Numbers 31:10
Numbers 31:10 in Multiple Translations
Then they burned all the cities where the Midianites had lived, as well as all their encampments,
And they burnt all their cities wherein they dwelt, and all their goodly castles, with fire.
And all their cities in the places wherein they dwelt, and all their encampments, they burnt with fire.
And after burning all their towns and all their tent-circles,
They set fire to all the Midianite towns and camps where they had lived,
And they burnt all their cities, wherein they dwelt, and all their villages with fire.
and all their cities, with their habitations, and all their towers, they have burnt with fire.
All their cities in the places in which they lived, and all their encampments, they burned with fire.
And they burnt all their cities in which they dwelt, and all their goodly castles, with fire.
And all their cities, and their villages, and castles, they burned.
Then they burned down all the houses in the towns and villages where the people of the Midian people-group lived,
Berean Amplified Bible — Numbers 31:10
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Numbers 31:10 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/אֵ֤ת
כָּל
עָרֵי/הֶם֙
בְּ/מ֣וֹשְׁבֹתָ֔/ם
וְ/אֵ֖ת
כָּל
טִֽירֹתָ֑/ם
שָׂרְפ֖וּ
בָּ/אֵֽשׁ
וְ/אֵ֤ת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
Conj | DirObjM
כָּל
kôl
H3605
all
N-ms
עָרֵי/הֶם֙
ʻîyr
H5892
excitement
N-fp | Suff
בְּ/מ֣וֹשְׁבֹתָ֔/ם
môwshâb
H4186
seat
Prep | N-mp | Suff
וְ/אֵ֖ת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
Conj | DirObjM
כָּל
kôl
H3605
all
N-ms
טִֽירֹתָ֑/ם
ṭîyrâh
H2918
encampment
N-fp | Suff
שָׂרְפ֖וּ
sâraph
H8313
to burn
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
בָּ/אֵֽשׁ
ʼêsh
H784
fire
Prep | N-cs
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Hebrew Word Reference — Numbers 31:10
וְ/אֵ֤ת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
Conj | DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
כָּל
kôl
H3605
"all"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
עָרֵי/הֶם֙
ʻîyr
H5892
"excitement"
N-fp | Suff
In the Bible, this word refers to a city or town, often a place with a wall or a watchman. It is used to describe a settlement or encampment, like the city of Ai, which is mentioned in the book of Joshua. The word is used to identify specific locations in the Bible.
Definition: 1) excitement, anguish 1a) of terror
Usage: Occurs in 936 OT verses. KJV: Ai (from margin), city, court (from margin), town. See also: Genesis 4:17; Deuteronomy 3:6; Joshua 14:12.
בְּ/מ֣וֹשְׁבֹתָ֔/ם
môwshâb
H4186
"seat"
Prep | N-mp | Suff
A seat can refer to a physical place of sitting or a gathering of people, like an assembly. It can also mean a dwelling place or location, and is sometimes used to describe a group of people living together.
Definition: 1) seat, assembly, dwelling-place, dwelling, dwellers 1a) seat, sitting, those sitting, sitting company or assembly 1b) dwelling place, dwelling 1c) situation, location 1d) time of dwelling 1e) those dwelling, dweller
Usage: Occurs in 43 OT verses. KJV: assembly, dwell in, dwelling(-place), wherein (that) dwelt (in), inhabited place, seat, sitting, situation, sojourning. See also: Genesis 10:30; 1 Samuel 20:25; Psalms 1:1.
וְ/אֵ֖ת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
Conj | DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
כָּל
kôl
H3605
"all"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
טִֽירֹתָ֑/ם
ṭîyrâh
H2918
"encampment"
N-fp | Suff
This Hebrew word refers to an encampment, a fortress, or a small village, often surrounded by a wall for protection. It can also mean a row of stones or a palace. In the Bible, it is used to describe the dwelling places of kings and nobles.
Definition: 1) encampment, battlement 1a) encampment, tent camp 1b) walled dwelling places, battlement (metaph.) 1c) row (of stones)
Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: (goodly) castle, habitation, palace, row. See also: Genesis 25:16; Psalms 69:26; Ezekiel 46:23.
שָׂרְפ֖וּ
sâraph
H8313
"to burn"
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
This Hebrew word means to set something on fire, and is used in the Bible to describe burning or kindling flames, like in Psalm 83:14. It can also mean to utterly destroy something. The word is related to fire and burning, and is used in various forms throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: 1) to burn 1a) (Qal) to burn 1b) (Niphal) to be burned 1c) (Piel) burner, burning (participle) 1d) (Pual) to be burnt up, be burned Also means: sa.raph (סָרַף "to burn" H5635)
Usage: Occurs in 107 OT verses. KJV: (cause to, make a) burn((-ing), up) kindle, [idiom] utterly. See also: Genesis 11:3; 1 Kings 13:2; Psalms 46:10.
בָּ/אֵֽשׁ
ʼêsh
H784
"fire"
Prep | N-cs
Fire is a powerful symbol in the Bible, representing both God's anger and his refining presence, as seen in Deuteronomy 4:24 and Malachi 3:2-3. It is also used for cooking and warmth. This concept is central to many biblical stories.
Definition: 1) fire 1a) fire, flames 1b) supernatural fire (accompanying theophany) 1c) fire (for cooking, roasting, parching) 1d) altar-fire 1e) God's anger (fig.) Aramaic equivalent: esh (אֶשָּׁא "fire" H0785)
Usage: Occurs in 348 OT verses. KJV: burning, fiery, fire, flaming, hot. See also: Genesis 15:17; Joshua 7:15; Psalms 11:6.
Study Notes — Numbers 31:10
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Numbers 31:10 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Numbers 31:10
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 31:10
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Numbers 31:10
- Trapp's Commentary on Numbers 31:10
- Ellicott's Commentary on Numbers 31:10
- Cambridge Bible on Numbers 31:10
- Barnes' Notes on Numbers 31:10
- Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 31:10
- Sermons on Numbers 31:10
Context — Vengeance on Midian
8Among the slain were Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba—the five kings of Midian. They also killed Balaam son of Beor with the sword.
9The Israelites captured the Midianite women and their children, and they plundered all their herds, flocks, and goods.
10Then they burned all the cities where the Midianites had lived, as well as all their encampments,
11and carried away all the plunder and spoils, both people and animals. 12They brought the captives, spoils, and plunder to Moses, to Eleazar the priest, and to the congregation of Israel at the camp on the plains of Moab, by the Jordan across from Jericho.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isaiah 1:7 | Your land is desolate; your cities are burned with fire. Foreigners devour your fields before you— a desolation demolished by strangers. |
| 2 | 1 Samuel 30:1 | On the third day David and his men arrived in Ziklag, and the Amalekites had raided the Negev, attacked Ziklag, and burned it down. |
| 3 | Joshua 6:24 | Then the Israelites burned up the city and everything in it. However, they put the silver and gold and articles of bronze and iron into the treasury of the LORD’s house. |
| 4 | Genesis 25:16 | These were the sons of Ishmael, and these were their names by their villages and encampments—twelve princes of their tribes. |
| 5 | Revelation 18:8 | Therefore her plagues will come in one day— death and grief and famine— and she will be consumed by fire, for mighty is the Lord God who judges her.” |
| 6 | 1 Kings 9:16 | Pharaoh king of Egypt had attacked and captured Gezer. He had set it on fire, killed the Canaanites who lived in the city, and given it as a dowry to his daughter, Solomon’s wife. |
Numbers 31:10 Summary
This verse shows that the Israelites were obeying God's command to destroy the Midianites, who had led them into sin. They burned the cities and encampments where the Midianites lived, which was a way of purifying the land and getting rid of the sinful influences. This teaches us that God is serious about sin and wants us to separate ourselves from it, as seen in 2 Corinthians 6:17-18. By following God's commands and turning away from sin, we can live a life that is pleasing to Him, as stated in Romans 12:1-2.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Israelites burn the cities of the Midianites?
The Israelites burned the cities of the Midianites as an act of judgment and purification, as the Midianites had led them into idolatry and sin, as seen in Numbers 25:1-9, and to fulfill God's command to destroy the Midianites as stated in Numbers 25:16-18.
Was it right for the Israelites to destroy entire cities and encampments?
According to the Bible, God is a just and holy God, and His commands must be obeyed, even if they seem harsh to us, as seen in Deuteronomy 9:4-5, and the destruction of the Midianites was a fulfillment of God's judgment on their wickedness, as stated in Numbers 31:2.
How does this verse relate to the concept of God's judgment?
This verse illustrates God's judgment on sin and rebellion, as seen in Psalm 7:11, and serves as a reminder that God is a God of justice and righteousness, who will ultimately punish all sin, as stated in Romans 6:23 and Revelation 20:11-15.
What can we learn from the Israelites' actions in this verse?
We can learn the importance of obedience to God's commands, even when they are difficult, as seen in Joshua 1:7-9, and the need to separate ourselves from sinful influences, as stated in 2 Corinthians 6:14-18.
Reflection Questions
- What are the areas in my life where I need to 'burn away' sinful influences or habits, and how can I take action to do so?
- How can I balance God's commands to love and forgive with the need to stand against sin and wickedness, as seen in this verse and in Matthew 5:43-48?
- In what ways can I apply the principle of purification and separation from sin, as seen in this verse, to my own life and relationships, as encouraged in 1 Peter 1:13-16?
- What does this verse reveal about God's character and nature, and how can I trust in His justice and righteousness in my own life, as stated in Psalm 37:3-7?
Gill's Exposition on Numbers 31:10
And they burnt all their cities wherein they dwelt, c. ) So far as they went into the country, which, perhaps, might not be the whole land of Midian: and all their goodly castles with fire which were
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 31:10
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.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Numbers 31:10
Partly, to blot out the name and memory of so lewd and vile a people; partly, lest any of the Israelites should be tempted to settle there, and so be discouraged in their progress to Canaan; and partly, lest they should be possessed by other people who might prove as bad neighbours to them as these would have been.
Trapp's Commentary on Numbers 31:10
Numbers 31:10 And they burnt all their cities wherein they dwelt, and all their goodly castles, with fire.Ver. 10. And they burnt all their cities.] For the same reason, perhaps, that our Henry VIII demolished so many monasteries, saying, Corvorum nidos esse penitus disturbandos, ne iterunt ad cohibitandum convolent, That the crows’ nests were to be utterly, destroyed, lest they should make further use of them again another time. Or rather, lest sloth or covetousness should draw any of the Israelites to hide themselves in these nests, and neglect the Promised Land. See Judges 6:1. Diruendi sunt etiam ipsi ciconiarum nidi ne redeant, - said Zisca Lavat. in Deuter. Sander. Schism. Anglic., lib. i.
Ellicott's Commentary on Numbers 31:10
(10) All their cities wherein they dwelt.—Better, all their cities in their dwelling-places. This expression is explained by a reference to Joshua 13:21, from which it appears that the five kings or chiefs of the Midianites who are mentioned in Numbers 5:8 dwelt in the territory which Sihon, king of the Amorites, had wrested from the Moabites. The Midianites were a nomad people, and were not likely to have built cities for themselves.
Cambridge Bible on Numbers 31:10
10. their encampments] A word specially used to denote the circular encampment of a nomad tribe: cf. Genesis 25:16.
Barnes' Notes on Numbers 31:10
Goodly castles - Rather, both here and in Genesis 25:16, hamlets.
Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 31:10
10. Cities wherein they dwelt — Literally, towns in their dwellings. These were not built by the Midianites a nomad race, but probably by the Moabites who had been dispossessed by the Amorites under Sihon.
Sermons on Numbers 31:10
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Contrasting Picture of Life and Death by Ian Paisley | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the challenges and struggles of life, comparing them to footmen in a race. He emphasizes that everyone will face disappointments, sickness, s |
|
Be Strong in the Lord by Erlo Stegen | In this sermon, the preacher explains the concept of Jesus making a public spectacle of the devil. He compares it to how the Romans would publicly shame and display defeated rebels |
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God's People by Frank Knox | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of teaching the word of God to children. He encourages teachers to love, pray, and live with their students, guiding them towa |
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Kingdom in Crisis - Part 1 by Dean Taylor | In this teaching session, the speaker addresses the current political climate and the deep influence it has on society. He emphasizes the need for Christians to respond to this cri |
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Seeking God's Will by Theodore Epp | Theodore Epp emphasizes the importance of seeking God's will in times of distress, as illustrated by David's experience when he found Ziklag burned and his family taken. David's in |
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David Recovered All by James Smith | James Smith preaches on the instructive life of David, drawing parallels between David's experiences in Ziklag and the redemptive work of Jesus. Through David's story, we learn abo |
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Sodom's Sister by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the speaker begins by expressing his initial desire to bring a cheerful and uplifting message, but instead finds himself drawn to the 16th chapter of Ezekiel. He em |