Numbers 31:28

Numbers 31:28 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

Set 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.

King James Version KJV

And levy a tribute unto the LORD of the men of war which went out to battle: one soul of five hundred, both of the persons, and of the beeves, and of the asses, and of the sheep:

American Standard Version ASV

And levy a tribute unto Jehovah of the men of war that went out to battle: one soul of five hundred, both of the persons, and of the oxen, and of the asses, and of the flocks:

Bible in Basic English BBE

And from the men of war who went out let there be offered to the Lord one out of every five hundred, from the persons, and from the oxen and asses and sheep:

Free Bible Version FBV

Take as a contribution to the Lord from what is allocated to the troops who went into battle one out of every five hundred people, cattle, donkeys, or sheep.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

And thou shalt take a tribute vnto ye Lord of the men of warre, which went out to battel: one person of fiue hundreth, both of the persons, and of the beeues, and of the asses, and of the sheepe.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

and thou hast raised a tribute to Jehovah from the men of war, who go out to the host, one body out of five hundred, of man, and of the herd, and of the asses, and of the flock;

World English Bible WEB

Levy a tribute to the LORD of the men of war who went out to battle: one soul of five hundred; of the persons, of the cattle, of the donkeys, and of the flocks.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

And levy a tribute to the LORD of the men of war who went out to battle: one soul of five hundred, both of the persons, and of the beeves, and of the asses, and of the sheep:

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

And thou shalt separate a portion to the Lord from them that fought and were in the battle, one soul of five hundred as well of persons as of oxen and asses and sheep.

Translation for Translators T4T

From the men who fought in the battle, take one from every 500 people and from every 500 cattle and donkeys and sheep, to be a tax for me.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Numbers 31:28

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 31:28 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB וַ/הֲרֵמֹתָ֨ מֶ֜כֶס לַֽ/יהוָ֗ה מֵ/אֵ֞ת אַנְשֵׁ֤י הַ/מִּלְחָמָה֙ הַ/יֹּצְאִ֣ים לַ/צָּבָ֔א אֶחָ֣ד נֶ֔פֶשׁ מֵ/חֲמֵ֖שׁ הַ/מֵּא֑וֹת מִן הָ/אָדָם֙ וּ/מִן הַ/בָּקָ֔ר וּ/מִן הַ/חֲמֹרִ֖ים וּ/מִן הַ/צֹּֽאן

וַ/הֲרֵמֹתָ֨ rûwm H7311 to exalt Conj | V-Hiphil-2ms

מֶ֜כֶס mekeç H4371 tribute N-ms

לַֽ/יהוָ֗ה Yᵉhôvâh H3068 The Lord Prep | N-proper

מֵ/אֵ֞ת ʼêth H854 with Prep | Prep

אַנְשֵׁ֤י ʼîysh H376 man N-mp

הַ/מִּלְחָמָה֙ milchâmâh H4421 battle Art | N-fs

הַ/יֹּצְאִ֣ים yâtsâʼ H3318 to come out Art | V-Qal

לַ/צָּבָ֔א tsâbâʼ H6635 army Prep | N-cs

אֶחָ֣ד ʼechâd H259 one Adj

נֶ֔פֶשׁ nephesh H5315 soul N-cs

מֵ/חֲמֵ֖שׁ châmêsh H2568 five Prep | Adj

הַ/מֵּא֑וֹת mêʼâh H3967 hundred Art | Adj

מִן min H4480 from Prep

הָ/אָדָם֙ ʼâdâm H120 the man (Adam) Art | N-ms

וּ/מִן min H4480 from Conj | Prep

הַ/בָּקָ֔ר bâqâr H1241 cattle Art | N-cs

וּ/מִן min H4480 from Conj | Prep

הַ/חֲמֹרִ֖ים chămôwr H2543 donkey Art | N-cp

וּ/מִן min H4480 from Conj | Prep

הַ/צֹּֽאן tsôʼn H6629 Sheep (Gate) Art | N-cs

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Numbers 31:28

וַ/הֲרֵמֹתָ֨ rûwm H7311 "to exalt" Conj | V-Hiphil-2ms

This verb can mean to lift something or someone up, like a parent lifting a child, or to exalt oneself in pride. In the Bible, it's used to describe God lifting up the humble and bringing down the proud.

Definition: 1) to rise, rise up, be high, be lofty, be exalted 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be high, be set on high 1a2) to be raised, be uplifted, be exalted 1a3) to be lifted, rise 1b) (Polel) 1b1) to raise or rear (children), cause to grow up 1b2) to lift up, raise, exalt 1b3) to exalt, extol 1c) (Polal) to be lifted up 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to raise, lift, lift up, take up, set up, erect, exalt, set on high 1d2) to lift up (and take away), remove 1d3) to lift off and present, contribute, offer, contribute 1e) (Hophal) to be taken off, be abolished 1f) (Hithpolel) to exalt oneself, magnify oneself Aramaic equivalent: rum (רוּם "to rise" H7313)

Usage: Occurs in 184 OT verses. KJV: bring up, exalt (self), extol, give, go up, haughty, heave (up), (be, lift up on, make on, set up on, too) high(-er, one), hold up, levy, lift(-er) up, (be) lofty, ([idiom] a-) loud, mount up, offer (up), [phrase] presumptuously, (be) promote(-ion), proud, set up, tall(-er), take (away, off, up), breed worms. See also: Genesis 7:17; Psalms 46:11; Psalms 3:4.

מֶ֜כֶס mekeç H4371 "tribute" N-ms

This Hebrew word means a tax or tribute, often based on a census, and is used in the Bible to describe the payments made to kings and governments. It appears in books like Kings and Chronicles. The concept is still relevant today.

Definition: computation, proportion to be paid, tribute, tax

Usage: Occurs in 6 OT verses. KJV: tribute. See also: Numbers 31:28; Numbers 31:39; Numbers 31:41.

לַֽ/יהוָ֗ה Yᵉhôvâh H3068 "The Lord" Prep | N-proper

Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.

Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)

Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.

מֵ/אֵ֞ת ʼêth H854 "with" Prep | Prep

This Hebrew preposition means 'with' or 'near', indicating a close relationship or physical proximity. It's used in Genesis 1:26 to describe God's relationship with humanity, and in many other places to show connection or closeness.

Definition: 1) with, near, together with 1a) with, together with 1b) with (of relationship) 1c) near (of place) 1d) with (poss.) 1e) from...with, from (with other prep)

Usage: Occurs in 787 OT verses. KJV: against, among, before, by, for, from, in(-to), (out) of, with. Often with another prepositional prefix. See also: Genesis 4:1; Genesis 42:32; Numbers 1:5.

אַנְשֵׁ֤י ʼîysh H376 "man" N-mp

The Hebrew word for man, referring to a male person or individual, is used in the Bible to describe humans in contrast to God or animals, as seen in Genesis and Psalms. It can also mean husband or servant. In the KJV, it is translated as man or male.

Definition: : man 1) man 1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female) 1b) husband 1c) human being, person (in contrast to God) 1d) servant 1e) mankind 1f) champion 1g) great man 2) whosoever 3) each (adjective)

Usage: Occurs in 1851 OT verses. KJV: also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare H802 (אִשָּׁה). See also: Genesis 2:23; Genesis 42:25; Exodus 32:23.

הַ/מִּלְחָמָה֙ milchâmâh H4421 "battle" Art | N-fs

This word means battle or war, describing a fight or conflict. It is used in the Bible to talk about wars and battles, like the ones in the book of Joshua. The KJV translates it as battle or fight.

Definition: battle, war

Usage: Occurs in 308 OT verses. KJV: battle, fight(-ing), war(-rior). See also: Genesis 14:2; 1 Samuel 30:24; 2 Chronicles 13:14.

הַ/יֹּצְאִ֣ים yâtsâʼ H3318 "to come out" Art | V-Qal

In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to go out or come out, and it's used in many different ways, like leaving a place or starting a new journey, as seen in Genesis and Exodus.

Definition: : come/go_out/escape 1) to go out, come out, exit, go forth 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go or come out or forth, depart 1a2) to go forth (to a place) 1a3) to go forward, proceed to (to or toward something) 1a4) to come or go forth (with purpose or for result) 1a5) to come out of 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to cause to go or come out, bring out, lead out 1b2) to bring out of 1b3) to lead out 1b4) to deliver 1c) (Hophal) to be brought out or forth

Usage: Occurs in 991 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, appear, [idiom] assuredly, bear out, [idiom] begotten, break out, bring forth (out, up), carry out, come (abroad, out, thereat, without), [phrase] be condemned, depart(-ing, -ure), draw forth, in the end, escape, exact, fail, fall (out), fetch forth (out), get away (forth, hence, out), (able to, cause to, let) go abroad (forth, on, out), going out, grow, have forth (out), issue out, lay (lie) out, lead out, pluck out, proceed, pull out, put away, be risen, [idiom] scarce, send with commandment, shoot forth, spread, spring out, stand out, [idiom] still, [idiom] surely, take forth (out), at any time, [idiom] to (and fro), utter. See also: Genesis 1:12; Exodus 9:33; Leviticus 26:45.

לַ/צָּבָ֔א tsâbâʼ H6635 "army" Prep | N-cs

This Hebrew word means a large group of people or things, often referring to an army or a campaign, and is also used to describe the Lord's hosts. It appears in the Bible as a name for God, emphasizing His power and authority. In the KJV, it's translated as 'host' or 'army'.

Definition: : army 1) that which goes forth, army, war, warfare, host 1a) army, host 1a1) host (of organised army) 1a2) host (of angels) 1a3) of sun, moon, and stars 1a4) of whole creation 1b) war, warfare, service, go out to war 1c) service

Usage: Occurs in 463 OT verses. KJV: appointed time, ([phrase]) army, ([phrase]) battle, company, host, service, soldiers, waiting upon, war(-fare). See also: Genesis 2:1; 1 Samuel 17:55; Psalms 24:10.

אֶחָ֣ד ʼechâd H259 "one" Adj

In the Bible, this Hebrew word means one or united, and is used to describe something that is single or unique. It is often translated as one, first, or alone. For example, in Genesis 1:5, God calls the light day and the darkness night, and separates them into one thing from another.

Definition: 1) one (number) 1a) one (number) 1b) each, every 1c) a certain 1d) an (indefinite article) 1e) only, once, once for all 1f) one...another, the one...the other, one after another, one by one 1g) first 1h) eleven (in combination), eleventh (ordinal)

Usage: Occurs in 739 OT verses. KJV: a, alike, alone, altogether, and, any(-thing), apiece, a certain, (dai-) ly, each (one), [phrase] eleven, every, few, first, [phrase] highway, a man, once, one, only, other, some, together, See also: Genesis 1:5; Exodus 36:26; Numbers 7:70.

נֶ֔פֶשׁ nephesh H5315 "soul" N-cs

The Hebrew word for soul or living being, used in the Bible to describe the essence of a person or animal. It encompasses the ideas of life, breath, and vitality, and is translated as 'soul' or 'creature' in the KJV. This word is central to biblical concepts of humanity and existence.

Definition: 1) soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion 1a) that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man 1b) living being 1c) living being (with life in the blood) 1d) the man himself, self, person or individual 1e) seat of the appetites 1f) seat of emotions and passions 1g) activity of mind 1g1) uncertain 1h) activity of the will 1h1) uncertain 1i) activity of the character 1i1) uncertain

Usage: Occurs in 683 OT verses. KJV: any, appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, [idiom] dead(-ly), desire, [idiom] (dis-) contented, [idiom] fish, ghost, [phrase] greedy, he, heart(-y), (hath, [idiom] jeopardy of) life ([idiom] in jeopardy), lust, man, me, mind, mortally, one, own, person, pleasure, (her-, him-, my-, thy-) self, them (your) -selves, [phrase] slay, soul, [phrase] tablet, they, thing, ([idiom] she) will, [idiom] would have it. See also: Genesis 1:20; Leviticus 26:43; Judges 18:25.

מֵ/חֲמֵ֖שׁ châmêsh H2568 "five" Prep | Adj

This Hebrew word simply means the number five. It is used throughout the Bible to describe quantities of five, such as five loaves of bread in Matthew 14:17. It can also mean a multiple of five.

Definition: 1) five 1a) five (cardinal number) 1b) a multiple of five (with another number) 1c) fifth (ordinal number)

Usage: Occurs in 272 OT verses. KJV: fif(-teen), fifth, five ([idiom] apiece). See also: Genesis 5:6; Numbers 31:45; Ezra 2:66.

הַ/מֵּא֑וֹת mêʼâh H3967 "hundred" Art | Adj

Means a hundred, used as a simple number or part of a larger number in the Bible. It appears in various forms, including fractions like one one-hundredth. Found in books like Genesis and Psalms.

Definition: 1) hundred 1a) as simple number 1b) as part of larger number 1c) as a fraction-one one-hundredth (1/100) Aramaic equivalent: me.ah (מְאָה "hundred" H3969)

Usage: Occurs in 511 OT verses. KJV: hundred((-fold), -th), [phrase] sixscore. See also: Genesis 5:3; Numbers 2:6; Judges 18:17.

מִן min H4480 "from" Prep

This Hebrew word means a portion or part of something, and is often used to show the relationship between things, like from or out of something.

Definition: prep 1) from, out of, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not, more than 1a) from (expressing separation), off, on the side of 1b) out of 1b1) (with verbs of proceeding, removing, expelling) 1b2) (of material from which something is made) 1b3) (of source or origin) 1c) out of, some of, from (partitively) 1d) from, since, after (of time) 1e) than, more than (in comparison) 1f) from...even to, both...and, either...or 1g) than, more than, too much for (in comparisons) 1h) from, on account of, through, because (with infinitive) conj 2) that Aramaic equivalent: min (מִן־ "from" H4481)

Usage: Occurs in 1094 OT verses. KJV: above, after, among, at, because of, by (reason of), from (among), in, [idiom] neither, [idiom] nor, (out) of, over, since, [idiom] then, through, [idiom] whether, with. See also: Genesis 2:6; Exodus 16:32; Leviticus 14:26.

הָ/אָדָם֙ ʼâdâm H120 "the man (Adam)" Art | N-ms

Adam was the first human, created by God and mentioned in Genesis 2:19, who married Eve and had sons including Cain, Abel, and Seth.

Definition: The first named man living at the time before the Flood, first mentioned at Gen.2.19; married to Eve (H2332); father of: Cain (H7014B), Abel (H1893) and Seth (H8352); also translated "man" at Gen.2.19,21,23; 3.8,9,20; 5.2; "mankind" at Deu.32.8; "others" at Job.31.33; Another spelling of a.dam (אָדָם "Adam" H0121) man, human being

Usage: Occurs in 526 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] another, [phrase] hypocrite, [phrase] common sort, [idiom] low, man (mean, of low degree), person. See also: Genesis 1:26; Judges 18:7; Psalms 8:5.

וּ/מִן min H4480 "from" Conj | Prep

This Hebrew word means a portion or part of something, and is often used to show the relationship between things, like from or out of something.

הַ/בָּקָ֔ר bâqâr H1241 "cattle" Art | N-cs

Domesticated cattle or oxen, used for work or sacrifice, like the animals used in the temple sacrifices in 1 Kings 8:63.

Definition: 1) cattle, herd, oxen, ox 1a) cattle (generic pl. but sing. in form-coll) 1b) herd (particular one) 1c) head of cattle (individually)

Usage: Occurs in 172 OT verses. KJV: beeve, bull ([phrase] -ock), [phrase] calf, [phrase] cow, great (cattle), [phrase] heifer, herd, kine, ox. See also: Genesis 12:16; Deuteronomy 8:13; Psalms 66:15.

וּ/מִן min H4480 "from" Conj | Prep

This Hebrew word means a portion or part of something, and is often used to show the relationship between things, like from or out of something.

הַ/חֲמֹרִ֖ים chămôwr H2543 "donkey" Art | N-cp

The Hebrew word for a male donkey, it is translated as he ass in the KJV Bible. The name comes from the animal's reddish-brown color.

Definition: (he) ass

Usage: Occurs in 93 OT verses. KJV: (he) ass. See also: Genesis 12:16; Judges 6:4; Proverbs 26:3.

וּ/מִן min H4480 "from" Conj | Prep

This Hebrew word means a portion or part of something, and is often used to show the relationship between things, like from or out of something.

הַ/צֹּֽאן tsôʼn H6629 "Sheep (Gate)" Art | N-cs

This word refers to a flock of sheep or goats, and is sometimes used to describe people in a figurative sense. It is also associated with the Sheep Gate in Jerusalem, a significant location in biblical times.

Definition: This name means sheep and goats Also named: probatikos (προβατικός "Sheep Gate" G4262)

Usage: Occurs in 247 OT verses. KJV: (small) cattle, flock ([phrase] -s), lamb ([phrase] -s), sheep(-cote, -fold, -shearer, -herds). See also: Genesis 4:2; Deuteronomy 28:31; Psalms 44:12.

Study Notes — Numbers 31:28

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Numbers 31:28 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Numbers 31:28
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 31:28
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Numbers 31:28
Ellicott's Commentary on Numbers 31:28
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Numbers 31:28
Cambridge Bible on Numbers 31:28
Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 31:28
Sermons on Numbers 31:28

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.

29Take it from their half and give it to Eleazar the priest as an offering to the LORD. 30From the Israelites’ half, take one out of every fifty, whether persons, cattle, donkeys, sheep, or other animals, and give them to the Levites who keep charge of the tabernacle of the LORD.”

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Numbers 18:26	“Speak to the Levites and tell them: ‘When you receive from the Israelites the tithe that I have given you as your inheritance, you must present part of it as an offering to the LORD—a tithe of the tithe.
2	Numbers 31:30	From the Israelites’ half, take one out of every fifty, whether persons, cattle, donkeys, sheep, or other animals, and give them to the Levites who keep charge of the tabernacle of the LORD.”
3	Numbers 31:47	From the Israelites’ half, Moses took one out of every fifty persons and animals and gave them to the Levites who kept charge of the tabernacle of the LORD, as the LORD had commanded him.
4	1 Chronicles 26:26–27	This Shelomith and his brothers were in charge of all the treasuries for the things dedicated by King David, by the heads of families who were the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, and by the army commanders. They had dedicated some of the plunder from their battles to the repair of the house of the LORD.
5	Numbers 18:21	Behold, I have given to the Levites all the tithes in Israel as an inheritance in return for the work they do, the service of the Tent of Meeting.
6	Matthew 22:21	“Caesar’s,” they answered. So Jesus told them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”
7	1 Chronicles 18:11	and King David dedicated these to the LORD, along with the silver and gold he had carried off from all these nations—from Edom and Moab, and from the Ammonites, Philistines, and Amalekites.
8	Genesis 14:20	and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” Then Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of everything.
9	Joshua 6:24	Then the Israelites burned up the city and everything in it. However, they put the silver and gold and articles of bronze and iron into the treasury of the LORD’s house.
10	Isaiah 23:18	Yet her profits and wages will be set apart to the LORD; they will not be stored or saved, for her profit will go to those who live before the LORD, for abundant food and fine clothing.

Numbers 31:28 Summary

[This verse is about the Israelites giving back to God a portion of what they had taken in battle, as a way of saying thank you for His help and provision, similar to what we see in Deuteronomy 8:18. They gave one out of every five hundred people, animals, and goods to God, which was a big sacrifice for them. This shows that God wants us to acknowledge Him as the giver of all good things, as stated in James 1:17, and to trust Him with our lives and possessions. By giving back to God, we demonstrate our dependence on Him and our commitment to using our resources for His glory, as seen in 1 Corinthians 10:31.]

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did God command the Israelites to set aside a tribute for Him from the spoils of war?

God commanded this to remind the Israelites that all their victories and possessions came from Him, as seen in Deuteronomy 8:18, and to acknowledge His sovereignty over all aspects of their lives, including their military conquests, as stated in Numbers 31:28 and supported by Romans 11:36.

What is the significance of the ratio of one out of every five hundred in Numbers 31:28?

The ratio of one out of every five hundred signifies a symbolic gesture of gratitude and obedience to God, demonstrating the Israelites' commitment to giving back to God a portion of what He had given them, similar to the principle in Malachi 3:10 where God asks for a tithe, or a tenth, of their income.

How does this tribute relate to the concept of tithing in the Bible?

The tribute in Numbers 31:28 is a form of tithing, where the Israelites gave a portion of their spoils to God as an act of worship and acknowledgment of His provision, similar to the tithing principle in Leviticus 27:30-32, where a tenth of the produce and livestock was given to God.

What can we learn from this verse about our relationship with God and our possessions?

This verse teaches us that everything we have belongs to God, and we are stewards of His resources, as stated in Psalm 24:1, and that we should give back to Him a portion of what He has given us, as a sign of gratitude and obedience, as seen in 2 Corinthians 9:6-7.

Reflection Questions

What are some ways I can acknowledge God's sovereignty over my life and possessions, just like the Israelites did in Numbers 31:28?
How can I apply the principle of giving back to God a portion of what He has given me in my own life, whether through tithing or other forms of generosity?
What does this verse reveal about God's character and His desire for a relationship with His people?
In what ways can I use my possessions and resources to bring glory to God and advance His kingdom, as seen in Matthew 6:19-21?
How can I cultivate a heart of gratitude and obedience, like the Israelites in Numbers 31:28, and give back to God a portion of what He has given me?

Gill's Exposition on Numbers 31:28

And levy a tribute unto the Lord of the men of war, which went out to battle,.... That is, out of the part of the prey which was divided to them: one soul of five hundred, both "of the persons"; or

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 31:28

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: No JFB commentary on these verses.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Numbers 31:28

One soul, i.e. one person, as it follows here and .

Ellicott's Commentary on Numbers 31:28

(28) And levy a tribute unto the Lord.—Literally, and thou shalt lift up (or, heave), &c. The portion assigned to the priests, which was taken from the prey that fell to the lot of the warriors, and which is described in Numbers 31:29 as “the heave offering of the Lord,” was one-five-hundredth part of the maidens and of the cattle which had fallen to their share. The maidens were probably employed as slaves, and the cattle used for the maintenance of the priests. Inasmuch, then, as the entire booty consisted of 32,000 maidens, 675,000 small cattle, 72,000 oxen, and 61,000 asses, the portion which fell to the lot of the 12,000 warriors was 16,000 maidens, 337,500 sheep and goats, 36,000 oxen, and 30,500 asses, of which the portion of the priests was 32 maidens, 675 sheep and goats, 72 oxen, and 61 asses.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Numbers 31:28

Verse 28. And levy a tribute unto the Lord - one soul of five hundred, &c.] The person to be employed in the Lord's service, under the Levites-the cattle either for sacrifice, or for the use of the Levites, Numbers 31:30. Some monsters have supposed that one out of every five hundred of the captives was offered in sacrifice to the Lord! but this is abominable. When God chose to have the life of a man, he took it in the way of justice, as in the case of Midianites above, but never in the way of sacrifice.

Cambridge Bible on Numbers 31:28

28. levy a tribute] lit. ‘lift off a fixed proportion.’ The verb has the technical sense which is more often found in the corresponding subst. terûmâh (Numbers 31:29); see on Numbers 31:9. one soul out of (every) five hundred] The word nephesh (‘soul’) denotes the life or animating principle of every living creature, man or beast, and here stands for an ‘individual’ person or a ‘head’ of cattle. the beeves] an archaic plural of ‘beef,’ used for the live animals; cf. Shakespeare, Merch. of Venice, 1. iii. 68, ‘flesh of muttons, beefs or goats.’ The word occurs in R.V. and A.V. five times in this chapter, and in Leviticus 22:19; Leviticus 22:21 (R.V. in the latter verse ‘herd’).

Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 31:28

28. Levy a tribute — One fifth of one per cent. of the portion of the army of the human captives and animals was to be set apart for the Lord in acknowledgment of him as the God of battles and the author of victory.

Sermons on Numbers 31:28

	Sermon	Description
	The Solitary Sin Bearer by J. Glyn Owen	In this sermon, the preacher discusses the concept of sin-bearing and its significance in the Christian faith. He refers to the biblical story of Aaron confessing the sins of Israe
	I Seek Not What Is Yours but You by John Piper	In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the topic of giving and stewardship based on the teachings in the Bible. He emphasizes that giving should come from the heart, willingly and
	Tithes & the Levites by Gareth Evans	Gareth Evans preaches on the significance of the Levites as ministers of the tabernacle, chosen by God for various responsibilities such as judging the people, teaching the law, of
	(1 Peter - Part 24): Venerate All God's Creation by A.W. Tozer	In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the verse from Peter, chapter 2, verse 17: "Honor all men, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king." The speaker emphasizes the import
	Voices From Hell Speaking to America - Part 1 by Alan Cairns	This sermon emphasizes the importance of discerning between different sins and understanding that while all sin is damnable, not all sin is equal. It encourages believers to engage
	Open Air Meeting - Part 2 by Billy Sunday	This sermon addresses the presence of bootleggers, moonshiners, and moral decay in society, emphasizing the importance of upholding moral values and the role of faith in God and Je
	(Basics) 48. Giving Everything to God by Zac Poonen	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of being righteous and faithful in money matters. He encourages the audience to give back what is rightfully owed to others, i