Numbers 31:53
(For the men of war had taken spoil, every man for himself.)
Original Language Analysis
אִ֥ישׁ
every man
H376
אִ֥ישׁ
every man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
1 of 5
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
הַצָּבָ֔א
of war
H6635
הַצָּבָ֔א
of war
Strong's:
H6635
Word #:
2 of 5
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern military customs typically allowed soldiers to keep battlefield plunder as compensation (since standing armies received minimal pay). Israel's law required dedicating some war spoils to the tabernacle (Numbers 31:26-30) while permitting soldiers to retain portions. Officers' additional voluntary offerings exceeded required contributions, modeling exceptional generosity.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the distinction between soldiers' retained plunder and officers' additional offerings model the difference between legitimate provision and sacrificial generosity?
- What does the officers' giving from abundance (beyond personal retention) teach about leadership responsibility to set generous examples?
- How can you practice both appropriate self-provision and sacrificial generosity, rather than viewing them as mutually exclusive?
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Analysis & Commentary
(For the men of war had taken spoil, every man for himself.)—The parenthetical clarification distinguishes between spoil (בָּזָז bazaz, plunder) kept by individual soldiers 'every man for himself' (אִישׁ לוֹ ish lo) and the officers' voluntary thanksgiving offering. While soldiers retained personal plunder (gold, clothing, livestock from v.32-47), officers gave above-and-beyond offerings from their leadership portions.
This verse establishes biblical pattern for giving: ordinary provision for personal need + extraordinary generosity from abundance. Jesus commended the widow's sacrificial two mites over wealthy gifts from surplus (Mark 12:41-44). Paul taught: 'Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor... that he may have something to give to him who has need' (Ephesians 4:28)—working provides both self-sufficiency and capacity for generosity.