Numbers 31:35 - and thirty-two thousand persons in all, of the women who had not known man by lying with him.
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What does "Numbers 31:35" mean?
This verse from Numbers 31:35 refers to a specific group of women taken captive by the Israelites after a battle with the Midianites. It states that among the captives, 32,000 were virgins, meaning they had not had sexual intercourse.
Here's a breakdown of the meaning:
Context: This verse is part of a larger narrative in Numbers 31 describing the Israelites' war against the Midianites, prompted by their role in leading the Israelites to worship other gods.
"Thirty-two thousand persons in all": This refers to the total number of women captives who met the following criteria.
"Of the women who had not known man by lying with him": This is a euphemistic way of saying "virgins." It indicates that these women had not had sexual intercourse.
Why this detail is mentioned:
The inclusion of this detail is significant within the context of the narrative and the historical norms of the time. Some potential reasons include:
Purity and Ritual Concerns: In ancient Israel, virginity was often associated with purity. It's possible that the number of virgins was noted because of potential ritual implications.
Economic Value: In ancient societies, virgin women may have held different economic or social value compared to non-virgin women. They could potentially be given as wives to Israelite men.
Spoils of War: Captives, including women, were considered spoils of war. The virgin women might have been treated differently than the others.
Patriarchal Society: The fact that the number of virgins is specifically mentioned reflects the patriarchal nature of the society, where a woman's sexual status was a significant factor in her value and social standing.
Ethical considerations:
It's important to note that the actions described in Numbers 31, including the taking of captives and the distinction between virgins and non-virgins, raise significant ethical questions when viewed through a modern lens. Many find the violence and treatment of the Midianites, including the women, morally problematic.
In summary:
Numbers 31:35 identifies 32,000 virgin women among the captives taken by the Israelites after defeating the Midianites. This detail highlights the societal norms and values of the time, where virginity held significance, and captives were considered spoils of war. However, the passage also raises ethical concerns when viewed from a modern perspective.
Numbers 31:35 - and thirty-two thousand persons in all, of the women who had not known man by lying with him.
What does "Numbers 31:35" mean?
This verse from Numbers 31:35 refers to a specific group of women taken captive by the Israelites after a battle with the Midianites. It states that among the captives, 32,000 were virgins, meaning they had not had sexual intercourse.
Here's a breakdown of the meaning:
Context: This verse is part of a larger narrative in Numbers 31 describing the Israelites' war against the Midianites, prompted by their role in leading the Israelites to worship other gods.
"Thirty-two thousand persons in all": This refers to the total number of women captives who met the following criteria.
"Of the women who had not known man by lying with him": This is a euphemistic way of saying "virgins." It indicates that these women had not had sexual intercourse.
Why this detail is mentioned:
The inclusion of this detail is significant within the context of the narrative and the historical norms of the time. Some potential reasons include:
Purity and Ritual Concerns: In ancient Israel, virginity was often associated with purity. It's possible that the number of virgins was noted because of potential ritual implications.
Economic Value: In ancient societies, virgin women may have held different economic or social value compared to non-virgin women. They could potentially be given as wives to Israelite men.
Spoils of War: Captives, including women, were considered spoils of war. The virgin women might have been treated differently than the others.
Patriarchal Society: The fact that the number of virgins is specifically mentioned reflects the patriarchal nature of the society, where a woman's sexual status was a significant factor in her value and social standing.
Ethical considerations:
It's important to note that the actions described in Numbers 31, including the taking of captives and the distinction between virgins and non-virgins, raise significant ethical questions when viewed through a modern lens. Many find the violence and treatment of the Midianites, including the women, morally problematic.
In summary:
Numbers 31:35 identifies 32,000 virgin women among the captives taken by the Israelites after defeating the Midianites. This detail highlights the societal norms and values of the time, where virginity held significance, and captives were considered spoils of war. However, the passage also raises ethical concerns when viewed from a modern perspective.