Numbers 31:34 (KJV)

What does Numbers 31:34 mean?

Numbers 31:34 records that there were 61,000 donkeys ("asses") counted among the livestock taken as plunder. This verse is part of a detailed inventory of animals captured by the Israelites after their victory over the Midianites.

Moses is overseeing the division of spoils following a military campaign against Midian. The verse simply lists the number of donkeys, using the phrase "threescore and one thousand" (which means 61,000). This inventory shows the scale of the victory and the wealth acquired, and it sets up later instructions on how these goods would be distributed among the people and for religious purposes.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 31:34

• חֲמוֹר (chamor, H2543): This word means "donkey" or "ass." Donkeys were valuable animals in the ancient world, used for transport and labor, so the large number listed here highlights the significance of the plunder.
• שִׁשִּׁים (shishshim, H8346): This is the word for "threescore" or "sixty." The use of this term, combined with "one thousand," gives the total of 61,000, emphasizing the abundance of the spoils.
• אֶחָד (echad, H259): This means "one," used here to specify "one thousand" in addition to the sixty thousand.
• אֶלֶף (eleph, H505): This is the word for "thousand," showing the scale of the count. Large numbers like this underline the magnitude of the event and the resources involved.

Why Numbers 31:34 matters

• Numbers 31:34 helps clarify the scale of the Israelites' victory and the wealth they acquired, which is important for understanding the historical and social context of the passage.
• The verse connects to the broader narrative by showing how the spoils of war were carefully counted and managed, reflecting order and accountability in the community.
• By listing the donkeys separately, the verse highlights the practical resources that were valued in daily life, not just gold or silver, giving insight into the economy and priorities of ancient Israel.