Numbers 31:32 - Now the plunder, over and above the booty which the men of war took, was six hundred seventy-five thousand sheep,
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What does "Numbers 31:32" mean?
This verse (Numbers 31:32) describes a specific part of the spoils taken by the Israelite army after defeating the Midianites, as described in Numbers 31. Let's break it down:
"Now the plunder, over and above the booty which the men of war took...": This indicates that the verse is specifying one particular item (sheep) from a larger list of things captured. The phrase "over and above" implies that there were other types of booty taken as well, but this verse focuses solely on the number of sheep. "Plunder" and "booty" are essentially synonyms referring to the possessions and goods taken from the defeated enemy.
"...was six hundred seventy-five thousand sheep": This is a statement of quantity. It means that the Israelite soldiers captured 675,000 sheep from the Midianites.
In essence, the verse simply states that, in addition to other unspecified items, the Israelite soldiers captured 675,000 sheep from the Midianites as war spoils.
Context and Significance:
To understand the verse's significance, it's important to consider the broader context of Numbers 31 and the role of livestock in ancient Israelite society:
Divine Command: The war against the Midianites was commanded by God (Numbers 31:2-3) as retribution for their role in leading Israel astray with idolatry.
Spoils of War: It was customary in ancient warfare for the victors to seize the possessions of the defeated. This served as both a reward for the soldiers and a way to weaken the enemy.
Wealth and Sustenance: In ancient Israel, livestock (especially sheep) represented significant wealth and a primary source of food, clothing, and materials for sacrifice. The large number of sheep captured indicates a substantial economic gain for the Israelites.
Distribution: Later in the chapter, Numbers 31 details how the spoils were divided between the soldiers, the rest of the Israelite community, and given as offerings to the Lord.
Symbolic value: Sheep were also used in sacrifices to God to atone for sins.
Therefore, Numbers 31:32 underscores the magnitude of the Israelite victory and the tangible benefits they received from it, while also foreshadowing the specific guidelines for distributing the captured goods among the victors and for religious purposes. It also highlights the importance of livestock as a valuable commodity in that society.
Numbers 31:32 - Now the plunder, over and above the booty which the men of war took, was six hundred seventy-five thousand sheep,
What does "Numbers 31:32" mean?
This verse (Numbers 31:32) describes a specific part of the spoils taken by the Israelite army after defeating the Midianites, as described in Numbers 31. Let's break it down:
"Now the plunder, over and above the booty which the men of war took...": This indicates that the verse is specifying one particular item (sheep) from a larger list of things captured. The phrase "over and above" implies that there were other types of booty taken as well, but this verse focuses solely on the number of sheep. "Plunder" and "booty" are essentially synonyms referring to the possessions and goods taken from the defeated enemy.
"...was six hundred seventy-five thousand sheep": This is a statement of quantity. It means that the Israelite soldiers captured 675,000 sheep from the Midianites.
In essence, the verse simply states that, in addition to other unspecified items, the Israelite soldiers captured 675,000 sheep from the Midianites as war spoils.
Context and Significance:
To understand the verse's significance, it's important to consider the broader context of Numbers 31 and the role of livestock in ancient Israelite society:
Divine Command: The war against the Midianites was commanded by God (Numbers 31:2-3) as retribution for their role in leading Israel astray with idolatry.
Spoils of War: It was customary in ancient warfare for the victors to seize the possessions of the defeated. This served as both a reward for the soldiers and a way to weaken the enemy.
Wealth and Sustenance: In ancient Israel, livestock (especially sheep) represented significant wealth and a primary source of food, clothing, and materials for sacrifice. The large number of sheep captured indicates a substantial economic gain for the Israelites.
Distribution: Later in the chapter, Numbers 31 details how the spoils were divided between the soldiers, the rest of the Israelite community, and given as offerings to the Lord.
Symbolic value: Sheep were also used in sacrifices to God to atone for sins.
Therefore, Numbers 31:32 underscores the magnitude of the Israelite victory and the tangible benefits they received from it, while also foreshadowing the specific guidelines for distributing the captured goods among the victors and for religious purposes. It also highlights the importance of livestock as a valuable commodity in that society.