Numbers 31:7
And they warred against the Midianites, as the LORD commanded Moses; and they slew all the males.
Original Language Analysis
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
2 of 11
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
מִדְיָ֔ן
against the Midianites
H4080
מִדְיָ֔ן
against the Midianites
Strong's:
H4080
Word #:
3 of 11
midjan, a son of abraham; also his country and (collectively) his descendants
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֛ר
H834
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֛ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
4 of 11
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יְהוָ֖ה
as the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֖ה
as the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
6 of 11
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
7 of 11
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Cross References
Judges 21:11And this is the thing that ye shall do, Ye shall utterly destroy every male, and every woman that hath lain by man.1 Samuel 27:9And David smote the land, and left neither man nor woman alive, and took away the sheep, and the oxen, and the asses, and the camels, and the apparel, and returned, and came to Achish.
Historical Context
The campaign fulfilled God's command in Numbers 25:17 following the Baal-Peor incident. Archaeological evidence shows Midianites were nomadic traders and raiders; this military strike disrupted their ability to threaten Israel during the conquest. The Midianites survived as a people (Judges 6-8), confirming this was not total annihilation.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the "as the LORD commanded" emphasis inform your approach to difficult obedience versus cultural preferences?
- What does this account teach about God's justice, which may include temporal judgment, while ultimately pointing to Christ who bore divine wrath?
- How do you wrestle with difficult Old Testament passages while maintaining trust in God's perfect justice and mercy?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
They warred against the Midianites, as the LORD commanded Moses—The phrase ka'asher tzivah YHWH (כַּאֲשֶׁר צִוָּה יְהוָה, just as Yahweh commanded) emphasizes covenantal obedience. This was not ethnic cleansing or imperialism but executing divine judgment and they slew all the males—specifically the military-age males who participated in Baal-Peor (v. 8 specifies five Midianite kings and Balaam).
The totality language reflects ancient Near Eastern warfare hyperbole (compare Joshua's conquests), focusing on military and leadership destruction rather than genocide. Verse 9 shows women and children were spared (though Moses later commanded executing those complicit in idolatry, vv. 14-18). This was targeted justice, not indiscriminate slaughter.