Numbers 31:50

KJV

We have therefore brought an oblation for the LORD, what every man hath gotten, of jewels of gold, chains, and bracelets, rings, earrings, and tablets, to make an atonement for our souls before the LORD.

KJV (with Strong's)

We have therefore brought {H7126} an oblation {H7133} for the LORD {H3068}, what every man {H376} hath gotten {H4672}, of jewels {H3627} of gold {H2091}, chains {H685}, and bracelets {H6781}, rings {H2885}, earrings {H5694}, and tablets {H3558}, to make an atonement {H3722} for our souls {H5315} before {H6440} the LORD {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

We have brought an offering for ADONAI, what every man has obtained in the way of gold jewelry -armlets, bracelets, signet rings, earrings and belts -to make atonement for ourselves before ADONAI."

Berean Standard Bible

So we have brought to the LORD an offering of the gold articles each man acquired—armlets, bracelets, rings, earrings, and necklaces—to make atonement for ourselves before the LORD.”

American Standard Version

And we have brought Jehovah’s oblation, what every man hath gotten, of jewels of gold, ankle-chains, and bracelets, signet-rings, ear-rings, and armlets, to make atonement for our souls before Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 31:50 records a profound act of corporate gratitude and spiritual dedication by the Israelite officers following their miraculous victory over the Midianites. Having taken a census of their fighting men and discovered that not a single soldier had perished in the fierce campaign, they spontaneously brought a voluntary offering of valuable gold ornaments from their spoils to the LORD. This "oblation" was presented not as a sin offering, but as a unique "atonement for our souls," an act of purification and acknowledgment of God's sovereign preservation of their lives, demonstrating their reverence and dependence upon His divine protection.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse concludes the narrative of the divinely commanded war against Midian, a punitive expedition for their role in the Baal-peor apostasy ([Numbers 25:1-9](/numbers/25-1 "Numbers 25:1-9 - The Sin at Baal-Peor")). Following the decisive victory and the execution of Moses' instructions regarding the division of spoils and purification rituals ([Numbers 31:1-24](/numbers/31-1 "Numbers 31 - The War Against Midian")), the military commanders conducted a census of their forces. The astonishing discovery that "there lacked not one man of us" ([Numbers 31:49](/numbers/31-49 "Numbers 31:49 - Not a Single Man Lost")) prompted this extraordinary, voluntary offering. This act of thanksgiving stands as a testament to God's faithfulness and Israel's recognition of His hand in their preservation, preceding the formal division of the spoils among the congregation and the Levites.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The war against Midian was not merely a military conquest but a holy war, a divine judgment against those who had enticed Israel into idolatry and sexual immorality. In ancient Near Eastern warfare, the taking of spoils was customary, and a portion was often dedicated to the gods. However, the Israelite practice, guided by the Mosaic Law, involved specific tithes for the sanctuary and the priesthood from war booty ([Numbers 31:25-47](/numbers/31-25 "Numbers 31:25-47 - Division of Spoils")). The offering in Numbers 31:50 goes beyond these prescribed tithes, representing a spontaneous, personal, and costly act of devotion. The concept of "atonement" (כָּפַר, *kaphar*) in this context is crucial; it is not for specific sin but a purification or covering for the lives of those who had engaged in bloodshed, acknowledging the sanctity of life and God's ultimate ownership over it, even in divinely sanctioned warfare. It reflects a cultural understanding that engagement with death and the taking of life, even in war, required a ritual acknowledgment and purification to remain in right standing with a holy God.

* **Key Themes:** The verse powerfully underscores several key themes pervasive in the book of Numbers and the Pentateuch. Foremost is **Divine Protection and Faithfulness**, as God miraculously preserved every Israelite soldier in a fierce battle, highlighting His unwavering care for His covenant people. This preservation elicits a profound response of **Gratitude and Thanksgiving**, manifested in a costly, **Voluntary Offering** of personal valuables. The act is described as making "atonement for our souls," which introduces the theme of **Purification and Reconciliation**. While not a sin offering in the typical sense, it signifies a desire to be ritually clean and in right relationship with God after engaging in warfare and bloodshed, acknowledging His sovereignty over life and death. This reflects an ongoing need for spiritual alignment and consecration before a holy God, even when acting under His direct command.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Oblation (Hebrew, _minchah'_):** This term (מִנְחָה) typically refers to a "gift offering," "tribute," or "grain offering." Unlike a burnt offering (עוֹלָה, *olah*) or sin offering (חַטָּאת, *chattat*), a *minchah* was often a voluntary gift, an expression of homage, gratitude, or devotion. In this context, it emphasizes the freewill nature of the officers' offering, given out of a heart of thanksgiving rather than as a prescribed ritual or a response to specific transgression. It signifies a tangible expression of reverence and appreciation for God's extraordinary favor.
* **Atonement (Hebrew, _kaphar'_):** The verb כָּפַר (from which the noun כֹּפֶר, *kopher* or "ransom," derives) fundamentally means "to cover," "to purge," "to appease," or "to make propitiation." While often associated with covering sin (e.g., on the [Day of Atonement](/leviticus/16 "Leviticus 16 - The Day of Atonement")), here its object is "our souls" (נַפְשֹׁתֵינוּ, *nafshoteinu*), referring to their very lives. It is not an atonement for sin committed by the soldiers, but rather a purification or covering for their lives, acknowledging that even in divinely commanded warfare, the shedding of blood and exposure to death required a spiritual cleansing and recognition of God's sanctity and ownership over life. It was an act of consecration, ensuring they remained in right standing with the holy God after such an event, a recognition of their dependence on His grace for their continued existence.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"We have therefore brought an oblation for the LORD":** This clause highlights the officers' initiative and purpose. "Therefore" links directly to the preceding verse, where they marvel at the fact that not a single man was lost. Their offering is a direct, grateful response to this miraculous preservation, presented as a voluntary gift (oblation/ *minchah*) specifically dedicated to Yahweh, acknowledging Him as the source of their victory and preservation.
* **"what every man hath gotten, of jewels of gold, chains, and bracelets, rings, earrings, and tablets":** This specifies the nature and source of the offering. It was not a communal fund but a collection of personal war spoils, specifically valuable gold ornaments. The detailed list of items—"jewels of gold, chains, and bracelets, rings, earrings, and tablets"—underscores the richness and personal value of the offering, indicating that these were significant possessions. This emphasizes the costly and heartfelt nature of their gratitude, giving from their abundance and with a willing spirit.
* **"to make an atonement for our souls before the LORD":** This crucial phrase states the spiritual purpose of the offering. As analyzed above, "atonement for our souls" refers to a purification or covering for their lives, not for specific sin. It is an act of recognizing God's sovereignty over life and death, acknowledging His grace in preserving them, and seeking to be ritually and spiritually clean in His sight after participating in warfare. It signifies their desire to remain in a right, consecrated relationship with God, demonstrating profound reverence and dependence.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. The detailed enumeration of the gold items ("jewels of gold, chains, and bracelets, rings, earrings, and tablets") serves as **Specific Detail** and **Accumulation**, emphasizing the richness and personal value of the offering. This specific listing not only paints a vivid picture but also underscores the costly nature of their gratitude, highlighting that they gave from their most prized possessions. The context of "not a single man was lost" ([Numbers 31:49](/numbers/31-49 "Numbers 31:49 - Not a Single Man Lost")) functions as **Hyperbole** or **Divine Intervention**, as such an outcome in ancient warfare was virtually impossible by human standards, thereby magnifying the miraculous nature of God's protection and prompting the officers' extraordinary response. Finally, the phrase "atonement for our souls" uses **Metonymy**, where "souls" (נֶפֶשׁ, *nephesh*) stands for their very lives or persons, signifying a holistic purification and dedication of their being before God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 31:50 stands as a powerful testament to the principle that divine blessing and miraculous preservation should evoke a profound response of gratitude and dedication. The officers' offering, though not a prescribed sacrifice for sin, functions as a spontaneous act of propitiation, acknowledging God's sovereignty over life and death and seeking to remain in right standing with Him after engaging in warfare. This act foreshadows the broader biblical theme that all of life, including our very existence, is a gift from God, and therefore, our appropriate response is to offer ourselves and our possessions back to Him in worship and service. It highlights the pervasive need for purification and reconciliation in the presence of a holy God, even when one's actions are divinely sanctioned. This voluntary, costly offering serves as a model of wholehearted devotion, recognizing God's unmerited favor and responding with tangible expressions of thanks.

* [Exodus 30:12](/exodus/30-12 "Exodus 30:12 - The Atonement Money")
* [Psalm 116:12-14](/psalm/116-12 "Psalm 116:12-14 - What Shall I Render to the LORD?")
* [2 Corinthians 9:7](/2_corinthians/9-7 "2 Corinthians 9:7 - God Loves a Cheerful Giver")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The officers' response in Numbers 31:50 provides a timeless lesson for believers today. When we experience God's remarkable protection, provision, or deliverance—whether from physical harm, financial distress, or spiritual danger—our hearts should be stirred to profound gratitude. This gratitude should not remain abstract but should prompt a tangible, costly response. Just as the officers gave from their valuable spoils, we are called to offer back to God from what He has graciously given us: our time, talents, resources, and even our very lives. This offering is not to earn His favor, but as a joyful acknowledgment of His sovereign goodness and a desire to remain in right relationship with Him. It reminds us that even when we are walking in God's will, there is an ongoing need for spiritual consecration and an awareness of His holiness, prompting us to seek His grace and live lives dedicated to His glory as a continuous act of worship.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What recent instances of God's protection or provision in your life have you genuinely acknowledged with gratitude?**
* **In what tangible ways can you express your thanks to God for His faithfulness, beyond mere words?**
* **How does the officers' desire for "atonement for our souls" inform your understanding of ongoing spiritual purification and living in right standing with God?**
* **What "jewels of gold" (i.e., valuable possessions, time, talents) might God be calling you to offer back to Him today?**

### FAQ

**What does "atonement for our souls" mean in this specific context, given it's not for a specific sin?**

Answer: In Numbers 31:50, "atonement for our souls" (כָּפַר עַל נַפְשֹׁתֵינוּ) does not refer to covering a specific transgression or sin committed by the soldiers. Instead, it signifies a purification or covering for their lives (their "souls" or persons) after engaging in warfare and bloodshed. It acknowledges the sanctity of life and God's ultimate ownership over it. The offering served as a spiritual cleansing and an act of consecration, ensuring that the soldiers remained in right standing with a holy God after participating in an event that involved death and defilement, even though it was a divinely commanded war. It was a recognition of God's miraculous preservation of their lives ([Numbers 31:49](/numbers/31-49 "Numbers 31:49 - Not a Single Man Lost")) and a way to express their reverence and dependence upon Him.

**Why did the officers offer such valuable gold items, beyond the prescribed tithes from the spoils?**

Answer: The officers offered valuable gold items—"jewels of gold, chains, and bracelets, rings, earrings, and tablets"—as a voluntary and costly expression of profound gratitude and devotion. While the Mosaic Law prescribed specific tithes from war spoils for the sanctuary and the Levites ([Numbers 31:25-47](/numbers/31-25 "Numbers 31:25-47 - Division of Spoils")), this offering was above and beyond that requirement. It was a spontaneous act, prompted by the astonishing fact that not a single Israelite soldier perished in the battle ([Numbers 31:49](/numbers/31-49 "Numbers 31:49 - Not a Single Man Lost")). The high value of the items underscored the sincerity and depth of their thanksgiving, demonstrating a principle of giving from their abundance and with a willing heart, recognizing God's extraordinary favor and protection.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The "atonement for our souls" offered by the Israelite officers in Numbers 31:50, while a significant act of gratitude and purification, ultimately points forward to the perfect and singular atonement accomplished by Jesus Christ. The officers' offering was a human-initiated gift, a costly but limited act of covering for their lives after warfare. In contrast, Christ's sacrifice on the cross is the ultimate and all-sufficient "atonement for our sins" ([Romans 3:25](/romans/3-25 "Romans 3:25 - Christ as Propitiation")) and for our very lives, providing complete reconciliation with God. He is the true [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), offering His own life as a perfect and final sacrifice ([Hebrews 9:26](/hebrews/9-26 "Hebrews 9:26 - Christ's Once for All Sacrifice")). The miraculous preservation of the Israelite soldiers in battle foreshadows the spiritual preservation and eternal life offered to all who believe in Christ, who delivers us from the ultimate enemy, sin and death ([1 Corinthians 15:54-57](/1_corinthians/15-54 "1 Corinthians 15:54-57 - Victory Over Death")). Our response to this ultimate divine protection and salvation is not merely gold ornaments, but the offering of our whole lives as a "living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God" ([Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Living Sacrifice")), in light of the immeasurable grace we have received through Him.

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

Exodus 30:12

When thou takest the sum of the children of Israel after their number, then shall they give every man a ransom for his soul unto the LORD, when thou numberest them; that there be no plague among them, when [thou] numberest them.

Exodus 30:15

The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less than half a shekel, when [they] give an offering unto the LORD, to make an atonement for your souls.

Exodus 30:16

And thou shalt take the atonement money of the children of Israel, and shalt appoint it for the service of the tabernacle of the congregation; that it may be a memorial unto the children of Israel before the LORD, to make an atonement for your souls.

Psalms 107:21

Oh that [men] would praise the LORD [for] his goodness, and [for] his wonderful works to the children of men!

Psalms 107:22

And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.

Psalms 116:17

I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD.

Leviticus 17:11

For the life of the flesh [is] in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it [is] the blood [that] maketh an atonement for the soul.