King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
(Now the half [that pertained unto] the congregation was three hundred thousand and thirty thousand [and] seven thousand and five hundred sheep,
Complete Jewish Bible:
now the community's half consisted of 337,500 sheep,
Berean Standard Bible:
this half belonged to the congregation: 337,500 sheep,
American Standard Version:
(now the congregation’s half was three hundred thousand and thirty thousand, seven thousand and five hundred sheep,
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
(Now the half{H4275} that pertained unto the congregation{H5712} was three{H7969} hundred{H3967} thousand{H505} and thirty{H7970} thousand{H505} and seven{H7651} thousand{H505} and five{H2568} hundred{H3967} sheep{H4480}{H6629},
Cross-References (KJV):
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Numbers 31:43
1. **Themes:**
- **Division of Spoils:** The verse reflects the practice of dividing the spoils of war between the soldiers and the wider community, which in this case includes the Levites and the congregation of Israel. This practice is consistent with the laws outlined in Numbers 31:25-30, where God instructs Moses on how to distribute the plunder from the Midianite war.
- **Obedience to God's Commands:** The Israelites are following through with God's command to take vengeance on the Midianites for their role in seducing the Israelites into idolatry and immorality (Numbers 25).
- **Holiness and Atonement:** The spoils are part of a larger narrative concerning the maintenance of holiness and the need for atonement. A portion of the spoils is set aside for the Lord to make atonement for the soldiers who fought in the battle (Numbers 31:50).
2. **Historical Context:**
- **Time Period:** The events described in Numbers 31 occur towards the end of the Israelites' 40-year wandering in the wilderness, just before they enter the Promised Land.
- **The Midianite War:** This verse is part of the account of the war against Midian, which was waged as a divine directive. The Midianites had been involved in a plot to lead the Israelites into sin, which resulted in a plague sent by God (Numbers 25:1-9).
- **The Role of Moses:** Moses is the leader of the Israelites at this time, and he is shown executing God's commands, including the distribution of the spoils as described in the verse.
- **Preparation for Entering Canaan:** This distribution of wealth can also be seen as part of the preparation for settling in Canaan, as it provides resources for the people and the sanctuary.
In summary, Numbers 31:43 is situated within the broader context of the Israelites' journey towards the Promised Land and their interactions with neighboring peoples as guided by divine command. It highlights themes of obedience, holiness, and the practical aspects of managing the community's resources in accordance with God's laws.
*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: H4275
There are 2 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מֶחֱצָה
Transliteration: mechĕtsâh
Pronunciation: mekh-ets-aw'
Description: from חָצָהlemma חָעָה ayin, corrected to חָצָה; a halving; half. - 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. - Strong's Number: H7969
There are 381 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁלוֹשׁ
Transliteration: shâlôwsh
Pronunciation: shaw-loshe'
Description: or שָׁלֹשׁ; masculine שְׁלוֹשָׁה; or שְׁלֹשָׁה; a primitive number; three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice; [phrase] fork, [phrase] often(-times), third, thir(-teen, -teenth), three, [phrase] thrice. Compare שָׁלִישׁ. - Strong's Number: H3967
There are 512 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מֵאָה
Transliteration: mêʼâh
Pronunciation: may-aw'
Description: or מֵאיָה; properly, a primitive numeral; a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction; hundred((-fold), -th), [phrase] sixscore. - 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: 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: H7651
There are 345 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שֶׁבַע
Transliteration: shebaʻ
Pronunciation: sheh'-bah
Description: or (masculine) (שִׁבְעָה); from שָׁבַע; a primitive cardinal number; seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number; ([phrase] by) seven(-fold),-s, (-teen, -teenth), -th, times). Compare שִׁבְעָנָה. - Strong's Number: H2568
There are 273 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חָמֵשׁ
Transliteration: châmêsh
Pronunciation: khaw-maysh'
Description: masculine חֲמִשָּׁה; a primitive numeral; five; fif(-teen), fifth, five ([idiom] apiece). - Strong's Number: H4480
There are 25 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מִן
Transliteration: min
Pronunciation: min
Description: or מִנִּי; or מִנֵּי; (constructive plural) (Isaiah 30:11); for מֵן; properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses; above, after, among, at, because of, by (reason of), from (among), in, [idiom] neither, [idiom] nor, (out) of, over, since, [idiom] then, through, [idiom] whether, with. - Strong's Number: H6629
There are 247 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: צֹאן
Transliteration: tsôʼn
Pronunciation: tsone
Description: or צאוֹן; (Psalm 144:13), from an unused root meaning to migrate; a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men); (small) cattle, flock ([phrase] -s), lamb ([phrase] -s), sheep(-cote, -fold, -shearer, -herds).