Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Then Eleazar the priest said to the soldiers who had gone into battle, “This is what is required by the law that the LORD gave Moses: New Living Translation Then Eleazar the priest said to the men who were in the battle, “The LORD has given Moses this legal requirement: English Standard Version Then Eleazar the priest said to the men in the army who had gone to battle: “This is the statute of the law that the LORD has commanded Moses: Berean Standard Bible Then Eleazar the priest said to the soldiers who had gone into battle, “This is the statute of the law which the LORD has commanded Moses: King James Bible And Eleazar the priest said unto the men of war which went to the battle, This is the ordinance of the law which the LORD commanded Moses; New King James Version Then Eleazar the priest said to the men of war who had gone to the battle, “This is the ordinance of the law which the LORD commanded Moses: New American Standard Bible Then Eleazar the priest said to the men of war who had gone to battle, “This is the statute of the Law which the LORD has commanded Moses: NASB 1995 Then Eleazar the priest said to the men of war who had gone to battle, “This is the statute of the law which the LORD has commanded Moses: NASB 1977 Then Eleazar the priest said to the men of war who had gone to battle, “This is the statute of the law which the LORD has commanded Moses: Legacy Standard Bible Then Eleazar the priest said to the men of war who had gone to battle, “This is the statute of the law which Yahweh has commanded Moses: Amplified Bible Then Eleazar the priest said to the men of war who had gone to battle, “This is the statute of the law which the LORD has commanded Moses: Christian Standard Bible Then the priest Eleazar said to the soldiers who had gone to battle, “This is the legal statute the LORD commanded Moses: Holman Christian Standard Bible Then Eleazar the priest said to the soldiers who had gone to battle, “This is the legal statute the LORD commanded Moses: American Standard Version And Eleazar the priest said unto the men of war that went to the battle, This is the statute of the law which Jehovah hath commanded Moses: English Revised Version And Eleazar the priest said unto the men of war which went to the battle, This is the statute of the law which the LORD hath commanded Moses: GOD'S WORD® Translation Then the priest Eleazar said to the soldiers who had gone into battle, "This is what the LORD's teachings told Moses to do: Good News Translation Eleazar the priest said to the men who had returned from battle, "These are the regulations that the LORD has given to Moses. International Standard Version Eleazar the priest told the soldiers who had gone to battle, "This is the ordinance of the law that the LORD commanded Moses NET Bible Then Eleazar the priest said to the men of war who had gone into the battle, "This is the ordinance of the law that the LORD commanded Moses: New Heart English Bible Eleazar the priest said to the men of war who went to the battle, "This is the statute of the law which the LORD has commanded Moses: Webster's Bible Translation And Eleazar the priest said to the men of war who went to the battle, This is the ordinance of the law which the LORD commanded Moses; Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThen Eleazar the priest said to the soldiers who had gone into battle, “This is the statute of the law which the LORD has commanded Moses: World English Bible Eleazar the priest said to the men of war who went to the battle, “This is the statute of the law which Yahweh has commanded Moses. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd Eleazar the priest says to the men of war who go to battle, “This [is] the statute of the law which YHWH has commanded Moses: Young's Literal Translation And Eleazar the priest saith unto the men of the host who go in to battle, 'This is the statute of the law which Jehovah hath commanded Moses: Smith's Literal Translation And Eleazar the priest will say to the men of war coming from the battle, This the law of instruction which Jehovah commanded Moses: Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleEleazar also the priest spoke to the men of the army, that had fought, in this manner: This is the ordinance of the law, which the Lord hath commanded Moses: Catholic Public Domain Version Likewise, Eleazar the priest spoke in this manner to the men of the army who had fought: “This is the precept of the law, which the Lord has commanded Moses: New American Bible Eleazar the priest told the soldiers who had taken part in the battle: “This is the prescribed ritual which the LORD has commanded Moses: New Revised Standard Version Eleazar the priest said to the troops who had gone to battle: “This is the statute of the law that the LORD has commanded Moses: Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd Eleazar the priest said to the men of war who had returned from the battle, This is the ordinance of the law which the LORD commanded Moses: Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And Eliazer the Priest told the men of the army who came from this war the commandment of the law that LORD JEHOVAH had commanded to Moshe; OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And Eleazar the priest said unto the men of war that went to the battle: 'This is the statute of the law which the LORD hath commanded Moses: Brenton Septuagint Translation And Eleazar the priest said to the men of the host that came from the battle-array, This is the ordinance of the law which the Lord has commanded Moses. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Vengeance on Midian…20And purify every garment and leather good, everything made of goat’s hair, and every article of wood.” 21Then Eleazar the priest said to the soldiers who had gone into battle, “This is the statute of the law which the LORD has commanded Moses: 22Only the gold, silver, bronze, iron, tin, and lead—… Cross References Leviticus 11:32-33 When one of them dies and falls on something, that article becomes unclean; any article of wood, clothing, leather, sackcloth, or any implement used for work must be rinsed with water and will remain unclean until evening; then it will be clean. / If any of them falls into a clay pot, everything in it will be unclean; you must break the pot. Leviticus 15:12 Any clay pot that the man with the discharge touches must be broken, and any wooden utensil must be rinsed with water. Leviticus 6:28 The clay pot in which the sin offering is boiled must be broken; if it is boiled in a bronze pot, the pot must be scoured and rinsed with water. Leviticus 8:10-11 Next, Moses took the anointing oil and anointed the tabernacle and everything in it; and so he consecrated them. / He sprinkled some of the oil on the altar seven times, anointing the altar and all its utensils, and the basin with its stand, to consecrate them. Leviticus 16:19 He is to sprinkle some of the blood on it with his finger seven times to cleanse it and consecrate it from the uncleanness of the Israelites. Exodus 30:17-21 And the LORD said to Moses, / “You are to make a bronze basin with a bronze stand for washing. Set it between the Tent of Meeting and the altar, and put water in it, / with which Aaron and his sons are to wash their hands and feet. ... Exodus 29:36-37 Sacrifice a bull as a sin offering each day for atonement. Purify the altar by making atonement for it, and anoint it to consecrate it. / For seven days you shall make atonement for the altar and consecrate it. Then the altar will become most holy; whatever touches the altar will be holy. Exodus 40:9-11 Take the anointing oil and anoint the tabernacle and everything in it; consecrate it along with all its furnishings, and it shall be holy. / Anoint the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils; consecrate the altar, and it shall be most holy. / Anoint the basin and its stand and consecrate them. 1 Samuel 21:5 David answered, “Women have indeed been kept from us, as is usual when I set out. And the bodies of the young men are holy even on common missions. How much more so today!” 2 Chronicles 29:15-16 When they had assembled their brothers and consecrated themselves, they went in to cleanse the house of the LORD, according to the command of the king by the words of the LORD. / So the priests went inside the house of the LORD to cleanse it, and they brought out to the courtyard all the unclean things that they found in the temple of the LORD. Then the Levites took these things and carried them out to the Kidron Valley. Isaiah 52:11 Depart, depart, go out from there! Touch no unclean thing; come out from it, purify yourselves, you who carry the vessels of the LORD. Ezekiel 36:25 I will also sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. I will cleanse you from all your impurities and all your idols. Matthew 23:25-26 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. / Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, so that the outside may become clean as well. Mark 7:4 And on returning from the market, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other traditions for them to observe, including the washing of cups, pitchers, kettles, and couches for dining. John 2:6 Now six stone water jars had been set there for the Jewish rites of purification. Each could hold from twenty to thirty gallons. Treasury of Scripture And Eleazar the priest said to the men of war which went to the battle, This is the ordinance of the law which the LORD commanded Moses; Numbers 30:16 These are the statutes, which the LORD commanded Moses, between a man and his wife, between the father and his daughter, being yet in her youth in her father's house. Jump to Previous Battle Commanded Eleazar Elea'zar Host Law Moses Ordinance Priest Requirement Rule Soldiers Statute WarJump to Next Battle Commanded Eleazar Elea'zar Host Law Moses Ordinance Priest Requirement Rule Soldiers Statute WarNumbers 31 1. The Midianites are spoiled, and Balaam slain13. Moses is angry with the officers, for saving the women alive 19. How the soldiers, with their captives and spoil, are to be purified 25. The proportion in which the prey is to be divided 48. The voluntary offering unto the treasure of the Lord Then Eleazar the priest said to the soldiers who had gone into battle Eleazar, the son of Aaron, served as the high priest after Aaron's death. His role was crucial in guiding the Israelites in spiritual and ceremonial matters. The soldiers mentioned here had just returned from a victorious battle against the Midianites, a people who had previously led Israel into sin (Numbers 25). The priest's involvement underscores the importance of maintaining ritual purity and obedience to God's commands even in the aftermath of warfare. This reflects the broader biblical theme of God's holiness and the need for His people to remain distinct from surrounding nations. “This is the statute of the law which the LORD has commanded Moses: Persons / Places / Events 1. Eleazar the PriestEleazar was the son of Aaron and served as the high priest after Aaron's death. He played a crucial role in guiding the Israelites in religious and ceremonial matters. 2. The Soldiers These were the Israelite warriors who had returned from battle against the Midianites, a conflict commanded by God as a form of judgment against Midian. 3. The Law of the LORD This refers to the divine instructions given to Moses, which included various statutes and ordinances for the Israelites to follow, particularly concerning purity and holiness. 4. Moses The leader of the Israelites who received the law from God and communicated it to the people. He was responsible for ensuring that God's commands were followed. 5. The Battle Against Midian This was a divinely sanctioned military campaign against the Midianites, who had led Israel into sin through idolatry and immorality. Teaching Points The Importance of ObedienceObedience to God's commands is crucial, as demonstrated by Eleazar's reminder to the soldiers. This teaches us the importance of adhering to God's Word in our lives. Purity and Holiness The purification laws highlight the need for spiritual cleanliness. As believers, we are called to live holy lives, set apart for God's purposes. Leadership and Responsibility Eleazar's role underscores the responsibility of spiritual leaders to guide others in following God's commands. This is a reminder for leaders today to faithfully teach and uphold biblical truths. God's Justice and Mercy The battle against Midian reflects God's justice against sin, but also His mercy in providing a way for purification. We are reminded of the balance between justice and mercy in God's character. The Role of the Law The law served as a guide for the Israelites, pointing them to God's standards. In Christ, we see the fulfillment of the law, calling us to live by the Spirit. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Numbers 31:21?2. How does Numbers 31:21 emphasize the importance of purification in our lives? 3. What role does Eleazar play in teaching God's commands in Numbers 31:21? 4. How can we apply the purification principles from Numbers 31:21 today? 5. How does Numbers 31:21 connect with New Testament teachings on spiritual cleansing? 6. Why is obedience to God's purification laws crucial according to Numbers 31:21? 7. Why does Numbers 31:21 emphasize purification after battle? 8. How does Numbers 31:21 align with God's character of justice and mercy? 9. What historical context explains the purification laws in Numbers 31:21? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Numbers 31? 11. Who was Eleazar in the Bible? 12. Who was Ithamar in the Bible? 13. Does the inheritance prohibition in Numbers 18:20-24 conflict with other passages that suggest Levites owned cities or land, indicating a possible textual inconsistency? 14. How did David consult the ephod for instant divine guidance in 1 Samuel 23:9-12 when similar direct communication is uncommon elsewhere in the Old Testament? What Does Numbers 31:21 Mean Setting the scene- Israel has just fought Midian by direct command of the LORD (Numbers 31:1–12). - Spoils, captives, and even the warriors themselves are now ritually unclean because they have shed blood and handled the belongings of a pagan nation (Numbers 31:19). - Before anyone re-enters the camp, God provides specific purification instructions. Cross reference: Deuteronomy 20:10–18 reminds Israel that warfare had spiritual as well as military purposes; Joshua 6:18–19 shows similar care over devoted things. Who speaks and why - “Eleazar the priest” steps forward. Aaron’s son now bears the responsibility of guarding Israel’s holiness (Numbers 20:26–28). - The warriors may see only victory; Eleazar sees the need to uphold God’s standard. - His words carry divine authority: “the statute of the law which the LORD has commanded Moses.” Cross reference: Leviticus 10:10–11 shows priests instructing the people; Malachi 2:7 calls priests “messengers of the LORD.” Meaning of “statute of the law” - “Statute” signals a fixed, non-negotiable requirement. - “Law” (torah) denotes God’s revealed instruction, not mere human tradition. - Together, the phrase stresses that purification wasn’t Eleazar’s opinion but God’s permanent ordinance. Cross reference: Psalm 19:7-9 praises God’s statutes; Numbers 19:11-16 outlines earlier cleansing rites for contact with death, forming the backdrop here. Immediate instructions that follow Though verse 21 introduces the statute, verses 22-24 detail it: • Metals that can withstand fire—gold, silver, bronze, iron, tin, lead—must “be put through the fire, and it will be clean, but it must still be purified with the water of purification.” • Everything else is washed with water alone. • The soldiers themselves wait outside the camp seven days and use the ashes of the red heifer (Numbers 19). Cross reference: 2 Chronicles 5:11 depicts priests cleansing before ministry, underscoring the principle. Principles for believers today - God’s people must not carry defilement into fellowship; victory over enemies never overrides holiness (1 Peter 1:15-16). - Spiritual leaders must lovingly remind victors of God’s standards, as Eleazar did (Hebrews 13:17). - Cleansing involves both fire (testing, refining) and water (washing by the word, Ephesians 5:26), prefiguring Christ’s complete purification of His people. summary Numbers 31:21 records Eleazar stepping in after Israel’s triumph to announce God’s unchanging statute: every soldier and every spoil must be cleansed before rejoining the community. The verse underscores priestly authority, the permanence of divine law, and the priority of holiness over military success. Its enduring lesson is clear—no achievement excuses impurity; God provides and requires cleansing so His people remain a holy dwelling for His presence. Verse 21. - And Eleazar the priest said, This is the ordinance of the law (חֻקַּת הַתּורָה, "law-statute, as in Numbers 19:2) which the Lord commanded Moses. There is something peculiar in this expression which points to the probability, either that this paragraph (verses 21-24) was added after the death of Moses, or that "the law was already beginning, even in the lifetime of Moses, to assume the position which it after. wards held - that, viz., of a fixed code to be interpreted and applied by the living authority of the priesthood. This is the earliest instance of the high priest declaring to the people what the law of God as delivered to Moses was, and then applying and enlarging that law to meet the present circumstances. It is no doubt possible that Eleazar referred the matter to Moses, but it would seem on the face of the narrative that he spoke on his own authority as high priest. When we compare the ceremonial of the later Jews, so precisely and minutely ordered for every conceivable contingency, with the Mosaic legislation itself, it is evident that the process of authoritative amplification must have been going on from the first; but it is certainly strange to find that process begun while Moses himself was alive and active.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Then Eleazarאֶלְעָזָ֤ר (’el·‘ā·zār) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 499: Eleazar -- 'God has helped', six Israelites the priest הַכֹּהֵן֙ (hak·kō·hên) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3548: Priest said וַיֹּ֨אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to the soldiers אַנְשֵׁ֣י (’an·šê) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 582: Man, mankind who had gone הַבָּאִ֖ים (hab·bā·’îm) Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go into battle, לַמִּלְחָמָ֑ה (lam·mil·ḥā·māh) Preposition-l, Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 4421: A battle, war “This זֹ֚את (zōṯ) Pronoun - feminine singular Strong's 2063: Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that, is the statute חֻקַּ֣ת (ḥuq·qaṯ) Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 2708: Something prescribed, an enactment, statute of the law הַתּוֹרָ֔ה (hat·tō·w·rāh) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 8451: Direction, instruction, law which אֲשֶׁר־ (’ă·šer-) Pronoun - relative Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that the LORD יְהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3069: YHWH has commanded צִוָּ֥ה (ṣiw·wāh) Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 6680: To lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command, order Moses: מֹשֶֽׁה׃ (mō·šeh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 4872: Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver Links Numbers 31:21 NIVNumbers 31:21 NLT Numbers 31:21 ESV Numbers 31:21 NASB Numbers 31:21 KJV Numbers 31:21 BibleApps.com Numbers 31:21 Biblia Paralela Numbers 31:21 Chinese Bible Numbers 31:21 French Bible Numbers 31:21 Catholic Bible OT Law: Numbers 31:21 Eleazar the priest said to the men (Nu Num.) |
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