1 Chronicles 5:21

And they took away their cattle; of their camels fifty thousand, and of sheep two hundred and fifty thousand, and of asses two thousand, and of men an hundred thousand.

And they took away ^{H7617} their cattle ^{H4735}; of their camels ^{H1581} fifty ^{H2572} thousand ^{H505}, and of sheep ^{H6629} two hundred ^{H3967} and fifty ^{H2572} thousand ^{H505}, and of asses ^{H2543} two thousand ^{H505}, and of men ^{H120}^{H5315} an hundred ^{H3967} thousand ^{H505}.

From their livestock they carried off 50,000 camels, 250,000 sheep and 2,000 donkeys; they also took captive 100,000 persons.

They seized the livestock of the Hagrites—50,000 camels, 250,000 sheep, and 2,000 donkeys. They also took 100,000 captives,

And they took away their cattle; of their camels fifty thousand, and of sheep two hundred and fifty thousand, and of asses two thousand, and of men a hundred thousand.

Commentary

1 Chronicles 5:21 provides a vivid account of the massive spoils taken by the Israelite tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh after their victorious campaign against the Hagarites and their allies. This verse quantifies the immense plunder: fifty thousand camels, two hundred and fifty thousand sheep, two thousand asses, and a hundred thousand human captives, showcasing the overwhelming scale of their triumph.

Context

This verse is found within the extensive genealogies and historical records of 1 Chronicles, which often highlight significant events related to specific tribes. The war described here, involving the Transjordan tribes (Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh) against the Hagarites, Jetur, Naphish, and Nodab, took place during the reign of King Saul (1 Chronicles 5:10). These Israelite tribes, having settled east of the Jordan River, expanded into the territory of these nomadic desert peoples. Crucially, the preceding verse, 1 Chronicles 5:20, explicitly states that God helped them because they cried out to Him in battle, making divine intervention the central reason for their extraordinary success.

Key Themes

Divine Empowerment and Victory: The staggering quantity of the spoils—hundreds of thousands of animals and captives—serves as compelling evidence that God's hand was actively involved in granting this victory. It emphasizes that their success was not merely due to military might but primarily to divine assistance.
Consequences of Seeking God: The narrative highlights that the tribes "cried to God in the battle, and he was entreated of them" because they put their trust in Him. This act of faith and prayer is presented as the direct cause of their triumph and the subsequent abundance of plunder.
Material Blessings as a Sign of Favor: In the ancient Near East, the acquisition of vast spoils was a tangible manifestation of divine favor and military dominance. For the Israelites, this overwhelming victory reinforced their identity as God's chosen people and demonstrated His faithfulness to His covenant promises.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew terms for the various animals (e.g., גְּמַלִּים gĕmallim for camels, צֹאן tzō'n for sheep, חֲמֹרִים chămorim for asses) and for "men" (נֶפֶשׁ nephesh, often meaning 'soul' or 'person') in this verse are straightforward enumerations. The primary emphasis is not on complex linguistic nuances but on the sheer magnitude of the numbers, conveying an extraordinary and comprehensive victory that resulted in immense wealth and a large population of captives.

Practical Application

While the context of ancient warfare differs from modern realities, the spiritual principles embedded in this passage remain highly relevant for believers today:

God's Help in Life's Challenges: Just as God intervened for the Transjordan tribes, believers can find encouragement that God helps those who trust in Him through life's daily struggles and spiritual battles. He is our ever-present help in trouble.
Acknowledging Divine Provision: This verse serves as a reminder to recognize God's hand in our successes, blessings, and provisions, giving Him the glory for what we achieve or receive.
The Power of Prayer: The preceding verse powerfully illustrates that their victory was a direct answer to their prayers, emphasizing the enduring power and vital importance of crying out to God in times of need and trusting in His deliverance.

This passage reinforces the biblical truth that God is sovereign over the outcomes of human endeavors, and He actively responds to the faith and prayers of His people.

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Cross-References

Revelation 18:13

And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men.
Numbers 31:35

And thirty and two thousand persons in all, of women that had not known man by lying with him.