And all the gold of the offering that they offered up to the LORD, of the captains of thousands, and of the captains of hundreds, was sixteen thousand seven hundred and fifty shekels.

NUMBERS 31:52KJV
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Numbers 31:52 (KJV)

What does Numbers 31:52 mean?

Numbers 31:52 states that the total amount of gold offered to the LORD by the military leaders—those in charge of thousands and hundreds—was sixteen thousand seven hundred and fifty shekels. This verse records the precise sum of gold given as an offering after a military campaign.

In the context of Numbers 31, Moses is receiving a report from the officers who led Israel’s army in battle against the Midianites. The leaders are presenting a portion of the plunder, specifically gold, as a special offering to the LORD. The verse emphasizes the accountability and generosity of the commanders, showing a careful record of what was dedicated.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 31:52

  • The word for "gold" is זָהָב (zahav), meaning gold as a precious metal. Its use here highlights the value of what was being offered.
  • "Offering" comes from תְּרוּמָה (terumah), which means a contribution or a lifted-up offering, often set apart for sacred use. This signals that the gold was not just loot but was set aside as something holy for God.
  • "Offered up" uses the verb רוּם (rum), which means to lift up or raise. This gives a sense that the act of giving was intentional and elevated, not just a casual donation.
  • "Shekels" is from שֶׁקֶל (shekel), a standard unit of weight for precious metals in ancient Israel, helping the reader understand the exactness and seriousness of the record.

Why Numbers 31:52 matters

  • This verse clears up any question about how much gold was actually given; it provides a concrete, historical number, showing transparency in handling valuable resources.
  • The careful listing of the leaders and the amount emphasizes collective responsibility and the importance of giving back to God from what was gained.
  • Numbers 31:52 connects to the broader theme of Numbers 31, where the aftermath of battle is not just about victory but about recognizing God’s role and honoring Him with a portion of the spoils.

Where else these words appear

“shekels” Hebrew H8255 · used in 54 verses

  • Genesis 23:15 My lord, hearken unto me: the land is worth four hundred shekels of silver; what is that betwixt me and thee? bury therefore thy dead.
  • Leviticus 27:25 And all thy estimations shall be according to the shekel of the sanctuary: twenty gerahs shall be the shekel.
  • Joshua 7:21 When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they are hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it.

“offering” Hebrew H8641 · used in 63 verses

  • Exodus 25:2 Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering.
  • Numbers 15:19 Then it shall be, that, when ye eat of the bread of the land, ye shall offer up an heave offering unto the LORD.
  • Nehemiah 10:37 And that we should bring the firstfruits of our dough, and our offerings, and the fruit of all manner of trees, of wine and of oil, unto the priests, to the chambers of the house of our God; and the tithes of our ground unto the Levites, that the same Levites might have the tithes in all the cities of our tillage.

“fifty” Hebrew H2572 · used in 141 verses

  • Genesis 6:15 And this is the fashion which thou shalt make it of: The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits.
  • Numbers 4:30 From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old shalt thou number them, every one that entereth into the service, to do the work of the tabernacle of the congregation.
  • 1 Chronicles 5:21 And they took away their cattle; of their camels fifty thousand, and of sheep two hundred and fifty thousand, and of asses two thousand, and of men an hundred thousand.