Numbers 31:42
And of the children of Israel's half, which Moses divided from the men that warred,
Original Language Analysis
בְּנֵ֣י
And of the children
H1121
בְּנֵ֣י
And of the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
2 of 9
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
of Israel's
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
of Israel's
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
3 of 9
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
אֲשֶׁר֙
H834
אֲשֶׁר֙
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
4 of 9
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
מִן
H4480
מִן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
7 of 9
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
Historical Context
Following Israel's victory over Midian (Numbers 31:1-12), Moses implemented divine instructions for equitable spoil distribution. The warriors who risked their lives received half, while the entire congregation received the other half—ensuring both valor and community welfare were honored. This accounting occurs at the plains of Moab (c. 1406 BC), just before entering Canaan.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this division model both individual reward for labor and communal participation in God's blessings?
- What does Moses' mediating role in distribution teach about godly leadership in stewarding resources?
- In what ways should the church balance rewarding those who labor while ensuring the whole body benefits from God's provision?
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Analysis & Commentary
And of the children of Israel's half, which Moses divided from the men that warred—The Hebrew מַחֲצִית (machatzit, "half") emphasizes the exact division of war spoils. This verse introduces the accounting of the non-combatant half: warriors kept their portion (vv. 25-41), but the congregation's share required priestly oversight. The verb חָלַק (chalaq, "to divide/apportion") reflects Moses' role as mediator of God's distributive justice.
The separation between warriors (אַנְשֵׁי הַמִּלְחָמָה, anshe ha-milchamah) and congregation (עֵדָה, edah) models the biblical principle that those who bear risk in battle receive priority share (cf. 1 Samuel 30:24), while the community still participates in God's provision through proportional distribution.