Numbers 31:18

But all the women children, that have not known a man by lying with him, keep alive for yourselves.

But all the women {H802} children {H2945}, that have not known {H3045} a man {H2145} by lying {H4904} with him, keep alive {H2421} for yourselves.

But the young girls who have never slept with a man, keep alive for yourselves.

but spare for yourselves every girl who has never had relations with a man.

But all the women-children, that have not known man by lying with him, keep alive for yourselves.

Commentary

Numbers 31:18 is a challenging verse, part of Moses' instructions to the Israelite army after their victory over the Midianites. This specific command distinguishes between different groups of Midianite women based on their marital and sexual status.

Context

This verse must be understood within the grim context of the war against Midian, which was initiated by God's command as a retribution for Midian's role in leading Israel into idolatry and sexual immorality at Peor (see Numbers 25:1-9). Moses had previously commanded the killing of all adult women and male children (Numbers 31:17) due to their direct or indirect involvement in the sin that brought a plague upon Israel. Verse 18 provides a specific exception for the young, unmarried females.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Consequences: The severity of the command underscores the gravity of Midian's offense against God and Israel. God's judgment is absolute against those who seek to corrupt His chosen people and lead them into idolatry.
  • Distinction and Purity: The instruction to "keep alive for yourselves" only the "women children, that have not known a man by lying with him" highlights a distinction based on virginity. This was likely a pragmatic and ritualistic measure to prevent further spiritual contamination within Israel. Those who had participated in the idolatrous practices at Peor, or were old enough to have done so, were to be eliminated as a threat to Israel's future spiritual purity.
  • Ancient Warfare Practices: While morally challenging from a modern perspective, this command reflects the brutal realities of ancient Near Eastern warfare, where conquered populations often faced extreme measures. It also served to eliminate a persistent spiritual and cultural threat to Israel's distinct identity as God's people.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "have not known a man by lying with him" is a common biblical idiom (Hebrew: yada', "to know") signifying virginity or a lack of sexual experience. It clearly differentiates between those who were sexually active and potentially implicated in the immoral practices of Midian, and those who were not.

Practical Application

Understanding Numbers 31:18 requires careful theological and historical contextualization. It is a specific command given to Israel in a unique historical moment of divine judgment against a corrupt nation, not a universal moral guideline for all time. For believers today, it serves as a stark reminder of:

  • The seriousness of idolatry and spiritual compromise.
  • God's zeal for the purity and holiness of His people.
  • The importance of discerning and resisting influences that could lead to spiritual defilement. While we do not engage in physical warfare in the same way, the spiritual battle against temptations and false teachings remains (see Ephesians 6:12).
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Deuteronomy 21:10 (3 votes)

    ¶ When thou goest forth to war against thine enemies, and the LORD thy God hath delivered them into thine hands, and thou hast taken them captive,

  • Deuteronomy 21:14 (3 votes)

    And it shall be, if thou have no delight in her, then thou shalt let her go whither she will; but thou shalt not sell her at all for money, thou shalt not make merchandise of her, because thou hast humbled her.

  • Deuteronomy 20:14 (2 votes)

    But the women, and the little ones, and the cattle, and all that is in the city, [even] all the spoil thereof, shalt thou take unto thyself; and thou shalt eat the spoil of thine enemies, which the LORD thy God hath given thee.

  • Isaiah 14:2 (2 votes)

    And the people shall take them, and bring them to their place: and the house of Israel shall possess them in the land of the LORD for servants and handmaids: and they shall take them captives, whose captives they were; and they shall rule over their oppressors.

  • Leviticus 25:44 (2 votes)

    Both thy bondmen, and thy bondmaids, which thou shalt have, [shall be] of the heathen that are round about you; of them shall ye buy bondmen and bondmaids.

  • 2 Chronicles 28:8 (2 votes)

    And the children of Israel carried away captive of their brethren two hundred thousand, women, sons, and daughters, and took also away much spoil from them, and brought the spoil to Samaria.

  • 2 Chronicles 28:10 (2 votes)

    And now ye purpose to keep under the children of Judah and Jerusalem for bondmen and bondwomen unto you: [but are there] not with you, even with you, sins against the LORD your God?