Take the sum of the prey that was taken, both of man and of beast, thou, and Eleazar the priest, and the chief fathers of the congregation:

NUMBERS 31:26KJV
Know the Bible

Numbers 31:26 (KJV)

What does Numbers 31:26 mean?

Numbers 31:26 orders a count of the people and animals taken after Israel’s battle with Midian. God gives Moses the task and tells him to carry it out with Eleazar the priest and the leading men of the community, preparing for the division that follows.

The KJV calls what was captured “the prey,” a word used here for spoils taken in war. Its inclusion of people makes the human cost of the battle visible: the count treats captives alongside livestock as part of what will be divided.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 31:26

  • “sum” — רֹאשׁ (rosh): The word often means “head,” but here it is part of an expression for taking a count. It pictures a tally of what was captured, rather than an estimate of its value.
  • “fathers” — אָב (av): This word can mean a father or an ancestor. In “chief fathers,” it points to senior family or clan leaders who represented the community.

Why Numbers 31:26 matters

  • The count sets up a division between two groups. In verse 27, the Lord tells Moses to divide the spoils between the men who went to battle and the rest of the community.
  • The later numbers distinguish people from different kinds of animals. Verses 32–35 list sheep, cattle, donkeys, and the women counted among the captives.
  • The priest and community leaders have a role in the accounting. Numbers 31:26 names Eleazar and the chief fathers alongside Moses, making the count a shared responsibility.

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.

“taken” 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.

“Eleazar” Hebrew H499 · used in 70 verses

  • Exodus 6:23 And Aaron took him Elisheba, daughter of Amminadab, sister of Naashon, to wife; and she bare him Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
  • Numbers 27:2 And they stood before Moses, and before Eleazar the priest, and before the princes and all the congregation, by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, saying,
  • Joshua 22:32 And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, and the princes, returned from the children of Reuben, and from the children of Gad, out of the land of Gilead, unto the land of Canaan, to the children of Israel, and brought them word again.

“congregation” Hebrew H5712 · used in 140 verses

  • Exodus 12:3 Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house:
  • Numbers 15:24 Then it shall be, if ought be committed by ignorance without the knowledge of the congregation, that all the congregation shall offer one young bullock for a burnt offering, for a sweet savour unto the LORD, with his meat offering, and his drink offering, according to the manner, and one kid of the goats for a sin offering.
  • Numbers 31:13 And Moses, and Eleazar the priest, and all the princes of the congregation, went forth to meet them without the camp.