Numbers 31:38 - The cattle were thirty-six thousand; of which Yahweh’s tribute was seventy-two.
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What does "Numbers 31:38" mean?
Numbers 31 describes the Israelite conquest of the Midianites. After the battle, the Israelites took a large amount of plunder, including livestock and people. Verses 25-47 detail how Moses and Eleazar were instructed to divide the plunder between the soldiers who fought and the rest of the congregation, as well as how to set aside a portion as a tribute to Yahweh (God).
Here's a breakdown of what Numbers 31:38 means:
"The cattle were thirty-six thousand": This refers to the total number of cattle captured from the Midianites.
"of which Yahweh's tribute was seventy-two": This means that out of the 36,000 cattle, 72 were given as a tribute to Yahweh. This tribute was a form of offering or dedication to God.
The context helps clarify the purpose of this tribute:
Recognition of Divine Assistance: The tribute was an acknowledgment that the victory over the Midianites was due to God's help and favor. It was a way of expressing gratitude and recognizing His sovereignty.
Support for the Priests/Levites: The tribute was likely given to the priests or Levites, who served in the Tabernacle and had no inheritance of their own. This supported their ministry and ensured they could continue to serve God and the community.
Purification: In ancient Near Eastern cultures, spoils of war were often considered ritually impure. By offering a portion to God, the Israelites may have been seeking purification or cleansing from any potential defilement associated with the battle.
Therefore, Numbers 31:38 signifies that after capturing 36,000 cattle from the Midianites, the Israelites gave 72 of them as a sacred tribute to Yahweh, acknowledging His role in their victory and supporting the priestly service.
Numbers 31:38 - The cattle were thirty-six thousand; of which Yahweh’s tribute was seventy-two.
What does "Numbers 31:38" mean?
Numbers 31 describes the Israelite conquest of the Midianites. After the battle, the Israelites took a large amount of plunder, including livestock and people. Verses 25-47 detail how Moses and Eleazar were instructed to divide the plunder between the soldiers who fought and the rest of the congregation, as well as how to set aside a portion as a tribute to Yahweh (God).
Here's a breakdown of what Numbers 31:38 means:
"The cattle were thirty-six thousand": This refers to the total number of cattle captured from the Midianites.
"of which Yahweh's tribute was seventy-two": This means that out of the 36,000 cattle, 72 were given as a tribute to Yahweh. This tribute was a form of offering or dedication to God.
The context helps clarify the purpose of this tribute:
Recognition of Divine Assistance: The tribute was an acknowledgment that the victory over the Midianites was due to God's help and favor. It was a way of expressing gratitude and recognizing His sovereignty.
Support for the Priests/Levites: The tribute was likely given to the priests or Levites, who served in the Tabernacle and had no inheritance of their own. This supported their ministry and ensured they could continue to serve God and the community.
Purification: In ancient Near Eastern cultures, spoils of war were often considered ritually impure. By offering a portion to God, the Israelites may have been seeking purification or cleansing from any potential defilement associated with the battle.
Therefore, Numbers 31:38 signifies that after capturing 36,000 cattle from the Midianites, the Israelites gave 72 of them as a sacred tribute to Yahweh, acknowledging His role in their victory and supporting the priestly service.