Numbers 31:9
Numbers 31:9 in Multiple Translations
The Israelites captured the Midianite women and their children, and they plundered all their herds, flocks, and goods.
And the children of Israel took all the women of Midian captives, and their little ones, and took the spoil of all their cattle, and all their flocks, and all their goods.
And the children of Israel took captive the women of Midian and their little ones; and all their cattle, and all their flocks, and all their goods, they took for a prey.
The women of Midian with their little ones the children of Israel took prisoner; and all their cattle and flocks and all their goods they took for themselves;
The Israelites captured the Midianite women and children, and they took as plunder all their herds, flocks, and possessions.
But the children of Israel tooke the women of Midian prisoners, and their children, and spoyled all their cattell, and all their flockes, and all their goods.
And the sons of Israel take captive the women of Midian, and their infants; and all their cattle, and all their substance, and all their wealth they have plundered;
The children of Israel took the women of Midian captive with their little ones; and all their livestock, all their flocks, and all their goods, they took as plunder.
And the children of Israel took all the women of Midian captives, and their little ones, and took the spoil of all their cattle, and all their flocks, and all their goods.
And they took their women, and their children captives, and all their cattle, and all their goods: and all their possessions they plundered:
They captured all the women and children of the Midian people-group and took away their cattle, their flocks of sheep, and herds of goats, and all their other possessions.
Berean Amplified Bible — Numbers 31:9
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 31:9 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יִּשְׁבּ֧וּ
בְנֵי
יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל
אֶת
נְשֵׁ֥י
מִדְיָ֖ן
וְ/אֶת
טַפָּ֑/ם
וְ/אֵ֨ת
כָּל
בְּהֶמְתָּ֧/ם
וְ/אֶת
כָּל
מִקְנֵ/הֶ֛ם
וְ/אֶת
כָּל
חֵילָ֖/ם
בָּזָֽזוּ
וַ/יִּשְׁבּ֧וּ
shâbâh
H7617
to take captive
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
בְנֵי
bên
H1121
son
N-mp
יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
Israel
N-proper
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
נְשֵׁ֥י
ʼishshâh
H802
woman
N-fp
מִדְיָ֖ן
Midyân
H4080
Midian
N-proper
וְ/אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
Conj | DirObjM
טַפָּ֑/ם
ṭaph
H2945
child
N-ms | Suff
וְ/אֵ֨ת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
Conj | DirObjM
כָּל
kôl
H3605
all
N-ms
בְּהֶמְתָּ֧/ם
bᵉhêmâh
H929
animal
N-fs | Suff
וְ/אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
Conj | DirObjM
כָּל
kôl
H3605
all
N-ms
מִקְנֵ/הֶ֛ם
miqneh
H4735
livestock
N-ms | Suff
וְ/אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
Conj | DirObjM
כָּל
kôl
H3605
all
N-ms
חֵילָ֖/ם
chayil
H2428
Helech
N-ms | Suff
בָּזָֽזוּ
bâzaz
H962
to plunder
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Numbers 31:9
וַ/יִּשְׁבּ֧וּ
shâbâh
H7617
"to take captive"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
This verb means to take someone captive, like a prisoner of war. It involves transporting people away from their homes, often as a result of conflict or battle. The Bible uses it to describe the experiences of the Israelites.
Definition: 1) to take captive 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to take captive 1a2) captive (participle) 1a3) to lead captive 1b) (Niphal) to be taken captive
Usage: Occurs in 42 OT verses. KJV: (bring away, carry, carry away, lead, lead away, take) captive(-s), drive (take) away. See also: Genesis 14:14; 2 Chronicles 6:38; Psalms 68:19.
בְנֵי
bên
H1121
"son"
N-mp
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
"Israel"
N-proper
Israel is the symbolic name of Jacob, also referring to his descendants. Jacob, son of Isaac and Rebekah, had 12 sons who became the tribes of Israel, as told in Genesis 25:26. His story is crucial to the Bible's narrative.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.26; son of: Isaac (H3327) and Rebekah (H7259); brother of: Esau (H6215); married to Rachel (H7354), Leah (H3812), Zilpah (H2153) and Bilhah (H1090A); father of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); also called Jacob frequently § Israel = "God prevails" 1) the second name for Jacob given to him by God after his wrestling with the angel at Peniel 2) the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob 2a) the name of the nation until the death of Solomon and the split 2b) the name used and given to the northern kingdom consisting of the 10 tribes under Jeroboam; the southern kingdom was known as Judah 2c) the name of the nation after the return from exile
Usage: Occurs in 2231 OT verses. KJV: Israel. See also: Genesis 32:29; Exodus 13:18; Exodus 40:38.
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
נְשֵׁ֥י
ʼishshâh
H802
"woman"
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.
מִדְיָ֖ן
Midyân
H4080
"Midian"
N-proper
Refers to Midian, a son of Abraham, his country, and descendants, known for being a tribe that lived in the desert north of the Arabian peninsula.
Definition: § Midian or Midianite = "strife" the tribe descended from Midian inhabitant of the territory of the tribe descended from Midian; located principally in the desert north of the Arabian peninsula; land to which Moses went when he fled from Pharaoh
Usage: Occurs in 55 OT verses. KJV: Midian, Midianite. See also: Genesis 25:2; Judges 7:1; Psalms 83:10.
וְ/אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
Conj | DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
טַפָּ֑/ם
ṭaph
H2945
"child"
N-ms | Suff
In the Bible, this Hebrew word refers to a child or a group of children, often used to describe little ones or families. It appears in passages like Matthew 18:10 and Mark 10:13-16, where Jesus teaches about children. Jesus loves them.
Definition: children, little children, little ones
Usage: Occurs in 42 OT verses. KJV: (little) children (ones), families. See also: Genesis 34:29; Deuteronomy 1:39; Jeremiah 40:7.
וְ/אֵ֨ת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
Conj | DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
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.
בְּהֶמְתָּ֧/ם
bᵉhêmâh
H929
"animal"
N-fs | Suff
This word refers to animals, especially large quadruped mammals. It's used in the Bible to describe livestock, wild beasts, and other creatures. It appears in stories of creation, farming, and wildlife.
Definition: 1) beast, cattle, animal 1a) beasts (coll of all animals) 1b) cattle, livestock (of domestic animals) 1c) wild beasts
Usage: Occurs in 172 OT verses. KJV: beast, cattle. See also: Genesis 1:24; Deuteronomy 28:11; Psalms 8:8.
וְ/אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
Conj | DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
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.
מִקְנֵ/הֶ֛ם
miqneh
H4735
"livestock"
N-ms | Suff
Livestock, such as cattle, sheep, and goats, are domestic animals that can be bought and owned, as described in the Bible, including in the book of Genesis and the story of Abraham's wealth.
Definition: 1) cattle, livestock 1a) cattle, livestock 1a1) in general of a purchasable domestic animal 1b) cows, sheep, goats (in herds and flocks)
Usage: Occurs in 64 OT verses. KJV: cattle, flock, herd, possession, purchase, substance. See also: Genesis 4:20; Numbers 20:19; Psalms 78:48.
וְ/אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
Conj | DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
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.
חֵילָ֖/ם
chayil
H2428
"Helech"
N-ms | Suff
This word represents strength, might, or power, whether physical, financial, or military. In the Bible, it's used to describe the strength of God or the wealth of a nation, as seen in Deuteronomy 8:17-18.
Definition: § Helech = "your army" a place near Arvad and Gammad
Usage: Occurs in 221 OT verses. KJV: able, activity, ([phrase]) army, band of men (soldiers), company, (great) forces, goods, host, might, power, riches, strength, strong, substance, train, ([phrase]) valiant(-ly), valour, virtuous(-ly), war, worthy(-ily). See also: Genesis 34:29; 2 Chronicles 13:3; Psalms 18:33.
בָּזָֽזוּ
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.
Study Notes — Numbers 31:9
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Vengeance on Midian
7Then they waged war against Midian, as the LORD had commanded Moses, and they killed every male.
8Among the slain were Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba—the five kings of Midian. They also killed Balaam son of Beor with the sword.
9The Israelites captured the Midianite women and their children, and they plundered all their herds, flocks, and goods.
10Then they burned all the cities where the Midianites had lived, as well as all their encampments, 11and carried away all the plunder and spoils, both people and animals.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 | 2 Chronicles 28:8–10 | Then the Israelites took 200,000 captives from their kinsmen—women, sons, and daughters. They also carried off a great deal of plunder and brought it to Samaria. But a prophet of the LORD named Oded was there, and he went out to meet the army that returned to Samaria. “Look,” he said to them, “because of His wrath against Judah, the LORD, the God of your fathers, has delivered them into your hand. But you have slaughtered them in a rage that reaches up to heaven. And now you intend to reduce to slavery the men and women of Judah and Jerusalem. But are you not also guilty before the LORD your God? |
| 3 | 2 Chronicles 28:5 | So the LORD his God delivered Ahaz into the hand of the king of Aram, who attacked him and took many captives to Damascus. Ahaz was also delivered into the hand of the king of Israel, who struck him with great force. |
| 4 | Numbers 31:15–16 | “Have you spared all the women?” he asked them. “Look, these women caused the sons of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to turn unfaithfully against the LORD at Peor, so that the plague struck the congregation of the LORD. |
Numbers 31:9 Summary
This verse tells us that the Israelites captured the Midianite women and children, and took all their animals and goods. This was part of a war that God had commanded the Israelites to fight, as seen in Numbers 31:7. The Israelites were obeying God's commands, even when it was hard, and trusting in His sovereignty, just like we are called to do in Romans 8:28. By looking at this verse in the context of the whole Bible, including verses like Deuteronomy 6:5, which reminds us to love God with all our heart, we can see that God's commands are always given in love and for our good.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Israelites capture the Midianite women and children?
The Israelites captured the Midianite women and children as part of their campaign against the Midianites, as commanded by the Lord, as seen in Numbers 31:7, which states they waged war against Midian as the Lord had commanded Moses.
What happened to the Midianite men?
According to Numbers 31:7, the Israelites killed every male among the Midianites, which included the five kings of Midian, as noted in Numbers 31:8.
What did the Israelites do with the plunder from the Midianites?
The Israelites plundered all the herds, flocks, and goods of the Midianites, as stated in Numbers 31:9, and later carried away all the plunder and spoils, as seen in Numbers 31:11.
Is this verse promoting violence against women and children?
No, this verse is not promoting violence against women and children, but rather it is a historical account of the Israelites' obedience to God's command to wage war against the Midianites, as seen in Numbers 31:7, and it should be understood in the context of the entire Bible, including verses like Exodus 20:13, which prohibits murder.
Reflection Questions
- What can we learn from the Israelites' obedience to God's commands, even when they seem difficult or challenging?
- How can we balance the idea of a loving God with the accounts of war and violence in the Bible, such as in Numbers 31:9?
- What role do you think the Midianite women and children played in the larger story of the Israelites and their relationship with God?
- How can we apply the principles of obedience and trust in God's sovereignty to our own lives, just as the Israelites did in Numbers 31:9?
Gill's Exposition on Numbers 31:9
And the children of Israel took [all] the women of Midian captives,.... The word "all" is not in the original text, nor should it be supplied; for if all had been taken, and carried captive, and put
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 31:9
And the children of Israel took all the women of Midian captives, and their little ones, and took the spoil of all their cattle, and all their flocks, and all their goods.
Trapp's Commentary on Numbers 31:9
Numbers 31:9 And the children of Israel took [all] the women of Midian captives, and their little ones, and took the spoil of all their cattle, and all their flocks, and all their goods.Ver. 9. Took all the women.] The Jews are a nation, to this day noted for effeminate; and yet they hold that women are of a lower creation, made for the propagation and pleasure of man; and, therefore, they suffer them not to enter their synagogues but appoint them a gallery without. Blunt’ s Voyage.
Cambridge Bible on Numbers 31:9
1–18. The utter destruction of every Midianite, with the exception of the virgins who are to be kept as spoil.
Sermons on Numbers 31:9
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Destruction of the Midianites by Chuck Smith | Chuck Smith discusses the destruction of the Midianites as recorded in Numbers 31, emphasizing the severe consequences of sin and disobedience among the Israelites. He highlights M |