Topical Bible: Israel: Conquest of the Midianites

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The conquest of the Midianites is a significant event in the history of Israel, as recorded in the Old Testament. This event is primarily detailed in the Book of Numbers, chapter 31, and serves as a pivotal moment in the Israelites' journey to the Promised Land.

Background and Context

The Midianites were a nomadic people who lived in the region east of the Jordan River and the Dead Sea. They were descendants of Midian, a son of Abraham by his concubine Keturah (Genesis 25:1-2). Throughout the biblical narrative, the Midianites are often depicted as adversaries of Israel. Their involvement in leading Israel into idolatry and immorality at Peor (Numbers 25) set the stage for their eventual conquest.

Divine Command and Preparation

The conquest of the Midianites was commanded by God as a form of divine retribution for their role in seducing the Israelites into sin. In Numbers 31:1-2 , the LORD instructs Moses, "Take vengeance on the Midianites for the Israelites. After that, you will be gathered to your people." This command underscores the seriousness of the Midianites' transgressions and the necessity of purging their influence from among the Israelites.

Moses, in obedience to God's command, mobilizes a force of 12,000 men, selecting 1,000 from each of the twelve tribes of Israel (Numbers 31:4-5). Phinehas, the son of Eleazar the priest, accompanies the army, carrying the holy articles and the trumpets for signaling (Numbers 31:6).

The Battle and Its Aftermath

The Israelite forces engage the Midianites in battle, achieving a decisive victory. Numbers 31:7-8 records, "They waged war against Midian, as the LORD had commanded Moses, and they killed every male. Among the slain were the five kings of Midian: Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba. They also killed Balaam son of Beor with the sword."

The Israelites capture the women and children of Midian, along with their livestock and possessions, as plunder. However, Moses becomes angry with the officers of the army for sparing the women, as they were instrumental in leading Israel into sin (Numbers 31:14-16). Consequently, Moses commands that all the male children and non-virgin women be killed, while the virgin girls are spared (Numbers 31:17-18).

Division of the Spoils

Following the battle, the spoils of war are divided among the warriors and the rest of the congregation. A portion is also set aside as a tribute to the LORD, given to Eleazar the priest (Numbers 31:25-30). This division of spoils reflects the communal nature of Israelite society and the acknowledgment of God's role in granting them victory.

Theological Significance

The conquest of the Midianites is a stark reminder of the consequences of idolatry and immorality. It highlights the importance of obedience to God's commands and the need for holiness among His people. The narrative also underscores God's justice and the fulfillment of His promises to protect and preserve Israel as His chosen nation.

This event serves as a prelude to the Israelites' continued journey toward the Promised Land, emphasizing the necessity of purging sin from their midst to maintain their covenant relationship with God.

Nave's Topical Index

Numbers 31:1
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Nations of the South-East
... Between the Midianites and the Israelitish fugitives from Egypt ... the tribe of Judah
in the conquest of Canaan ... of friendship and mixture between Israel and Midian ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter iii the nations of.htm

A Cloud of Witnesses.
... Israel believed, and as God had said, so it ... and, therefore, accepted the Israelitish
conquest and adopted ... in faith.[295] Gideon put the Midianites to flight by ...
/.../the expositors bible the epistle to the hebrews/chapter xiii a cloud of.htm

The Pentateuch.
... The third epoch begins with the second arrival of Israel at Kadesh, and ... of Joshua
as the leader of the people, the conquest of the Midianites, the division ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xix the pentateuch.htm

Judges and Ruth.
... They exercised judicial functions and led the armies of Israel against their ... I. From
the Conquest to the Judges, 1:1-3:6. ... 5. Against the Midianites, Chs.6-10. ...
/.../the way of salvation in the lutheran church/chapter vii judges and ruth.htm

The Judges.
... (4) The Midianites came in ... After the Exodus of Israel Egypt seems to have enjoyed
several ... were wonderful in physical energy, in war and conquest, in discovery ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter ix the judges.htm

From Kadesh to the Death of Moses.
... a way as to show that their conquest was regarded ... the great leader prophet, priest
and judge of Israel. ... The sending of an expedition to destroy the Midianites. ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter vii from kadesh to.htm

Numbers
... north, and began her career of conquest by defeating ... of this fair ideal, for Israel
at once ... idolatry, and intermarriage with the Midianites" ultimately, it ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/numbers.htm

The Antiquities of the Jews
... CHAPTER 6. How The Midianites And Other Nations Fought ... Saul's War With The Amalekites,
And Conquest Of Them ... 2. Concerning Ahaziah; The King Of Israel; And Again ...
//christianbookshelf.org/josephus/the antiquities of the jews/

The Israelites
... Israel was a house divided against itself, and ... Jerubbaal, the conqueror of the
Midianites, established his ... The pressure of Philistine conquest at last forced ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter i the israelites.htm

On the Government of God
... Africa, 179n; commerce and wealth of, 208; interest of Salvian in, 8; Vandal conquest
of, 106 ... Israel, Children of, 56; rebellion, 63, 64, 175 f ... Midianites, 198 f ...
//christianbookshelf.org/salvian/on the government of god/index 2.htm