Numbers 31:28

Authorized King James Version

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And levy a tribute unto the LORD of the men of war which went out to battle: one soul of five hundred, both of the persons, and of the beeves, and of the asses, and of the sheep:

Original Language Analysis

וַהֲרֵֽמֹתָ֙ And levy H7311
וַהֲרֵֽמֹתָ֙ And levy
Strong's: H7311
Word #: 1 of 20
to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)
מֶ֜כֶס a tribute H4371
מֶ֜כֶס a tribute
Strong's: H4371
Word #: 2 of 20
an assessment (as based upon a census)
לַֽיהוָ֗ה unto the LORD H3068
לַֽיהוָ֗ה unto the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 3 of 20
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
מֵאֵ֞ת H853
מֵאֵ֞ת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 4 of 20
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אַנְשֵׁ֤י H376
אַנְשֵׁ֤י
Strong's: H376
Word #: 5 of 20
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
הַמִּלְחָמָה֙ of war H4421
הַמִּלְחָמָה֙ of war
Strong's: H4421
Word #: 6 of 20
a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)
הַיֹּֽצְאִ֣ים which went out H3318
הַיֹּֽצְאִ֣ים which went out
Strong's: H3318
Word #: 7 of 20
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
לַצָּבָ֔א to battle H6635
לַצָּבָ֔א to battle
Strong's: H6635
Word #: 8 of 20
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
אֶחָ֣ד one H259
אֶחָ֣ד one
Strong's: H259
Word #: 9 of 20
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
נֶ֔פֶשׁ soul H5315
נֶ֔פֶשׁ soul
Strong's: H5315
Word #: 10 of 20
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
מֵֽחֲמֵ֖שׁ of five H2568
מֵֽחֲמֵ֖שׁ of five
Strong's: H2568
Word #: 11 of 20
five
הַמֵּא֑וֹת hundred H3967
הַמֵּא֑וֹת hundred
Strong's: H3967
Word #: 12 of 20
a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction
מִן H4480
מִן
Strong's: H4480
Word #: 13 of 20
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
הָֽאָדָם֙ both of the persons H120
הָֽאָדָם֙ both of the persons
Strong's: H120
Word #: 14 of 20
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
וּמִן H4480
וּמִן
Strong's: H4480
Word #: 15 of 20
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
הַבָּקָ֔ר and of the beeves H1241
הַבָּקָ֔ר and of the beeves
Strong's: H1241
Word #: 16 of 20
a beeve or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing); collectively, a herd
וּמִן H4480
וּמִן
Strong's: H4480
Word #: 17 of 20
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
הַֽחֲמֹרִ֖ים and of the asses H2543
הַֽחֲמֹרִ֖ים and of the asses
Strong's: H2543
Word #: 18 of 20
a male ass (from its dun red)
וּמִן H4480
וּמִן
Strong's: H4480
Word #: 19 of 20
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
הַצֹּֽאן׃ and of the sheep H6629
הַצֹּֽאן׃ and of the sheep
Strong's: H6629
Word #: 20 of 20
a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)

Analysis & Commentary

And levy a tribute unto the LORD (וַהֲרֵמֹתָ מֶכֶס לַיהוָה)—From soldiers' half: 1 in 500 (mechkas, tribute/tax) goes to Yahweh through Eleazar (31:29). From the congregation's half: 1 in 50 goes to Levites (31:30). The differential rate reflects soldiers' greater risk and smaller base population.

One soul of five hundred—includes persons, cattle, donkeys, sheep. Everything acknowledges God's provision. This isn't mere taxation but theological recognition: victory comes from Yahweh (31:49—not one soldier lost!), therefore firstfruits belong to Him. Romans 11:36 captures it: 'Of him, and through him, and to him, are all things.'

Historical Context

This tribute becomes precedent for dedicating war spoils to the Tabernacle/Temple (cf. David dedicating Philistine plunder, 1 Chronicles 18:11). The miraculous victory—no casualties among 12,000 soldiers—made the tribute both gratitude offering and recognition of divine intervention.

Questions for Reflection

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