Numbers 31

Numbers 31:1

spake. See note on Numbers 1:1.

Numbers 31:2

Avenge. Hebrew revenge the revengement. Figure of speech Polyptoton (App-6). = execute due vengeance.

children = sons.

afterward. Samaritan Pentateuch, The Targum of Jonathan ben Uzziel Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulg, read “and afterward”.

be gathered, &c. Compare Numbers 27:13.

Numbers 31:3

avenge the LORD of Midian = render the vengeance of Jehovah upon Midian. Compare Ch. Numbers 25:17.

Numbers 31:5

armed = assigned to or for, &c.

Numbers 31:6

Phinehas. Compare Numbers 25:7-15.

instruments = vessels.

trumpets = alarm trumpets, which were also prayer trumpets. Compare Numbers 10:9, Numbers 10:10.

Numbers 31:7

as = according as.

Numbers 31:8

Evi. Compare Joshua 13:21.

five kings: called princes or dukes of Sihon, Joshua 13:21.

Balaam. Compare Joshua 13:22.

slew. Balaam thus did not “die the death of the righteous”. Compare Numbers 23:10.

Numbers 31:10

burnt = burnt up, or down. Hebrew. saraph. App-43. The same judgment is in store for spiritual fornication. Revelation 17:16; Revelation 18:8.

castles = fortified places.

Numbers 31:11

prey = booty. Hebrew. malkoah. First occurrence. Always used of animated prey. Compare Numbers 31:32.

Numbers 31:12

captives. Hebrew captivity.

the. Some codices, with Samaritan Pentateuch, The Targum of Jonathan ben Uzziel Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read “all the”.

Numbers 31:13

meet them: as Melchizedek met Abram (Genesis 14:17).

Numbers 31:14

wroth. Moses meek in his own matters, but not in Jehovah’s. In these there was a “godly jealousy”.

battle. Hebrew battle of the war = “the [battle] array (or host) of the war”, or martial host.

Numbers 31:16

these. Compare Numbers 25:2.

counsel = word, or doctrine (Revelation 2:14).

trespass = Hebrew. ma’al. Compare App-44.

Numbers 31:17

him = male.

Numbers 31:19

person = soul. Hebrew. nephesh (App-13).

Numbers 31:21

went = came, or had come

ordinance = statute.

Numbers 31:22

the. Some codices, with Samaritan Pentateuch, The Targum of Jonathan ben Uzziel Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read “and the” in each of these three instances, making the Figure of speech Polysyndeton.

iron. Found in Egypt as early as 2800 B.C.

Numbers 31:23

water of separation. See Numbers 19.

Numbers 31:25

spake. See note on Numbers 1:1.

Numbers 31:28

tribute = computed value, assigned to Jehovah. Hebrew. mekes. Occurs only in this chapter.

soul. Hebrew. nephesh.

persons = men. Hebrew. ’adam.

Numbers 31:29

give it. An extra portion in addition to Deuteronomy 18:1, Deuteronomy 18:2 and Numbers 18:19. So Abram, Genesis 14:20.

Numbers 31:30

of the. Some codices, with Samaritan Pentateuch, The Targum of Jonathan ben Uzziel Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read “and of the”.

tabernacle = habitation. Hebrew. mishkan. App-40.

Numbers 31:31

as = according as.

Numbers 31:33

beeves. Old English (from the French), for oxen.

Numbers 31:35

persons. Hebrew, plural of nephesh.

man = male.

Numbers 31:36

to war = to, or, for the host.

Numbers 31:40

And the persons. Figure of speech Epanadiplosis. App-6.

persons = souls. Hebrew. nephesh (plural) App-13. Literally soul of man.

Numbers 31:47

gave them. See 1 Chronicles 9:2. Hebrew. nathan, to give. Hence their name, “Nethinim. "

Numbers 31:50

oblation. This was voluntary. The levy in Numbers 31:25, &c, was commanded. See Leviticus 2:4.

jewels = instruments or vessels.

atonement. See note on Exodus 29:33.

souls. Hebrew, plural of nephesh. App-13.

Numbers 31:52

offering = heave offering. See App-43, and note on Exodus 29:27.

offered up = heaved.

shekels. See App-51.

Numbers 31:54

tabernacle = tent. Hebrew. ’ohel. See App-40.