Numbers 31:7-18 ▼

7 And they warred against Midian, as the LORD commanded Moses; and they slew all the males.

8 And they slew the kings of Midian with the rest of those that were slain; namely, Evi, Rakim, Zur, Hur, and Reba, the five kings of Midian; Balaam also, the son of Beor, they slew with the sword.

9 And the children of Israel took all the women of Midian captives; and their little ones and all their cattle and all their flocks and all their I wealth they plundered.

10 And they burned all the cities wherein they dwelt and all their unwalled villages with fire.

11 And they carried away all the spoil and all the booty, both of men and of beasts.

12 And they brought the captives, the booty, and the spoil, to Moses and to Eleazar the priest and to the congregation of the children of Israel, to the camp at the plains of Moab which are by the Jordan near Jericho.

13 And Moses and Eleazar the priest and all the princes of the congregation went forth to meet them outside the camp.

14 And Moses was wroth with the officers of the army, the commanders of thousands and captains over hundreds who had come from the battle.

15 And Moses said to them, Why have you let all the women live?

16 For it was they who caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against the LORD in the matter of Peor, and there was a plague in the congregation of the LORD.

17 Now therefore kill every male among the little ones and kill every woman who has known man by lying with him.

18 But all the female children, who have not known a man by lying with him, keep alive for yourselves.