Numbers 31:54

And Moses and Eleazar the priest took the gold of the captains of thousands and of hundreds, and brought it into the tabernacle of the congregation, [for] a memorial for the children of Israel before the LORD.

And Moses {H4872} and Eleazar {H499} the priest {H3548} took {H3947} the gold {H2091} of the captains {H8269} of thousands {H505} and of hundreds {H3967}, and brought {H935} it into the tabernacle {H168} of the congregation {H4150}, for a memorial {H2146} for the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478} before {H6440} the LORD {H3068}.

Moshe and El'azar the cohen took the gold from the commanders of thousands and of hundreds and brought it into the tent of meeting as a reminder for the people of Isra'el before ADONAI.

And Moses and Eleazar the priest received the gold from the commanders of thousands and of hundreds and brought it into the Tent of Meeting as a memorial for the Israelites before the LORD.

And Moses and Eleazar the priest took the gold of the captains of thousands and of hundreds, and brought it into the tent of meeting, for a memorial for the children of Israel before Jehovah.

Commentary

Numbers 31:54 concludes the account of the Israelites' victorious campaign against the Midianites, detailing the dedication of a special offering to the LORD. After the war, the Israelite commanders, recognizing God's hand in their success—specifically that not a single man was lost in battle—voluntarily brought a gold offering from the spoils of war. This verse records Moses and Eleazar the priest receiving this gold and bringing it into the Tabernacle, not for personal gain or general use, but as a perpetual memorial before the LORD for the children of Israel.

Historical and Cultural Context

This verse follows the successful campaign against Midian, commanded by God as retribution for their role in enticing Israel to idolatry and immorality at Peor (Numbers 25). After the battle, the spoils were divided, and purification rituals were observed. Uniquely, the military officers, including "captains of thousands and captains of hundreds," felt compelled to make a personal offering to God. This freewill offering, consisting of gold ornaments, was a direct expression of their profound gratitude for God's miraculous protection, as none of their soldiers had perished (Numbers 31:49). The Tabernacle, as the central place of worship and God's dwelling among His people, was the designated location for such sacred offerings, symbolizing the dedication of resources back to the divine source of blessing.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Gratitude and Acknowledgment: The primary theme is the deep gratitude of the Israelite commanders for God's preservation of their lives. Their offering was a tangible expression of recognizing divine intervention in their military victory.
  • Memorial of God's Faithfulness: The gold served as a memorial (Hebrew: zikaron), a lasting reminder to God and to the people of His covenant faithfulness and protection. It signified that God "remembered" His people and acted on their behalf, and conversely, that the people "remembered" His mighty deeds.
  • Sanctity of Dedication: By bringing the gold into the Tabernacle, it was consecrated to the LORD, emphasizing that all blessings, even from war spoils, ultimately belong to Him and should be used for His purposes or as an act of worship.
  • Leadership by Example: Moses and Eleazar, as spiritual and national leaders, properly received and placed the offering, demonstrating integrity and adherence to God's instructions regarding sacred gifts.

Linguistic Insights

The key term in this verse is "memorial," from the Hebrew word zikaron (זִכָּרוֹן). This term denotes something that causes remembrance, whether for God to remember His covenant with His people, or for the people to remember God's acts of salvation and their obligations to Him. It is used elsewhere for the stones on the high priest's ephod (Exodus 28:12), the blowing of trumpets on the Day of Atonement, or even the bread of the Presence. Here, the gold serves as a tangible, enduring reminder of God's miraculous preservation of Israel in battle.

Practical Application

Numbers 31:54 teaches us the importance of recognizing God's hand in our successes and showing tangible gratitude for His protection and provision. Just as the Israelite commanders dedicated a portion of their spoils, we are called to acknowledge that all we have comes from God. This verse encourages us to:

  • Give Thanks for Protection: Reflect on how God has preserved us through difficult situations, whether physical dangers or spiritual battles.
  • Offer Sacrificially: Our gratitude should be expressed not just in words but also through our resources, time, and talents, dedicated to God's glory.
  • Remember God's Faithfulness: Create "memorials" in our lives—whether through regular thanksgiving, personal testimonies, or acts of worship—that serve as a perpetual reminder of God's deliverance and goodness.
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Cross-References

  • 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.

  • Zechariah 6:14

    And the crowns shall be to Helem, and to Tobijah, and to Jedaiah, and to Hen the son of Zephaniah, for a memorial in the temple of the LORD.

  • Luke 22:19

    And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake [it], and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.

  • Psalms 103:1

    ¶ [A Psalm] of David. Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, [bless] his holy name.

  • Psalms 103:2

    Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:

  • Acts 10:4

    And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.

  • Psalms 115:1

    ¶ Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, [and] for thy truth's sake.