Numbers Chapter 31 — The War Against Midian
Israel engages in a divinely commanded war against the Midianites, resulting in victory and the subsequent distribution of spoils and purification of the people.
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Notable Verses
Numbers 31:8
“They killed the kings of Midian with the rest of their slain: Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba, the five kings of Midian. They also killed Balaam the son of Beor with the sword.”
This verse records the end of Balaam, who had previously tried to curse Israel and later led them into idolatry.
Numbers 31:49
“They said to Moses, 'Your servants have taken the sum of the men of war who are under our command, and there lacks not one man of us.'”
The miraculous preservation of every single Israelite soldier demonstrates divine protection during the conflict.
Chapter Summary
In Numbers 31, the Lord commands Moses to execute vengeance on the Midianites before his death. One thousand men from each of Israel's twelve tribes are sent to war, led by Phinehas the priest. The Israelites defeat the Midianites, killing their five kings and Balaam, and taking significant plunder. Upon their return, Moses instructs the soldiers on further judgment and strict purification rites for those who had been in battle. The chapter details the meticulous division of the booty—including livestock and captives—between the soldiers and the rest of the congregation, with a portion dedicated as a tribute to the Lord and the Levites. Remarkably, the army officers report that not a single Israelite soldier was lost in the conflict, prompting them to bring a voluntary offering of gold jewelry to the Tabernacle as an atonement and memorial for the protection they received.
Frequently Asked Questions
The war was a divine command for Israel to execute vengeance for the Midianites' role in leading the people into idolatry and immorality at Peor. This was also the final major task assigned to Moses before his death.
Balaam, the prophet who had earlier been hired to curse Israel, was killed by the sword during the battle against the Midianites. The text links him to the counsel that caused Israel to trespass against the Lord.
The spoils were divided equally into two halves: one for the soldiers who fought and one for the rest of the congregation. A small percentage of each half was then dedicated as a tribute to the Lord, given to the priests and the Levites.
Study Note
The purification process involving fire and 'water for impurity' reflects the transition of items from a pagan context to a holy use within the Israelite camp.
Related Chapters
Numbers 25
This chapter provides the historical context for the conflict with Midian regarding the incident at Peor.
Numbers 22
The background of Balaam's character and his interactions with Israel are introduced here.
Joshua 13
Later scriptural accounts mention the distribution of land and reiterate the death of Balaam recorded in Numbers.
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