And they brought the captives, and the prey, and the spoil, unto Moses, and Eleazar the priest, and unto the congregation of the children of Israel, unto the camp at the plains of Moab, which are by Jordan near Jericho.

NUMBERS 31:12KJV
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Numbers 31:12 (KJV)

What does Numbers 31:12 mean?

Numbers 31:12 describes how the Israelite soldiers brought back the people they had captured, along with the animals and goods they had taken, to Moses, Eleazar the priest, and the rest of the Israelite community at their camp near the Jordan River, across from Jericho. This verse shows the returning army presenting the results of their campaign to the leaders and the gathered people.

The setting is after a military action against the Midianites, where Moses is leading the Israelites in the wilderness. The verse highlights that everything taken—captives, animals, and material goods—was brought to the leaders and the whole community, not kept privately by the soldiers. The camp is specifically located on the plains of Moab, near the Jordan River, just across from the city of Jericho, marking a significant place as the Israelites prepare to enter the Promised Land.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 31:12

  • "Captives" (שְׁבִי, shevi): This word refers to people taken prisoner in war. Its use here emphasizes that the Israelites brought back living people, not just property or goods.
  • "Prey" (מַלְקוֹחַ, malqoach): This term points to animals or goods taken during battle, often understood as livestock or movable property. It shows the completeness of what was gathered in the campaign.
  • "Spoil" (שָׁלָל, shalal): This word means plunder or loot, usually referring to valuable items or wealth seized in conflict. The distinction from "prey" suggests a careful accounting of what was taken.
  • "Camp" (מַחֲנֶה, machaneh): This term means the organized encampment of the Israelites. Mentioning the camp underscores that these actions were done in front of the entire community, not in secret.

Why Numbers 31:12 matters

  • Numbers 31:12 clarifies that the results of the military campaign were handled publicly and under the supervision of Moses and Eleazar, not kept by individuals, which highlights communal responsibility and transparency.
  • The verse sets the stage for the following instructions about how the captives and goods would be divided and dealt with, connecting to the broader themes of justice and order in the community.
  • By naming the specific location—the plains of Moab by the Jordan near Jericho—the verse ties this event to the Israelites' journey and their anticipation of entering the Promised Land, giving the story a sense of place and purpose.

Where else these words appear

“prey” Hebrew H4455 · used in 8 verses

  • Numbers 31:11 And they took all the spoil, and all the prey, both of men and of beasts.
  • Numbers 31:27 And divide the prey into two parts; between them that took the war upon them, who went out to battle, and between all the congregation:
  • Psalms 22:15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death.

“captives” Hebrew H7628 · used in 47 verses

  • Exodus 12:29 And it came to pass, that at midnight the LORD smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle.
  • Ezra 9:7 Since the days of our fathers have we been in a great trespass unto this day; and for our iniquities have we, our kings, and our priests, been delivered into the hand of the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity, and to a spoil, and to confusion of face, as it is this day.
  • Jeremiah 30:10 Therefore fear thou not, O my servant Jacob, saith the LORD; neither be dismayed, O Israel: for, lo, I will save thee from afar, and thy seed from the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and shall be in rest, and be quiet, and none shall make him afraid.

“Jericho” Hebrew H3405 · used in 53 verses

  • Numbers 22:1 And the children of Israel set forward, and pitched in the plains of Moab on this side Jordan by Jericho.
  • Joshua 5:10 And the children of Israel encamped in Gilgal, and kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the month at even in the plains of Jericho.
  • Joshua 18:21 Now the cities of the tribe of the children of Benjamin according to their families were Jericho, and Bethhoglah, and the valley of Keziz,

“plains” Hebrew H6160 · used in 57 verses

  • Numbers 22:1 And the children of Israel set forward, and pitched in the plains of Moab on this side Jordan by Jericho.
  • Joshua 5:10 And the children of Israel encamped in Gilgal, and kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the month at even in the plains of Jericho.
  • Psalms 68:4 Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him.