Numbers 31:46 - and sixteen thousand persons),
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What does "Numbers 31:46" mean?
The verse "and sixteen thousand persons" in Numbers 31:46 refers to the total number of Midianite women who were taken captive by the Israelite army after their victory over the Midianites.
Here's a breakdown of the context and significance:
Numbers 31: Context: This chapter describes the Israelites' campaign against the Midianites as a form of divine retribution for the Midianites having enticed the Israelites into idolatry and sexual immorality (through the incident of Baal-peor, Numbers 25). God commanded Moses to avenge the Israelites on the Midianites.
Verse 31:46 in relation to the chapter: The whole chapter details the battle, the spoils taken, and the commands regarding purification and distribution of the spoils. The number "sixteen thousand persons" appears as part of a census of all the living creatures and objects captured in the war, just before the presentation of the Israelite army's tribute to the Lord (Numbers 31:28-30).
Significance:
War Spoils: The women were considered part of the spoils of war, along with livestock and other goods.
Fate of the Captives: The subsequent verses (Numbers 31:17-18) reveal that Moses ordered the killing of all the male children and all the women who had "known a man carnally" (i.e., had sexual relations). Only the young virgin girls were spared. This directive is one of the most disturbing and controversial passages in the Bible, raising serious ethical questions about warfare and the treatment of captives. The justification usually offered is that the women posed a continued risk of leading the Israelites astray, as they had done at Baal-peor.
Important Considerations/Interpretations:
Historical and Cultural Context: It's vital to understand the historical and cultural context of the time. Ancient warfare practices were often brutal, and treatment of conquered populations could be harsh. However, this context does not excuse the actions, and many modern readers find the passage morally reprehensible.
Ethical Debates: The passage is a frequent subject of ethical and theological debate. Some argue that the events should be interpreted literally as divinely sanctioned actions. Others believe that the Bible is a record of human history and moral development, and that this passage reflects the moral standards of a particular time, rather than a universal ethical standard. Still others argue that the text should not be taken literally.
In summary, "and sixteen thousand persons" refers to the total number of Midianite women captured by the Israelites during the campaign described in Numbers 31, but with the horrific reality that the majority of these women were subsequently executed.
Numbers 31:46 - and sixteen thousand persons),
What does "Numbers 31:46" mean?
The verse "and sixteen thousand persons" in Numbers 31:46 refers to the total number of Midianite women who were taken captive by the Israelite army after their victory over the Midianites.
Here's a breakdown of the context and significance:
Numbers 31: Context: This chapter describes the Israelites' campaign against the Midianites as a form of divine retribution for the Midianites having enticed the Israelites into idolatry and sexual immorality (through the incident of Baal-peor, Numbers 25). God commanded Moses to avenge the Israelites on the Midianites.
Verse 31:46 in relation to the chapter: The whole chapter details the battle, the spoils taken, and the commands regarding purification and distribution of the spoils. The number "sixteen thousand persons" appears as part of a census of all the living creatures and objects captured in the war, just before the presentation of the Israelite army's tribute to the Lord (Numbers 31:28-30).
Significance:
War Spoils: The women were considered part of the spoils of war, along with livestock and other goods.
Fate of the Captives: The subsequent verses (Numbers 31:17-18) reveal that Moses ordered the killing of all the male children and all the women who had "known a man carnally" (i.e., had sexual relations). Only the young virgin girls were spared. This directive is one of the most disturbing and controversial passages in the Bible, raising serious ethical questions about warfare and the treatment of captives. The justification usually offered is that the women posed a continued risk of leading the Israelites astray, as they had done at Baal-peor.
Important Considerations/Interpretations:
Historical and Cultural Context: It's vital to understand the historical and cultural context of the time. Ancient warfare practices were often brutal, and treatment of conquered populations could be harsh. However, this context does not excuse the actions, and many modern readers find the passage morally reprehensible.
Ethical Debates: The passage is a frequent subject of ethical and theological debate. Some argue that the events should be interpreted literally as divinely sanctioned actions. Others believe that the Bible is a record of human history and moral development, and that this passage reflects the moral standards of a particular time, rather than a universal ethical standard. Still others argue that the text should not be taken literally.
In summary, "and sixteen thousand persons" refers to the total number of Midianite women captured by the Israelites during the campaign described in Numbers 31, but with the horrific reality that the majority of these women were subsequently executed.