Numbers 31:34

Numbers 31:34 is a specific detail within the extensive account of the war against the Midianites, as commanded by God through Moses. This verse simply states the number of asses (donkeys) taken as part of the immense spoils of war: "And threescore and one thousand asses," which translates to 61,000 donkeys.

Context of Numbers 31:34

This verse is found in Numbers chapter 31, which describes Israel's punitive war against the Midianites. This conflict was not a random act of aggression but a direct divine command for vengeance, specifically for the Midianites' role in leading Israel into idolatry and sexual immorality at Baal-peor (Numbers 25:1-9). Moses, following God's instruction to "avenge the children of Israel of the Midianites" (Numbers 31:2), dispatched a force that utterly defeated Midian. The chapter meticulously details the vast amount of plunder taken, including gold, silver, livestock, and people. Verse 34, by itemizing the 61,000 donkeys, underscores the sheer scale of the victory and the rigorous accounting involved in dividing the war booty according to God's precise instructions for the soldiers, the congregation, and dedicated portions for the Lord and the Levites.

Key Themes and Messages

• Divine Judgment and Justice: The war against Midian was an execution of God's righteous judgment against a people who had sought to corrupt His chosen nation, Israel. The spoils were a direct consequence of this divine intervention.
• Abundance and Provision: The immense quantity of plunder, including tens of thousands of donkeys, sheep, and cattle, highlights God's provision for Israel, demonstrating His ability to supply their needs even through the circumstances of war.
• Meticulous Order and Precision: The detailed inventory of every captured item, from precious metals to livestock like these 61,000 asses, emphasizes God's nature as a God of order. It reveals the importance of careful accounting and adherence to divine instructions, even in the distribution of war spoils, a principle characteristic of the Mosaic Law.

Linguistic Insight

The phrase "threescore and one thousand" is a straightforward numerical expression in the King James Version, meaning sixty-one thousand. "Asses" refers to donkeys, which were essential working animals in the ancient Near East, used for transport, agriculture, and as beasts of burden. There is no complex linguistic nuance in this specific verse beyond its literal numerical and descriptive meaning.

Practical Application

While this verse details a specific historical event, it offers enduring principles:

• God's Attention to Detail: The meticulous counting of the spoils, down to the number of donkeys, reminds us that God is a God of order and precision. This can encourage believers to cultivate diligence and attention to detail in their own lives and responsibilities, recognizing that even seemingly small matters are part of God's larger plan.
• Stewardship and Giving: The careful division of the spoils, with specific portions dedicated to the Lord and the Levites, illustrates the biblical principle of stewardship—acknowledging that all we possess comes from God and that a portion should be returned to Him. This echoes the concept of honoring God with our substance, as seen in Proverbs 3:9.
• Consequences of Sin and Blessings of Obedience: The war and its outcome are a stark reminder of the serious consequences of sin and the blessings that can follow obedience to God's commands, even when those commands are challenging.