Numbers 31:34

KJV

And threescore and one thousand asses,

KJV (with Strong's)

And threescore {H8346} and one {H259} thousand {H505} asses {H2543},

Complete Jewish Bible

61,000 donkeys,

Berean Standard Bible

61,000 donkeys,

American Standard Version

and threescore and one thousand asses,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 31:34 precisely records the immense quantity of sixty-one thousand asses (donkeys) taken as spoils during Israel's divinely commanded punitive war against the Midianites. This specific detail, nestled within a meticulous inventory of captured livestock and precious metals, serves to underscore the overwhelming scale of God's judgment enacted through Israel, His abundant provision for His people, and the rigorous, divinely ordained order governing the distribution of the vast war bounty.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 31:34 is situated within the latter half of Numbers chapter 31, which meticulously details the war against the Midianites. This conflict is presented as a direct divine command for vengeance, stemming from Midian's role in orchestrating the spiritual and moral apostasy of Israel at Baal-peor, as recounted in [Numbers 25](/numbers/25 "Numbers 25 - The Sin at Baal-Peor"). Following the initial command in [Numbers 31:1-2](/numbers/31-1 "Numbers 31:1-2 - God Commands Vengeance on Midian"), the chapter describes the military expedition, the complete defeat of Midian, and the subsequent capture of immense spoils. Verses [31:25-47](/numbers/31-25 "Numbers 31:25-47 - Division of the Spoils") provide a detailed inventory of the plunder—people, cattle, sheep, and asses—and outline the precise method for its division among the soldiers, the congregation, and specific portions dedicated to the Lord and the Levites. Verse 34, by specifying the number of asses, contributes to this comprehensive accounting, emphasizing the thoroughness of the inventory and the vastness of the victory.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The war against Midian was not merely a territorial conquest but a unique act of divine judgment against a people who had actively sought to corrupt Israel's covenant relationship with Yahweh. In the ancient Near East, donkeys were indispensable beasts of burden, vital for transportation, agriculture, trade, and military logistics. Their immense value made them a significant measure of wealth and a crucial component of war spoils. The sheer number of 61,000 asses indicates the Midianites' prosperity and the overwhelming nature of Israel's victory. Furthermore, the meticulous accounting of spoils reflects a common practice in ancient warfare, but here it is elevated to a divine mandate, highlighting God's involvement in every detail of Israel's life, including the aftermath of battle. This level of detail also served to demonstrate the fulfillment of God's promises of provision and the consequences of disobedience for opposing nations.

* **Key Themes:** The meticulous enumeration of the spoils, including the 61,000 asses in [Numbers 31:34](/numbers/31-34 "Numbers 31:34 - Spoils of War: Asses"), contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book of Numbers. Firstly, it underscores **Divine Judgment and Holiness**, demonstrating God's unwavering commitment to executing justice against those who lead His people astray and violate His covenant, as seen in the severe consequences for Midian following the Baal-peor incident ([Numbers 25](/numbers/25 "Numbers 25 - The Sin at Baal-Peor")). Secondly, it highlights **God's Abundant Provision and Faithfulness** to Israel, showing that even in the context of war, He richly supplies their needs and blesses their obedience. The vast quantity of livestock signifies a tangible blessing from Yahweh. Finally, the detailed inventory and prescribed division methods emphasize **Divine Order and Meticulousness**. God is portrayed as a deity who governs every aspect of life, demanding precision and adherence to His instructions, even in the distribution of war booty, reinforcing the structured nature of the Mosaic Law and the importance of stewardship within the community. This attention to detail reflects the divine blueprint for Israel's ordered existence in the wilderness and their preparation for the Promised Land.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Threescore (Hebrew, _shishim'_):** This term, common in older English translations like the KJV, literally means "three scores," where a "score" is twenty. Thus, "threescore" signifies sixty. The full phrase "threescore and one thousand" (Hebrew: וְאֶלֶף שִׁשִּׁים וְאֶחָד, _v'eleph shishim v'echad_) translates to "sixty-one thousand." This precise numerical expression highlights the meticulous record-keeping inherent in the biblical text, particularly within the legal and historical narratives of the Pentateuch. It reflects an emphasis on quantifiable data, which was crucial for accountability and the fair distribution of resources within the Israelite community, especially regarding divinely mandated spoils of war.
* **Asses (Hebrew, _chamor'_):** Refers to donkeys, which were ubiquitous and highly valuable domestic animals in the ancient Near East. Unlike horses, which were primarily used for warfare and by the elite, donkeys were the common beasts of burden for ordinary people, essential for transportation of goods and people, agricultural work (plowing, threshing), and even for riding by various social strata. The immense number of 61,000 asses captured from the Midianites signifies not only the Midianites' considerable wealth and pastoral economy but also the overwhelming scale of Israel's victory and the subsequent enrichment of the Israelite community, providing a vital resource for their journey and future settlement in Canaan.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And threescore and one thousand asses,"**: This concise statement serves as a precise accounting entry within the broader inventory of the Midianite spoils. It quantifies a specific category of livestock, emphasizing the sheer volume of wealth acquired by Israel through divine intervention. The inclusion of such a large, specific number (61,000) for donkeys underscores the magnitude of the victory and the comprehensive nature of the plunder. It also highlights the practical value of the spoils, as these animals were crucial for the logistical needs of the vast Israelite congregation in the wilderness and for their future agricultural endeavors in the Promised Land. This detail reinforces the theme of God's abundant provision, demonstrating His capacity to supply His people's needs even through the extraordinary circumstances of war and judgment.

#### Literary Devices
The brevity of Numbers 31:34 belies its literary significance within the larger narrative of Numbers 31. The primary literary device at play is **Enumeration**, where the text meticulously lists and quantifies the vast spoils of war. This detailed accounting, repeated for various categories of plunder (sheep, cattle, humans, gold, silver), serves to emphasize the overwhelming nature of God's victory and the thoroughness of His judgment against Midian. The sheer scale of the numbers, particularly for livestock like the 61,000 asses, functions almost as a form of **Hyperbole** in its impact, conveying an impression of immense wealth and divine blessing, even if the numbers are literal. Furthermore, the focus on such specific details like the number of donkeys contributes to the overall sense of **Realism** and historical grounding for the narrative, portraying the events with a meticulousness that suggests an authentic record. This precision also reinforces the theme of God's **Order** and control, as even the distribution of war spoils is subject to His exact divine instructions, reflecting His character as a God of meticulous detail and comprehensive oversight.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 31:34, though a simple numerical statement, is profoundly theological in its implications. It stands as a testament to God's sovereign power and His unwavering commitment to justice. The immense spoils, including these 61,000 asses, are not merely the outcome of human warfare but the tangible result of divine judgment against Midian for their egregious sin at Baal-peor. This demonstrates that God is actively involved in the affairs of nations, holding them accountable for their moral and spiritual corruption. Furthermore, the detailed accounting highlights God's meticulous nature, His provision for His people, and the importance of stewardship, as the resources acquired are to be managed and distributed according to His precise commands, with portions dedicated back to Him and to the Levites. This underscores the principle that all blessings, even those gained through conflict, ultimately originate from and belong to God.

* [Deuteronomy 20:14](/deuteronomy/20-14 "Deuteronomy 20:14 - Spoils of War")
* [Proverbs 3:9](/proverbs/3-9 "Proverbs 3:9 - Honor the Lord with Your Wealth")
* [Leviticus 27:30](/leviticus/27-30 "Leviticus 27:30 - Tithes of the Land")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The precise enumeration of 61,000 asses in Numbers 31:34, while seemingly mundane, invites us to reflect on the profound implications of God's character and our response to Him. It reminds us that God is a God of meticulous detail, whose oversight extends to every aspect of life, even the spoils of war. This should encourage us to cultivate diligence and order in our own lives, recognizing that nothing is too small to escape God's notice or too insignificant for His purposes. Moreover, the context of divine judgment and abundant provision prompts us to consider the serious consequences of sin and the lavish blessings that flow from obedience to God's commands. Just as Israel was called to steward these vast resources, we too are called to be faithful stewards of all that God entrusts to us—our time, talents, and material possessions—recognizing that they are gifts from Him and are to be used for His glory and the advancement of His kingdom. This verse, therefore, calls us to a deeper appreciation for God's sovereignty, His justice, and His unfailing provision, prompting us to live lives of faithful stewardship and obedience.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's meticulous attention to detail in Numbers 31:34 challenge or affirm your understanding of His involvement in your own daily life?**
* **Considering the context of divine judgment and provision, what does this verse teach us about the consequences of spiritual compromise and the blessings of obedience?**
* **In what practical ways can you better apply the principle of faithful stewardship to the resources (time, talents, finances) God has entrusted to you?**

### FAQ

**Why is such a specific number of asses mentioned in Numbers 31:34?**

Answer: The specific mention of 61,000 asses in [Numbers 31:34](/numbers/31-34 "Numbers 31:34 - Spoils of War: Asses") serves multiple purposes. Firstly, it underscores the overwhelming scale of Israel's victory over the Midianites, demonstrating the effectiveness of God's judgment. Secondly, it highlights the immense wealth acquired, as donkeys were vital economic assets in the ancient world, used for transport, agriculture, and trade. Thirdly, and most importantly, it emphasizes God's meticulous nature and His demand for precise accounting. The entire chapter details a divinely ordained system for dividing spoils, with specific portions allocated to the soldiers, the congregation, the Levites, and as a tribute to the Lord ([Numbers 31:25-47](/numbers/31-25 "Numbers 31:25-47 - Division of the Spoils")). This level of detail reinforces the biblical theme of divine order and the importance of faithful stewardship in all matters, even in the aftermath of warfare. It assures the reader that God is sovereign over all aspects of life, down to the smallest detail of a nation's inventory.

**What was the significance of asses (donkeys) in ancient Israelite society?**

Answer: Asses, or donkeys, were incredibly significant in ancient Israelite society and the broader ancient Near East. They were the primary beasts of burden for common people, essential for daily life and economic activity. Unlike horses, which were often associated with warfare and royalty, donkeys were versatile animals used for transporting goods and people over long distances, plowing fields, grinding grain, and carrying water. Their ability to thrive in arid conditions made them indispensable for travel and commerce in the region. The possession of a large number of donkeys, as seen in the spoils of [Numbers 31:34](/numbers/31-34 "Numbers 31:34 - Spoils of War: Asses"), indicated considerable wealth and economic stability. They symbolized a practical form of prosperity and were a crucial component of any household or community's assets, reflecting their vital role in sustaining life and livelihood in the ancient world.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Numbers 31:34 details the spoils of a literal war in the Old Testament, its underlying themes find profound Christ-centered fulfillment. The war against Midian was an act of divine judgment against a corrupting influence, leading to a decisive victory and the acquisition of immense "spoils" for God's people. This foreshadows the ultimate spiritual war waged by Jesus Christ against sin, death, and the powers of darkness. Through His sacrificial death on the cross and His glorious resurrection, Christ achieved a definitive victory, disarming the spiritual forces arrayed against humanity ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). The "spoils" of Christ's victory are not material wealth but the spiritual blessings and eternal inheritance bestowed upon His redeemed people: forgiveness of sins, reconciliation with God, eternal life, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit ([Ephesians 1:7-14](/ephesians/1-7 "Ephesians 1:7-14 - Spiritual Blessings in Christ")). Just as the asses provided practical utility for Israel's journey, so too does Christ's victory provide all that is necessary for believers to live a life of godliness and to journey towards their heavenly inheritance ([2 Peter 1:3](/2_peter/1-3 "2 Peter 1:3 - God's Divine Power")). Furthermore, the meticulous accounting in Numbers 31 reflects God's divine order and sovereignty, mirroring the perfect plan of salvation meticulously executed by Christ, ensuring every detail of God's redemptive purpose is fulfilled ([Hebrews 10:1-10](/hebrews/10-1 "Hebrews 10:1-10 - Christ's Perfect Sacrifice")). Ultimately, the victory and provision for Israel in Numbers 31 point to the far greater victory and inexhaustible provision found in Christ, the true Lamb of God, who triumphs over all evil and gives abundant life to His followers.

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.