Jump to: Smith's • ATS • ISBE • Easton's • Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia In biblical terms, "booty" refers to the spoils of war, including goods, livestock, and captives, that are taken by the victors after a battle. The concept of booty is prevalent in the Old Testament, where it is often associated with the conquests and military campaigns of the Israelites. The handling and distribution of booty were governed by specific laws and customs, reflecting the social and religious values of ancient Israel.Biblical References 1. Numbers 31:9-12: In the campaign against the Midianites, the Israelites took women, children, livestock, and goods as booty. "The Israelites took the Midianite women and their children captive and seized as plunder all their herds, flocks, and goods. They burned all the cities where the Midianites had lived, as well as all their encampments, and carried away all the plunder and spoils, both people and animals. They brought the captives, spoils, and plunder to Moses, Eleazar the priest, and the congregation of the Israelites at the camp on the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho" . 2. Deuteronomy 20:14: The law concerning warfare instructed the Israelites on the treatment of booty. "But the women, children, livestock, and whatever else is in the city—all its spoil—you may take as plunder for yourselves. And you may use the spoil of your enemies that the LORD your God gives you" . This passage highlights the divine sanction for taking booty, emphasizing that it was considered a gift from God. 3. Joshua 8:27: After the conquest of Ai, the Israelites took the livestock and goods as booty, as commanded by the LORD. "Israel took for themselves only the cattle and the plunder of that city, as the LORD had commanded Joshua" . This reflects the obedience of the Israelites to divine instructions regarding the distribution of spoils. 4. 1 Samuel 30:19-20: David's recovery of the Amalekite booty illustrates the restoration of what was lost and the equitable distribution among his men. "Nothing was missing, young or old, son or daughter, or any of the plunder the Amalekites had taken. David brought everything back. He took all the flocks and herds, and his men drove them ahead of the other livestock, saying, 'This is David’s plunder'" . Theological and Ethical Considerations The concept of booty in the Bible is intertwined with the idea of divine justice and retribution. The taking of spoils was often seen as a form of divine judgment against the enemies of Israel. However, the ethical treatment of captives and the fair distribution of booty were also emphasized. For instance, in 1 Samuel 30, David's decision to share the plunder equally with those who stayed behind to guard the supplies reflects a principle of fairness and communal responsibility. Cultural and Historical Context In the ancient Near East, the practice of taking booty was common among warring nations. It served not only as a reward for the victors but also as a means of sustaining armies and enriching the community. The biblical regulations concerning booty were intended to ensure that the practice aligned with the covenantal values of justice, mercy, and obedience to God. Conclusion The biblical treatment of booty underscores the importance of adhering to divine commands and maintaining ethical standards in the midst of warfare. It reflects a worldview where material gain is subordinate to spiritual obedience and communal harmony. Smith's Bible Dictionary Bootyconsisted of captives of both sexes, cattle, and whatever a captured city might contain, especially metallic treasures. Within the limits of Canaan no captives were to be made, (20:14,16) beyond these limits, in case of warlike resistance, all the women and children were to be made captives, and the men put to death. The law of booty is given in (Numbers 31:26-47) As regarded the army, David added a regulation that the baggage guard should share equally with the troops engaged. (1 Samuel 30:24; 25) ATS Bible Dictionary BootySpoils taken in war were to be shared equally by those who fought and those who guarded the camp, Numbers 31:27-32. The Lord's portion was first deducted from the whole; and in after-times the king appropriated a large part to himself. Easton's Bible Dictionary Captives or cattle or objects of value taken in war. In Canaan all that breathed were to be destroyed (Deuteronomy 20: 16). The "pictures and images" of the Canaanites were to be destroyed also (Numbers 33:52). The law of booty as to its division is laid down in Numbers 31:26-47. David afterwards introduced a regulation that the baggage-guard should share the booty equally with the soldiers engaged in battle. He also devoted of the spoils of war for the temple (1 Samuel 30:24-26; 2 Samuel 8:11; 1 Chronicles 26:27). Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (n.) That which is seized by violence or obtained by robbery, especially collective spoil taken in war; plunder; pillage.International Standard Bible Encyclopedia BOOTYboot'-i (baz and baz): "Booty" is the translation of baz or baz, usually rendered "prey" and "spoil" (Jeremiah 49:32); of malqoach, "prey," "booty" (Numbers 31:32, "the booty-the rest of the prey," the Revised Version (British and American) "the prey, over and above the booty," baz); of meshiccah, "spoil" (Habakkuk 2:7 Zephaniah 1:13; the Revised Version (British and American) "spoil"); of opheleia, "gain" (2 Maccabees 8:20). "Booty respects what is of personal service to the captor; spoils whatever serves to designate his triumph; prey includes whatever gratifies the appetite and is to be consumed" (Crabb, English Synonymes). Persons (for slaves, etc.) might be part of the booty. See also SPOIL. Greek 4813. sulao -- to plunder ... spoil (like seizing ). See 4812 (). Word Origin from sule (booty) Definition to plunder NASB Word Usage robbed (1). rob. From a ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4813.htm - 6k 205. akrothinion -- the top of a heap, ie the best of the spoils 4812. sulagogeo -- to carry off as spoil 3027. lestes -- a robber 4661. skulon -- arms stripped from a foe, ie spoils Strong's Hebrew 957. baz -- spoiling, robbery, spoil, booty... 956, 957. baz. 958 . spoiling, robbery, spoil, booty. Transliteration: baz Phonetic Spelling: (baz) Short Definition: prey. ... booty, prey, spoiled. ... /hebrew/957.htm - 6k 4933. meshissah -- booty, plunder 7998. shalal -- a prey, spoil, plunder, booty 4455. malqowach -- booty, prey 5706. ad -- booty, prey 4455a. malqoach -- booty, prey 961. bizzah -- spoil, booty 4122. Maher Shalal Chash Baz -- "swift (is) booty, speedy (is) ... 962. bazaz -- to spoil, plunder 4685b. matsod -- a hunting implement, net Library The Groups Round the Cross Petty Dishonesty. The Word that Scatters Fear The Messenger A Strange Battle Numbers The Death of Cyrus. Otho, Bishop of Bamberg. Elucidation. The Bishop at Work Thesaurus Booty (32 Occurrences)... The law of booty as to its division is laid down in Numbers 31:26-47. David afterwards ... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. BOOTY. boot'-i ... /b/booty.htm - 18k Prey (105 Occurrences) Spoil (140 Occurrences) Plunder (118 Occurrences) Red (124 Occurrences) Warfare (18 Occurrences) Heifer (22 Occurrences) Assyria (124 Occurrences) 675000 (1 Occurrence) Jaw (6 Occurrences) Resources Who was Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz? | GotQuestions.orgWhen and how was Nineveh destroyed? | GotQuestions.org Why are there contradictory accounts regarding the death of Saul in 1 and 2 Samuel? | GotQuestions.org Booty: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Booty (32 Occurrences)Genesis 49:27 Numbers 31:9 Numbers 31:11 Numbers 31:12 Numbers 31:26 Numbers 31:27 Numbers 31:32 Numbers 31:53 Deuteronomy 2:35 Deuteronomy 3:7 Deuteronomy 13:16 Deuteronomy 20:14 Joshua 8:2 Joshua 8:27 Joshua 11:14 2 Chronicles 14:13 2 Chronicles 14:14 Proverbs 12:12 Isaiah 8:1 Isaiah 10:6 Isaiah 53:12 Jeremiah 15:13 Jeremiah 17:3 Jeremiah 21:9 Jeremiah 38:2 Jeremiah 39:18 Jeremiah 45:5 Jeremiah 49:32 Daniel 11:24 Nahum 3:1 Habakkuk 2:7 Zephaniah 1:13 Subtopics Related Terms |
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