Numbers 31:27
and divide the plunder into two parts between the warriors who went out to battle and all the congregation.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
While it seems straightforward, notice that the plunder is split into two equal parts. This might seem unfair at first glance, as only a fraction of the people fought, but it emphasizes that the entire community was unified in purpose and shared in the consequences and reparations, not just the soldiers.
Following a devastating plague caused by Israel's sin at Peor, Moses is instructed to carry out a war of vengeance against the Midianites, who had enticed Israel into sin through their women. After the battle, the returning soldiers bring a vast amount of spoil, including captives and livestock, back to the Israelite camp, prompting God's specific instructions on how this bounty is to be distributed.
When God's people go to war against His enemies, what happens to the 'stuff' left behind? It's not just random looting!
This verse reveals a deliberate and just system for distributing the spoils of war.
A Two-Part Division
This division wasn't arbitrary. It was a divinely ordained system that recognized both the unique burdens of those who fought and the collective ownership of God's promises and victories for all His people.
Who ultimately owns the victory, and the spoils that come with it? This verse points to a crucial divine claim.
While the spoils are divided between warriors and the congregation, the underlying principle is that all belongs to God. The subsequent verses in this chapter detail a 'tribute to the Lord' (Numbers 31:28-29) taken from both the soldiers' and the congregation's shares.
Recognizing Divine Authority
This verse highlights a crucial post-battle directive, emphasizing that spoils of war were not solely for the warriors but were to be shared, reflecting a communal aspect to God's provision and judgment.
c. 1400 BC
Midianite Incitement and Israelite Sin
The Midianites, influenced by Balaam, orchestrated a plan to lure the Israelites into worshipping Baal of Peor, leading to a plague among the congregation.
c. 1400 BC
Divine Judgment on Baal of Peor Sinners
Moses is commanded to execute judgment on the leaders of Israel who participated in the sin. A plague sweeps through the camp, resulting in 24,000 deaths.
c. 1400 BC
Moses' Command to Punish Midian
Following the sin with Baal of Peor, God commands Moses to strike the Midianites for their deception and hostility.
c. 1400 BC
The Battle Against Midian
Twelve thousand Israelite warriors, led by Phinehas, march out to battle against the Midianites. They slay all the males, including five kings, and Balaam.
c. 1400 BC
This passage establishes a similar principle for dividing spoil, where both those who went into battle and those who guarded the baggage received an equal share, reflecting the communal benefit of the action.
Joshua 22:8This verse describes a division of spoil taken from enemies, indicating a precedent for sharing war gains between those who fought and the wider community.
Psalm 149:6-9This psalm speaks of God's people executing vengeance on the nations, highlighting the divine mandate for those who fight and the justice that follows.
This passage from the Apocrypha details a division of spoil where leaders take a portion and the rest is distributed among the soldiers and the people, mirroring the equitable distribution seen in Numbers.
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…
gillNumbers 31:27: "And divide the prey into two parts; between them that took the war upon them, who went out to battle, and between all the congregation:"
And divide the prey into two parts,.... Into two equal parts, both the number of the people and of the cattle, when taken: between them that took the war upon them, and went out to battle; the soldiers; and by this it appears that they went voluntarily and cheerfully: and between all the congregation; so that the part of them that went to battl…
While it seems straightforward, notice that the plunder is split into two equal parts. This might seem unfair at first glance, as only a fraction of the people fought, but it emphasizes that the entire community was unified in purpose and shared in the consequences and reparations, not just the soldiers.
Following a devastating plague caused by Israel's sin at Peor, Moses is instructed to carry out a war of vengeance against the Midianites, who had enticed Israel into sin through their women. After the battle, the returning soldiers bring a vast amount of spoil, including captives and livestock, back to the Israelite camp, prompting God's specific instructions on how this bounty is to be distributed.
Following a devastating plague caused by Israel's sin at Peor, Moses is instructed to carry out a war of vengeance against the Midianites, who had enticed Israel into sin through their women. After the battle, the returning soldiers bring a vast amount of spoil, including captives and livestock, back to the Israelite camp, prompting God's specific instructions on how this bounty is to be distributed.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Numbers 31:27 is available in the Sola app.
The Division of Plunder
After the victory, the spoils of war, including captives and vast amounts of livestock and goods, are brought back to the Israelite camp for division.
c. 1400 BC
Tribute and Distribution of Spoils
The plunder is divided equally between the soldiers who fought and the rest of the congregation. A tribute is levied for the Lord, given to the priests and Levites.
"and divide the plunder into two parts between the warriors who went out to battle and all the congregation." — While it seems straightforward, notice that the plunder is split into two equal parts. This might seem unfair at first glance, as only a fraction of the people fought, but it emphasizes that the en…
