Numbers 31:36
Numbers 31:36 in Multiple Translations
This was the half portion for those who had gone to war: 337,500 sheep,
And the half, which was the portion of them that went out to war, was in number three hundred thousand and seven and thirty thousand and five hundred sheep:
And the half, which was the portion of them that went out to war, was in number three hundred thousand and thirty thousand and seven thousand and five hundred sheep:
And the half given as their part to the men who went to the war, was three hundred and thirty-seven thousand, five hundred sheep,
This was the half share for those who had gone to fight: 337,500 sheep,
And the halfe, to wit, the part of them that went out to warre touching the nomber of sheepe, was three hundreth seuen and thirtie thousand, and fiue hundreth.
And the half — the portion of those who go out into the host — the number of the flock is three hundred thousand, and thirty thousand, and seven thousand and five hundred.
The half, which was the portion of those who went out to war, was in number three hundred thirty-seven thousand five hundred sheep;
And the half which was the portion of them that went out to war, was in number three hundred thousand and seven and thirty thousand and five hundred sheep:
And one half was given to them that had been in the battle, to wit, three hundred thirty-seven thousand five hundred sheep:
The men who fought in the battle took 337,000 sheep from the battle,
Berean Amplified Bible — Numbers 31:36
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 31:36 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/תְּהִי֙
הַֽ/מֶּחֱצָ֔ה
חֵ֕לֶק
הַ/יֹּצְאִ֖ים
בַּ/צָּבָ֑א
מִסְפַּ֣ר
הַ/צֹּ֗אן
שְׁלֹשׁ
מֵא֥וֹת
אֶ֨לֶף֙
וּ/שְׁלֹשִׁ֣ים
אֶ֔לֶף
וְ/שִׁבְעַ֥ת
אֲלָפִ֖ים
וַ/חֲמֵ֥שׁ
מֵאֽוֹת
וַ/תְּהִי֙
hâyâh
H1961
to be
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
הַֽ/מֶּחֱצָ֔ה
mechĕtsâh
H4275
half
Art | N-fs
חֵ֕לֶק
chêleq
H2506
portion
N-ms
הַ/יֹּצְאִ֖ים
yâtsâʼ
H3318
to come out
Art | V-Qal
בַּ/צָּבָ֑א
tsâbâʼ
H6635
army
Prep | N-cs
מִסְפַּ֣ר
miçpâr
H4557
number
N-ms
הַ/צֹּ֗אן
tsôʼn
H6629
Sheep (Gate)
Art | N-cs
שְׁלֹשׁ
shâlôwsh
H7969
three
Adj
מֵא֥וֹת
mêʼâh
H3967
hundred
Adj
אֶ֨לֶף֙
ʼeleph
H505
thousand
Adj
וּ/שְׁלֹשִׁ֣ים
shᵉlôwshîym
H7970
thirty
Conj | Adj
אֶ֔לֶף
ʼeleph
H505
thousand
Adj
וְ/שִׁבְעַ֥ת
shebaʻ
H7651
seven
Conj | Adj
אֲלָפִ֖ים
ʼeleph
H505
thousand
Adj
וַ/חֲמֵ֥שׁ
châmêsh
H2568
five
Conj | Adj
מֵאֽוֹת
mêʼâh
H3967
hundred
Adj
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Numbers 31:36
וַ/תְּהִי֙
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
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.
הַֽ/מֶּחֱצָ֔ה
mechĕtsâh
H4275
"half"
Art | N-fs
This word means half or a division of something, like in Isaiah 58:7 where it talks about sharing food with the hungry. It often refers to dividing spoils or resources.
Definition: 1) half 1a) of spoils
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: half. See also: Numbers 31:36; Numbers 31:43.
חֵ֕לֶק
chêleq
H2506
"portion"
N-ms
Smoothness can refer to flattering words, but also to an inheritance or a portion of something. It appears in Psalms and Proverbs, describing the smooth tongue of a deceiver.
Definition: 1) portion, share, part, territory 1a) portion, share 1b) portion, tract, parcel (of land) 1c) one's portion, one's possession 1d) (chosen) portion 1e) portion, award (from God) Aramaic equivalent: cha.laq (חֲלָק "portion" H2508)
Usage: Occurs in 63 OT verses. KJV: flattery, inheritance, part, [idiom] partake, portion. See also: Genesis 14:24; Job 27:13; Psalms 16:5.
הַ/יֹּצְאִ֖ים
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.
בַּ/צָּבָ֑א
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.
מִסְפַּ֣ר
miçpâr
H4557
"number"
N-ms
This word refers to a number or quantity, whether large or small, and can also mean a narrative or story. It is used in many biblical contexts to describe counting or recounting events. In the Bible, it appears in passages about census and genealogy.
Definition: 1) number, tale 1a) number 1a1) number 1a2) innumerable (with negative) 1a3) few, numerable (alone) 1a4) by count, in number, according to number (with prep) 1b) recounting, relation
Usage: Occurs in 129 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] abundance, account, [idiom] all, [idiom] few, (in-) finite, (certain) number(-ed), tale, telling, [phrase] time. See also: Genesis 34:30; 1 Chronicles 12:24; Psalms 40:13.
הַ/צֹּ֗אן
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.
שְׁלֹשׁ
shâlôwsh
H7969
"three"
Adj
This Hebrew word means three or thrice, and is used to describe quantities or repetitions in the Bible. It appears in various forms, including three, third, and thirteen.
Definition: 1) three, triad 1a) 3, 300, third Aramaic equivalent: te.lat (תְּלָת "three" H8532)
Usage: Occurs in 381 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] fork, [phrase] often(-times), third, thir(-teen, -teenth), three, [phrase] thrice. Compare H7991 (שָׁלִישׁ). See also: Genesis 5:22; Joshua 1:11; 2 Kings 9:32.
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.
אֶ֨לֶף֙
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.
וּ/שְׁלֹשִׁ֣ים
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.
אֶ֔לֶף
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/שִׁבְעַ֥ת
shebaʻ
H7651
"seven"
Conj | Adj
This word means the number seven, which was considered a special or sacred number. It can also mean seven times or a week, and is used in the Bible to describe completeness or perfection. The KJV translates it as seven or sevenfold.
Definition: 1) seven (cardinal number) 1a) as ordinal number 1b) in combination-17, 700 etc Aramaic equivalent: shiv.ah (שִׁבְעָה "seven" H7655)
Usage: Occurs in 344 OT verses. KJV: ([phrase] by) seven(-fold),-s, (-teen, -teenth), -th, times). Compare H7658 (שִׁבְעָנָה). See also: Genesis 4:24; Leviticus 23:15; 2 Samuel 21:6.
אֲלָפִ֖ים
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/חֲמֵ֥שׁ
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.
מֵאֽוֹת
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.
Study Notes — Numbers 31:36
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Division of the Spoils
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, 3836,000 cattle, including a tribute to the LORD of 72,Numbers 31:36 Summary
Numbers 31:36 talks about the Israelites dividing up the spoils of war, including 337,500 sheep, as a way to provide for themselves and give a portion to God. This shows us that God cares about our daily needs and wants us to trust Him to provide for us (as seen in Matthew 6:25-34). It also reminds us to be faithful stewards of what God has given us, using our resources to glorify Him (as seen in 1 Corinthians 4:2). By trusting God and being faithful, we can experience His blessing and provision in our lives.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the purpose of dividing the spoils of war in Numbers 31:36?
The division of spoils was a way to provide for the warriors and their families, as well as to give a portion to the Lord as a tribute, as seen in Numbers 31:37-38 and Leviticus 27:30-32.
Why were the sheep and other animals counted and divided in Numbers 31:36?
The counting and dividing of the animals was a way to ensure fairness and accountability, as well as to demonstrate obedience to God's commands, as seen in Numbers 31:1-4 and Deuteronomy 21:10-14.
How does Numbers 31:36 relate to the concept of stewardship in the Bible?
Numbers 31:36 illustrates the principle of stewardship, where God's people are called to manage and care for the resources He has provided, as seen in Genesis 1:28 and Matthew 25:14-30.
What can we learn from the Israelites' experience of dividing the spoils of war in Numbers 31:36?
We can learn the importance of trusting God's provision, being faithful in our responsibilities, and giving back to Him a portion of what He has given us, as seen in Malachi 3:10 and 2 Corinthians 9:6-7.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I can demonstrate my trust in God's provision in my own life, just as the Israelites did in Numbers 31:36?
- How can I apply the principle of stewardship in my daily life, using the resources God has given me to glorify Him?
- What are some areas where I need to be more faithful in my responsibilities, just as the Israelites were faithful in dividing the spoils of war?
- In what ways can I give back to God a portion of what He has given me, whether it be time, talent, or treasure?
Gill's Exposition on Numbers 31:36
[See comments on Numbers 31:32].
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 31:36
And the half, which was the portion of them that went out to war, was in number three hundred thousand and seven and thirty thousand and five hundred sheep: No JFB commentary on these verses.
Cambridge Bible on Numbers 31:36
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).