Numbers 31:32
Numbers 31:32 in Multiple Translations
and this plunder remained from the spoils the soldiers had taken: 675,000 sheep,
And the booty, being the rest of the prey which the men of war had caught, was six hundred thousand and seventy thousand and five thousand sheep,
Now the prey, over and above the booty which the men of war took, was six hundred thousand and seventy thousand and five thousand sheep,
Now the beasts taken, in addition to what the fighting-men took for themselves, were six hundred and seventy-five thousand sheep,
This was the list of plunder remaining that had been looted by the troops: 675,000 sheep,
And the bootie, to wit, the rest of the praie which the men of warre had spoyled, was sixe hundreth seuentie and fiue thousand sheepe,
And the prey, the residue of the spoil which the people of the host have spoiled, is of the flock six hundred thousand, and seventy thousand, and five thousand;
Now the plunder, over and above the booty which the men of war took, was six hundred seventy-five thousand sheep,
And the booty, being the rest of the prey which the men of war had taken, was six hundred thousand and seventy thousand and five thousand sheep,
And the spoil which the army had taken, was six hundred seventy-five thousand sheep,
There were 675,000 sheep, 72,000 cattle, 61,000 donkeys, and 32,000 virgins that they had captured from the Midian people-group.
Berean Amplified Bible — Numbers 31:32
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 31:32 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יְהִי֙
הַ/מַּלְק֔וֹחַ
יֶ֣תֶר
הַ/בָּ֔ז
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
בָּזְז֖וּ
עַ֣ם
הַ/צָּבָ֑א
צֹ֗אן
שֵׁשׁ
מֵא֥וֹת
אֶ֛לֶף
וְ/שִׁבְעִ֥ים
אֶ֖לֶף
וַ/חֲמֵֽשֶׁת
אֲלָפִֽים
וַ/יְהִי֙
hâyâh
H1961
to be
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
הַ/מַּלְק֔וֹחַ
malqôwach
H4455
prey
Art | N-ms
יֶ֣תֶר
yether
H3499
remainder
N-ms
הַ/בָּ֔ז
baz
H957
plunder
Art | N-ms
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
ʼăsher
H834
which
Rel
בָּזְז֖וּ
bâzaz
H962
to plunder
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
עַ֣ם
ʻam
H5971
Amaw
N-ms
הַ/צָּבָ֑א
tsâbâʼ
H6635
army
Art | N-cs
צֹ֗אן
tsôʼn
H6629
Sheep (Gate)
N-cs
שֵׁשׁ
shêsh
H8337
six
Adj
מֵא֥וֹת
mêʼâh
H3967
hundred
Adj
אֶ֛לֶף
ʼeleph
H505
thousand
Adj
וְ/שִׁבְעִ֥ים
shibʻîym
H7657
seventy
Conj | Adj
אֶ֖לֶף
ʼeleph
H505
thousand
Adj
וַ/חֲמֵֽשֶׁת
châmêsh
H2568
five
Conj | Adj
אֲלָפִֽים
ʼeleph
H505
thousand
Adj
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Numbers 31:32
וַ/יְהִי֙
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
הַ/מַּלְק֔וֹחַ
malqôwach
H4455
"prey"
Art | N-ms
The jaw or mouth is what this Hebrew word represents, often referring to taking food or spoils of war. It is used in Job 29:17 to describe taking prey.
Definition: booty, prey
Usage: Occurs in 8 OT verses. KJV: booty, jaws, prey. See also: Numbers 31:11; Numbers 31:32; Psalms 22:16.
יֶ֣תֶר
yether
H3499
"remainder"
N-ms
A cord or rope, also meaning excess or remainder, as seen in the Bible's descriptions of leftovers or abundant resources.
Definition: 1) remainder, excess, rest, remnant, excellence 1a) remainder, remnant 1b) remainder, rest, other part 1c) excess 1d) abundantly (adv) 1e) abundance, affluence 1f) superiority, excellency
Usage: Occurs in 95 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] abundant, cord, exceeding, excellancy(-ent), what they leave, that hath left, plentifully, remnant, residue, rest, string, with. See also: Genesis 49:3; 2 Kings 15:26; Psalms 11:2.
הַ/בָּ֔ז
baz
H957
"plunder"
Art | N-ms
Means plunder or spoil, referring to goods taken by force, as seen in the conquests of Joshua. It can also imply robbery or spoiling something. The concept appears in various KJV translations, including booty and prey.
Definition: spoil, booty, robbery, spoiling Also means: bag (בַּג "spoil" H0897)
Usage: Occurs in 25 OT verses. KJV: booty, prey, spoil(-ed). See also: Numbers 14:3; Jeremiah 49:32; Isaiah 10:6.
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
ʼăsher
H834
"which"
Rel
This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.
Definition: A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when
Usage: Occurs in 4440 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, [idiom] alike, as (soon as), because, [idiom] every, for, [phrase] forasmuch, [phrase] from whence, [phrase] how(-soever), [idiom] if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), [idiom] though, [phrase] until, [phrase] whatsoever, when, where ([phrase] -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, [phrase] whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 20:9; Genesis 31:16.
בָּזְז֖וּ
bâzaz
H962
"to plunder"
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
This verb means to violently take something, like plundering or seizing, often used to describe war and conquest in books like Joshua and Ezekiel. It can also mean to be robbed or taken advantage of.
Definition: 1) to spoil, plunder, prey upon, seize 1a) (Qal) to spoil, plunder, despoil 1b) (Niphal) to be spoiled, plundered 1c) (Pual) to be taken as spoil
Usage: Occurs in 39 OT verses. KJV: catch, gather, (take) for a prey, rob(-ber), spoil, take (away, spoil), [idiom] utterly. See also: Genesis 34:27; Psalms 109:11; Isaiah 10:2.
עַ֣ם
ʻam
H5971
"Amaw"
N-ms
A people or nation is what this Hebrew word represents, like the nation of Israel in Exodus 33:13. It can also mean a tribe, troops, or attendants, and is used to describe a group of people gathered together. The word is often used to refer to the people of God.
Definition: This name means nation, people
Usage: Occurs in 1655 OT verses. KJV: folk, men, nation, people. See also: Genesis 11:6; Exodus 16:4; Leviticus 17:9.
הַ/צָּבָ֑א
tsâbâʼ
H6635
"army"
Art | 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.
צֹ֗אן
tsôʼn
H6629
"Sheep (Gate)"
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.
שֵׁשׁ
shêsh
H8337
"six"
Adj
This Hebrew word means the number six, and is often used in the Bible to describe measurements, like the six days of creation in Genesis 1.
Definition: 1) six 1a) six (cardinal number) 1b) sixth (ordinal number) 1c) in combination with other numbers Aramaic equivalent: shet (שֵׁת "six" H8353)
Usage: Occurs in 202 OT verses. KJV: six(-teen, -teenth), sixth. See also: Genesis 7:6; 1 Kings 6:6; Proverbs 6:16.
מֵא֥וֹת
mêʼâh
H3967
"hundred"
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.
אֶ֛לֶף
ʼeleph
H505
"thousand"
Adj
A thousand, as in Exodus 20:6 where God shows love to thousands of people. It represents a large number or a company of people under one leader, like an army or a group of soldiers.
Definition: : thousand 1) a thousand 1a) as numeral 2) a thousand, company 2a) as a company of men under one leader, troops
Usage: Occurs in 390 OT verses. KJV: thousand. See also: Genesis 20:16; Joshua 3:4; 2 Kings 18:23.
וְ/שִׁבְעִ֥ים
shibʻîym
H7657
"seventy"
Conj | Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means the number seventy, like the seventy disciples Jesus sent out in Luke 10:1. It appears in phrases like threescore and ten. The KJV Bible uses it to describe groups of seventy people.
Definition: seventy
Usage: Occurs in 90 OT verses. KJV: seventy, threescore and ten ([phrase] -teen). See also: Genesis 4:24; Judges 9:2; Psalms 90:10.
אֶ֖לֶף
ʼeleph
H505
"thousand"
Adj
A thousand, as in Exodus 20:6 where God shows love to thousands of people. It represents a large number or a company of people under one leader, like an army or a group of soldiers.
Definition: : thousand 1) a thousand 1a) as numeral 2) a thousand, company 2a) as a company of men under one leader, troops
Usage: Occurs in 390 OT verses. KJV: thousand. See also: Genesis 20:16; Joshua 3:4; 2 Kings 18:23.
וַ/חֲמֵֽשֶׁת
châmêsh
H2568
"five"
Conj | 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.
אֲלָפִֽים
ʼeleph
H505
"thousand"
Adj
A thousand, as in Exodus 20:6 where God shows love to thousands of people. It represents a large number or a company of people under one leader, like an army or a group of soldiers.
Definition: : thousand 1) a thousand 1a) as numeral 2) a thousand, company 2a) as a company of men under one leader, troops
Usage: Occurs in 390 OT verses. KJV: thousand. See also: Genesis 20:16; Joshua 3:4; 2 Kings 18:23.
Study Notes — Numbers 31:32
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Numbers 31:32 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Numbers 31:32
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 31:32
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Numbers 31:32
- Ellicott's Commentary on Numbers 31:32
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Numbers 31:32
- Cambridge Bible on Numbers 31:32
- Barnes' Notes on Numbers 31:32
Context — Division of the Spoils
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.”
31So Moses and Eleazar the priest did as the LORD had commanded Moses,
32and this plunder remained from the spoils the soldiers had taken: 675,000 sheep,
3372,000 cattle, 3461,000 donkeys,Numbers 31:32 Summary
This verse, Numbers 31:32, talks about the large amount of plunder, including 675,000 sheep, that the soldiers took from their battle. This shows how God provided for His people, just as He promised in Deuteronomy 8:18. The division of the plunder, with a portion given to the Levites, demonstrates the importance of giving back to God and supporting those who serve Him, as seen in Numbers 31:30. By trusting in God's provision and following His instructions, we can experience His abundance and blessing in our own lives, just as the Israelites did in the wilderness (Exodus 16:4-5).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the large number of sheep mentioned in Numbers 31:32?
The large number of sheep, 675,000, represents the abundance of God's provision for His people, as seen in Deuteronomy 8:18, where it is written that God gives us the power to gain wealth.
How did the soldiers obtain this large amount of plunder?
The soldiers obtained the plunder as a result of a battle, as commanded by God in Numbers 31:1-2, where Moses was instructed to take vengeance on the Midianites.
What happened to the plunder after it was taken?
The plunder was divided between the soldiers and the Levites, with one out of every fifty animals given to the Levites, as instructed in Numbers 31:30, to support their work in the tabernacle of the Lord.
Why is it important to record the exact number of sheep and other animals?
Recording the exact number of animals, as seen in Numbers 31:32-34, demonstrates the attention to detail and accountability required by God, as also seen in Exodus 30:12-16, where the Israelites were instructed to conduct a census and pay a ransom to avoid plague.
Reflection Questions
- What does the abundance of sheep in this verse reveal about God's character and provision?
- How can I apply the principle of giving back to God, as seen in the division of the plunder, to my own life and finances?
- In what ways can I trust God to provide for my needs, just as He provided for the Israelites in the wilderness?
- What does this verse teach me about the importance of obedience and following God's instructions, even when it seems difficult or unclear?
Gill's Exposition on Numbers 31:32
Ver. 32-47. And the booty, being the rest of the prey which the men of war had caught,.... The remainder of it, besides what they had eaten in their return from the war, and during their seven days'
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 31:32
And the booty, being the rest of the prey which the men of war had caught, was six hundred thousand and seventy thousand and five thousand sheep, The booty, being the rest of the prey.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Numbers 31:32
The rest of the prey; all which was now left of the prey. It is so expressed because they took more, but some of the persons were since killed, , and some of the cattle was spent for the necessary provisions of the army.
Ellicott's Commentary on Numbers 31:32
(32) And the booty, being the rest of the prey . . . —The reference may be to the residue of the captives after the slaughter of all the males and of a large number of the women, and to the cattle which were brought to the camp, some, it may be, having been lost or slaughtered for food; or it may be to the booty which had been taken in captives and animals, as distinguished from the gold and silver, &c.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Numbers 31:32
Verse 32. The booty] It appears from the enumeration here that the Israelites, in this war against the Midianites, took 32,000 female prisoners, 61,000 asses, 72,000 beeves, 675,000 sheep and small cattle; besides the immense number of males who fell in battle, and the women and children who were slain by the Divine command, Numbers 31:17. And it does not appear that in this expedition, a single man of Israel fell! This was naturally to be expected, because the battle was the Lord's, Numbers 31:49. As the booty was divided into two equal parts, Numbers 31:22, one for the soldiers employed in the expedition, and the other for those who, being equally willing to be employed, were ordered to stay in the camp; so each of the parties in this booty was to give a certain proportion to the Lord. The soldiers to give to the Lord one out of every five hundred persons, beeves, asses, and sheep, Numbers 31:28. The people, who by staying at home risked nothing, and had no fatigue, were to give one out of fifty of the above, Numbers 31:30. The booty, its divisions among the soldiers and people, the proportion given by each to the Lord and to the Levites, will be seen in one view by the following table, which I copy from Houbigant. Total of sheep 675,000 To the soldiers .. 337,500 To the people ... 337,500 .. of beeves ... 72,000 To the soldiers .... 36,000 To the people ..... 36,000 .. of asses ..... 61,000 To the soldiers .... 30,500 To the people ..... 30,500 .. of persons .. 32,000 To the soldiers .... 16,000 To the people ..... 16,000 ..... sheep ....... To the Lord from the soldiers ....... 675 To the Levites from the people .. 6,750 ..... beeves ......
To the Lord from the soldiers ........ 72 To the Levites from the people .... 720 ..... asses ....... To the Lord from the soldiers ........ 61 To the Levites from the people .... 610 ..... persons ..... To the Lord from the soldiers ........ 32 To the Levites from the people .... 320 In this table the booty is equally divided between the people and the soldiers; a five-hundredth part being given to the Lord, and a fiftieth part to the Levites.
Cambridge Bible on Numbers 31:32
32. over and above the booty] the remainder of the booty. The revisers connected the words with Numbers 31:53 (see marg. there), but that is concerned only with the private looting of gold ornaments. Here ‘the booty’ is synonymous with ‘the prey,’ and the words may be paraphrased ‘the prey, or rather that which remained of it.’ That which was captured on the field of battle would be diminished from a variety of causes, e.g. the necessary slaughter of animals for food, possibly the death from hardships on the return journey of some among the prisoners who were ill or infirm; also by the slaughter commanded in Numbers 31:17.
Barnes' Notes on Numbers 31:32
Compare Numbers 31:11, and render “And the prey” (i. e., the live prey) “in addition to the spoil which the men of war seized, etc.” The “spoil” is described in Numbers 31:50.