Numbers 31:15-18
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Moses' sharp question isn't just asking if they saved the women, but implies, "Why would you do such a thing?" He's not seeking information; he's reproving them because these were the very women who led Israel into sin through Balaam's wicked counsel.
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. Now therefore, kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman who has known man by lying with him. But all the young girls who have not known man by lying with him keep alive for yourselves.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Israelite army has just returned victorious from a war against the Midianites, bringing back captives and spoils as commanded by God. Moses, along with the priest Eleazar and other leaders, meets them outside the camp to receive the spoils. However, upon seeing the female captives, Moses becomes angry and questions the officers, as these women were instrumental in luring the Israelites into sin at Peor.
Moses' question isn't just a query; it's a sharp rebuke. Why was he so angry, and what does that tell us about God's justice?
When the Israelite warriors returned from their victory over the Midianites, Moses met them with a furious question: "Have you let all the women live?" This wasn't a casual inquiry. The Midianite women had played a crucial role in luring Israel into idolatry and sin, leading to a devastating plague.
Divine Justice Demands Action
In the aftermath of battle, who lives and who dies? This passage reveals a stark distinction that still raises questions today.
The directive from Moses, and subsequently from God, was not a blanket order for indiscriminate slaughter. There was a clear, albeit harsh, distinction made:
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Orders for the Living and the Dead
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.
This passage highlights a stark moment of divine justice and the brutal realities of warfare in the ancient Near East, where the line between military action and divine judgment was sharply drawn.
c. 1400 BC
Israelites Camped in Moab
Following their journey from Egypt and wanderings in the wilderness, the Israelites are encamped on the plains of Moab, east of the Jordan River. This is a crucial period as they prepare to enter the Promised Land.
c. 1400 BC
Midianite-Moabite Plot
The Midianites, in alliance with Moab, hired the prophet Balaam to curse Israel. When that failed, they resorted to seducing the Israelite men into idolatry and sexual immorality with Midianite women, leading to a plague.
c. 1400 BC
Divine Command for Retribution
God commands Moses to enact vengeance upon the Midianites for their role in tempting Israel to sin, specifically mentioning the women who had enticed them.
c. 1400 BC
Israelite Military Campaign
A force of 12,000 Israelite warriors is sent to carry out God's judgment against the Midianites, successfully defeating them and killing their kings.
c. 1400 BC— this verse
Return from Battle
The victorious Israelite army returns to the camp with captives and spoils, including all the women and children of Midian.
c. 1400 BC
Moses' Reproof and New Commands
Upon seeing the female captives, Moses, angered by their survival, confronts the commanders. He then issues new, strict orders for the disposal of the captured women and children, distinguishing between those who had known men and virgins.
This passage details God's command to the Israelites to not make covenants with the inhabitants of the land, specifically forbidding intermarriage, because their 'daughters would act as harlots and bring their own gods to their sons to eat.'
Deuteronomy 7:1-5Here, God instructs the Israelites to drive out the nations and completely destroy their religious practices, including their altars and sacred pillars, and to not intermarry with them.
Judges 11:30-31Jephthah's rash vow to sacrifice whatever first came out of his house to meet him upon his victorious return from battle led him to sacrifice his daughter, highlighting the extreme consequences of vows and judgment.
Revelation 18:1-8This passage describes the judgment of 'Babylon the great,' symbolizing a corrupt world system, and God's people are called to come out of her so that they do not share in her sins and receive her plagues.
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' sharp question isn't just asking if they saved the women, but implies, "Why would you do such a thing?" He's not seeking information; he's reproving them because these were the very women who led Israel into sin through Balaam's wicked counsel.
The Israelite army has just returned victorious from a war against the Midianites, bringing back captives and spoils as commanded by God. Moses, along with the priest Eleazar and other leaders, meets them outside the camp to receive the spoils. However, upon seeing the female captives, Moses becomes angry and questions the officers, as these women were instrumental in luring the Israelites into sin at Peor.
The Israelite army has just returned victorious from a war against the Midianites, bringing back captives and spoils as commanded by God. Moses, along with the priest Eleazar and other leaders, meets them outside the camp to receive the spoils. However, upon seeing the female captives, Moses becomes angry and questions the officers, as these women were instrumental in luring the Israelites into sin at Peor.
"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' sharp question isn't just asking if they saved the women, but implies, "Why would you do such a thing?" He's not seeking information; he's reproving them because these were the very women wh…
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Last reviewed October 2026
