And the children of Israel took all the women of Midian captives, and their little ones, and took the spoil of all their cattle, and all their flocks, and all their goods.

NUMBERS 31:9KJV
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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.

Where else these words appear

“spoil” Hebrew H962 · used in 39 verses

  • Genesis 34:27 The sons of Jacob came upon the slain, and spoiled the city, because they had defiled their sister.
  • 2 Chronicles 14:14 And they smote all the cities round about Gerar; for the fear of the LORD came upon them: and they spoiled all the cities; for there was exceeding much spoil in them.
  • Isaiah 42:22 But this is a people robbed and spoiled; they are all of them snared in holes, and they are hid in prison houses: they are for a prey, and none delivereth; for a spoil, and none saith, Restore.

“captives” Hebrew H7617 · used in 42 verses

  • Genesis 14:14 And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan.
  • 1 Kings 8:48 And so return unto thee with all their heart, and with all their soul, in the land of their enemies, which led them away captive, and pray unto thee toward their land, which thou gavest unto their fathers, the city which thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for thy name:
  • 2 Chronicles 28:17 For again the Edomites had come and smitten Judah, and carried away captives.

“ones” Hebrew H2945 · used in 42 verses

  • Genesis 34:29 And all their wealth, and all their little ones, and their wives took they captive, and spoiled even all that was in the house.
  • Numbers 16:27 So they gat up from the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, on every side: and Dathan and Abiram came out, and stood in the door of their tents, and their wives, and their sons, and their little children.
  • Joshua 1:14 Your wives, your little ones, and your cattle, shall remain in the land which Moses gave you on this side Jordan; but ye shall pass before your brethren armed, all the mighty men of valour, and help them;

“Midian” Hebrew H4080 · used in 55 verses

  • Genesis 25:2 And she bare him Zimran, and Jokshan, and Medan, and Midian, and Ishbak, and Shuah.
  • Judges 6:3 And so it was, when Israel had sown, that the Midianites came up, and the Amalekites, and the children of the east, even they came up against them;
  • Judges 7:25 And they took two princes of the Midianites, Oreb and Zeeb; and they slew Oreb upon the rock Oreb, and Zeeb they slew at the winepress of Zeeb, and pursued Midian, and brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon on the other side Jordan.