Numbers 31:27

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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:

Complete Jewish Bible:

and divide the booty into two parts: half for the experienced soldiers who went out to battle, and half for the rest of the community.

Berean Standard Bible:

Then divide the captives between the troops who went out to battle and the rest of the congregation.

American Standard Version:

and divide the prey into two parts: between the men skilled in war, that went out to battle, and all the congregation.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And divide^{H2673} the prey^{H4455} into two parts^{H2673}; between them that took^{H8610} the war^{H4421} upon them, who went out^{H3318} to battle^{H6635}, and between all the congregation^{H5712}:

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Numbers 31:27

1. **Themes:**
- **Divine Justice and Providence:** The verse reflects the theme of divine justice, as the spoils of war are to be divided according to God's law, ensuring fairness and order.
- **Military Discipline and Order:** It underscores the importance of structure within the Israelite army, with clear guidelines on how to distribute the spoils of battle.
- **Economic Distribution:** The division of the spoils also highlights the economic aspect of war in ancient times, where the victors would share in the material wealth taken from the defeated.

2. **Historical Context:**
- **Time Period:** Numbers 31:27 is set during the Israelites' journey through the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt, which historians and scholars often place in the late 2nd millennium BCE.
- **Occasion:** The verse is part of a narrative where the Israelites are instructed by God, through Moses, to wage war against the Midianites as a form of retribution for leading Israel into sin (Numbers 25).
- **Cultural Practices:** The division of spoils was a common practice in ancient warfare, but the specific instruction to divide the spoils between those who fought and the wider community reflects the unique socio-religious structure of the Israelites.
- **Leadership and Command:** Moses is the leader at this time, and he is shown implementing God's commands, reinforcing his role as a prophet and military leader.
- **Theological Significance:** The act of dividing the spoils according to divine command emphasizes the theocratic nature of Israelite society, where religious law governed all aspects of life, including military operations.

In summary, Numbers 31:27 addresses the distribution of war spoils, reflecting themes of divine justice, military order, and economic management within the historical context of the Israelites' wilderness wanderings and their theocratic societal structure.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H2673
   There are 14 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חָצָה
   Transliteration: châtsâh
   Pronunciation: khaw-tsaw'
   Description: lemma חָעָה ayin, corrected to חָצָה; a primitive root (compare זֵד)); to cut or split in two; to halve; divide, [idiom] live out half, reach to the midst, participle
   
2. Strong's Number: H4455
   There are 8 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מַלְקוֹחַ
   Transliteration: malqôwach
   Pronunciation: mal-ko'-akh
   Description: from לָקַח; transitively (in dual) the jaws (as taking food); intransitively, spoil (and captives) (as taken); booty, jaws, prey.
   
3. Strong's Number: H8610
   There are 60 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: תָּפַשׂ
   Transliteration: tâphas
   Pronunciation: taw-fas'
   Description: a primitive root; to manipulate, i.e. seize; chiefly to capture, wield, specifically, to overlay; figuratively, to use unwarrantably; catch, handle, (lay, take) hold (on, over), stop, [idiom] surely, surprise, take.
   
4. Strong's Number: H4421
   There are 308 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מִלְחָמָה
   Transliteration: milchâmâh
   Pronunciation: mil-khaw-maw'
   Description: from לָחַם (in the sense of fighting); a battle (i.e. the engagement); generally, war (i.e. warfare); battle, fight(-ing), war(-rior).
   
5. Strong's Number: H3318
   There are 992 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָצָא
   Transliteration: yâtsâʼ
   Pronunciation: yaw-tsaw'
   Description: a primitive root; to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.; [idiom] after, appear, [idiom] assuredly, bear out, [idiom] begotten, break out, bring forth (out, up), carry out, come (abroad, out, thereat, without), [phrase] be condemned, depart(-ing, -ure), draw forth, in the end, escape, exact, fail, fall (out), fetch forth (out), get away (forth, hence, out), (able to, cause to, let) go abroad (forth, on, out), going out, grow, have forth (out), issue out, lay (lie) out, lead out, pluck out, proceed, pull out, put away, be risen, [idiom] scarce, send with commandment, shoot forth, spread, spring out, stand out, [idiom] still, [idiom] surely, take forth (out), at any time, [idiom] to (and fro), utter.
   
6. Strong's Number: H6635
   There are 463 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: צָבָא
   Transliteration: tsâbâʼ
   Pronunciation: tsaw-baw'
   Description: or (feminine) צְבָאָה; from צָבָא; a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized forwar (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (specifically, hardship, worship); appointed time, ([phrase]) army, ([phrase]) battle, company, host, service, soldiers, waiting upon, war(-fare).
   
7. Strong's Number: H5712
   There are 140 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עֵדָה
   Transliteration: ʻêdâh
   Pronunciation: ay-daw'
   Description: feminine of עֵד in the original sense of fixture; a stated assemblage (specifically, a concourse, or generally, a family or crowd); assembly, company, congregation, multitude, people, swarm. Compare עֵדָה.