What does Numbers 31:46 mean?

And sixteen thousand persons;) Numbers 31:46

Explanation

Numbers 31:46 refers to a specific group of people accounted for in the aftermath of the Israelites’ war with Midian, as commanded by God and led by Moses. In this verse, “And sixteen thousand persons;” indicates a numerical tally of individuals, specifically the survivors from the enemy population. The context of the verse falls within the passage that describes the division of the spoils obtained from the war. As per the commandment, the Israelites had to divide the plunder between the warriors who went into battle and the rest of the community. The sixteen thousand persons mentioned are part of the “persons” described in the broader passage that were to be divided as war spoils, which was a common practice in the ancient Near East.

The deeper meaning of the passage can be understood in relation to the Israelites’ identity as God’s chosen people, and how war and its spoils were managed under divine command, reflecting the theocracy’s policies during that time.

Historical Context

In Numbers 31, the Israelites are instructed to carry out God’s judgment against the Midianites. This command comes as a result of the Midianites’ role in leading Israel to sin through idolatry and sexual immorality, which is detailed in earlier chapters, particularly Numbers 25. The historical context of this event can be approximated to around 1400 BCE, during the period of the Israelites’ wanderings in the desert after their exodus from Egypt and before the conquest of Canaan.

Warfare in ancient times often included the taking of plunder, including goods and captives. In the Israelite community, these captives and goods were subject to regulations provided by the Law and through Moses’ leadership.

Theological Insights

The verse and the broader passage offer various theological insights. For some, this war and the taking of spoils illustrate God’s justice against those who lead His people astray. Others interpret the passage as an insight into a particular and historic understanding of God’s sovereignty and human agency within the context of holy war.

An alternative theological viewpoint might wrestle with the ethical implications of warfare and the treatment of captives in the context of divine command. Questions arise regarding the character of God and the historical-cultural setting of these commands compared to contemporary ethical norms.

Practical Applications

While the direct historical and cultural situation of this verse might seem distant from contemporary life, the underlying principles can still offer applications. For instance, modern readers can reflect on issues of justice, the consequences of leading others into harmful behaviors, and the importance of being mindful of the influences they follow or propagate.

Responsible stewardship of resources and just treatment of others, even in the context of adversity, might also be drawn from the broader narrative surrounding this verse.

Cross-References

• Numbers 31:32 – “And the booty, being the rest of the prey which the men of war had caught, was six hundred thousand and seventy thousand and five thousand sheep,”
• Numbers 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:”
• Deuteronomy 20:14 – “But the women, and the little ones, and the cattle, and all that is in the city, even all the spoil thereof, shalt thou take unto thyself; and thou shalt eat the spoil of thine enemies, which the LORD thy God hath given thee.”

Language Study

In the original Hebrew, the phrase is “וששה עלפים איש” (translated as “And sixteen thousand persons;”). The key word here is “איש” (ish), generally meaning “man” or “person” in a collective sense. The numbering system in Hebrew combines “שש” (six) with “עלפים” (thousands) to form “sixteen thousand.” The literal understanding from the Hebrew text is clear, denoting a particular number of people without additional detail in this specific verse.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Comparing this practice to other ancient Near Eastern cultures, it was common for victors in battle to take captives and spoils. This is seen, for example, in the Assyrian and Babylonian empires’ reliefs and records. Within the broader religious context, the details of war and spoils were often attributed to the favor or command of the deities worshipped by those cultures.

Scientific Perspectives

Modern scientific analysis of this verse would not typically engage with the numeric claim directly, as it is a historical record within a religious text. However, archaeology might provide insight into the sizes of populations and the practices of war in the ancient Near East, enabling an indirect evaluation of the biblical text’s historical plausibility.

Commentaries

According to Matthew Henry’s commentary, the accounting in Numbers 31 serves to demonstrate God’s care in the distribution of the spoils, ensuring that it was done fairly and that the Levites and the priests were not forgotten in the process. The Pulpit Commentary reflects on the judgment of God fulfilled through the Israelites against the Midianites and the process by which the spoils were managed. Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament emphasizes the structure and method of division, suggesting that it underscores order and justice within the Israelite community.