King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And the persons [were] sixteen thousand; of which the LORD'S tribute [was] thirty and two persons.
Complete Jewish Bible:
and 16,000 persons, of whom ADONAI's tribute was thirty-two persons.
Berean Standard Bible:
and 16,000 people, including a tribute to the LORD of 32.
American Standard Version:
And the persons were sixteen thousand; of whom Jehovah’s tribute was thirty and two persons.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And the persons{H120}{H5315} were sixteen{H8337}{H6240} thousand{H505}; of which the LORD'S{H3068} tribute{H4371} was thirty{H7970} and two{H8147} persons{H5315}.
Cross-References (KJV):
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Commentary for Numbers 31:40
Numbers 31:40 is a verse from the Old Testament that falls within the context of the Israelites' war against the Midianites, as commanded by God through Moses. The broader chapter, Numbers 31, details the military campaign waged by the Israelites against Midian for leading the Israelites into sin and idolatry at Baal-peor (as recorded in Numbers 25). After the battle, the Israelite soldiers return with captives and spoils, and Moses instructs them to execute the males and non-virgin females among the captives, while sparing the young virgin girls.
The verse in question, Numbers 31:40, specifically states that from the total number of captives, 16,000 persons were taken, and out of these, 32 were designated as the Lord's tribute. This tribute was likely meant for service in the tabernacle or as an offering to God, reflecting the practice of dedicating a portion of the spoils of war to the sanctuary, as a form of thanksgiving or fulfillment of a vow.
In terms of themes, Numbers 31:40 touches on the concepts of holy war, divine command, and the idea of setting apart a portion for sacred use. It also reflects the ancient practice of dedicating a share of war spoils to the deity who granted victory, a common theme in the religious and military culture of the ancient Near East. Historically, this verse provides a glimpse into the societal norms and religious obligations of the Israelites regarding warfare and the distribution of spoils, as well as the integration of religious duty within military endeavors.
The verse is part of a larger narrative that underscores the severity of God's judgment against those who lead His people astray, and it also illustrates the strict adherence to divine commands expected of the Israelites, even in the context of war. The inclusion of the Lord's tribute emphasizes the sanctity of the first portion, or the best of the spoils, being devoted to God, which is a recurring principle throughout the Pentateuch.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H120
There are 581 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָדָם
Transliteration: ʼâdâm
Pronunciation: aw-dawm'
Description: from אָדַם; ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.); [idiom] another, [phrase] hypocrite, [phrase] common sort, [idiom] low, man (mean, of low degree), person. - Strong's Number: H5315
There are 683 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נֶפֶשׁ
Transliteration: nephesh
Pronunciation: neh'-fesh
Description: from נָפַשׁ; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental); any, appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, [idiom] dead(-ly), desire, [idiom] (dis-) contented, [idiom] fish, ghost, [phrase] greedy, he, heart(-y), (hath, [idiom] jeopardy of) life ([idiom] in jeopardy), lust, man, me, mind, mortally, one, own, person, pleasure, (her-, him-, my-, thy-) self, them (your) -selves, [phrase] slay, soul, [phrase] tablet, they, thing, ([idiom] she) will, [idiom] would have it. - Strong's Number: H8337
There are 203 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שֵׁשׁ
Transliteration: shêsh
Pronunciation: shaysh
Description: masculine שִׁשָּׁה; a primitive number; compare שׂוּשׂ; six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ord. sixth; six(-teen, -teenth), sixth. - Strong's Number: H6240
There are 292 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עָשָׂר
Transliteration: ʻâsâr
Pronunciation: aw-sawr'
Description: for עֶשֶׂר; ten (only in combination), i.e. -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth; (eigh-, fif-, four-, nine-, seven-, six-, thir-) teen(-th), [phrase] eleven(-th), [phrase] sixscore thousand, [phrase] twelve(-th). - Strong's Number: H505
There are 496 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֶלֶף
Transliteration: ʼeleph
Pronunciation: eh'-lef
Description: prop, the same as אֶלֶף; hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand; thousand. - Strong's Number: H3068
There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יְהֹוָה
Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה. - Strong's Number: H4371
There are 6 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מֶכֶס
Transliteration: mekeç
Pronunciation: meh'-kes
Description: probably from an unused root meaning to enumerate; an assessment (as based upon a census); tribute. - Strong's Number: H7970
There are 164 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שְׁלוֹשִׁים
Transliteration: shᵉlôwshîym
Pronunciation: shel-o-sheem'
Description: or שְׁלֹשִׁים; multiple of שָׁלוֹשׁ; thirty; or (ordinal) thirtieth; thirty, thirtieth. Compare שָׁלִישׁ. - Strong's Number: H8147
There are 647 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שְׁנַיִם
Transliteration: shᵉnayim
Pronunciation: shen-ah'-yim
Description: dual of שֵׁנִי; feminine שְׁתַּיִם; two; also (as ordinal) twofold; both, couple, double, second, twain, [phrase] twelfth, [phrase] twelve, [phrase] twenty (sixscore) thousand, twice, two.