Numbers 31:26 - “Count the plunder that was taken, both of man and of animal, you, and Eleazar the priest, and the heads of the fathers’ households of the congregation;

Generated Verse: Numbers 31:26

What does "Numbers 31:26" mean?


Numbers 31 describes the Israelites' war against the Midianites. Verse 26 is part of God's command to Moses, Eleazar the priest, and the leaders to organize and divide the spoils of the war. Let's break down the verse:

"Count the plunder that was taken, both of man and of animal...": This refers to all the goods captured from the Midianites, including people (likely taken as slaves) and livestock. It emphasizes the need for a detailed inventory.
"...you, and Eleazar the priest, and the heads of the fathers' households of the congregation...": This specifies who is responsible for counting the spoils. It's a joint effort involving:
Moses: The leader of the Israelites.
Eleazar the priest: Representing the religious authority.
Heads of the fathers' households: Representing the secular leadership and the people themselves. This inclusion of tribal heads ensures fairness and accountability in the process.
"of the congregation": this simply means that the "fathers' households" are representatives of the entire Israelite community.

In essence, the verse highlights the importance of a careful accounting of the spoils of war. It also underscores the need for collaboration between religious and secular leaders in distributing the spoils fairly among the Israelites. The counting and dividing would follow specific rules laid out later in the chapter (Numbers 31:27-47). This was not just about distributing wealth, but also about acknowledging God's role in the victory and ensuring that the spoils were used in a way that honored Him.

What categories does "Numbers 31:26" have?