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. And they also killed Balaam the son of Beor with the sword.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This verse isn't just a grim tally of enemies defeated; it reveals that Balaam, the prophet who tried to curse Israel, met his end not in a grand battle, but by being "slain with the sword." This starkly highlights his ultimate failure – the man who sought spiritual prestige and wealth instead died a violent death, caught among the very people he schemed to destroy.
Following God's command, the Israelite army waged war against the Midianites who had lured them into sin through seductive women and idolatry. This decisive battle resulted in the complete destruction of the Midianite fighting men and the capture of their women and children. The verse highlights the killing of five specific Midianite kings, along with the notorious prophet Balaam, who had previously been hired to curse Israel but now met his end by the sword amongst their enemies.
Why does the text specifically name the kings of Midian? What does this reveal about God's justice?
This passage names five specific kings of Midian: Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba. They weren't just ordinary people; they were leaders who, along with Balaam, orchestrated the downfall of Israel through their wicked schemes.
Their inclusion in the text highlights that God's judgment is not random. It targets those who actively lead others into sin and rebellion. These kings, described as vassals of Sihon in other passages, likely held significant power and influence, making their downfall a decisive blow against the forces opposing God's people.
Balaam, the prophet who saw God's truth, met a shocking end. What does his death tell us about the consequences of rejecting God's ways?
The inclusion of Balaam's death in this victory account is profoundly significant. This is the same Balaam who, despite receiving divine revelations and uttering prophecies about Israel's future king, chose to 'love the wages of unrighteousness.' He actively participated in the plot to curse Israel, leading them into sin through the Midianite women, which brought a devastating plague upon God's people.
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His prayer was to 'die the death of the righteous,' but his actions led him to the death of the wicked. This stark contrast serves as a powerful warning: knowledge of God's truth does not guarantee salvation if one chooses to align with His enemies and pursue selfish gain. His sword-death is a judicial execution, a fitting end for someone who used his spiritual gifts to conspire against God's chosen people.
Understand the original words
Bileam · Hebrew Proper Noun
A divination specialist from Pethor hired to curse Israel. He is characterized in Scripture as a false prophet who sought financial gain and ultimately led Israel into sin, serving as a warning against spiritual compromise.
chereb · Hebrew Noun
The primary weapon for close-quarters combat, often symbolizing judgment, authority, or the instrument by which God's justice is executed against His enemies.
The death of Balaam alongside the Midianite kings underscores the severe consequences of leading God's people astray. It highlights that even those with prophetic insight are not exempt from judgment when they choose wickedness.
c. 1400s BC
Israelites Settle in Egypt
The descendants of Abraham settled in Egypt, eventually becoming enslaved. This sets the stage for their eventual Exodus and the subsequent wilderness wanderings.
c. 1446 BC
The Exodus from Egypt
Led by Moses, the Israelites escaped from slavery in Egypt. This event is foundational to their identity as God's chosen people.
c. 1406 BC
Wilderness Wanderings
Following the Exodus, the Israelites wandered in the desert for 40 years, a period marked by challenges, obedience, and disobedience.
c. 1406 BC— this verse
The Sin at Peor
Many Israelite men engaged in idolatry and sexual immorality with Moabite and Midianite women, leading to a plague. Balaam the sorcerer had advised the Midianites on how to cause Israel to stumble.
c. 1406 BC
Israel's Vengeance on Midian
In response to the sin at Peor, God commanded a military campaign against the Midianites, resulting in the death of their kings and Balaam.
c. 1406 BC
Division of Spoils and Purification
Following the victory, the spoils of war were divided, and the Israelite army underwent purification rituals, reflecting God's holiness.
This passage refers to the same five princes (kings) of Midian, but links them as vassals of Sihon, the Amorite king, providing context for their political status and their eventual demise.
Micah 6:5This verse hints at the events surrounding Balaam, mentioning Moab and the plains of Shittim, directly alluding to the context of Balaam's involvement with the Midianites and Israel's encampment where sin and plague occurred.
2 Peter 2:15This New Testament passage explicitly condemns Balaam for his love of wickedness and following the way of Balaam son of Beor, directly referencing his corrupt actions and his ultimate death as a warning.
Revelation 2:14This verse in Revelation directly accuses the church at Pergamum of holding to the teaching of Balaam, showing how Balaam's manipulative strategy of leading Israel into sin continued to be a spiritual danger long after his death.
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 31:8: "And they slew the kings of Midian, beside the rest of them that were slain; namely, Evi, and Rekem, and Zur, and Hur, and Reba, five kings of Midian: Balaam also the son of Beor they slew with the sword."
And they slew the kings of Midian, beside the rest of them that were slain,.... Besides the males of the common people, they slew their kings, who were petty kings or princes, perhaps under the king of Moab, or had reassumed their titles and government after the death of Sihon t…
This verse isn't just a grim tally of enemies defeated; it reveals that Balaam, the prophet who tried to curse Israel, met his end not in a grand battle, but by being "slain with the sword." This starkly highlights his ultimate failure – the man who sought spiritual prestige and wealth instead died a violent death, caught among the very people he schemed to destroy.
Following God's command, the Israelite army waged war against the Midianites who had lured them into sin through seductive women and idolatry. This decisive battle resulted in the complete destruction of the Midianite fighting men and the capture of their women and children. The verse highlights the killing of five specific Midianite kings, along with the notorious prophet Balaam, who had previously been hired to curse Israel but now met his end by the sword amongst their enemies.
Following God's command, the Israelite army waged war against the Midianites who had lured them into sin through seductive women and idolatry. This decisive battle resulted in the complete destruction of the Midianite fighting men and the capture of their women and children. The verse highlights the killing of five specific Midianite kings, along with the notorious prophet Balaam, who had previously been hired to curse Israel but now met his end by the sword amongst their enemies.
"They killed the kings of Midian with the rest of their slain, Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba, the five kings of Midian. And they also killed Balaam the son of Beor with the sword." — This verse isn't just a grim tally of enemies defeated; it reveals that Balaam, the prophet who tried to curse Israel, met his end not in a grand battle, but by being "slain with the sword." This sta…
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