Numbers 31:35

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Numbers 31:35 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

and 32,000 women who had not slept with a man.

King James Version KJV

And thirty and two thousand persons in all, of women that had not known man by lying with him.

American Standard Version ASV

and thirty and two thousand persons in all, of the women that had not known man by lying with him.

Bible in Basic English BBE

And thirty-two thousand persons, that is, women who had never had sex relations with a man.

Free Bible Version FBV

and 32,000 virgins.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

And two and thirtie thousande persons in all, of women that had lyen by no man.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

and of human beings — of the women who have not known the lying of a male — all the persons [are] two and thirty thousand.

World English Bible WEB

and thirty-two thousand persons in all, of the women who had not known man by lying with him.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

And thirty and two thousand persons in all, of women that had not known man by lying with him.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

And thirty-two thousand persons of the female sex, that had not known men.

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Numbers 31:35

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 31:35 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB וְ/נֶ֣פֶשׁ אָדָ֔ם מִן הַ֨/נָּשִׁ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר לֹֽא יָדְע֖וּ מִשְׁכַּ֣ב זָכָ֑ר כָּל נֶ֕פֶשׁ שְׁנַ֥יִם וּ/שְׁלֹשִׁ֖ים אָֽלֶף

וְ/נֶ֣פֶשׁ nephesh H5315 soul Conj | N-cs

אָדָ֔ם ʼâdâm H120 the man (Adam) N-ms

מִן min H4480 from Prep

הַ֨/נָּשִׁ֔ים ʼishshâh H802 woman Art | N-fp

אֲשֶׁ֥ר ʼăsher H834 which Rel

לֹֽא lôʼ H3808 not Part

יָדְע֖וּ yâdaʻ H3045 to know V-Qal-Perf-3cp

מִשְׁכַּ֣ב mishkâb H4904 bed N-ms

זָכָ֑ר zâkâr H2145 male Adj

כָּל kôl H3605 all N-ms

נֶ֕פֶשׁ nephesh H5315 soul N-cs

שְׁנַ֥יִם shᵉnayim H8147 two Adj

וּ/שְׁלֹשִׁ֖ים shᵉlôwshîym H7970 thirty Conj | Adj

אָֽלֶף ʼeleph H505 thousand Adj

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Numbers 31:35

וְ/נֶ֣פֶשׁ nephesh H5315 "soul" Conj | 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.

אָדָ֔ם ʼâdâm H120 "the man (Adam)" 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.

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.

הַ֨/נָּשִׁ֔ים ʼishshâh H802 "woman" Art | N-fp

The Hebrew word for woman, used to describe a female person, wife, or animal, appears in many biblical passages, including Genesis and Exodus, and is often translated as woman, wife, or female.

Definition: : woman 1) woman, wife, female 1a) woman (opposite of man) 1b) wife (woman married to a man) 1c) female (of animals) 1d) each, every (pronoun)

Usage: Occurs in 686 OT verses. KJV: (adulter) ess, each, every, female, [idiom] many, [phrase] none, one, [phrase] together, wife, woman. Often unexpressed in English. See also: Genesis 2:22; Genesis 34:4; Numbers 5:12.

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.

לֹֽא lôʼ H3808 "not" Part

The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.

Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)

Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.

יָדְע֖וּ yâdaʻ H3045 "to know" V-Qal-Perf-3cp

The Hebrew word for to know means to ascertain by seeing, and is used in many senses, including to learn, perceive, and recognize, as seen in various KJV translations.

Definition: 1) to know 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to know 1a1a) to know, learn to know 1a1b) to perceive 1a1c) to perceive and see, find out and discern 1a1d) to discriminate, distinguish 1a1e) to know by experience 1a1f) to recognise, admit, acknowledge, confess 1a1g) to consider 1a2) to know, be acquainted with 1a3) to know (a person carnally) 1a4) to know how, be skilful in 1a5) to have knowledge, be wise 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be made known, be or become known, be revealed 1b2) to make oneself known 1b3) to be perceived 1b4) to be instructed 1c) (Piel) to cause to know 1d) (Poal) to cause to know 1e) (Pual) 1e1) to be known 1e2) known, one known, acquaintance (participle) 1f) (Hiphil) to make known, declare 1g) (Hophal) to be made known 1h) (Hithpael) to make oneself known, reveal oneself Aramaic equivalent: ye.da (יְדַע "to know" H3046)

Usage: Occurs in 874 OT verses. KJV: acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware, (un-) awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, [idiom] could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to) discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel, can have, be (ig-) norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have (knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, [phrase] be learned, [phrase] lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, [idiom] prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell, understand, have (understanding), [idiom] will be, wist, wit, wot. See also: Genesis 3:5; Leviticus 5:4; Judges 21:12.

מִשְׁכַּ֣ב mishkâb H4904 "bed" N-ms

Mishkab refers to a bed, but can also mean sleep or even a bier. It's sometimes used to describe intimate relationships, as in Genesis. This word has various meanings depending on the context.

Definition: 1) a lying down, couch, bier, act of lying 1a) couch, bed 1b) act of lying, lying down or sleeping room, bedroom 1c) lying down (for sexual contact) Aramaic equivalent: mish.kav (מִשְׁכַּב "bed" H4903)

Usage: Occurs in 44 OT verses. KJV: bed(-chamber), couch, lieth (lying) with. See also: Genesis 49:4; 2 Samuel 17:28; Psalms 4:5.

זָכָ֑ר zâkâr H2145 "male" Adj

This word means male, referring to men or male animals, emphasizing their importance. It is used in the Bible to distinguish between males and females. The word is often translated as 'him' or 'male' in English.

Definition: 1) male (of humans and animals) adj 2) male (of humans)

Usage: Occurs in 80 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] him, male, man(child, -kind). See also: Genesis 1:27; Numbers 3:22; Isaiah 66:7.

כָּל kôl H3605 "all" N-ms

The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.

Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)

Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.

נֶ֕פֶשׁ nephesh H5315 "soul" N-cs

שְׁנַ֥יִם shᵉnayim H8147 "two" Adj

The Hebrew word for the number two appears in Genesis and Exodus, describing pairs and dualities. It can also mean double or twice. In the Bible, it is often used to describe things that come in twos, like two witnesses or two tablets.

Definition: 1) two 1a) two (the cardinal number) 1a1) two, both, double, twice 1b) second (the ordinal number) 1c) in combination with other numbers 1d) both (a dual number)

Usage: Occurs in 646 OT verses. KJV: both, couple, double, second, twain, [phrase] twelfth, [phrase] twelve, [phrase] twenty (sixscore) thousand, twice, two. See also: Genesis 1:16; Exodus 30:4; Numbers 13:23.

וּ/שְׁלֹשִׁ֖ים shᵉlôwshîym H7970 "thirty" Conj | Adj

Thirty is the meaning of this Hebrew word, which can also be used as an ordinal to describe something as thirtieth. It is used to count quantities in the Bible.

Definition: thirty, thirtieth Aramaic equivalent: te.la.tin (תְּלָתִין "thirty" H8533)

Usage: Occurs in 163 OT verses. KJV: thirty, thirtieth. Compare H7991 (שָׁלִישׁ). See also: Genesis 5:3; 1 Samuel 11:8; Jeremiah 38:10.

אָֽלֶף 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 31:35

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Numbers 31:35 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Numbers 31:35
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 31:35
Cambridge Bible on Numbers 31:35

Context — Division of the Spoils

3372,000 cattle, 3461,000 donkeys,

35and 32,000 women who had not slept with a man.

36This was the half portion for those who had gone to war: 337,500 sheep, 37including a tribute to the LORD of 675,

Numbers 31:35 Summary

[This verse is talking about the Israelites taking 32,000 women who had never been married as part of their spoils of war, as instructed by God. These women were to be cared for and provided for by the Israelites, as part of God's plan to increase their population and fulfill His promises, as seen in Genesis 1:28 and Exodus 1:7. This shows us that God is a God of provision and care, who wants to bless and multiply His people, as stated in Psalm 107:38 and Acts 17:26-27. By trusting in God's sovereignty and guidance, we can learn to trust in His goodness and provision for our lives, as encouraged in Jeremiah 29:11 and Romans 8:28.]

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did the Israelites take so many women as spoils of war in Numbers 31:35?

The Israelites took these women as part of their spoil of war, as instructed by God through Moses, in order to provide for the Levites and the community, as seen in Numbers 31:25-47, and to fulfill God's command to increase their population, as stated in Genesis 1:28 and Genesis 9:1.

What is meant by 'women who had not slept with a man' in Numbers 31:35?

This phrase refers to virgins, women who had not yet been married or been in a physical relationship with a man, similar to the description of Rebecca in Genesis 24:16, emphasizing their purity and innocence.

How does this verse relate to the concept of God's sovereignty and justice?

This verse demonstrates God's sovereignty and justice, as He guides the Israelites in their conquest and provides for their needs, as seen in Numbers 31:1-20, while also upholding His standards of righteousness and purity, as stated in Leviticus 18:1-5 and Deuteronomy 22:13-21.

What can we learn from the way the Israelites treated the spoils of war, including the women, in Numbers 31:25-54?

We can learn about the importance of obedience to God's commands, as seen in Numbers 31:31 and Joshua 11:15, and the need to trust in God's provision and sovereignty, as stated in Psalm 37:3-7 and Matthew 6:25-34.

Reflection Questions

What does this verse reveal about God's character and His relationship with the Israelites?
How does the concept of taking spoils of war, including women, relate to our understanding of God's justice and mercy?
What can we learn from the Israelites' experience about trusting in God's provision and guidance in our own lives?
How does this verse challenge or comfort you in your understanding of God's sovereignty and control over all things?

Gill's Exposition on Numbers 31:35

[See comments on Numbers 31:32].

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 31:35

And thirty and two thousand persons in all, of women that had not known man by lying with him. Persons ... of women ... [ wªnepesh (H5315) 'aadaam (H120) min (H4480) hanaashiym (H802)] - and the human persons of women.

Cambridge Bible on Numbers 31:35

25–54. The apportionment of the spoil. Those who fought and those who remained behind were to receive equal shares. This was an ancient custom, which was traced to the action of David (1 Samuel 30:24 f.). But before the appropriation by individuals, a religious tax was to be paid. The fighters were to pay from their share 1/500th to the priests, and the others 1/50th to the Levites. Such a tax is not mentioned elsewhere in the O.T., but perhaps, like the foregoing regulation, it had an ancient custom behind it. Mohammed, whose religion was ultimately based on the O.T., enjoined a similar tax of 1/5th (Koran viii. 42, cited by Gray).