And levy a tribute unto the LORD of the men of war which went out to battle: one soul of five hundred, both of the persons, and of the beeves, and of the asses, and of the sheep:

NUMBERS 31:28KJV
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Numbers 31:28 (KJV)

What does Numbers 31:28 mean?

Numbers 31:28 instructs Moses to collect a tribute for the LORD from the soldiers who fought in battle: one out of every five hundred people, cattle, donkeys, and sheep captured as spoils was to be set aside. This tribute was a way of recognizing God's role in their victory and dedicating a portion of the spoils to Him.

In this verse, God is speaking to Moses after Israel's victory over the Midianites. The command is specific: the tribute is to come from the share of the warriors, not the whole community. The tribute includes both people and animals, showing that everything gained in battle was considered under God's authority and deserving of acknowledgment.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 31:28

  • "tribute" (תְּרוּמָה, terumah): This word means an offering or a portion set aside, often for sacred purposes. Here, it highlights that the tribute is not just a tax but a dedicated gift to the LORD.
  • "soul" (נֶפֶשׁ, nephesh): Often translated as "person" or "life," this word here refers to the human captives among the spoils, showing that the tribute included people as well as livestock.
  • "beeves" (בָּקָר, baqar): This term means cattle or oxen. Including specific animals in the tribute shows the thoroughness of the command—every kind of valuable spoil was to be acknowledged before God.

Why Numbers 31:28 matters

  • Numbers 31:28 clarifies that the tribute was not a general tax but a specific acknowledgment of God's provision in battle, set apart from the soldiers' share.
  • The verse emphasizes that both people and animals gained in war were seen as belonging to God first, reinforcing the idea that victory and its rewards come from Him.
  • This instruction connects to the broader passage by showing the detailed care in dividing the spoils and honoring God, setting a pattern for how Israel was to handle success and resources.

Where else these words appear

“tribute” Hebrew H4371 · used in 6 verses

  • Numbers 31:37 And the LORD'S tribute of the sheep was six hundred and threescore and fifteen.
  • Numbers 31:38 And the beeves were thirty and six thousand; of which the LORD'S tribute was threescore and twelve.
  • Numbers 31:40 And the persons were sixteen thousand; of which the LORD'S tribute was thirty and two persons.

“asses” Hebrew H2543 · used in 93 verses

  • Genesis 12:16 And he entreated Abram well for her sake: and he had sheep, and oxen, and he asses, and menservants, and maidservants, and she asses, and camels.
  • Numbers 31:30 And of the children of Israel's half, thou shalt take one portion of fifty, of the persons, of the beeves, of the asses, and of the flocks, of all manner of beasts, and give them unto the Levites, which keep the charge of the tabernacle of the LORD.
  • 1 Samuel 25:42 And Abigail hasted, and arose, and rode upon an ass, with five damsels of hers that went after her; and she went after the messengers of David, and became his wife.