Numbers Chapter 31 · Verse 9
And the children of Israel took all the women of Midian captives, and their little ones, and took the spoil of all their cattle, and all their flocks, and all their goods.
Original Language Analysis
בְנֵֽי
And the children
H1121
בְנֵֽי
And the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
2 of 18
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
3 of 18
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
4 of 18
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מִדְיָ֖ן
of Midian
H4080
מִדְיָ֖ן
of Midian
Strong's:
H4080
Word #:
6 of 18
midjan, a son of abraham; also his country and (collectively) his descendants
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
7 of 18
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
טַפָּ֑ם
and their little ones
H2945
טַפָּ֑ם
and their little ones
Strong's:
H2945
Word #:
8 of 18
a family (mostly used collectively in the singular)
וְאֵ֨ת
H853
וְאֵ֨ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
9 of 18
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
10 of 18
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
בְּהֶמְתָּ֧ם
of all their cattle
H929
בְּהֶמְתָּ֧ם
of all their cattle
Strong's:
H929
Word #:
11 of 18
properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective)
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
12 of 18
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
13 of 18
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
מִקְנֵהֶ֛ם
and all their flocks
H4735
מִקְנֵהֶ֛ם
and all their flocks
Strong's:
H4735
Word #:
14 of 18
something bought, i.e., property, but only live stock; abstractly, acquisition
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
15 of 18
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
16 of 18
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Historical Context
This campaign against Midian (c. 1406 BC) executed divine judgment for the Baal-Peor incident where Midianite women, following Balaam's counsel, seduced Israelite men into idolatry and sexual immorality, resulting in a plague killing 24,000. The Midianites were descended from Abraham through Keturah (Genesis 25:1-4), making this judgment against distant relatives particularly poignant. The battle occurred on the plains of Moab just before Israel's entry into Canaan, serving as Moses' final military act.
Questions for Reflection
- How can well-intentioned mercy toward sin's sources undermine God's purposes for holiness in your life?
- What 'captives' are you taking—influences or relationships—that seem harmless but carry spiritual danger?
Analysis & Commentary
The children of Israel took all the women of Midian captives, and their little ones—the Hebrew shabah (took captive) describes taking prisoners of war. Initially, the soldiers spared the women and children contrary to God's intent, prompting Moses' rebuke in verse 15. The taking of all the spoil of all their cattle...flocks...and goods (Hebrew shalal for spoil, malqowach for prey) was standard ancient warfare practice, but Israel's campaigns differed—spoils belonged to Yahweh first, then were distributed by divine law.
This verse sets up the theological problem addressed in verses 15-18: the women of Midian had been instruments of Israel's seduction to Baal-Peor (25:1-18), making their preservation dangerous. The soldiers' initial mercy violated God's purpose to remove the source of Israel's spiritual corruption, demonstrating that human compassion without divine wisdom can perpetuate sin's influence.