Numbers 31:14

Verse

But Moses was angry with the officers of the army—the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds—who were returning from the battle.

American Standard Version (1901)

And Moses was wroth with the officers of the host, the captains of thousands and the captains of hundreds, who came from the service of the war.

Bible in Basic English

And Moses was angry with the chiefs of the army, the captains of thousands and the captains of hundreds who had come back from the war.

Free Bible Version

Moses was angry with the army officers, the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, who returned from the battle.

King James (Authorized) Version

And Moses was wroth with the officers of the host, with the captains over thousands, and captains over hundreds, which came from the battle.

One Unity Resource Bible

Moses [Drawn out] was angry with the officers of the army, the captains of thousands and the captains of hundreds, who came from the service of the war.

Translation for Translators

But Moses/I was angry with some of the men who had returned from the battle. He/I was angry with the army officers and the men who were commanders of 1,000 men and those who were commanders of 100 men.

Unlocked Literal Bible

But Moses was angry with the officers of the army, the commanders of thousands and the captains of hundreds, who came from battle.

Noah Webster Bible

And Moses was wroth with the officers of the host, with the captains over thousands, and captains over hundreds, who came from the battle.

World English Bible

Moses was angry with the officers of the army, the captains of thousands and the captains of hundreds, who came from the service of the war.

Young's Literal Translation

and Moses is wroth against the inspectors of the force, chiefs of the thousands, and chiefs of the hundreds, who are coming in from the host of the battle.

Context

Vengeance on Midian

¹³And Moses, Eleazar the priest, and all the leaders of the congregation went to meet them outside the camp.¹⁴But Moses was angry with the officers of the army—the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds—who were returning from the battle.¹⁵“Have you spared all the women?” he asked them.

Summary

In this verse, Moses becomes angry with the commanders of the Israelite army because they spared the lives of the Midianite women and children, who were responsible for leading the Israelites into idolatry. Moses viewed their actions as a betrayal of God's command to completely destroy the Midianites. This incident highlights the seriousness of idolatry and the importance of obedience to God's instructions, even in difficult circumstances. It serves as a reminder of the consequences of compromising God's standards and the need for wholehearted devotion to Him.

Commentary

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill
Tyndale

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

And Moses was wroth with the officers of the host--The displeasure of the great leader, though it appears the ebullition of a fierce and sanguinary temper, arose in reality from a pious and enlightened regard to the best interests of Israel. No order had been given for the slaughter of the women, and in ancient war they were commonly reserved for slaves. By their antecedent conduct, however, the Midianitish women had forfeited all claims to mild or merciful treatment; and the sacred character, the avowed object of the war (Num 31:2-3), made their slaughter necessary without any special order. But why "kill every male among the little ones"? It was designed to be a war of extermination, such as God Himself had ordered against the people of Canaan, whom the Midianites equalled in the enormity of their wickedness.

Numbers 31:14

Vengeance on Midian

Scripture
Sermons
Commentary

Berean Standard Bible

But Moses was angry with the officers of the army—the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds—who were returning from the battle.

American Standard Version (1901)

And Moses was wroth with the officers of the host, the captains of thousands and the captains of hundreds, who came from the service of the war.

Bible in Basic English

And Moses was angry with the chiefs of the army, the captains of thousands and the captains of hundreds who had come back from the war.

Free Bible Version

Moses was angry with the army officers, the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, who returned from the battle.

King James (Authorized) Version

And Moses was wroth with the officers of the host, with the captains over thousands, and captains over hundreds, which came from the battle.

One Unity Resource Bible

Moses [Drawn out] was angry with the officers of the army, the captains of thousands and the captains of hundreds, who came from the service of the war.

Translation for Translators

Unlocked Literal Bible

But Moses was angry with the officers of the army, the commanders of thousands and the captains of hundreds, who came from battle.

Noah Webster Bible

And Moses was wroth with the officers of the host, with the captains over thousands, and captains over hundreds, who came from the battle.

World English Bible

Moses was angry with the officers of the army, the captains of thousands and the captains of hundreds, who came from the service of the war.

Young's Literal Translation

and Moses is wroth against the inspectors of the force, chiefs of the thousands, and chiefs of the hundreds, who are coming in from the host of the battle.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill
Tyndale

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

Numbers 31:14

Verse

Context

Vengeance on Midian

Summary

Commentary

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary

Tyndale Open Study Notes

Numbers 31:14

Vengeance on Midian

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary

Tyndale Open Study Notes