Numbers 31:52
And all the gold of the offering that they offered up to the LORD, of the captains of thousands, and of the captains of hundreds, was sixteen thousand seven hundred and fifty shekels.
Original Language Analysis
וַיְהִ֣י׀
H1961
וַיְהִ֣י׀
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 20
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
2 of 20
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
זְהַ֣ב
And all the gold
H2091
זְהַ֣ב
And all the gold
Strong's:
H2091
Word #:
3 of 20
gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e., yellow), as oil, a clear sky
הַתְּרוּמָ֗ה
of the offering
H8641
הַתְּרוּמָ֗ה
of the offering
Strong's:
H8641
Word #:
4 of 20
a present (as offered up), especially in sacrifice or as tribute
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
5 of 20
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הֵרִ֙ימוּ֙
that they offered up
H7311
הֵרִ֙ימוּ֙
that they offered up
Strong's:
H7311
Word #:
6 of 20
to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)
לַֽיהוָ֔ה
to the LORD
H3068
לַֽיהוָ֔ה
to the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
7 of 20
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
שִׁשָּׁ֨ה
was sixteen
H8337
שִׁשָּׁ֨ה
was sixteen
Strong's:
H8337
Word #:
8 of 20
six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ordinal, sixth
עָשָׂ֥ר
H6240
עָשָׂ֥ר
Strong's:
H6240
Word #:
9 of 20
ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth
הָֽאֲלָפִ֔ים
of thousands
H505
הָֽאֲלָפִ֔ים
of thousands
Strong's:
H505
Word #:
10 of 20
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
שְׁבַע
seven
H7651
שְׁבַע
seven
Strong's:
H7651
Word #:
11 of 20
seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number
הַמֵּאֽוֹת׃
hundred
H3967
הַמֵּאֽוֹת׃
hundred
Strong's:
H3967
Word #:
12 of 20
a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction
מֵאֵת֙
H853
מֵאֵת֙
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
15 of 20
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָֽאֲלָפִ֔ים
of thousands
H505
הָֽאֲלָפִ֔ים
of thousands
Strong's:
H505
Word #:
17 of 20
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
וּמֵאֵ֖ת
H853
וּמֵאֵ֖ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
18 of 20
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Historical Context
16,750 shekels of gold (using ancient shekel of ~11.4 grams) totaled about 190 kilograms of precious metal—representing perhaps 5-10 years' combined wages for all the military officers. This enormous offering demonstrated profound gratitude for miraculous battlefield preservation where conventional warfare would have caused 10-20% casualties.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the precise enumeration of the gold offering teach the importance of financial accountability in church and ministry contexts?
- What does the officers' massive offering (perhaps years of accumulated wealth) teach about proportional giving in response to divine blessing?
- How can you ensure that any financial stewardship you oversee maintains transparent, detailed accountability honoring both God and the community?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And all the gold of the offering that they offered up to the LORD, of the captains of thousands, and of the captains of hundreds, was sixteen thousand seven hundred and fifty shekels—The precise total—sixteen thousand seven hundred and fifty shekels (שִׁשָּׁה עָשָׂר אֶלֶף וּשְׁבַע מֵאוֹת וַחֲמִשִּׁים שֶׁקֶל shishah asar elef usheva me'ot vachamishim sheqel)—represents approximately 420 pounds (190 kg) of gold. The phrase captains of thousands and captains of hundreds (שָׂרֵי הָאֲלָפִים וְשָׂרֵי הַמֵּאוֹת sarei ha'alafim vesarei hame'ot) indicates this was military leadership's offering, not common soldiers'.
The specific enumeration demonstrates meticulous accountability in sacred offerings—no approximation or rounding, but exact weights ensuring transparent stewardship. Paul commended Corinthian church's transparency: 'We have sent with him the brother... taking precaution so that no one will discredit us in our administration of this generous gift' (2 Corinthians 8:18-20 NASB). Sacred resources require scrupulous accounting to maintain credibility.