Numbers 31:30

And of the children of Israel's half, thou shalt take one portion of fifty, of the persons, of the beeves, of the asses, and of the flocks, of all manner of beasts, and give them unto the Levites, which keep the charge of the tabernacle of the LORD.

And of the children {H1121} of Israel's {H3478} half {H4276}, thou shalt take {H3947} one {H259} portion {H270} of fifty {H2572}, of the persons {H120}, of the beeves {H1241}, of the asses {H2543}, and of the flocks {H6629}, of all manner of beasts {H929}, and give {H5414} them unto the Levites {H3881}, which keep {H8104} the charge {H4931} of the tabernacle {H4908} of the LORD {H3068}.

From the half that goes to the people of Isra'el, you are to take one-fiftieth of the persons, and of the cattle, donkeys and sheep, that is, of all the livestock; and give them to the L'vi'im taking care of the tabernacle of ADONAI."

From the Israelites’ half, take one out of every fifty, whether persons, cattle, donkeys, sheep, or other animals, and give them to the Levites who keep charge of the tabernacle of the LORD.”

And of the children of Israel’s half, thou shalt take one drawn out of every fifty, of the persons, of the oxen, of the asses, and of the flocks, even of all the cattle, and give them unto the Levites, that keep the charge of the tabernacle of Jehovah.

Commentary

Numbers 31:30 details a specific aspect of the division of spoils following Israel's victorious war against the Midianites. This verse specifies the portion of the plunder that was to be given to the Levites from the half allocated to the general congregation of Israel, highlighting God's ordained system of support for those dedicated to His service.

Context

This verse is found within the elaborate instructions for dividing the immense plunder obtained from the war against Midian. The war was a divine judgment against Midian for their role in leading Israel astray (see Numbers 25:17-18). After the victory, the spoils were divided into two equal halves: one for the 12,000 warriors who fought, and the other for the rest of the Israelite congregation (Numbers 31:27). From the warriors' half, a small tribute was given to the Lord through Eleazar the priest (Numbers 31:28-29). Numbers 31:30 specifies a similar, though larger, portion to be taken from the congregation's half and given directly to the Levites, who were responsible for the Tabernacle.

Key Themes

  • Divine Provision for Ministry: God established a clear system for sustaining the Levites, who had no tribal land inheritance. Their livelihood depended on the contributions of the other tribes, ensuring they could fully devote themselves to their sacred duties related to the Tabernacle and its service without distraction. This demonstrates God's care for those who serve Him.
  • Community Responsibility: The verse underscores the collective responsibility of the Israelite community to support those who served in spiritual capacities. The giving of this portion was a mandatory act, reinforcing the principle that the entire nation benefited from the Levites' spiritual work and thus shared in their upkeep.
  • Order and Meticulousness: The precise fraction (one portion of fifty, or 1/50th) and the detailed enumeration of items (persons, beeves, asses, flocks, all manner of beasts) reflect God's orderly nature and His meticulous attention to detail in His laws and provisions. Every aspect of Israelite life, including the distribution of war spoils, was governed by divine instruction.

Linguistic Insights

The terms "beeves" and "asses" simply refer to cattle and donkeys, respectively, encompassing the primary types of livestock captured as plunder. The phrase "keep the charge of the tabernacle of the LORD" signifies the Levites' solemn duty and responsibility for the maintenance, transportation, and liturgical service associated with the Tabernacle, which was the portable sanctuary representing God's presence among His people.

Practical Application

While the specific context of war spoils is unique to ancient Israel, the principles embedded in Numbers 31:30 hold enduring relevance:

  • Support for Spiritual Leaders: This passage reminds us of the importance of supporting those who dedicate their lives to spiritual ministry today. Just as the Levites were set apart for the Tabernacle, those in full-time ministry should be enabled to focus on their callings without undue financial burden.
  • God's Provision Through His People: It illustrates that God often provides for His servants through the generosity and obedience of His people. Our contributions, whether financial or otherwise, play a vital role in sustaining the work of the Kingdom.
  • Stewardship and Order: The meticulous division of spoils encourages believers to be good stewards of all resources entrusted to them, managing them with order, integrity, and a recognition of God's overarching purposes.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Numbers 3:25

    And the charge of the sons of Gershon in the tabernacle of the congregation [shall be] the tabernacle, and the tent, the covering thereof, and the hanging for the door of the tabernacle of the congregation,

  • Numbers 3:7

    And they shall keep his charge, and the charge of the whole congregation before the tabernacle of the congregation, to do the service of the tabernacle.

  • Numbers 3:8

    And they shall keep all the instruments of the tabernacle of the congregation, and the charge of the children of Israel, to do the service of the tabernacle.

  • Numbers 3:31

    And their charge [shall be] the ark, and the table, and the candlestick, and the altars, and the vessels of the sanctuary wherewith they minister, and the hanging, and all the service thereof.

  • 1 Corinthians 9:13

    Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live [of the things] of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?

  • 1 Corinthians 9:14

    Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.

  • Numbers 3:36

    And [under] the custody and charge of the sons of Merari [shall be] the boards of the tabernacle, and the bars thereof, and the pillars thereof, and the sockets thereof, and all the vessels thereof, and all that serveth thereto,
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