Numbers 31:22
Numbers 31:22 in Multiple Translations
Only the gold, silver, bronze, iron, tin, and lead—
Only the gold, and the silver, the brass, the iron, the tin, and the lead,
howbeit the gold, and the silver, the brass, the iron, the tin, and the lead,
But gold and silver and brass and iron and tin and lead,
All that's made of gold, silver, bronze, iron, tin, and lead—
As for gold, and siluer, brasse, yron, tynne, and lead:
only, the gold, and the silver, the brass, the iron, the tin, and the lead,
However the gold, and the silver, the bronze, the iron, the tin, and the lead,
Only the gold, and the silver, the brass, the iron, the tin, and the lead,
Gold, and silver, and brass, and iron, and lend, and tin,
You must put into a fire any gold or silver or bronze or iron or tin or lead things that you brought back from the battle.
Berean Amplified Bible — Numbers 31:22
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Numbers 31:22 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
אַ֥ךְ
אֶת
הַ/זָּהָ֖ב
וְ/אֶת
הַ/כָּ֑סֶף
אֶֽת
הַ/נְּחֹ֨שֶׁת֙
אֶת
הַ/בַּרְזֶ֔ל
אֶֽת
הַ/בְּדִ֖יל
וְ/אֶת
הָ/עֹפָֽרֶת
אַ֥ךְ
ʼak
H389
surely
DirObjM
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
הַ/זָּהָ֖ב
zâhâb
H2091
gold
Art | N-ms
וְ/אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
Conj | DirObjM
הַ/כָּ֑סֶף
keçeph
H3701
silver
Art | N-ms
אֶֽת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
הַ/נְּחֹ֨שֶׁת֙
nᵉchôsheth
H5178
bronze
Art | N-fs
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
הַ/בַּרְזֶ֔ל
barzel
H1270
iron
Art | N-ms
אֶֽת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
הַ/בְּדִ֖יל
bᵉdîyl
H913
tin
Art | N-ms
וְ/אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
Conj | DirObjM
הָ/עֹפָֽרֶת
ʻôwphereth
H5777
lead
Art | N-fs
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Numbers 31:22
אַ֥ךְ
ʼak
H389
"surely"
DirObjM
This Hebrew word is used to emphasize something, like saying 'surely' or 'certainly'. It can also be used to limit or restrict something, like saying 'only' or 'but'.
Definition: 1) indeed, surely (emphatic) 2) howbeit, only, but, yet (restrictive)
Usage: Occurs in 157 OT verses. KJV: also, in any wise, at least, but, certainly, even, howbeit, nevertheless, notwithstanding, only, save, surely, of a surety, truly, verily, [phrase] wherefore, yet (but). See also: Genesis 7:23; 2 Kings 23:35; Psalms 23:6.
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
הַ/זָּהָ֖ב
zâhâb
H2091
"gold"
Art | N-ms
Gold is a valuable metal, also used to describe something yellow or brilliant, like oil or a clear sky. It is often mentioned in the Bible as a precious resource.
Definition: 1) gold 1a) as precious metal 1b) as a measure of weight 1c) of brilliance, splendour (fig.) Aramaic equivalent: de.hav (דְּהַב "gold" H1722)
Usage: Occurs in 336 OT verses. KJV: gold(-en), fair weather. See also: Genesis 2:11; Numbers 7:26; 1 Chronicles 28:17.
וְ/אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
Conj | DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
הַ/כָּ֑סֶף
keçeph
H3701
"silver"
Art | N-ms
Silver or money, often referring to payment or wealth, like the silver talents in Matthew 25. It can also describe silver as a valuable metal or ornament.
Definition: : money/payment/silver 1) silver, money 1a) silver 1a1) as metal 1a2) as ornament 1a3) as colour 1b) money, shekels, talents
Usage: Occurs in 343 OT verses. KJV: money, price, silver(-ling). See also: Genesis 13:2; Numbers 22:18; 2 Chronicles 1:17.
אֶֽת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
הַ/נְּחֹ֨שֶׁת֙
nᵉchôsheth
H5178
"bronze"
Art | N-fs
This Hebrew word refers to copper or something made of it, like a coin or chain. It can also symbolize something base or impure, as in lust or filthiness. It appears in various KJV translations, including brasen and brass.
Definition: 1) copper, bronze 1a) copper (ore), bronze (as copper alloy) 1b) fetters (of copper or bronze) 1c) copper (as value)
Usage: Occurs in 119 OT verses. KJV: brasen, brass, chain, copper, fetter (of brass), filthiness, steel. See also: Genesis 4:22; 1 Kings 7:38; Psalms 107:16.
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
הַ/בַּרְזֶ֔ל
barzel
H1270
"iron"
Art | N-ms
Iron refers to a strong metal used for tools and furniture, symbolizing strength or harshness, as seen in the Bible's descriptions of iron implements.
Definition: 1) iron 1a) iron 1a1) iron ore 1a2) as material of furniture, utensils, implements 2) tool of iron 3) harshness, strength, oppression (fig.) Aramaic equivalent: par.zel (פַּרְזֶל "iron" H6523)
Usage: Occurs in 70 OT verses. KJV: (ax) head, iron. See also: Genesis 4:22; 2 Chronicles 2:6; Psalms 2:9.
אֶֽת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
הַ/בְּדִ֖יל
bᵉdîyl
H913
"tin"
Art | N-ms
This Hebrew word refers to tin or alloy, and is also used figuratively to describe Israel. It is translated as plummet or tin in the KJV.
Definition: 1) alloy, tin, dross 1a) of Israel (metaph.)
Usage: Occurs in 6 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] plummet, tin. See also: Numbers 31:22; Ezekiel 22:20; Isaiah 1:25.
וְ/אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
Conj | DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
הָ/עֹפָֽרֶת
ʻôwphereth
H5777
"lead"
Art | N-fs
This word means lead, a heavy metal, and is used in the Bible to describe a type of metal used for making items. It appears in Ezekiel and Zechariah, describing the use of lead in construction and craftsmanship.
Definition: lead
Usage: Occurs in 9 OT verses. KJV: lead. See also: Exodus 15:10; Ezekiel 22:18; Jeremiah 6:29.
Study Notes — Numbers 31:22
Show Verse Quote Highlights
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—
23everything that can withstand the fire—must be put through the fire, and it will be clean. But it must still be purified with the water of purification. And everything that cannot withstand the fire must pass through the water. 24On the seventh day you are to wash your clothes, and you will be clean. After that you may enter the camp.”Numbers 31:22 Summary
This verse is talking about how the Israelites were supposed to purify certain items after a battle, by either passing them through fire or water. The items made of metal, like gold and silver, were special because they could withstand fire and be made clean that way. This reminds us that God wants us to dedicate our valuable resources to Him, just like the Israelites did, and to trust His instructions, even when they seem strange to us (as seen in Numbers 31:23). By following God's instructions, we can be purified and made clean, just like these metal items, and use our talents and resources to serve Him and others (as seen in Matthew 25:14-30).
Frequently Asked Questions
What items were exempt from purification by water?
According to Numbers 31:22, items made of gold, silver, bronze, iron, tin, and lead were exempt from purification by water, as they could withstand fire and be purified that way, as seen in Numbers 31:23.
Why were some items purified by fire and others by water?
In Numbers 31:22-23, we see that items that could withstand fire, like those made of metal, were purified by fire, while items that could not withstand fire were purified by water, highlighting the importance of following God's specific instructions for purification, as also seen in Leviticus 11:32.
What is the significance of the metals listed in Numbers 31:22?
The metals listed, such as gold, silver, and bronze, were highly valued in ancient times and were often used in worship and sacrifice, as seen in Exodus 25:3, and their inclusion here highlights the importance of dedicating all valuable resources to God's service.
How does this verse relate to our lives today?
While we may not be dealing with the same physical items, the principle of dedicating our valuable resources to God's service remains, as seen in Matthew 6:19-21, where Jesus teaches us to store up treasures in heaven, not on earth.
Reflection Questions
- What are the 'valuable resources' in my life that I need to dedicate to God's service?
- How can I apply the principle of purification by fire or water to my own spiritual life, getting rid of things that hinder my relationship with God?
- What are some areas where I need to trust God's specific instructions, even if they don't make sense to me, just like the Israelites had to trust God's instructions for purification?
- How can I use my own 'metals' - my talents, skills, and resources - to serve God and others, as seen in 1 Peter 4:10-11?
Gill's Exposition on Numbers 31:22
Only the gold, and the silver, the brass, the iron, the tin, and the lead.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 31:22
And purify all your raiment, and all that is made of skins, and all work of goats' hair, and all things made of wood. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Cambridge Bible on Numbers 31:22
19–24. The purification necessary after contact with the dead. Moses bids all who are defiled to remain outside the camp for seven days and perform the requisite ritual of purification.
Barnes' Notes on Numbers 31:22
Brass - Render copper. See Genesis 4:22 note. The verse is curious as illustrating the variety of metals in use at this early date for domestic purposes.
Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 31:22
20-23. All raiment — Or cloth for any use. Numbers 4:6-7, notes.