Numbers 31:36
And the half, which was the portion of them that went out to war, was in number three hundred thousand and seven and thirty thousand and five hundred sheep:
Original Language Analysis
וַתְּהִי֙
H1961
וַתְּהִי֙
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 16
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
הַיֹּֽצְאִ֖ים
of them that went out
H3318
הַיֹּֽצְאִ֖ים
of them that went out
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
4 of 16
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
בַּצָּבָ֑א
to war
H6635
בַּצָּבָ֑א
to war
Strong's:
H6635
Word #:
5 of 16
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
מִסְפַּ֣ר
was in number
H4557
מִסְפַּ֣ר
was in number
Strong's:
H4557
Word #:
6 of 16
a number, definite (arithmetical) or indefinite (large, innumerable; small, a few); also (abstractly) narration
הַצֹּ֗אן
sheep
H6629
הַצֹּ֗אן
sheep
Strong's:
H6629
Word #:
7 of 16
a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)
שְׁלֹשׁ
three
H7969
שְׁלֹשׁ
three
Strong's:
H7969
Word #:
8 of 16
three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice
אֲלָפִ֖ים
thousand
H505
אֲלָפִ֖ים
thousand
Strong's:
H505
Word #:
10 of 16
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
אֲלָפִ֖ים
thousand
H505
אֲלָפִ֖ים
thousand
Strong's:
H505
Word #:
12 of 16
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
וְשִׁבְעַ֥ת
and seven
H7651
וְשִׁבְעַ֥ת
and seven
Strong's:
H7651
Word #:
13 of 16
seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern kings often exaggerated military success and plunder in royal inscriptions. Biblical precision suggests historical reliability—invented numbers would be rounder. The detail also served legal/administrative purposes: tribes needed exact figures for distribution, tax collection, and future reference. Israel maintained written records throughout the wilderness period.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does God inspire Scripture to record these detailed financial figures rather than just spiritual lessons?
- How does public, detailed accounting combat both actual corruption and suspicion of corruption in ministry?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And the half, which was the portion of them that went out to war, was in number three hundred thousand and thirty thousand and seven thousand and five hundred sheep—The soldiers' half: 337,500 sheep from the 675,000 total. This precise accounting continues through verses 37-40, showing 36,000 cattle, 30,500 donkeys, 16,000 persons. Transparency prevents corruption.
The repetitive detail might seem tedious, but it establishes judicial precedent and demonstrates covenant recordkeeping. These numbers were read publicly, ensuring no embezzlement by leadership. God cares about financial integrity: 'Provide things honest in the sight of all men' (Romans 12:17). The Church must likewise practice transparent stewardship, not hiding behind 'spiritual' justifications for opaque finances.