Numbers 31:7

KJV

¶ And they warred against the Midianites, as the LORD commanded Moses; and they slew all the males.

KJV (with Strong's)

And they warred {H6633} against the Midianites {H4080}, as the LORD {H3068} commanded {H6680} Moses {H4872}; and they slew {H2026} all the males {H2145}.

Complete Jewish Bible

They fought against Midyan, as ADONAI had ordered Moshe, and killed every male.

Berean Standard Bible

Then they waged war against Midian, as the LORD had commanded Moses, and they killed every male.

American Standard Version

And they warred against Midian, as Jehovah commanded Moses; and they slew every male.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 31:7 records a critical moment in Israel's wilderness journey, detailing the execution of divine judgment against the Midianites. This verse succinctly states that the Israelites engaged in battle, acting in direct obedience to the LORD's command given to Moses, and achieved a decisive initial victory by slaying all the Midianite males. This act was not an unprovoked aggression but a direct, divinely mandated retribution for Midian's role in corrupting Israel at Peor, underscoring God's unwavering justice and Israel's role as instruments of His righteous will.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 31:7 is situated within a broader narrative of divine judgment and Israel's preparation for entering the Promised Land. Immediately preceding this verse, the LORD commands Moses to take vengeance on the Midianites for their treachery at Peor before Moses' death ([Numbers 31:1-3](/numbers/31-1 "Numbers 31:1-3 - The Command to Avenge Midian")). This command is swiftly followed by the mobilization of a thousand men from each tribe, led by Phinehas, who carries the holy vessels and the trumpets for the alarm ([Numbers 31:4-6](/numbers/31-4 "Numbers 31:4-6 - Israel Prepares for Battle")). Thus, verse 7 describes the immediate and obedient fulfillment of the divine directive, setting the stage for the subsequent details of the campaign, the taking of spoil, and the purification rituals that follow ([Numbers 31:8-24](/numbers/31-8 "Numbers 31:8-24 - The Spoils of War and Purification")). This event serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of apostasy and the necessity of holiness as Israel nears its inheritance.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Midianites were a nomadic people, descendants of Abraham through Keturah ([Genesis 25:1-2](/genesis/25-1 "Genesis 25:1-2 - Abraham's Descendants Through Keturah")), often interacting with Israel, sometimes peacefully (like Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, a Midianite priest) and sometimes hostilely. The immediate historical trigger for this war was the infamous incident at Baal-Peor, where Midianite and Moabite women enticed Israelite men into sexual immorality and idolatry, leading to a devastating plague that killed 24,000 people ([Numbers 25:1-9](/numbers/25-1 "Numbers 25:1-9 - The Sin at Baal-Peor")). The prophet Balaam, after failing to curse Israel, had advised the Midianites to use this strategy to corrupt Israel from within ([Numbers 31:16](/numbers/31-16 "Numbers 31:16 - Balaam's Counsel Against Israel")). This act of vengeance, therefore, was a divinely sanctioned "holy war" (*cherem*), aimed at eradicating a severe spiritual threat that had directly attacked God's covenant with Israel. Such wars were understood in the ancient Near East as expressions of a deity's justice against those who defied their will or threatened their people.
* **Key Themes:** The Midianite war in [Numbers 31](/numbers/31 "Numbers 31 - Vengeance on Midian") powerfully illustrates several key themes prevalent throughout the book of Numbers and the Pentateuch. First, **Divine Command and Obedience** is paramount, as the phrase "as the LORD commanded Moses" emphasizes Israel's role as instruments of God's will. Their immediate and decisive obedience, even to such a difficult command, underscores the seriousness of God's directives and the covenant relationship. Second, **God's Justice and Judgment** is a central theme, demonstrating His unwavering righteousness against those who actively seek to corrupt His people and lead them into sin. The severity of the judgment reflects the gravity of the Midianites' actions and the purity God demands from His covenant nation. Third, the war contributes to the theme of the **Purity and Holiness of Israel**. By eliminating the Midianite influence, particularly those who had led Israel astray, God was preparing His people for their entry into the Promised Land, ensuring a measure of spiritual purity and separation from pagan practices that could defile them, a principle reiterated in [Deuteronomy 7:1-6](/deuteronomy/7-1 "Deuteronomy 7:1-6 - God's Command to Destroy Pagan Nations").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **warred (Hebrew, _tsaba'_):** This verb, often translated as "to wage war," "to serve," or "to perform military service," implies an organized, disciplined, and purposeful military campaign. It's not a chaotic skirmish but a methodical execution of a divine directive, highlighting Israel's role as God's army. In this context, it underscores the deliberate nature of the judgment.
* **commanded (Hebrew, _tsavah'_):** This word signifies a strong, authoritative, and binding directive. It emphasizes that the action taken by Israel was not of their own initiative or vengeance but a direct, explicit order from the LORD to Moses. This divine mandate elevates the event from a mere tribal conflict to a sacred act of judgment, underscoring God's sovereignty and Israel's required obedience.
* **slew (Hebrew, _harag'_):** This verb means "to kill," "to slay," or "to murder." In this context, it denotes a decisive and complete act of killing, specifically targeting the Midianite males. It conveys the finality and thoroughness of the initial phase of the military operation, leaving no ambiguity about the outcome for this segment of the population.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"¶ And they warred against the Midianites":** This opening clause immediately establishes the active engagement of the Israelite forces in a military campaign. The "they" refers to the twelve thousand chosen men, a thousand from each tribe, who were sent to execute the divine command. The target, "the Midianites," is explicitly named, identifying the specific recipients of God's judgment. This indicates a direct and focused military action.
* **"as the LORD commanded Moses;":** This crucial phrase provides the theological justification and authority for the war. It clarifies that the campaign was not a human initiative but a direct fulfillment of a divine mandate. This obedience to the LORD's specific instruction through His chosen leader, Moses, underscores the covenant relationship and Israel's role as instruments of God's will. It also highlights the absolute sovereignty of God over human affairs and His justice.
* **"and they slew all the males.":** This final clause describes the immediate and decisive outcome of this phase of the battle. The phrase "all the males" signifies a comprehensive and thorough execution of the military directive concerning the male population, indicating a complete victory in this initial engagement. This specific targeting is a key detail, setting the stage for later developments in the narrative concerning the women and children.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 31:7 employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. The most prominent is **Direct Statement**, presenting the events in a straightforward, declarative manner ("And they warred... and they slew..."). This unadorned prose emphasizes the factual execution of the divine command, leaving no room for ambiguity or interpretation regarding Israel's actions. The verse also functions as a **Fulfillment Narrative**, demonstrating the immediate and complete obedience to the LORD's prior command in [Numbers 31:1-3](/numbers/31-1 "Numbers 31:1-3 - The Command to Avenge Midian"). The phrase "as the LORD commanded Moses" serves as a powerful **Repetition** (or echo) of divine authority, a common motif throughout the Pentateuch that reinforces God's sovereignty and the necessity of Israel's obedience. Finally, the verse exhibits a form of **Conciseness**, packing a significant military action and its divine authorization into a single, compact sentence, highlighting the efficiency and decisiveness of both God's command and Israel's response.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 31:7 stands as a stark testament to God's unwavering holiness and His righteous judgment against sin, particularly against those who actively seek to corrupt His covenant people. This passage underscores that God is not indifferent to evil, especially when it directly undermines the spiritual integrity of His chosen nation. The severity of the judgment against the Midianites reflects the gravity of their sin at Peor, where they deliberately enticed Israel into idolatry and immorality, thus incurring divine wrath. Theologically, it affirms God's justice, demonstrating that He will indeed hold nations and individuals accountable for their actions. While difficult for modern readers, this event serves as a powerful reminder that God's character includes both profound love and uncompromising justice, and that His covenant relationship with Israel demanded purity and separation from pagan influences.

* [Deuteronomy 7:1-6](/deuteronomy/7-1 "God's Command to Destroy Pagan Nations")
* [Psalm 9:7-8](/psalm/9-7 "God Judges Righteously")
* [Romans 1:18](/romans/1-18 "God's Wrath Against Ungodliness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While believers today are not called to wage physical wars of retribution against nations, Numbers 31:7 offers profound spiritual insights for the Christian life. This passage highlights the seriousness with which God views influences that seek to corrupt faith and lead believers astray. Just as ancient Israel had to contend with external forces that threatened their spiritual purity, Christians are called to engage in a spiritual battle against the "Midianite" influences in their own lives and in the world. This involves actively putting off sinful desires and worldly enticements that wage war against the soul ([1 Peter 2:11](/1_peter/2-11 "1 Peter 2:11 - Abstain from Fleshly Lusts")) and standing firm against the schemes of spiritual adversaries ([Ephesians 6:11](/ephesians/6-11 "Ephesians 6:11 - Put on the Full Armor of God")). The obedience of Israel to a difficult command underscores the importance of our own obedience to God's spiritual directives, which are always for our sanctification and purity. It reminds us that God is holy and righteous in all His ways, and He desires His people to reflect that holiness in their lives, actively separating themselves from anything that defiles.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "Midianite" influences (e.g., cultural pressures, sinful habits, false ideologies) might be subtly or overtly seeking to corrupt my faith or lead me astray today?**
* **How does understanding God's unwavering justice in this passage deepen my appreciation for His grace and mercy in Christ?**
* **In what practical ways can I obey God's command to pursue holiness and spiritual purity in my daily life, akin to Israel's obedience in this passage?**

### FAQ

**Why did God command such a harsh judgment against the Midianites?**

Answer: The severe judgment against the Midianites was not arbitrary but a direct consequence of their deliberate and malicious actions against Israel at Baal-Peor, as detailed in [Numbers 25](/numbers/25 "Numbers 25 - Israel's Sin at Baal-Peor"). The Midianites, specifically through the counsel of Balaam ([Numbers 31:16](/numbers/31-16 "Numbers 31:16 - Balaam's Counsel Against Israel")), had enticed Israel into idolatry and sexual immorality, leading to a devastating plague that killed 24,000 Israelites. This act was a profound spiritual assault, designed to break God's covenant with His people and defile them before their entry into the Promised Land. God's holiness demands justice against such egregious sin, especially when it threatens the purity and existence of His chosen nation. The judgment served as a deterrent and a purification, ensuring Israel understood the gravity of idolatry and the importance of separation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Numbers 31:7 describes a physical war of judgment in the Old Covenant, its ultimate fulfillment and spiritual application are found in Christ. The Midianite war, driven by God's holy justice against sin and His desire for His people's purity, foreshadows the greater spiritual war waged by Jesus. He is the ultimate Avenger of sin, not through physical warfare against nations, but through His atoning sacrifice on the cross. Just as the Israelites "slew all the males" as commanded, Christ decisively "slew" the power of sin and death, fulfilling the righteous requirements of God's law ([Romans 8:3-4](/romans/8-3 "Romans 8:3-4 - God Condemned Sin in the Flesh")). 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"), providing the means for humanity's purification that the Old Covenant rituals could only symbolize. Through His blood, believers are cleansed from all unrighteousness ([1 John 1:7](/1_john/1-7 "1 John 1:7 - Cleansing by His Blood")), enabling them to live in the purity God desires. The judgment against Midian highlights God's intolerance for spiritual corruption; in Christ, we see God's perfect justice met with perfect mercy, providing a way for us to be delivered from the dominion of sin and to enter into His spiritual promised land, the eternal kingdom. Our spiritual battle now is not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces of evil ([Ephesians 6:12](/ephesians/6-12 "Our Struggle is Not Against Flesh and Blood")), a battle in which Christ has already secured the decisive victory.

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.