Numbers 31:9 - The children of Israel took the women of Midian captive with their little ones; and all their livestock, all their flocks, and all their goods, they took as plunder.
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What does "Numbers 31:9" mean?
Numbers 31:9 describes the aftermath of a battle between the Israelites and the Midianites, ordered by God as a punishment for the Midianites' role in leading Israelites astray into idolatry (as described in Numbers 25).
Here's a breakdown of the verse's meaning:
"The children of Israel took the women of Midian captive with their little ones...": This refers to the Israelite army capturing the Midianite women and children as prisoners of war. In ancient warfare, capturing women and children often meant enslavement.
"...and all their livestock, all their flocks, and all their goods, they took as plunder.": This describes the Israelites seizing the Midianites' possessions – their animals (livestock, flocks) and other valuable items (goods) – as spoils of war. This was a common practice in ancient warfare; the victors would often take the defeated enemy's resources to enrich themselves and weaken the enemy.
In essence, the verse describes the Israelites' total victory over the Midianites, resulting in the capture of their people and the seizure of their possessions.
It's important to understand this verse within its historical and cultural context. Practices such as taking captives and seizing plunder were commonplace in ancient warfare. However, it's equally important to consider the ethical implications of such actions, and how they are viewed through a modern lens.
Numbers 31:9 - The children of Israel took the women of Midian captive with their little ones; and all their livestock, all their flocks, and all their goods, they took as plunder.
What does "Numbers 31:9" mean?
Numbers 31:9 describes the aftermath of a battle between the Israelites and the Midianites, ordered by God as a punishment for the Midianites' role in leading Israelites astray into idolatry (as described in Numbers 25).
Here's a breakdown of the verse's meaning:
"The children of Israel took the women of Midian captive with their little ones...": This refers to the Israelite army capturing the Midianite women and children as prisoners of war. In ancient warfare, capturing women and children often meant enslavement.
"...and all their livestock, all their flocks, and all their goods, they took as plunder.": This describes the Israelites seizing the Midianites' possessions – their animals (livestock, flocks) and other valuable items (goods) – as spoils of war. This was a common practice in ancient warfare; the victors would often take the defeated enemy's resources to enrich themselves and weaken the enemy.
In essence, the verse describes the Israelites' total victory over the Midianites, resulting in the capture of their people and the seizure of their possessions.
It's important to understand this verse within its historical and cultural context. Practices such as taking captives and seizing plunder were commonplace in ancient warfare. However, it's equally important to consider the ethical implications of such actions, and how they are viewed through a modern lens.