Numbers 31:12

Authorized King James Version

And they brought the captives, and the prey, and the spoil, unto Moses, and Eleazar the priest, and unto the congregation of the children of Israel, unto the camp at the plains of Moab, which are by Jordan near Jericho.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיָּבִ֡אוּ
And they brought
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#2
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#3
מֹשֶׁה֩
unto Moses
mosheh, the israelite lawgiver
#4
וְאֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#5
אֶלְעָזָ֨ר
and Eleazar
elazar, the name of seven israelites
#6
הַכֹּהֵ֜ן
the priest
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
#7
וְאֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#8
עֲדַ֣ת
and unto the congregation
a stated assemblage (specifically, a concourse, or generally, a family or crowd)
#9
בְּנֵֽי
of the children
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#10
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#11
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#12
הַשְּׁבִ֧י
the captives
exiled; captured; as noun, exile (abstractly or concretely and collectively); by extension, booty
#13
וְאֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#14
הַמַּלְק֛וֹחַ
and the prey
transitively (in dual) the jaws (as taking food)
#15
וְאֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#16
הַשָּׁלָ֖ל
and the spoil
booty
#17
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#18
הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֑ה
unto the camp
an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e
#19
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#20
עַֽרְבֹ֣ת
at the plains
a desert; especially (with the article prefix) the (generally) sterile valley of the jordan and its continuation to the red sea
#21
מוֹאָ֔ב
of Moab
moab, an incestuous son of lot; also his territory and descendants
#22
אֲשֶׁ֖ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#23
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#24
יַרְדֵּ֥ן
which are by Jordan
jarden, the principal river of palestine
#25
יְרֵחֽוֹ׃
near Jericho
jericho or jerecho, a place in palestine

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Numbers. The concept of divine revelation reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

Related Resources

Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.

Study Resources