(The Lord speaking is red text)
And Moses and Eleazar the priest did as the LORD commanded Moses.
Moshe and El'azar the cohen did as ADONAI had ordered Moshe.
So Moses and Eleazar the priest did as the LORD had commanded Moses,
And Moses and Eleazar the priest did as Jehovah commanded Moses.
And Moses{H4872} and Eleazar{H499} the priest{H3548} did{H6213} as the LORD{H3068} commanded{H6680} Moses{H4872}.
1. Themes:
- Obedience to God's Command: The verse emphasizes the importance of following divine instructions as Moses and Eleazar adhere strictly to what the LORD had commanded Moses.
- Division of Spoils: The context of Numbers 31 involves the distribution of the spoils of war after the Israelites' victory over the Midianites. The verse reflects the theme of allocating the plunder between those who fought and the rest of the community, including a portion set apart for the LORD.
- Atonement and Purity: The broader chapter deals with the purification process for the soldiers and the spoils, which includes cleansing rituals and the handling of items dedicated to the LORD.
2. Historical Context:
- The Israelites' Journey: Numbers 31 occurs towards the end of the Israelites' wilderness wanderings, as they are preparing to enter the Promised Land. The book of Numbers documents the census of the tribes, various laws, and the events that befell the Israelites during their 40-year journey from Egypt to Canaan.
- Conflict with Midian: The Midianites had been involved in seducing the Israelites into idolatry and immorality (Numbers 25), leading to a plague sent by God. Numbers 31 details the Israelites' retaliatory campaign against Midian as a divine directive to punish them for their role in corrupting the Israelites.
- Transition of Leadership: This period also marks the transition from Moses' leadership to that of Joshua. Eleazar, the high priest, is involved in the distribution of the spoils, signifying the continuity of priestly authority.
In summary, Numbers 31:31 reflects the themes of obedience to God, the division of war spoils according to divine command, and the maintenance of ritual purity. It is set within the historical context of the Israelites' preparations to enter Canaan and a specific military campaign against Midian, with undertones of leadership transition within the Israelite community.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)