Numbers 31:10

KJV

And they burnt all their cities wherein they dwelt, and all their goodly castles, with fire.

KJV (with Strong's)

And they burnt {H8313} all their cities {H5892} wherein they dwelt {H4186}, and all their goodly castles {H2918}, with fire {H784}.

Complete Jewish Bible

They set fire to all their cities in the areas where they lived and all their camps.

Berean Standard Bible

Then they burned all the cities where the Midianites had lived, as well as all their encampments,

American Standard Version

And all their cities in the places wherein they dwelt, and all their encampments, they burnt with fire.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 31:10 vividly depicts the comprehensive destruction of Midianite settlements by the Israelite army, a direct and devastating consequence of God's righteous judgment. This act was not merely a military conquest but a divinely mandated purification, eradicating the physical strongholds of a people who had intentionally led Israel into idolatry and moral corruption, thereby signifying the thoroughness of divine wrath against sin and its pervasive influence.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the narrative of Israel's war against Midian, as commanded by the Lord through Moses in [Numbers 31:1-2](/numbers/31-1 "Numbers 31:1-2 - God's Vengeance on Midian"). The immediate catalyst for this severe military action was the Midianites' involvement in enticing Israel into sexual immorality and idolatry at Baal-Peor, which resulted in a devastating plague that claimed 24,000 Israelite lives, as detailed in [Numbers 25:1-9](/numbers/25-1 "Numbers 25:1-9 - The Sin at Baal-Peor"). Following the defeat of Midianite kings and warriors in the preceding verses of [Numbers 31](/numbers/31 "Numbers 31 - The War Against Midian"), the burning of "all their cities wherein they dwelt, and all their goodly castles" in verse 10 marks a critical phase in the complete eradication of Midianite power and influence. This act was essential to ensure that their corrupting presence was thoroughly removed from the land, preventing future spiritual contamination of Israel.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Midianites were a nomadic or semi-nomadic people, often found in the desert regions east and south of Canaan. Their involvement with Israel at Baal-Peor highlights their strategic proximity and cultural interaction, which, in this case, proved detrimental. Ancient Near Eastern warfare often involved the complete destruction of conquered cities, particularly those of enemies deemed a persistent threat or those against whom divine judgment was pronounced. The burning of cities served multiple purposes: it eliminated enemy strongholds, prevented future habitation by the defeated, and often acted as a symbolic act of purification or a demonstration of absolute victory. The mention of "goodly castles" (Hebrew: *tirot*) suggests more permanent or fortified settlements, indicating that despite their nomadic tendencies, the Midianites also possessed established centers of power and residence that were now utterly destroyed.

* **Key Themes:** The destruction described in [Numbers 31:10](/numbers/31-10 "Numbers 31:10 - Destruction of Midianite Cities") contributes significantly to several major theological and narrative themes within the book of Numbers and the broader Pentateuch. Foremost among these is the theme of **Divine Judgment and Vengeance**, underscoring God's absolute holiness and His uncompromising stance against sin, especially when it leads His covenant people astray. This act demonstrates the seriousness with which God views rebellion against Him and the deliberate corruption of His chosen nation. Another prominent theme is **Total Eradication and Purification**, where the burning of "all their cities" and "goodly castles" signifies a complete and utter destruction, leaving nothing behind that could serve as a stronghold or a reminder of their pagan practices. This echoes a broader principle in the Old Testament concerning the destruction of idolatrous nations to prevent the spiritual contamination of God's people, as commanded in [Deuteronomy 7:1-5](/deuteronomy/7-1 "Deuteronomy 7:1-5 - Command to Destroy Idolatrous Nations"). Finally, the passage starkly illustrates the **Consequences of Sin**, serving as a potent reminder that deliberate rebellion against God and the leading of others into sin incur severe divine retribution. Midian's physical destruction mirrored the spiritual destruction they had attempted to inflict upon Israel.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Burnt (Hebrew, _śāraph'_):** The verb שָׂרַף (*śāraph*) signifies a complete consumption by fire, often implying a thorough and destructive burning, leaving nothing but ashes. In biblical contexts, *śāraph* is frequently used in connection with divine judgment, purification rituals (e.g., burning of sin offerings), or acts of utter destruction. Its use here emphasizes the totality and finality of the destruction wrought upon the Midianite settlements, leaving no possibility of their immediate re-establishment or continued influence. It conveys a sense of divine wrath being executed through human agents.
* **Goodly Castles (Hebrew, _ṭîrōtām'_):** The noun טִירֹתָם (*ṭîrōtām*), derived from *ṭîrāh*, refers to fortified encampments, settlements, or even sheepfolds, often implying a circular or enclosed structure. The KJV translation "goodly castles" suggests substantial, well-built, and perhaps even impressive structures of power and defense, rather than mere temporary dwellings. The destruction of these strongholds underscores the thoroughness of the Israelite victory and the complete dismantling of Midianite infrastructure, removing any potential future bases for their corrupting influence.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they burnt":** This phrase identifies the Israelite army as the agents of this destruction, acting under divine command. The action is decisive and immediate, following the defeat of the Midianite warriors and kings. It represents the execution of God's judgment through His people.
* **"all their cities wherein they dwelt":** This specifies the primary targets of the burning: the urban or settled areas where the Midianites resided. The inclusion of "all" (Hebrew: *kol*) emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the destruction, leaving no settlement untouched. This was not a partial measure but a total eradication of their residential infrastructure.
* **"and all their goodly castles":** This clause adds another layer to the thoroughness of the destruction, specifically targeting their fortified places or significant structures. The term "goodly" (though not explicitly in the Hebrew, implied by the context of substantial structures) highlights that even their most impressive or strategic strongholds were not spared. This signifies the complete dismantling of their power and defense capabilities.
* **"with fire":** This final phrase explicitly states the method of destruction, reinforcing the imagery of complete consumption and purification. Fire in biblical narrative is often associated with divine judgment, holiness, and purification, underscoring that this act was not merely an act of war but a divinely sanctioned execution of justice.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 31:10 employs several potent **Literary Devices** to convey the magnitude and significance of the event. **Hyperbole** is evident in the repeated use of "all" ("all their cities," "all their goodly castles"), emphasizing the totality and comprehensiveness of the destruction. While it might be a literal accounting, the repetition serves to underscore the absolute nature of the judgment, leaving no doubt about the completeness of the Midianites' undoing. This thoroughness also functions as **Symbolism**, representing the purification of the land from the Midianites' corrupting influence and the finality of God's judgment against their sin. The act of burning itself is highly symbolic in biblical literature, often associated with divine wrath, judgment, and purification, transforming what is unclean or condemned into ashes. Furthermore, the stark, declarative statement of the action ("And they burnt...") contributes to the **Conciseness and Directness** of the narrative, presenting the event as a decisive and irreversible outcome of the preceding divine command and military victory.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 31:10 stands as a stark testament to God's uncompromising holiness and justice. It reveals that God does not tolerate sin, particularly that which actively seeks to corrupt His people and undermine their covenant relationship with Him. The complete destruction of the Midianite cities and strongholds underscores the severity of divine judgment against those who lead others astray and engage in idolatry and immorality. This act was not merely punitive but also purificatory, removing a source of spiritual contamination from Israel's midst and demonstrating God's commitment to preserving the purity of His chosen nation. It serves as a powerful reminder that while God is merciful, His justice is equally profound, demanding accountability for rebellion and sin.

* [Deuteronomy 7:2](/deuteronomy/7-2 "Deuteronomy 7:2 - Command to Utterly Destroy")
* [Joshua 6:24](/joshua/6-24 "Joshua 6:24 - Burning of Jericho")
* [2 Kings 23:11](/2_kings/23-11 "2 Kings 23:11 - Josiah's Reforms and Destruction of Idols")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the literal context of ancient holy war is distinct from modern Christian life, Numbers 31:10 offers profound spiritual lessons for believers today. It underscores God's absolute holiness and His uncompromising stance against sin, particularly idolatry and immorality. For believers, this passage can be understood metaphorically as the necessity to utterly destroy the "strongholds" of sin, harmful habits, and ungodly influences in our own lives. Just as the Midianite cities were a source of temptation and corruption for Israel, we are called to ruthlessly eliminate anything that leads us away from God, striving for spiritual purity and undivided devotion to Him. This involves a radical commitment to repentance, identifying and dismantling patterns of thought and behavior that contradict God's will, and actively pursuing righteousness. It is a call to spiritual vigilance, recognizing that compromise with sin, even seemingly small compromises, can lead to devastating spiritual consequences.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "cities" or "strongholds" of sin in my life need to be utterly destroyed by God's truth and power?**
* **How does the thoroughness of God's judgment against Midian inform my understanding of His holiness and the seriousness of sin?**
* **In what ways might I be allowing "corrupting influences" to remain in my life, and what steps can I take to eliminate them?**
* **How can I apply the principle of "purification" from this passage to my personal walk with Christ and my community?**

### FAQ

**Why was such extreme destruction necessary against the Midianites?**

Answer: The extreme destruction, including the burning of their cities and castles, was a direct consequence of God's judgment against the Midianites for their role in corrupting Israel. As detailed in [Numbers 25](/numbers/25 "Numbers 25 - The Sin at Baal-Peor"), the Midianites enticed the Israelites into idolatry and sexual immorality through the Baal-Peor incident, which resulted in a plague that killed 24,000 Israelites. This act was seen as a profound betrayal and an attempt to undermine Israel's covenant relationship with God. The thorough destruction was therefore a divinely commanded act of "vengeance" ([Numbers 31:2](/numbers/31-2 "Numbers 31:2 - God's Vengeance on Midian")) to purify the land, remove a source of spiritual contamination, and prevent future temptations for Israel to stray from the Lord. It demonstrated the seriousness with which God views sin and rebellion against His holiness.

**Does this passage advocate for violence or destruction in modern Christian life?**

Answer: No, this passage does not advocate for literal violence or physical destruction in modern Christian life. The context of Numbers 31 is that of a specific, divinely commanded holy war in the Old Testament, unique to Israel's role as God's covenant people in a particular historical period. Christians are called to live by the teachings of Christ, which emphasize love, forgiveness, and peace ([Matthew 5:44](/matthew/5-44 "Matthew 5:44 - Love Your Enemies"); [Romans 12:18](/romans/12-18 "Romans 12:18 - Live Peaceably with All")). However, the spiritual principle of utterly destroying sin and its strongholds in our lives remains profoundly relevant. We are called to wage war against spiritual forces of evil and personal sin ([Ephesians 6:12](/ephesians/6-12 "Ephesians 6:12 - The Armor of God"); [2 Corinthians 10:4-5](/2_corinthians/10-4 "2 Corinthians 10:4-5 - Spiritual Warfare")), metaphorically "burning" away anything that separates us from God and hinders our spiritual growth.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Numbers 31:10 portrays a literal act of judgment and destruction, its Christ-centered fulfillment lies in the ultimate victory of Jesus over sin, death, and all spiritual enemies. Just as the Midianite cities represented strongholds of corruption that needed to be utterly destroyed to protect God's people, Christ's work on the cross represents the decisive and complete dismantling of the spiritual strongholds that held humanity captive. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus "disarmed the powers and authorities" ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")), utterly destroying the power of sin and death that once reigned over us ([Hebrews 2:14](/hebrew/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14 - Jesus Destroys the Power of Death")). The burning of Midianite cities foreshadows the purification that Christ brings, not through physical fire, but through His atoning sacrifice, which purifies us from all unrighteousness and makes us holy before God ([1 John 1:7](/1_john/1-7 "1 John 1:7 - Cleansing from All Sin")). Ultimately, the final judgment and complete eradication of evil, as depicted in Revelation, where "the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur" ([Revelation 20:10](/revelation/20-10 "Revelation 20:10 - The Devil Thrown into the Lake of Fire")), finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ's sovereign reign, ensuring a purified new heavens and new earth where righteousness dwells ([2 Peter 3:13](/2_peter/3-13 "2 Peter 3:13 - New Heavens and New Earth")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Samuel 30:1

¶ And it came to pass, when David and his men were come to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the south, and Ziklag, and smitten Ziklag, and burned it with fire;

Genesis 25:16

These [are] the sons of Ishmael, and these [are] their names, by their towns, and by their castles; twelve princes according to their nations.

1 Kings 9:16

[For] Pharaoh king of Egypt had gone up, and taken Gezer, and burnt it with fire, and slain the Canaanites that dwelt in the city, and given it [for] a present unto his daughter, Solomon's wife.

Revelation 18:8

Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong [is] the Lord God who judgeth her.

Isaiah 1:7

Your country [is] desolate, your cities [are] burned with fire: your land, strangers devour it in your presence, and [it is] desolate, as overthrown by strangers.

Joshua 6:24

And they burnt the city with fire, and all that [was] therein: only the silver, and the gold, and the vessels of brass and of iron, they put into the treasury of the house of the LORD.