Numbers 31:48
And the officers which were over thousands of the host, the captains of thousands, and captains of hundreds, came near unto Moses:
Original Language Analysis
וַֽיִּקְרְבוּ֙
came near
H7126
וַֽיִּקְרְבוּ֙
came near
Strong's:
H7126
Word #:
1 of 11
to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose
הַפְּקֻדִ֕ים
And the officers
H6485
הַפְּקֻדִ֕ים
And the officers
Strong's:
H6485
Word #:
4 of 11
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
אֲשֶׁ֖ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֖ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
5 of 11
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הָֽאֲלָפִ֖ים
of thousands
H505
הָֽאֲלָפִ֖ים
of thousands
Strong's:
H505
Word #:
6 of 11
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
הַצָּבָ֑א
of the host
H6635
הַצָּבָ֑א
of the host
Strong's:
H6635
Word #:
7 of 11
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
הָֽאֲלָפִ֖ים
of thousands
H505
הָֽאֲלָפִ֖ים
of thousands
Strong's:
H505
Word #:
9 of 11
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
Historical Context
Ancient warfare typically resulted in 10-30% casualties even in victories. That Israel lost no soldiers in a major campaign against fortified Midianite settlements was unprecedented. The officers' immediate response—approaching Moses with offerings (v. 50)—shows the campaign was understood as holy war (herem), where Yahweh fought for Israel. This occurred c. 1406 BC during Moses' final months.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the officers' immediate approach to Moses (rather than celebrating their prowess) teach about godly leadership and humility?
- How should military or organizational success prompt acknowledgment of divine providence rather than human pride?
- What can church leaders learn from commanders who recognized God's preservation and responded with worship and generosity?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And the officers which were over thousands of the host, the captains of thousands, and captains of hundreds, came near unto Moses—The Hebrew שָׂרֵי הָאֲלָפִים וְשָׂרֵי הַמֵּאוֹת (sarei ha-alaphim ve-sarei ha-meot, "princes/commanders of the thousands and princes of the hundreds") represents Israel's military hierarchy. These פְּקֻדֵי (pequdei, "officers/appointed ones") approached Moses post-battle for a remarkable purpose revealed in v. 49: zero casualties.
Their coming near (קָרַב, qarav—the same verb used for priestly approach to God) suggests solemn, worshipful intent. After distributing spoils according to divine justice, these battle-hardened commanders recognized the miraculous preservation of every soldier—unprecedented in ancient warfare. Their approach initiates the votive offering narrative (vv. 49-54), demonstrating that godly military leadership acknowledges divine intervention, not merely human prowess.