New International Version Divide the spoils equally between the soldiers who took part in the battle and the rest of the community. New Living Translation Then divide the plunder into two parts, and give half to the men who fought the battle and half to the rest of the people. English Standard Version and divide the plunder into two parts between the warriors who went out to battle and all the congregation. Berean Standard Bible Then divide the captives between the troops who went out to battle and the rest of the congregation. Berean Literal Bible And divide the plunder between those handling the war who went out to the battle, and between all the congregation. King James Bible 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: New King James Version and divide the plunder into two parts, between those who took part in the war, who went out to battle, and all the congregation. New American Standard Bible and divide the spoils between the warriors who went to battle and all the congregation. NASB 1995 and divide the booty between the warriors who went out to battle and all the congregation. NASB 1977 and divide the booty between the warriors who went out to battle and all the congregation. Legacy Standard Bible and divide the loot between the warriors who went out to battle and all the congregation. Amplified Bible Divide the spoil into two [equal] parts between those who were involved in the war, that is, those who went out to battle and all [the rest of] the congregation. Berean Annotated Bible Then divide the captives between the troops who went out to battle and the rest of the congregation. Christian Standard Bible Then divide the captives between the troops who went out to war and the entire community. Holman Christian Standard Bible Then divide the captives between the troops who went out to war and the entire community. American Standard Version and divide the prey into two parts: between the men skilled in war, that went out to battle, and all the congregation. English Revised Version and divide the prey into two parts; between the men skilled in war, that went out to battle, and all the congregation: GOD'S WORD® Translation Divide the loot between the soldiers who served in the war and the rest of the community. Good News Translation Divide what was taken into two equal parts, one part for the soldiers and the other part for the rest of the community. International Standard Version are to divide the booty between the warriors who went to war and the rest of the community. NET Bible Divide the plunder into two parts, one for those who took part in the war--who went out to battle--and the other for all the community. New Heart English Bible and divide the prey into two parts: between the men skilled in war, who went out to battle, and all the congregation. Webster's Bible Translation 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: Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThen divide the captives between the troops who went out to battle and the rest of the congregation. World English Bible and divide the plunder into two parts: between the men skilled in war, who went out to battle, and all the congregation. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand you have halved the prey between those handling the battle, who go out to the war, and all the congregation; Berean Literal Bible And divide the plunder between those handling the war who went out to the battle, and between all the congregation. Young's Literal Translation and thou hast halved the prey between those handling the battle who go out to the host and all the company; Smith's Literal Translation And divide the spoil between them taking hold of the battle, going forth to war, and between all the assembly: Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd thou shalt divide the spoil equally, between them that fought and went out to the war, and between the rest of the multitude. Catholic Public Domain Version And you shall divide the prey equally, among those who went out to war and fought, and among the remainder of the multitude. New American Bible then divide the spoils between the warriors who went on the campaign and the whole community. New Revised Standard Version Divide the booty into two parts, between the warriors who went out to battle and all the congregation. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd divide the booty into two parts; between the men of war who went out to battle and between all the congregation; Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And divide the prey among the men, the makers of war who went out in the army and among all of the assembly: OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917and divide the prey into two parts: between the men skilled in war, that went out to battle, and all the congregation; Brenton Septuagint Translation And ye shall divide the spoils between the warriors that went out to battle, and the whole congregation. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context Division of the Spoils…26“You and Eleazar the priest and the family heads of the congregation are to take a count of what was captured, both of man and beast. 27Then divide the captives between the troops who went out to battle and the rest of the congregation. 28Set aside a tribute for the LORD from what belongs to the soldiers who went into battle: one out of every five hundred, whether persons, cattle, donkeys, or sheep.… Cross References Then divide the captives Judges 5:30 ‘Are they not finding and dividing the spoil—a girl or two for each warrior, a plunder of dyed garments for Sisera, the spoil of embroidered garments for the neck of the looter?’ Joshua 22:8 saying, “Return to your homes with your great wealth, with immense herds of livestock, with silver, gold, bronze, iron, and very many clothes. Divide with your brothers the spoil of your enemies.” Isaiah 9:3 You have enlarged the nation and increased its joy. The people rejoice before You as they rejoice at harvest time, as men rejoice in dividing the plunder. between the troops who went out to battle 1 Samuel 30:24 Who will listen to your proposal? The share of the one who went to battle will match the share of the one who stayed with the supplies. They will share alike.” 2 Chronicles 20:25 Then Jehoshaphat and his people went to carry off the plunder, and they found on the bodies an abundance of goods and valuables—more than they could carry away. They were gathering the plunder for three days because there was so much. Genesis 14:24 I will accept nothing but what my men have eaten and the share for the men who went with me—Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre. They may take their portion.” and the rest of the congregation. Psalm 68:12 “Kings and their armies flee in haste; she who waits at home divides the plunder. 1 Samuel 30:25 And so it has been from that day forward. David established this statute and ordinance for Israel to this very day. Deuteronomy 20:14 But the women, children, livestock, and whatever else is in the city—all its spoil—you may take as plunder, and you shall use the spoil of your enemies that the LORD your God gives you. 2 Chronicles 31:4-5 Moreover, he commanded the people living in Jerusalem to make a contribution for the priests and Levites so that they could devote themselves to the Law of the LORD. / As soon as the order went out, the Israelites generously provided the firstfruits of the grain, new wine, oil, and honey, and of all the produce of the field, and they brought in an abundance—a tithe of everything. 1 Chronicles 26:27 They had dedicated some of the plunder from their battles to the repair of the house of the LORD. 2 Kings 3:23-24 “This is blood!” they exclaimed. “The kings have clashed swords and slaughtered one another. Now to the plunder, Moab!” / But when the Moabites came to the camp of Israel, the Israelites rose up and attacked them, and they fled before them. So the Israelites invaded their land and struck down the Moabites. Genesis 14:23-24 that I will not accept even a thread, or a strap of a sandal, or anything that belongs to you, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’ / I will accept nothing but what my men have eaten and the share for the men who went with me—Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre. They may take their portion.” 2 Samuel 8:11-12 and King David dedicated these to the LORD, along with the silver and gold he had dedicated from all the nations he had subdued— / from Edom and Moab, from the Ammonites and Philistines and Amalekites, and from the spoil of Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah. 1 Kings 7:51 So all the work that King Solomon had performed for the house of the LORD was completed. Then Solomon brought in the items his father David had dedicated—the silver, the gold, and the furnishings—and he placed them in the treasuries of the house of the LORD. 2 Kings 12:4-5 Then Joash said to the priests, “Collect all the money brought as sacred gifts into the house of the LORD—the census money, the money from vows, and the money brought voluntarily into the house of the LORD. / Let every priest receive it from his constituency, and let it be used to repair any damage found in the temple.” Treasury of Scripture And divide the prey into two parts; between them that took the war on them, who went out to battle, and between all the congregation: two parts Joshua 22:8 And he spake unto them, saying, Return with much riches unto your tents, and with very much cattle, with silver, and with gold, and with brass, and with iron, and with very much raiment: divide the spoil of your enemies with your brethren. 1 Samuel 30:4,24,25 Then David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep… Psalm 68:12 Kings of armies did flee apace: and she that tarried at home divided the spoil. Jump to Previous Assembly Battle Booty Community Company Conducted Congregation Divide Division Halved Halves Handling Host Part Parts Prey Rest Skilled Soldiers Spoils War Warriors WholeJump to Next Assembly Battle Booty Community Company Conducted Congregation Divide Division Halved Halves Handling Host Part Parts Prey Rest Skilled Soldiers Spoils War Warriors WholeNumbers 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 divide the captives Moses was to oversee the division of all that had been taken in the defeat of Midian, including prisoners and livestock. The spoil was treated as the Lord’s provision following a battle He had commanded and granted Israel to win. Jdg 5:30 Are they not finding and dividing the spoil… between the troops who went out to battle The 12,000 men sent against Midian received one half of the spoil. Though only a small portion of Israel’s fighting men participated, they had carried out the nation’s military duty under the leadership of Phinehas and the direction of Moses. 1Sa 30:24 Who will listen to your proposal? The share of the one… and the rest of the congregation. The other half belonged to the wider Israelite community. The victory benefited the whole nation, not merely those who fought, because the conflict concerned Israel’s covenant faithfulness and protection from Midian’s corrupting influence. Psa 68:12 Kings and their armies flee in haste; she who waits at home… Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe leader of the Israelites, who received instructions from God regarding the division of the spoils of war. 2. Israelite Troops The soldiers who went out to battle against the Midianites, as commanded by God. 3. The Congregation The entire assembly of the Israelites, who were to receive a portion of the spoils. 4. Midianites The people defeated by the Israelites in battle, whose captives and spoils were to be divided. 5. The Battle The conflict between the Israelites and the Midianites, which was part of God's judgment against Midian. Teaching Points Principle of FairnessThe division of spoils between those who fought and the entire congregation highlights God's concern for fairness and equity among His people. Community Responsibility This passage underscores the importance of community and shared responsibility, reminding us that the blessings and victories of a few are meant to benefit the whole community. Obedience to Divine Instructions The Israelites' adherence to God's command in dividing the spoils serves as a reminder of the importance of obedience to God's directives in our lives. Stewardship of Resources The allocation of resources in this passage encourages us to be good stewards of what God has entrusted to us, ensuring that all members of the community are cared for. Unity in Diversity The inclusion of both the warriors and the congregation in the distribution process illustrates the unity that should exist within the body of believers, despite different roles and contributions. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Numbers 31:27?2. How does Numbers 31:27 illustrate God's principles of fairness and justice? 3. What can we learn about God's provision from Numbers 31:27's division of spoils? 4. How does Numbers 31:27 connect with New Testament teachings on sharing resources? 5. How can we apply the principle of equal distribution in our communities today? 6. In what ways does Numbers 31:27 encourage gratitude for God's blessings in our lives? 7. Why does Numbers 31:27 endorse dividing spoils of war, including people, among soldiers and community? 8. How does Numbers 31:27 align with the concept of a loving and just God? 9. What historical context justifies the actions described in Numbers 31:27? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Numbers 31? (27) And divide the prey into two parts . . . --It was reasonable that those who had encountered the perils and hardships of the war should receive a larger share of the spoil than those who had remained in the camp. It was equally reasonable that the latter should not be left without some substantial benefit from the victory miraculously achieved over the enemies of the Lord and of His people. A similar direction is found in Joshua 22:8 in regard to the division of spoil taken from enemies, but no general ordinance appears to have been made in regard to the division of the spoils of war until the time of David. (See 1Samuel 30:24-25.)Verse 27. - Divide the prey into two parts. This division was founded roughly upon the equity of the case; on the one hand, all Israel had suffered from Midian; on the other, only the twelve thousand had risked their lives to smite Midian. For the application of a like principle to other cases see Joshua 22:8; 1 Samuel 30:24; 2 Macc. 8:28, 30. Numbers 31:27 teaches that victory and its rewards come from the LORD, so distribution must follow His just pattern. Captives and spoils are divided under God’s direction, giving soldiers their due while blessing the entire covenant community. The verse models obedience, fairness, and unity—principles still vital for God’s people today. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Then divideוְחָצִ֙יתָ֙ (wə·ḥā·ṣî·ṯā) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 2673: To cut, split in two, to halve the captives הַמַּלְק֔וֹחַ (ham·mal·qō·w·aḥ) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4455: The jaws, in, spoil between בֵּ֚ין (bên) Preposition Strong's 996: An interval, space between the troops תֹּפְשֵׂ֣י (tō·p̄ə·śê) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct Strong's 8610: To manipulate, seize, chiefly to capture, wield, to overlay, to use unwarrantably who went out הַיֹּצְאִ֖ים (hay·yō·ṣə·’îm) Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim to battle לַצָּבָ֑א (laṣ·ṣā·ḇā) Preposition-l, Article | Noun - common singular Strong's 6635: A mass of persons, reg, organized for, war, a campaign and the rest of כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every the congregation. הָעֵדָֽה׃ (hā·‘ê·ḏāh) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 5712: A stated assemblage Additonal Resources Numbers 31:27 Blue Letter BibleNumbers 31:27 Bible Gateway Numbers 31:27 Bible.com Numbers 31:27 NIV |
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