Numbers 31:35 (KJV)

What does Numbers 31:35 mean?

Numbers 31:35 records that there were thirty-two thousand women, specifically those who had not had sexual relations with a man, counted among the captives after Israel’s victory over the Midianites. This verse is part of a detailed inventory of the spoils taken by the Israelites in this military campaign.

In the context, Moses is receiving a report from the officers about the results of the battle. The verse highlights a specific group—young women who were considered ritually pure by the standards of the time. This detail sets up later instructions about how the spoils, including people, were to be divided among the Israelites.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 31:35

• נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315): Translated here as "persons," this word often means "life" or "soul" but can also refer to individuals. Its use emphasizes the counting of people as living beings, not just as property.
• אִשָּׁה (ishah, H802): This word means "woman" or "female." The verse specifically identifies the captives as women, clarifying the group being counted.
• יָדַע (yada‘, H3045): Meaning "to know," this verb is often used as a euphemism for sexual relations. Here, it clarifies that the women counted had not had sexual relations with a man.
• זָכָר (zakhar, H2145): This word means "male" or "man." Its use in this context specifies the type of relationship (with a man) that is being referenced.

Why Numbers 31:35 matters

• Numbers 31:35 clarifies that the count only includes young women who were considered ritually pure by the standards of ancient Israel, not all female captives.
• The verse’s careful wording helps explain later instructions about dividing the spoils, showing the importance of ritual purity and social roles in Israelite society.
• This detail connects to the broader narrative of Numbers 31, where the aftermath of battle is described in terms of both material and human spoils, reflecting the customs and laws of the time.