Numbers 31:17

Verse

Berean Standard Bible

So now, kill all the boys, as well as every woman who has had relations with a man,

American Standard Version (1901)

Now therefore kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman that hath known man by lying with him.

Bible in Basic English

So now put every male child to death, and every woman who has had sex relations with a man.

Free Bible Version

So go and kill all the boys and every woman who has had slept with a man.

King James (Authorized) Version

Now therefore kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman that hath known man by lying with him.

One Unity Resource Bible

Now therefore kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman who has known man by lying with him.

Translation for Translators

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.

Unlocked Literal Bible

Now then, kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman who has ever slept with a man.

Noah Webster Bible

Now therefore kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman that hath known man by lying with him.

World English Bible

Now therefore kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman who has known man by lying with him.

Young's Literal Translation

'And now, slay ye every male among the infants, yea, every woman known of man by the lying of a male ye have slain;

Context

Vengeance on Midian

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.

Summary

In this verse, God commands the Israelites to take vengeance on the Midianites for causing them to sin by worshiping their gods. This act of judgment was a response to the Midianites' deception and seduction of the Israelites into idolatry. It serves as a reminder of the seriousness of turning away from God and the consequences of leading others astray. The harsh punishment reflects God's holiness and intolerance for sin, emphasizing the importance of faithfulness and obedience to Him alone.

Commentary

Adam Clarke
John Gill
Tyndale

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

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.

Numbers 31:17

Vengeance on Midian

Scripture
Sermons
Commentary

Berean Standard Bible

So now, kill all the boys, as well as every woman who has had relations with a man,

American Standard Version (1901)

Now therefore kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman that hath known man by lying with him.

Bible in Basic English

So now put every male child to death, and every woman who has had sex relations with a man.

Free Bible Version

So go and kill all the boys and every woman who has had slept with a man.

King James (Authorized) Version

Now therefore kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman that hath known man by lying with him.

One Unity Resource Bible

Now therefore kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman who has known man by lying with him.

Translation for Translators

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.

Unlocked Literal Bible

Now then, kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman who has ever slept with a man.

Noah Webster Bible

Now therefore kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman that hath known man by lying with him.

World English Bible

Now therefore kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman who has known man by lying with him.

Young's Literal Translation

'And now, slay ye every male among the infants, yea, every woman known of man by the lying of a male ye have slain;

Numbers 31:17

Verse

Context

Vengeance on Midian

Summary

Commentary

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary

Tyndale Open Study Notes

Numbers 31:17

Vengeance on Midian

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary

Tyndale Open Study Notes