Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version and 16,000 people. New Living Translation and 16,000 virgin girls. English Standard Version and 16,000 persons— Berean Standard Bible and 16,000 people. King James Bible And sixteen thousand persons;) New King James Version and sixteen thousand persons— New American Standard Bible and the captive people were sixteen thousand— NASB 1995 and the human beings were 16,000— NASB 1977 and the human beings were 16,000— Legacy Standard Bible and the human beings were 16,000— Amplified Bible and 16,000 people— Christian Standard Bible and 16,000 people. Holman Christian Standard Bible and 16,000 people. American Standard Version and sixteen thousand persons), English Revised Version and sixteen thousand persons;) GOD'S WORD® Translation and 16,000 people. International Standard Version and 16,000 people. NET Bible and 16,000 people. New Heart English Bible and sixteen thousand persons), Webster's Bible Translation And sixteen thousand persons;) Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Bibleand 16,000 people. World English Bible and sixteen thousand persons), Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand sixteen thousand of mankind— Young's Literal Translation and of human beings sixteen thousand -- Smith's Literal Translation And the souls of man, sixteen thousand;) Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd out of the sixteen thousand persons, Catholic Public Domain Version and from the sixteen thousand persons, New American Bible and sixteen thousand persons. New Revised Standard Version and sixteen thousand persons. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd sixteen thousand persons), Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And the souls of men, sixteen thousand. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917and sixteen thousand persons-- Brenton Septuagint Translation and persons, sixteen thousand. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Division of the Spoils…4530,500 donkeys, 46and 16,000 people. 47From the Israelites’ half, Moses took one out of every fifty persons and animals and gave them to the Levites who kept charge of the tabernacle of the LORD, as the LORD had commanded him.… Cross References Exodus 12:35-36 Furthermore, the Israelites acted on Moses’ word and asked the Egyptians for articles of silver and gold, and for clothing. / And the LORD gave the people such favor in the sight of the Egyptians that they granted their request. In this way they plundered the Egyptians. Deuteronomy 20:14 But the women, children, livestock, and whatever else is in the city—all its spoil—you may take as plunder, and you shall use the spoil of your enemies that the LORD your God gives you. Joshua 6:19 For all the silver and gold and all the articles of bronze and iron are holy to the LORD; they must go into His treasury.” 1 Samuel 15:3 Now go and attack the Amalekites and devote to destruction all that belongs to them. Do not spare them, but put to death men and women, children and infants, oxen and sheep, camels and donkeys.’” 2 Chronicles 20:25 Then Jehoshaphat and his people went to carry off the plunder, and they found on the bodies an abundance of goods and valuables—more than they could carry away. They were gathering the plunder for three days because there was so much. Isaiah 10:6 I will send him against a godless nation; I will dispatch him against a people destined for My rage, to take spoils and seize plunder, and to trample them down like clay in the streets. Isaiah 33:23 Your ropes are slack; they cannot secure the mast or spread the sail. Then an abundance of spoils will be divided, and even the lame will carry off plunder. Ezekiel 39:10 They will not gather wood from the countryside or cut it from the forests, for they will use the weapons for fuel. They will loot those who looted them and plunder those who plundered them, declares the Lord GOD. Matthew 5:5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Matthew 6:19-21 Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. / But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. / For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Luke 12:33-34 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide yourselves with purses that will not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. / For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Luke 19:13 Beforehand, he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas. ‘Conduct business with this until I return,’ he said. Acts 2:45 Selling their possessions and goods, they shared with anyone who was in need. Acts 4:34-35 There were no needy ones among them, because those who owned lands or houses would sell their property, bring the proceeds from the sales, / and lay them at the apostles’ feet for distribution to anyone as he had need. Romans 8:17 And if we are children, then we are heirs: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with Him, so that we may also be glorified with Him. Treasury of Scripture And sixteen thousand persons;) Jump to Previous Beings Human Persons ThousandJump to Next Beings Human Persons ThousandNumbers 31 1. The Midianites are spoiled, and Balaam slain13. Moses is angry with the officers, for saving the women alive 19. How the soldiers, with their captives and spoil, are to be purified 25. The proportion in which the prey is to be divided 48. The voluntary offering unto the treasure of the Lord and 16,000 people. This phrase refers to the number of individuals taken as part of the spoils of war after the Israelites' victory over the Midianites. The context of this passage is the aftermath of a divinely commanded battle, where the Israelites, led by Moses, were instructed to take vengeance on the Midianites for their role in leading Israel into sin (Numbers 25). The number 16,000 represents the total number of women who had not known a man intimately, as specified earlier in the chapter. In the broader biblical narrative, this event underscores the theme of divine justice and the consequences of leading God's people into idolatry and immorality. The Midianites had previously seduced the Israelites into worshiping Baal of Peor, resulting in a plague that killed 24,000 Israelites (Numbers 25:1-9). This battle and its spoils serve as a form of retribution and purification for the nation of Israel. Theologically, the number 16,000 can be seen as a symbol of God's provision and the fulfillment of His promises. The division of the spoils, including the people, was done according to God's instructions, ensuring that the Levites, who served in the tabernacle, received their due portion. This reflects the principle of dedicating a portion of one's gains to God, a practice that is echoed in the New Testament with the concept of tithing and offerings (2 Corinthians 9:7). Culturally, the taking of captives in ancient warfare was a common practice, and these individuals would often become servants or be integrated into the community. The inclusion of these 16,000 people into Israelite society would have had significant social and cultural implications, potentially influencing the demographic and cultural landscape of the Israelite community. In terms of typology, the purification and integration of these captives can be seen as a foreshadowing of the inclusion of Gentiles into the people of God, a theme that is fully realized in the New Testament with the spread of the Gospel to all nations (Acts 10:34-35). This reflects the overarching biblical narrative of God's desire for all people to come to know Him and be part of His covenant community. Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe leader of the Israelites, who was commanded by God to take vengeance on the Midianites for leading Israel into sin. 2. Midianites A nomadic tribe that led Israel into idolatry and immorality, resulting in God's command for their destruction. 3. Israelites The people of God, who were instructed to carry out God's judgment against the Midianites. 4. Plunder The goods and people taken by the Israelites from the Midianites, including the sixteen thousand people mentioned in this verse. 5. God's Command The directive given to Moses and the Israelites to execute judgment on the Midianites as a consequence of their actions against Israel. Teaching Points The Seriousness of SinThe destruction of the Midianites serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of leading others into sin. Sin is not only personal but can have communal repercussions. Obedience to God's Commands The Israelites' actions demonstrate the importance of obedience to God's directives, even when they are difficult or involve judgment. God's Justice and Mercy While God's judgment is severe, it is also just. Understanding God's justice helps us appreciate His mercy and the grace offered through Christ. The Role of Leadership Moses' leadership in executing God's command highlights the responsibility of leaders to guide their people in righteousness and obedience. The Importance of Purity The incident underscores the need for spiritual and moral purity among God's people, avoiding alliances or influences that lead away from God. Lists and Questions Top 10 Lessons from Numbers 31How could the desert environment realistically support so many people, as described in Numbers 1? Numbers 31:32-35: Is there any historical or archaeological evidence supporting the capture of such a large number of Midianite captives? Numbers 31:28-30: How does distributing people as spoils align with the broader biblical theme of human worth? How could an estimated 600,000 Israelite men (plus families) have left Egypt without overwhelming logistical issues? Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew and 16,000שִׁשָּׁ֥ה (šiš·šāh) Number - masculine singular Strong's 8337: Six (a cardinal number) people. וְנֶ֣פֶשׁ (wə·ne·p̄eš) Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion Links Numbers 31:46 NIVNumbers 31:46 NLT Numbers 31:46 ESV Numbers 31:46 NASB Numbers 31:46 KJV Numbers 31:46 BibleApps.com Numbers 31:46 Biblia Paralela Numbers 31:46 Chinese Bible Numbers 31:46 French Bible Numbers 31:46 Catholic Bible OT Law: Numbers 31:46 And sixteen thousand persons (Nu Num.) |
    |