Numbers 31:35

KJV

And thirty and two thousand persons in all, of women that had not known man by lying with him.

KJV (with Strong's)

And thirty {H7970} and two {H8147} thousand {H505} persons {H5315}{H120} in all {H3605}, of women {H802} that had not known {H3045} man {H2145} by lying {H4904} with him.

Complete Jewish Bible

and 32,000 persons in all, consisting of the women who had never slept with a man.

Berean Standard Bible

and 32,000 women who had not slept with a man.

American Standard Version

and thirty and two thousand persons in all, of the women that had not known man by lying with him.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 31:35 provides a precise accounting of the virgin women spared by the Israelites following their divinely commanded punitive war against the Midianites. This specific number—thirty-two thousand—represents a portion of the spoils of war, highlighting the meticulous detail of the Mosaic Law concerning the distribution of plunder and the stringent requirements for ritual purity within the covenant community, particularly in the aftermath of the Baal-peor apostasy.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 31:35 is situated within a lengthy passage detailing the war against Midian, initiated by God's command to Moses to "take vengeance on the Midianites for the Israelites" ([Numbers 31:1-2](/numbers/31-1 "Numbers 31:1-2 - God's Command for Vengeance")). This war serves as the culmination of the narrative arc that began with the Baal-peor incident in [Numbers 25](/numbers/25 "Numbers 25 - The Baal-Peor Apostasy"), where Midianite women enticed Israelite men into idolatry and sexual immorality. The chapter meticulously records the military campaign, the taking of spoils, and the subsequent purification rituals and distribution of the plunder among the warriors, the congregation, and the Levites. Verse 35 specifically itemizes one category of the human spoils, setting the stage for the detailed division that follows in [Numbers 31:36-47](/numbers/31-36 "Numbers 31:36-47 - Division of the Spoils").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The war against Midian was not a typical territorial conquest but a divine judgment against a people who had actively led Israel into grievous sin against Yahweh. In the ancient Near East, warfare often involved the complete annihilation or enslavement of conquered populations. However, the Mosaic Law introduced unique parameters, particularly concerning the treatment of women and children. The command to kill all Midianite males and non-virgin women ([Numbers 31:17](/numbers/31-17 "Numbers 31:17 - Command to Kill Midianites")) while sparing virgins was a severe measure rooted in the need to eradicate the source of spiritual corruption and prevent future moral contamination within Israel. The cultural understanding of virginity as a marker of purity and a safeguard against the spread of pagan cultic prostitution or intermarriage with idolatrous influences was paramount in this context.

* **Key Themes:** This verse, within the broader context of Numbers 31, powerfully underscores several key themes. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Judgment and Holiness**, demonstrating God's unwavering justice against those who lead His people astray and promote idolatry and immorality, as seen in the severity of the command against Midian. Secondly, the distinction between virgin and non-virgin women emphasizes **Purity and Separation**, reflecting the Mosaic Law's profound concern for maintaining the holiness of the covenant community, free from defiling influences ([Leviticus 18:24-30](/leviticus/18-24 "Leviticus 18:24-30 - Abominations of the Nations")). The sparing of virgins, while controversial to modern sensibilities, was likely intended to integrate them into Israelite society in a way that minimized the risk of perpetuating Midianite religious or moral practices. Finally, the meticulous counting of the spoils, including the "thirty and two thousand persons," illustrates **God's Meticulousness and Sovereignty** over every detail of Israel's life, even in the distribution of war plunder, reinforcing the idea that all things are under His divine oversight, as also seen in the detailed census accounts in [Numbers 1](/numbers/1 "Numbers 1 - The First Census of Israel").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Known (Hebrew, _yada'_):** This Hebrew verb is commonly used in the Old Testament to denote intimate, experiential knowledge, often extending beyond mere intellectual understanding. In this context, "had not known man by lying with him" is a well-established biblical euphemism for sexual intercourse. Thus, it signifies a state of virginity, indicating that these women had not engaged in sexual relations. The choice of _yada'_ emphasizes a personal, physical, and intimate experience rather than just a casual acquaintance.
* **Persons (Hebrew, _nephesh'_):** The Hebrew word _nephesh_ literally means "soul" or "life," but it is frequently used to refer to a living being or person. In this context, "persons in all" emphasizes the totality of the human individuals counted, distinguishing them from the animal spoils and highlighting the value or significance attributed to each life, even within the context of war and its aftermath.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And thirty and two thousand persons in all,"**: This clause specifies the exact numerical count of the human spoils being described. The precision of the number underscores the meticulous record-keeping inherent in the Mosaic Law and the comprehensive nature of the inventory taken after the battle. It establishes the scale of the human population integrated into Israelite society from the Midianite campaign.
* **"of women that had not known man by lying with him."**: This crucial qualifying phrase defines the specific category of "persons" being counted. It explicitly states that these were women who were virgins, meaning they had not engaged in sexual intercourse. This distinction was vital for reasons of ritual purity, preventing the introduction of defilement associated with Midianite idolatry and immorality, and for their potential integration into Israelite households through marriage, ensuring the purity of future generations.

#### Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs **Enumeration** and **Euphemism**. **Enumeration** is evident in the precise numerical statement "thirty and two thousand persons," which contributes to the overall meticulous accounting found throughout Numbers 31. This detailed counting reinforces the idea of divine order and control, even over the chaotic spoils of war. The phrase "had not known man by lying with him" is a classic biblical **Euphemism** for virginity. This indirect and delicate phrasing is characteristic of biblical language when referring to sexual matters, demonstrating a cultural sensitivity while clearly conveying the intended meaning. The use of euphemism here serves to maintain decorum while precisely defining the status of the women for legal and ritual purposes.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 31:35, though a seemingly simple numerical statement, is deeply embedded in the theological narrative of God's holiness, justice, and the purity of His covenant people. The distinction made for these virgin women reflects God's desire to separate Israel from the corrupting influences of pagan nations, particularly those involved in the Baal-peor apostasy. It underscores the severity with which God views idolatry and sexual immorality, which defile both individuals and the community. While the specific commands of this war are unique to ancient Israel under the Mosaic covenant, the underlying principle of guarding against spiritual defilement and maintaining purity before a holy God remains a timeless theological truth for believers.

* [Deuteronomy 7:1-6](/deuteronomy/7-1 "Deuteronomy 7:1-6 - Command to Destroy Idolatrous Nations")
* [2 Corinthians 6:14-18](/2_corinthians/6-14 "2 Corinthians 6:14-18 - Do Not Be Unequally Yoked")
* [Revelation 14:4](/revelation/14-4 "Revelation 14:4 - The Redeemed Who Are Virgins")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 31:35, viewed through the lens of God's overarching character and redemptive plan, calls us to a profound reflection on the nature of holiness and the persistent struggle against spiritual compromise. While the specific context of ancient warfare and the treatment of spoils is not directly applicable to New Testament believers, the principle of maintaining purity in the face of corrupting influences is eternally relevant. Just as Israel was called to be distinct from the nations around them, believers today are called to live set apart for God, guarding their hearts and minds against the allure of worldly idols—whether they be materialism, self-worship, or moral relativism. This passage serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of spiritual adultery and the importance of vigilance in preserving our covenant relationship with God. It challenges us to examine what "defilements" we might allow into our lives that hinder our walk with Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might modern "Midianites"—cultural influences or personal temptations—seek to draw me away from God's commands and into spiritual compromise?**
* **How does the emphasis on purity in this Old Testament passage inform my understanding of spiritual purity and holiness as a New Testament believer?**
* **What practical steps can I take to "separate myself" from corrupting influences and maintain a lifestyle that honors God's holiness?**

### FAQ
**Why were only the virgin women spared, and not the non-virgin women or males?**

Answer: The distinction in Numbers 31 was rooted in the specific nature of the Midianite war as a divine judgment for the Baal-peor apostasy, detailed in [Numbers 25](/numbers/25 "Numbers 25 - The Baal-Peor Apostasy"). Midianite women were instrumental in seducing Israelite men into idolatry and sexual immorality. Therefore, the command to kill all males and non-virgin women ([Numbers 31:17](/numbers/31-17 "Numbers 31:17 - Command Regarding Midianite Women")) was a severe measure to eradicate the source of this spiritual and moral contamination. Non-virgin women were likely considered to have been involved in the pagan cultic practices or to pose a continued threat of seduction and defilement. Virgin women, by contrast, were seen as free from such direct involvement and thus could be integrated into Israelite society without carrying the same spiritual or moral risk, potentially through marriage, thereby preventing the perpetuation of Midianite religious practices within Israel. This was not a general rule for all warfare but a specific judgment for a specific, egregious sin against God's covenant.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Numbers 31:35 details a specific historical judgment under the Old Covenant, its underlying themes point towards the ultimate work of Christ. The emphasis on purity and separation from defilement foreshadows the spiritual purity that Christ establishes for His people. Just as the Midianite virgins were spared and brought into the Israelite community, albeit under specific conditions, Christ, through His atoning sacrifice, purifies those who were once alienated from God and brings them into His holy kingdom. He is the ultimate Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), making us spiritually "virgin" or pure before God, washed clean from the defilement of sin. The meticulous accounting in Numbers 31 also hints at God's precise and sovereign plan for salvation, where every detail, even seemingly harsh judgments, ultimately serves His redemptive purposes. Through Christ, we are not merely spared from judgment, but are made new creations ([2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ")), spiritually set apart and presented as a "pure virgin to Christ" ([2 Corinthians 11:2](/2_corinthians/11-2 "2 Corinthians 11:2 - Paul's Concern for the Corinthians")).

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.