Numbers 31:53
Numbers 31:53 in Multiple Translations
Each of the soldiers had taken plunder for himself.
(For the men of war had taken spoil, every man for himself.)
(For the men of war had taken booty, every man for himself.)
(For every man of the army had taken goods for himself in the war.)
(The men who had fought in the battle had each taken plunder for himself.)
(For the men of warre had spoyled, euery man for him selfe)
(the men of the host have spoiled each for himself);
The men of war had taken booty, every man for himself.
(For the men of war had taken spoil, every man for himself.)
For that which every one had taken in the booty was his own.
Each soldier had taken these things for himself.
Berean Amplified Bible — Numbers 31:53
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 31:53 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
אַנְשֵׁי֙
הַ/צָּבָ֔א
בָּזְז֖וּ
אִ֥ישׁ
לֽ/וֹ
אַנְשֵׁי֙
ʼîysh
H376
man
N-mp
הַ/צָּבָ֔א
tsâbâʼ
H6635
army
Art | N-cs
בָּזְז֖וּ
bâzaz
H962
to plunder
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
אִ֥ישׁ
ʼîysh
H376
man
N-ms
לֽ/וֹ
Prep | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Numbers 31:53
אַנְשֵׁי֙
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/צָּבָ֔א
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.
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.
אִ֥ישׁ
ʼîysh
H376
"man"
N-ms
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.
לֽ/וֹ
""
Prep | Suff
Study Notes — Numbers 31:53
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Numbers 31:53 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Numbers 31:53
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 31:53
- Trapp's Commentary on Numbers 31:53
- Cambridge Bible on Numbers 31:53
- Barnes' Notes on Numbers 31:53
- Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 31:53
Context — The Voluntary Offering
51So Moses and Eleazar the priest received from them all the articles made out of gold.
52All the gold that the commanders of thousands and of hundreds presented as an offering to the LORD weighed 16,750 shekels.
53Each of the soldiers had taken plunder for himself.
54And Moses and Eleazar the priest received the gold from the commanders of thousands and of hundreds and brought it into the Tent of Meeting as a memorial for the Israelites before the LORD.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deuteronomy 20:14 | But the women, children, livestock, and whatever else is in the city—all its spoil—you may take as plunder, and you shall use the spoil of your enemies that the LORD your God gives you. |
| 2 | Numbers 31:32 | and this plunder remained from the spoils the soldiers had taken: 675,000 sheep, |
Numbers 31:53 Summary
In Numbers 31:53, we see that each of the soldiers had taken some of the spoils of war for themselves, which was allowed by God in this specific context. However, this verse also reminds us that our focus should be on storing up treasures in heaven, not on earth, as Jesus teaches in Matthew 6:19-21. We are called to be good stewards of the resources God has given us, recognizing that everything we have belongs to Him, as seen in Psalm 24:1. By giving back to God and to others, we can use the resources He has entrusted to us to bring glory to Him and to bless others.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of plunder did the soldiers take for themselves in Numbers 31:53?
The Bible does not specify the exact nature of the plunder, but it can be inferred that it included goods and valuables taken from the Midianites, as seen in the context of Numbers 31:1-52, where the Israelites were instructed to take vengeance on the Midianites and divide the spoils of war.
Is it okay to take plunder or wealth for ourselves, as seen in Numbers 31:53?
While the Israelites were instructed to take plunder in this specific context, the Bible also teaches that our focus should be on storing up treasures in heaven, not on earth, as Jesus teaches in Matthew 6:19-21, and that our trust should be in God, not in wealth or riches, as seen in 1 Timothy 6:17-19.
How does Numbers 31:53 relate to the concept of stewardship in the Bible?
The fact that the soldiers took plunder for themselves, but also that the commanders presented gold as an offering to the LORD, highlights the importance of recognizing that all we have belongs to God, as seen in Psalm 24:1, and that we are called to be good stewards of the resources He has entrusted to us, as taught in Matthew 25:14-30.
What can we learn from the fact that the soldiers took plunder for themselves, but also gave some of it as an offering to the LORD?
This teaches us the importance of balancing our personal needs and desires with our responsibility to give back to God and to others, as seen in the example of the Israelites giving a portion of their spoils as an offering to the LORD, and as taught in Malachi 3:10 and 2 Corinthians 9:6-7.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways in which I have taken 'plunder' for myself, and how can I ensure that I am using these resources in a way that honors God?
- How can I balance my personal desires and needs with my responsibility to give back to God and to others, as seen in the example of the Israelites in Numbers 31?
- What are some areas in my life where I need to recognize that everything I have belongs to God, and how can I be a better steward of these resources?
- In what ways can I use the resources and blessings God has given me to bless others and to bring glory to Him, as seen in the example of the Israelites giving a portion of their spoils as an offering to the LORD?
Gill's Exposition on Numbers 31:53
For the men of war had taken spoil, every man for himself. And which he kept for himself, and did not deliver in with the prey or booty, which was brought to Moses and Eleazar, the sum of which was
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 31:53
And the officers which were over thousands of the host, the captains of thousands, and captains of hundreds, came near unto Moses: Officers ... said ... there lacketh not one man of us.
Trapp's Commentary on Numbers 31:53
Numbers 31:53 ([For] the men of war had taken spoil, every man for himself.)Ver. 53. For the men of war had taken spoil.] And kept what they caught to themselves. The Turks, when they had taken Constantinople, wondered at the wealth thereof - which the citizens would not be drawn to part with for their own preservation - and were so enriched therewith, that it is a proverb amongst them at this day, if any grow suddenly rich, to say, "He hath been at the sacking of Constantinople." Turk. Hist., 347.
Cambridge Bible on Numbers 31:53
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).
Barnes' Notes on Numbers 31:53
This verse seems to imply that the soldiers, as distinct from the officers (compare Numbers 31:49), did not make any offering from their plunder.
Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 31:53
53. The men of war — The common soldiers seem not to have contributed to this memorial offering. Possibly all the golden booty was a perquisite of the officers, and the privates took the less valuable spoil.