Numbers 31:17
Numbers 31:17 in Multiple Translations
So now, kill all the boys, as well as every woman who has had relations with a man,
Now therefore kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman that hath known man by lying with him.
Now therefore kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman that hath known man by lying with him.
So now put every male child to death, and every woman who has had sex relations with a man.
So go and kill all the boys, and every woman who has slept with a man.
Now therefore, slay all the males among the children, and kill all the women that haue knowen man by carnall copulation.
'And now, slay ye every male among the infants, yea, every woman known of man by the lying of a male ye have slain;
Now therefore kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman who has known man by lying with him.
Now therefore kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman that hath known man by lying with him.
Therefore kill all that are of the male sex, even of the children: and put to death the women, that have carnally known men.
So, now you must kill all the boys of the Midian people-group, and also kill all the women who have had sex [EUP] with any man.
Berean Amplified Bible — Numbers 31:17
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 31:17 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/עַתָּ֕ה
הִרְג֥וּ
כָל
זָכָ֖ר
בַּ/טָּ֑ף
וְ/כָל
אִשָּׁ֗ה
יֹדַ֥עַת
אִ֛ישׁ
לְ/מִשְׁכַּ֥ב
זָכָ֖ר
הֲרֹֽגוּ
וְ/עַתָּ֕ה
ʻattâh
H6258
now
Conj | Adv
הִרְג֥וּ
hârag
H2026
to kill
V-Qal-Impv-2mp
כָל
kôl
H3605
all
N-ms
זָכָ֖ר
zâkâr
H2145
male
Adj
בַּ/טָּ֑ף
ṭaph
H2945
child
Prep | N-ms
וְ/כָל
kôl
H3605
all
Conj | N-ms
אִשָּׁ֗ה
ʼishshâh
H802
woman
N-fs
יֹדַ֥עַת
yâdaʻ
H3045
to know
V-Qal
אִ֛ישׁ
ʼîysh
H376
man
N-ms
לְ/מִשְׁכַּ֥ב
mishkâb
H4904
bed
Prep | N-ms
זָכָ֖ר
zâkâr
H2145
male
Adj
הֲרֹֽגוּ
hârag
H2026
to kill
V-Qal-Impv-2mp
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Numbers 31:17
וְ/עַתָּ֕ה
ʻattâh
H6258
"now"
Conj | Adv
This word means now or at this time, like in Exodus when God says now is the time to act. It can also be used to connect ideas or show a change in time, as seen in the book of Isaiah.
Definition: 1) now 1a) now 1b) in phrases
Usage: Occurs in 422 OT verses. KJV: henceforth, now, straightway, this time, whereas. See also: Genesis 3:22; Joshua 24:23; 2 Samuel 24:13.
הִרְג֥וּ
hârag
H2026
"to kill"
V-Qal-Impv-2mp
To kill or slay with intent, as seen in the Bible when God instructs the Israelites to destroy certain nations. This word is used in various forms, including to murder or destroy. It appears in books like Exodus and Deuteronomy.
Definition: 1) to kill, slay, murder, destroy, murderer, slayer, out of hand 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to kill, slay 1a2) to destroy, ruin 1b) (Niphal) to be killed 1c) (Pual) to be killed, be slain
Usage: Occurs in 158 OT verses. KJV: destroy, out of hand, kill, murder(-er), put to (death), make (slaughter), slay(-er), [idiom] surely. See also: Genesis 4:8; 2 Kings 8:12; Psalms 10:8.
כָל
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.
זָכָ֖ר
zâkâr
H2145
"male"
Adj
This word means male, referring to men or male animals, emphasizing their importance. It is used in the Bible to distinguish between males and females. The word is often translated as 'him' or 'male' in English.
Definition: 1) male (of humans and animals) adj 2) male (of humans)
Usage: Occurs in 80 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] him, male, man(child, -kind). See also: Genesis 1:27; Numbers 3:22; Isaiah 66:7.
בַּ/טָּ֑ף
ṭaph
H2945
"child"
Prep | N-ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word refers to a child or a group of children, often used to describe little ones or families. It appears in passages like Matthew 18:10 and Mark 10:13-16, where Jesus teaches about children. Jesus loves them.
Definition: children, little children, little ones
Usage: Occurs in 42 OT verses. KJV: (little) children (ones), families. See also: Genesis 34:29; Deuteronomy 1:39; Jeremiah 40:7.
וְ/כָל
kôl
H3605
"all"
Conj | 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.
אִשָּׁ֗ה
ʼishshâh
H802
"woman"
N-fs
The Hebrew word for woman, used to describe a female person, wife, or animal, appears in many biblical passages, including Genesis and Exodus, and is often translated as woman, wife, or female.
Definition: : woman 1) woman, wife, female 1a) woman (opposite of man) 1b) wife (woman married to a man) 1c) female (of animals) 1d) each, every (pronoun)
Usage: Occurs in 686 OT verses. KJV: (adulter) ess, each, every, female, [idiom] many, [phrase] none, one, [phrase] together, wife, woman. Often unexpressed in English. See also: Genesis 2:22; Genesis 34:4; Numbers 5:12.
יֹדַ֥עַת
yâdaʻ
H3045
"to know"
V-Qal
The Hebrew word for to know means to ascertain by seeing, and is used in many senses, including to learn, perceive, and recognize, as seen in various KJV translations.
Definition: 1) to know 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to know 1a1a) to know, learn to know 1a1b) to perceive 1a1c) to perceive and see, find out and discern 1a1d) to discriminate, distinguish 1a1e) to know by experience 1a1f) to recognise, admit, acknowledge, confess 1a1g) to consider 1a2) to know, be acquainted with 1a3) to know (a person carnally) 1a4) to know how, be skilful in 1a5) to have knowledge, be wise 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be made known, be or become known, be revealed 1b2) to make oneself known 1b3) to be perceived 1b4) to be instructed 1c) (Piel) to cause to know 1d) (Poal) to cause to know 1e) (Pual) 1e1) to be known 1e2) known, one known, acquaintance (participle) 1f) (Hiphil) to make known, declare 1g) (Hophal) to be made known 1h) (Hithpael) to make oneself known, reveal oneself Aramaic equivalent: ye.da (יְדַע "to know" H3046)
Usage: Occurs in 874 OT verses. KJV: acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware, (un-) awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, [idiom] could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to) discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel, can have, be (ig-) norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have (knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, [phrase] be learned, [phrase] lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, [idiom] prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell, understand, have (understanding), [idiom] will be, wist, wit, wot. See also: Genesis 3:5; Leviticus 5:4; Judges 21:12.
אִ֛ישׁ
ʼîysh
H376
"man"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for man, referring to a male person or individual, is used in the Bible to describe humans in contrast to God or animals, as seen in Genesis and Psalms. It can also mean husband or servant. In the KJV, it is translated as man or male.
Definition: : man 1) man 1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female) 1b) husband 1c) human being, person (in contrast to God) 1d) servant 1e) mankind 1f) champion 1g) great man 2) whosoever 3) each (adjective)
Usage: Occurs in 1851 OT verses. KJV: also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare H802 (אִשָּׁה). See also: Genesis 2:23; Genesis 42:25; Exodus 32:23.
לְ/מִשְׁכַּ֥ב
mishkâb
H4904
"bed"
Prep | N-ms
Mishkab refers to a bed, but can also mean sleep or even a bier. It's sometimes used to describe intimate relationships, as in Genesis. This word has various meanings depending on the context.
Definition: 1) a lying down, couch, bier, act of lying 1a) couch, bed 1b) act of lying, lying down or sleeping room, bedroom 1c) lying down (for sexual contact) Aramaic equivalent: mish.kav (מִשְׁכַּב "bed" H4903)
Usage: Occurs in 44 OT verses. KJV: bed(-chamber), couch, lieth (lying) with. See also: Genesis 49:4; 2 Samuel 17:28; Psalms 4:5.
זָכָ֖ר
zâkâr
H2145
"male"
Adj
This word means male, referring to men or male animals, emphasizing their importance. It is used in the Bible to distinguish between males and females. The word is often translated as 'him' or 'male' in English.
Definition: 1) male (of humans and animals) adj 2) male (of humans)
Usage: Occurs in 80 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] him, male, man(child, -kind). See also: Genesis 1:27; Numbers 3:22; Isaiah 66:7.
הֲרֹֽגוּ
hârag
H2026
"to kill"
V-Qal-Impv-2mp
To kill or slay with intent, as seen in the Bible when God instructs the Israelites to destroy certain nations. This word is used in various forms, including to murder or destroy. It appears in books like Exodus and Deuteronomy.
Definition: 1) to kill, slay, murder, destroy, murderer, slayer, out of hand 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to kill, slay 1a2) to destroy, ruin 1b) (Niphal) to be killed 1c) (Pual) to be killed, be slain
Usage: Occurs in 158 OT verses. KJV: destroy, out of hand, kill, murder(-er), put to (death), make (slaughter), slay(-er), [idiom] surely. See also: Genesis 4:8; 2 Kings 8:12; Psalms 10:8.
Study Notes — Numbers 31:17
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Numbers 31:17 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Numbers 31:17
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 31:17
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Numbers 31:17
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Numbers 31:17
- Cambridge Bible on Numbers 31:17
- Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 31:17
- Sermons on Numbers 31:17
Context — Vengeance on Midian
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.
17So now, kill all the boys, as well as every woman who has had relations with a man,
18but spare for yourselves every girl who has never had relations with a man. 19All of you who have killed a person or touched the dead are to remain outside the camp for seven days. On the third day and the seventh day you are to purify both yourselves and your captives.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Judges 21:11–12 | This is what you are to do: Devote to destruction every male, as well as every female who has had relations with a man.” So they found among the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead four hundred young women who had not had relations with a man, and they brought them to the camp at Shiloh in the land of Canaan. |
| 2 | Deuteronomy 20:16–18 | However, in the cities of the nations that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, you must not leave alive anything that breathes. For you must devote them to complete destruction —the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites—as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that they cannot teach you to do all the detestable things they do for their gods, and so cause you to sin against the LORD your God. |
| 3 | Deuteronomy 7:2 | and when the LORD your God has delivered them over to you to defeat them, then you must devote them to complete destruction. Make no treaty with them and show them no mercy. |
Numbers 31:17 Summary
In Numbers 31:17, the Israelites were commanded to kill all the boys and the women who had relations with a man, because these individuals had been influenced by the Midianites and had led the Israelites astray, causing them to sin against the Lord. This command was given to protect the Israelites from further corruption and to separate themselves from sinful influences, as seen in Deuteronomy 7:1-6. We can learn from this experience by being careful to separate ourselves from worldly influences that can lead us away from the Lord, and to trust in the Lord's guidance and wisdom, as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6. By doing so, we can live a life that is pleasing to Him, as seen in Colossians 1:10, and avoid the consequences of sin, as seen in Galatians 6:7-8.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were the Israelites commanded to kill all the boys and the women who had relations with a man in Numbers 31:17?
This command was given because these individuals had been influenced by the Midianites and had led the Israelites astray, causing them to sin against the Lord, as seen in Numbers 31:16, where it is stated that the women caused the sons of Israel to turn unfaithfully against the Lord at Peor, resulting in a plague that struck the congregation of the Lord, similar to the incident in Numbers 25:1-9.
Does this verse promote violence against women and children?
No, this verse must be understood in its historical and biblical context, where the Israelites were instructed to separate themselves from the sinful influences of the Midianites, as the Lord had commanded in Deuteronomy 7:1-6, and to protect their own community from further corruption, as seen in the story of the golden calf in Exodus 32:1-35.
How can we reconcile this verse with the command to love our neighbors as ourselves, as seen in Leviticus 19:18 and Matthew 22:39?
While it may seem contradictory, this verse is not promoting hatred or violence towards any individual, but rather the removal of sinful influences that could lead the Israelites away from the Lord, as the Lord Himself is a God of both justice and mercy, as seen in Psalm 89:14 and Micah 6:8.
What can we learn from the Israelites' experience in this verse?
We can learn the importance of separating ourselves from worldly influences that can lead us away from the Lord, as seen in 2 Corinthians 6:14-18, and to trust in the Lord's guidance and wisdom, as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6, in order to live a life that is pleasing to Him, as seen in Colossians 1:10.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways in which the world's influences can lead us away from the Lord, and how can we protect ourselves from them?
- How can we balance the need to separate ourselves from sin with the command to love our neighbors as ourselves, as seen in the example of Jesus in Luke 15:11-32?
- What are some areas in our own lives where we may need to 'separate' ourselves from sinful influences, and how can we take steps to do so, as seen in the example of the apostle Paul in 2 Timothy 2:20-21?
- How can we trust in the Lord's guidance and wisdom, even when faced with difficult decisions or circumstances, as seen in the example of David in Psalm 23:1-6?
Gill's Exposition on Numbers 31:17
Now therefore kill every male among the little ones,.... Which they had taken and brought captives, Numbers 31:9 and kill every woman that hath known man by lying with him; who might be such, at
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 31:17
And Moses said unto them, Have ye saved all the women alive? No JFB commentary on these verses.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Numbers 31:17
Among the little ones, which they were forbidden to do to other people, , except the Canaanites, to whom this people had equalled themselves by their horrid crimes; and therefore it is not strange, nor unjust, that God, the supreme Lord of all men’ s lives, who as he gives them, so may take them away when he pleaseth, did equal them in the punishment. Every woman that hath known man; partly for punishment, because the guilt was general, and though some of them only did prostitute themselves to the Israelites, yet the rest made themselves accessory by their consent, or concurrence, or approbation; and partly for prevention of the like mischief from such an adulterous generation.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Numbers 31:17
Verse 17. Kill every male among the little ones] For this action I account simply on the principle that God, who is the author and supporter of life, has a right to dispose of it when and how he thinks proper; and the Judge of all the earth can do nothing but what is right. Of the women killed on this occasion it may be safely said, their lives were forfeited by their personal transgressions; and yet even in this case there can be little doubt that God showed mercy to their souls. The little ones were safely lodged; they were taken to heaven and saved from the evil to come.
Cambridge Bible on Numbers 31:17
1–18. The utter destruction of every Midianite, with the exception of the virgins who are to be kept as spoil.
Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 31:17
17. The little ones — The object of the command to kill every male was to exterminate the whole nation, the cup of whose iniquity was full. For the righteousness of the mode see Joshua 6:21, note.
Sermons on Numbers 31:17
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Through the Bible - Deuteronomy by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the book of Deuteronomy and its three main themes: looking back at God's faithfulness, looking upwards at God's laws, and looking forward to G |
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(Through the Bible) Joshua 9-16 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the speaker addresses a popular but false story about NASA scientists discovering a missing day in time. He emphasizes that this story is not factual and has no bas |
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Deception by the Gibeonites by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, Pastor Chuck Smith discusses the deception by the Gibeonites as described in Joshua chapter 9. He emphasizes the importance of heeding the warnings that God gives u |