Numbers 31:18

Verse

Berean Standard Bible

but spare for yourselves every girl who has never had relations with a man.

American Standard Version (1901)

But all the women-children, that have not known man by lying with him, keep alive for yourselves.

Bible in Basic English

But all the female children who have had no sex relations with men, you may keep for yourselves.

Free Bible Version

Let all the girls who are virgins live. They are yours.

King James (Authorized) Version

But all the women children, that have not known a man by lying with him, keep alive for yourselves.

One Unity Resource Bible

But all the girls, who have not known man by lying with him, keep alive for yourselves.

Translation for Translators

Spare only the girls who are virgins [EUP]. You can keep them to be your wives or your slaves.

Unlocked Literal Bible

But take for yourselves all the young girls who have never slept with a man.

Noah Webster Bible

But all the female children, that have not known a man by lying with him, keep alive for yourselves.

World English Bible

But all the girls, who have not known man by lying with him, keep alive for yourselves.

Young's Literal Translation

and all the infants among the women, who have not known the lying of a male, ye have kept alive for yourselves.

Context

Vengeance on Midian

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 kill all the Midianite boys and non-virgin women, but to spare the virgin girls for themselves. This command may seem harsh and difficult to understand in modern times, but it reflects the cultural context and the specific circumstances of war during that period. It also serves as a reminder of the consequences of sin and the importance of obedience to God's commands. Ultimately, it highlights the sovereignty of God and His authority over life and death, even in situations that challenge our understanding of morality.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

And purify all your raiment,.... By washing them; and this may intend not so much their own wearing apparel, as the raiment they took off of the dead bodies of the Midianites, since the person that touched a dead body was not obliged to wash his clothes, but the clean person that sprinkled the water of purification on him, Num 19:19, some render the words, "purify yourselves" (d), "together with the raiment", &c. which seems to be the best version of them: and all that is made of skins; of any sort of creatures, as the covering of tents, shoes, bottles, &c. see Lev 11:32. and all work of goats' hair; such as the covering of tents was also made of: and this, according to Jarchi and other Jewish writers (e) includes vessels made of the horns, hoofs, and bones of these creatures: and all things made of wood; as beds, cups, dishes, &c. all which might be purified by washing; see Lev 15:12. (d) "purgatote vos", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator; Vid. L'Empereur, Not. ad Kimchii p. 130. (e) Maimon. & Bartenora in Misn. Celim, c. 2. sect. 1.

Numbers 31:18

Vengeance on Midian

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.

Scripture
Sermons
Commentary

Berean Standard Bible

but spare for yourselves every girl who has never had relations with a man.

American Standard Version (1901)

But all the women-children, that have not known man by lying with him, keep alive for yourselves.

Bible in Basic English

But all the female children who have had no sex relations with men, you may keep for yourselves.

Free Bible Version

Let all the girls who are virgins live. They are yours.

King James (Authorized) Version

But all the women children, that have not known a man by lying with him, keep alive for yourselves.

One Unity Resource Bible

But all the girls, who have not known man by lying with him, keep alive for yourselves.

Translation for Translators

Spare only the girls who are virgins [EUP]. You can keep them to be your wives or your slaves.

Unlocked Literal Bible

But take for yourselves all the young girls who have never slept with a man.

Noah Webster Bible

But all the female children, that have not known a man by lying with him, keep alive for yourselves.

World English Bible

But all the girls, who have not known man by lying with him, keep alive for yourselves.

Young's Literal Translation

and all the infants among the women, who have not known the lying of a male, ye have kept alive for yourselves.