Numbers 31:15-16
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Moses' question, "Have you let all the women live?" isn't just a query; it's a sharp rebuke. He knows these women were the very ones who lured Israel into sin and caused a devastating plague, so sparing them was a direct defiance of God's call for complete vengeance.
Moses said to them, “Have you let all the women live? Behold, these, on Balaam’s advice, caused the people of Israel to act treacherously against the LORD in the incident of Peor, and so the plague came among the congregation of the LORD.
English Standard Version (ESV)
After a victorious battle against the Midianites, the Israelite army returns to camp with captives and spoils. Moses, upon seeing the women brought back, is filled with anger because these very women had previously enticed the Israelite men into sin and idolatry, leading to a plague among God's people. He questions the commanders sharply, ordering the execution of all the women who had been intimate with men and all the male children, but sparing the virgin girls.
Moses' question, 'Have you let all the women live?' wasn't just a casual inquiry. It pointed to a deep-seated reason for anger and a directive for action.
The women of Midian weren't innocent bystanders. The text reveals they were actively involved in leading Israel into sin.
Instruments of Deception
Moses' reaction wasn't personal anger but a demand for justice. It underscores a crucial truth about God's authority and how His judgment is carried out.
This moment highlights the profound difference between human vengeance and divine justice. Moses' wrath wasn't about personal revenge but about upholding God's command.
God's Agents, Not Our Own
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Understand the original words
ma'al · Hebrew Verb
A violation of trust or covenant relationship, often implying unfaithfulness, betrayal, or apostasy against God. In a covenantal context, it specifically refers to breaking faith with Yahweh.
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The self-revealed personal name of God in the Old Testament, representing His holiness, His covenant relationship with Israel, and His absolute sovereignty. It is the name by which He is known to His people.
'edah · Hebrew Noun
A technical term referring to the community of Israel as a distinct, holy people set apart by God. It emphasizes their corporate identity and responsibility to God.
c. 1400 BC
Israelites Camp in Moab
After crossing the Jordan River, the Israelites set up camp on the plains of Moab, preparing to enter the Promised Land. This location became significant for several key events and laws.
c. 1400 BC
Midianite Idolatry and Seduction
The Midianites, influenced by Balaam, conspired to lead the Israelites into idolatry and sexual immorality. This led to a devastating plague among the Israelite people.
c. 1400 BC
Divine Command for Vengeance
The Lord commands Moses to enact vengeance on the Midianites for their actions against Israel. This involved a military campaign to punish them for their sin.
c. 1400 BC
The Battle of Midian
A contingent of 12,000 Israelite warriors is sent to fight the Midianites. They are victorious, killing all the men, including the kings, and capturing the women and children, along with all their possessions.
c. 1400 BC— this verse
Return and Moses' Reproof
The victorious army returns to the Israelite camp with their captives and spoils. Moses, upon learning that the women were spared, is angered and questions their actions, as they had been instrumental in Israel's sin.
c. 1400 BC
New Commands for Purification and Distribution
Moses issues new directives for the purification of the soldiers, the captives, and the spoils. The spoils are then divided between the warriors and the rest of the congregation, with a portion set aside as a tribute to the Lord.
This passage directly states that sorceresses were not to be allowed to live, highlighting a context where specific groups, often associated with perceived threats to Israel's spiritual purity, were to be exterminated.
Deuteronomy 7:1-2This passage lays out the command to 'utterly destroy' the nations in the Promised Land, providing the theological framework for the complete eradication of peoples deemed a spiritual threat to Israel.
Joshua 6:21The destruction of Jericho, where 'everything in the city, man and woman, young and old, ox, sheep, and donkey, they utterly destroyed with the edge of the sword,' illustrates the principle of total annihilation applied to a city marked for destruction.
Judges 21:11In a different context of tribal conflict, the command was given to kill all males and 'those who know a man' among the women, showing a recurring theme of differentiating and dealing with females based on their marital status in times of war or judgment.
gillNumbers 31:15: "And Moses said unto them, Have ye saved all the women alive?"
And Moses said unto them, have ye saved all the women alive? Which either had been reported to him, or he concluded, by seeing so many with them; and this question is put, not for information, but by way of reproof, and as chiding them for what they had done; for they might have received orders from him to put them to death, when he sent them out; and if so, there was the more reason to be angry with them; or he might…
calvinNumbers 31:1-54: "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,"
And they slew the kings of Midian, besides the rest of them that were slain; namely, Evi, and Rekem, and Zur, and Hut, and Reba, five kings of Midian: Balaam also the son of Beor they slew with the sword.
Reges quoque Madian occiderunt cum occisis eorum, Evi et Recem, et Sur, et Hur, et Reba, quinque reges Madian: et Balaam filium Beor occiderunt gladio.
And the children of Israel took all the women of Midian captives, and the…
Moses' question, "Have you let all the women live?" isn't just a query; it's a sharp rebuke. He knows these women were the very ones who lured Israel into sin and caused a devastating plague, so sparing them was a direct defiance of God's call for complete vengeance.
After a victorious battle against the Midianites, the Israelite army returns to camp with captives and spoils. Moses, upon seeing the women brought back, is filled with anger because these very women had previously enticed the Israelite men into sin and idolatry, leading to a plague among God's people. He questions the commanders sharply, ordering the execution of all the women who had been intimate with men and all the male children, but sparing the virgin girls.
After a victorious battle against the Midianites, the Israelite army returns to camp with captives and spoils. Moses, upon seeing the women brought back, is filled with anger because these very women had previously enticed the Israelite men into sin and idolatry, leading to a plague among God's people. He questions the commanders sharply, ordering the execution of all the women who had been intimate with men and all the male children, but sparing the virgin girls.
"Moses said to them, “Have you let all the women live? Behold, these, on Balaam’s advice, caused the people of Israel to act treacherously against the LORD in the incident of Peor, and so the plague came among the congregation of the LORD." — Moses' question, "Have you let all the women live?" isn't just a query; it's a sharp rebuke. He knows these women were the very ones who lured Israel into sin and caused a devastating plague, so spar…
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Last reviewed October 2026
