Numbers 31:54
And Moses and Eleazar the priest took the gold of the captains of thousands and of hundreds, and brought it into the tabernacle of the congregation, for a memorial for the children of Israel before the LORD.
Original Language Analysis
הַכֹּהֵן֙
the priest
H3548
הַכֹּהֵן֙
the priest
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
4 of 20
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
5 of 20
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַזָּהָ֔ב
the gold
H2091
הַזָּהָ֔ב
the gold
Strong's:
H2091
Word #:
6 of 20
gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e., yellow), as oil, a clear sky
מֵאֵ֛ת
H853
מֵאֵ֛ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
7 of 20
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָֽאֲלָפִ֖ים
of thousands
H505
הָֽאֲלָפִ֖ים
of thousands
Strong's:
H505
Word #:
9 of 20
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
וְהַמֵּא֑וֹת
and of hundreds
H3967
וְהַמֵּא֑וֹת
and of hundreds
Strong's:
H3967
Word #:
10 of 20
a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction
וַיָּבִ֤אוּ
and brought
H935
וַיָּבִ֤אוּ
and brought
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
11 of 20
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
אֹתוֹ֙
H853
אֹתוֹ֙
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
12 of 20
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֹ֣הֶל
it into the tabernacle
H168
אֹ֣הֶל
it into the tabernacle
Strong's:
H168
Word #:
14 of 20
a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)
מוֹעֵ֔ד
of the congregation
H4150
מוֹעֵ֔ד
of the congregation
Strong's:
H4150
Word #:
15 of 20
properly, an appointment, i.e., a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival; conventionally a year; by implication, an assembly (as convened for
זִכָּר֥וֹן
for a memorial
H2146
זִכָּר֥וֹן
for a memorial
Strong's:
H2146
Word #:
16 of 20
a memento (or memorable thing, day or writing)
לִבְנֵֽי
for the children
H1121
לִבְנֵֽי
for the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
17 of 20
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
18 of 20
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
Cross References
Exodus 30:16And thou shalt take the atonement money of the children of Israel, and shalt appoint it for the service of the tabernacle of the congregation; that it may be a memorial unto the children of Israel before the LORD, to make an atonement for your souls.Zechariah 6:14And the crowns shall be to Helem, and to Tobijah, and to Jedaiah, and to Hen the son of Zephaniah, for a memorial in the temple of the LORD.
Historical Context
The tabernacle treasury stored sacred objects with memorial significance: Aaron's budded rod (Numbers 17:10), golden pot of manna (Exodus 16:32-34), memorial stones, and now Midianite war gold. These memorials taught successive generations that God's character revealed through past faithfulness predicts future reliability—memorial stones prompt children's questions, creating teaching opportunities (Joshua 4:6-7,21-24).
Questions for Reflection
- How does storing memorial gold 'before the LORD' in the tabernacle teach that testimonies of divine faithfulness belong in corporate worship, not privatized spirituality?
- What 'memorial objects' or practices could your church establish to remind future generations of God's specific interventions and faithfulness?
- How can you cultivate spiritual disciplines of remembering and testifying to God's past faithfulness as foundation for present trust?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And Moses and Eleazar the priest took the gold of the captains of thousands and of hundreds, and brought it into the tabernacle of the congregation, for a memorial for the children of Israel before the LORD—The gold's destination—tabernacle of the congregation (אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד ohel mo'ed, tent of meeting)—designated it as sacred treasury rather than personal use. The purpose: for a memorial (לְזִכָּרוֹן lezikaron) before the LORD (לִפְנֵי יְהוָה lifnei YHWH), creating permanent testimony to God's miraculous zero-casualty deliverance.
Memorial objects in Israel's worship (Aaron's rod, manna jar, memorial stones) testified to divine interventions for future generations. Jesus instituted communion as memorial: 'This do in remembrance of me' (Luke 22:19). Physical objects and practices anchor spiritual truth in tangible reality, preventing abstract theology from disconnecting from historical acts. The Church needs memorials reminding us that God acts in space-time history, not merely inspiring subjective religious experience.