Numbers 31:9 (KJV)

What does Numbers 31:9 mean?

Numbers 31:9 states that the Israelites captured all the women and children of Midian, along with their livestock and possessions, as part of the spoils of war. This verse describes the outcome of a military campaign where the Israelites took people and goods from the defeated Midianites.

In the context of Numbers 31, Moses is leading the Israelites as they carry out God’s command to attack the Midianites. The verse records the results of this battle, focusing on the capture of people (women and children) and property (cattle, flocks, goods), which were common practices in ancient warfare. This sets up the following verses, where the distribution and handling of these captives and spoils are discussed.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 31:9

• "Children" (בֵּן, ben; H1121): This word often means "sons" or "descendants," but here it refers to the young children of Midian, emphasizing that not just adult men but entire families were affected.
• "Captives" (שָׁבָה, shavah; H7617): This verb means to take prisoners or to capture. The use of this word highlights that the women and children were not killed in the battle but were taken alive as prisoners.
• "Spoil" (שָׁלָל, shalal; H962): This term refers to plunder or loot taken in war, which included animals and goods. The word shows that the Israelites claimed not only people but also material wealth from Midian.

Why Numbers 31:9 matters

• Numbers 31:9 clarifies that the Israelites did not only defeat the Midianite army but also took the non-combatants and property, which shaped the later instructions Moses gave about dividing the spoils.
• The verse helps explain the seriousness and totality of the conflict with Midian, showing that the consequences of the battle extended to the whole Midianite community.
• Understanding this verse is important for following the narrative in the rest of Numbers 31, where the fate of the captives and the distribution of the spoils become major points of discussion and instruction.