Voluntary Offering · Numbers 31:48–54
Read Numbers 31

Translations

Modern
So Moses and Eleazar the priest received from them all the articles made out of gold.
Traditional
And Moses and Eleazar the priest took the gold of them, even all wrought jewels.
Literal
And Moses and Eleazar the priest received the gold from them—all the fashioned ornaments.
Latin
Susceperuntque Moyses et Eleazar sacerdos omne aurum in diversis speciebus,

Original

Hebrew
English
So Moses and Eleazar the priest received from them all the articles made out of gold.

Notes

Numbers 31:50–54

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).

Theme notes and profiles

Moses

People

Eleazar: Son of Aaron, high priest after his father Moses: Prophet who led Israel out of Egypt

Glossary

Deuteronomy, Book of Numbers, Book of

Topics

Gold used in the Arts: Into Ornaments Jewels: Dedicated to the Tabernacle Journey of Israel Through The Desert: Return to the Plains of Moab: Midianites Destroyed and Balaam Slain Liberality: Israelites at the Erection of the Tabernacle Rings: Made of Gold and Set with Precious Stones Spoils: Divided Between the Combatants and Non-Combatants of the Israelites, Including Priests and Levites Thankfulness: To God of the People of Israel