Numbers 31:35
And thirty and two thousand persons in all, of women that had not known man by lying with him.
Original Language Analysis
נֶ֕פֶשׁ
persons
H5315
נֶ֕פֶשׁ
persons
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
1 of 14
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
אָדָ֔ם
H120
אָדָ֔ם
Strong's:
H120
Word #:
2 of 14
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
מִן
H4480
מִן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
3 of 14
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
5 of 14
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
6 of 14
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יָדְע֖וּ
that had not known
H3045
יָדְע֖וּ
that had not known
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
7 of 14
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
מִשְׁכַּ֣ב
by lying
H4904
מִשְׁכַּ֣ב
by lying
Strong's:
H4904
Word #:
8 of 14
a bed (figuratively, a bier); abstractly, sleep; by euphemism, carnal intercourse
זָכָ֑ר
man
H2145
זָכָ֑ר
man
Strong's:
H2145
Word #:
9 of 14
properly, remembered, i.e., a male (of man or animals, as being the most noteworthy sex)
כָּל
in all
H3605
כָּל
in all
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
10 of 14
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
נֶ֕פֶשׁ
persons
H5315
נֶ֕פֶשׁ
persons
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
11 of 14
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern warfare typically killed or enslaved entire populations. Israel's selective preservation of virgins (those uninvolved in Baal-Peor apostasy, Numbers 25:1-9) represented judicial discrimination, not ethnic genocide. Numbers 31:18 specifies 'keep alive for yourselves,' suggesting domestic service, potential marriage (cf. Deuteronomy 21:10-14 regulations), or adoption into tribes.
Questions for Reflection
- How do we reconcile God's commanded severity in OT holy war with Jesus's enemy-love ethic in the NT?
- What does the virginity criterion teach about protecting covenant community from corrupting influences?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And thirty and two thousand persons in all, of women that had not known man by lying with him—32,000 virgin females (nashim asher lo yad'u mishkav zakar) sparks difficult ethical questions. Deuteronomy 20:14 permits taking women/children as spoils; adult males were executed (31:7,17) along with non-virgin females (31:17) due to their role in Baal-Peor seduction (Numbers 25).
These captives weren't sex slaves but became integrated into Israel as servants, eventually eligible for covenant membership. The virginity specification prevented bringing idolatrous influence into the camp. Modern readers struggle with this; ancient context shows restrained judgment compared to typical ancient warfare (total annihilation). Still, the passage confronts us with OT holy war's severity, pointing toward Christ who conquers through suffering love, not military force (Revelation 5:5-6).