Numbers 31:37
And the LORD'S tribute of the sheep was six hundred and threescore and fifteen.
Original Language Analysis
וַיְהִ֛י
H1961
וַיְהִ֛י
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 9
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
לַֽיהוָ֖ה
And the LORD'S
H3068
לַֽיהוָ֖ה
And the LORD'S
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
3 of 9
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
מִן
H4480
מִן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
4 of 9
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
הַצֹּ֑אן
of the sheep
H6629
הַצֹּ֑אן
of the sheep
Strong's:
H6629
Word #:
5 of 9
a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)
שֵׁ֥שׁ
was six
H8337
שֵׁ֥שׁ
was six
Strong's:
H8337
Word #:
6 of 9
six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ordinal, sixth
Historical Context
The Midianite war (Numbers 31) occurred circa 1406 BC as Israel prepared to enter Canaan. Moses led this punitive campaign in response to Midian's seduction of Israel at Baal-peor (Numbers 25). The precise tribute calculations demonstrate sophisticated administrative systems already functioning in wilderness Israel.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'spoils' from your victories do you withhold from God rather than offering Him the first-fruits?
- How does recognizing God as the source of success change your attitude toward material blessings?
- In what ways does Christ's victory over sin require total consecration of your life to Him?
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Analysis & Commentary
And the LORD'S tribute of the sheep was six hundred and threescore and fifteen—The Hebrew terumah (תְּרוּמָה, 'heave offering') designates the portion lifted up and consecrated to Yahweh. This precise 0.2% levy (675 from 337,500 sheep) established Israel's recognition that all war spoils belonged first to God. The meticulous accounting reflects not mere bookkeeping but covenantal theology: victory comes from the LORD, and He claims first-fruits of plunder.
Unlike pagan nations who credited military prowess or patron deities with conquest, Israel's tribute system acknowledged Yahweh as the true Commander who grants victory. This prefigures Christ's total claim on the spoils of His cross-victory over sin and death (Colossians 2:15).