Numbers 31:15

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.¹⁶“Look, these women caused the sons of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to turn unfaithfully against the LORD at Peor, so that the plague struck the congregation of the LORD.

Summary

In this verse, Moses confronts the Israelite army leaders for sparing the lives of the Midianite women who had led the Israelites into idolatry and sexual immorality. This incident reveals the seriousness of sin and the consequences of disobedience to God's commands. It serves as a reminder of the importance of staying faithful to God and His ways, even in the midst of temptation and conflict. The harsh judgment against the Midianites underscores the need for purity and holiness in the lives of God's people. Ultimately, this passage highlights the significance of maintaining spiritual integrity and upholding God's standards in all circumstances.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

Now therefore kill every male among the little ones,.... Which they had taken and brought captives, Num 31:9. and kill every woman that hath known man by lying with him; who might be such, at least many of them, who had lain with Israelitish men; and as the adulterers had been put to death, so now the adulteresses; or they were ordered to, be slain, even all of them, lest they should entice the children of Israel to uncleanness, and so to idolatry again: now these were known to be such, either by conjecture at their age, or rather, through the examination of matrons, unless it can be thought, as it is by some, that it was by divine revelation.