Numbers 31:32

Authorized King James Version

And the booty, being the rest of the prey which the men of war had caught, was six hundred thousand and seventy thousand and five thousand sheep,

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַֽיְהִי֙
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#2
הַמַּלְק֔וֹחַ
And the booty
transitively (in dual) the jaws (as taking food)
#3
יֶ֣תֶר
being the rest
properly, an overhanging, i.e., (by implication) a small rope (as hanging free)
#4
הַבָּ֔ז
of the prey
plunder
#5
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#6
בָּֽזְז֖וּ
had caught
to plunder
#7
עַ֣ם
which the men of
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#8
הַצָּבָ֑א
war
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
#9
צֹ֗אן
sheep
a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)
#10
שֵׁשׁ
was six
six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ordinal, sixth
#11
מֵא֥וֹת
hundred
a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction
#12
אֲלָפִֽים׃
thousand
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
#13
וְשִׁבְעִ֥ים
and seventy
seventy
#14
אֲלָפִֽים׃
thousand
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
#15
וַֽחֲמֵ֥שֶׁת
and five
five
#16
אֲלָפִֽים׃
thousand
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

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

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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