And they slew the kings of Midian, beside the rest of them that were slain; namely, Evi, and Rekem, and Zur, and Hur, and Reba, five kings of Midian: Balaam also the son of Beor they slew with the sword.

NUMBERS 31:8KJV
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Numbers 31:8 (KJV)

What does Numbers 31:8 mean?

Numbers 31:8 describes how the Israelites killed the five kings of Midian—Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba—along with Balaam son of Beor, during their battle against the Midianites. The verse lists these leaders by name and notes that Balaam, a well-known figure from earlier in Numbers, was also killed with the sword.

This verse comes as part of the account where Moses commands the Israelites to take vengeance on the Midianites for leading Israel into sin. The text specifically names the Midianite kings and Balaam to highlight the completeness of the victory and to show that those responsible for Israel’s earlier troubles were judged. The mention of Balaam connects this event back to his earlier role in advising the Midianites against Israel.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 31:8

  • "slew" (הָרַג, harag): This word means "to kill" or "to slay." Its use here emphasizes that the deaths were intentional acts in battle, not accidental or incidental.
  • "kings" (מֶלֶךְ, melech): This word refers to rulers or leaders. Listing the five kings by name underlines the significance of their defeat and the thoroughness of the Israelite victory.
  • "Midian" (מִדְיָן, Midyan): This is the name of the people group Israel was fighting, reminding the reader of the ongoing conflict and the reason for this campaign.
  • "Balaam" (בִּלְעָם, Bil‘am): Naming Balaam specifically draws attention to his unique role in Israel’s story and his fate, which fulfills earlier warnings about him.

Why Numbers 31:8 matters

  • Numbers 31:8 clarifies that the Israelite victory was not just over ordinary soldiers but included the highest leaders of Midian, showing the completeness of the judgment.
  • The mention of Balaam’s death ties up a major narrative thread from earlier in Numbers, where he was involved in leading Israel astray, and shows that his actions had serious consequences.
  • This verse connects the battle to the broader story of Israel’s journey and the challenges they faced from neighboring peoples, helping readers see the continuity and resolution of earlier conflicts.

Where else these words appear

“Evi” Hebrew H189 · used in 2 verses

  • Joshua 13:21 And all the cities of the plain, and all the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites, which reigned in Heshbon, whom Moses smote with the princes of Midian, Evi, and Rekem, and Zur, and Hur, and Reba, which were dukes of Sihon, dwelling in the country.

“Reba” Hebrew H7254 · used in 2 verses

  • Joshua 13:21 And all the cities of the plain, and all the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites, which reigned in Heshbon, whom Moses smote with the princes of Midian, Evi, and Rekem, and Zur, and Hur, and Reba, which were dukes of Sihon, dwelling in the country.

“Zur” Hebrew H6698 · used in 5 verses

  • Numbers 25:15 And the name of the Midianitish woman that was slain was Cozbi, the daughter of Zur; he was head over a people, and of a chief house in Midian.
  • Joshua 13:21 And all the cities of the plain, and all the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites, which reigned in Heshbon, whom Moses smote with the princes of Midian, Evi, and Rekem, and Zur, and Hur, and Reba, which were dukes of Sihon, dwelling in the country.
  • 1 Chronicles 8:30 And his firstborn son Abdon, and Zur, and Kish, and Baal, and Nadab,

“Rekem” Hebrew H7552 · used in 6 verses

  • Joshua 13:21 And all the cities of the plain, and all the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites, which reigned in Heshbon, whom Moses smote with the princes of Midian, Evi, and Rekem, and Zur, and Hur, and Reba, which were dukes of Sihon, dwelling in the country.
  • Joshua 18:27 And Rekem, and Irpeel, and Taralah,
  • 1 Chronicles 2:44 And Shema begat Raham, the father of Jorkoam: and Rekem begat Shammai.