Numbers 31:42
Numbers 31:42 in Multiple Translations
From the Israelites’ half, which Moses had set apart from the men who had gone to war,
And of the children of Israel’s half, which Moses divided from the men that warred,
And of the children of Israel’s half, which Moses divided off from the men that warred
And from the half given to the children of Israel, which Moses had kept separate from that given to the fighting-men,
The Israelites' half share left after Moses had given the half share to the troops who had gone to fight,
And of the halfe of the children of Israel, which Moses deuided from the men of warre,
And of the sons of Israel's half, which Moses halved from the men who war —
Of the children of Israel’s half, which Moses divided off from the men who fought
And of the children of Israel's half, which Moses divided from the men that warred,
Out of the half of the children of Israel, which he had separated for them that had been in the battle.
Moses/I separated what those who had fought in the battle received from what the other people received. The people had taken 337,500 sheep, 36,000 cattle, 30,500 donkeys, and 16,000 virgins,
Berean Amplified Bible — Numbers 31:42
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 31:42 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וּ/מִֽ/מַּחֲצִ֖ית
בְּנֵ֣י
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
אֲשֶׁר֙
חָצָ֣ה
מֹשֶׁ֔ה
מִן
הָ/אֲנָשִׁ֖ים
הַ/צֹּבְאִֽים
וּ/מִֽ/מַּחֲצִ֖ית
machătsîyth
H4276
half
Conj | Prep | N-fs
בְּנֵ֣י
bên
H1121
son
N-mp
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
Israel
N-proper
אֲשֶׁר֙
ʼăsher
H834
which
Rel
חָצָ֣ה
châtsâh
H2673
to divide
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
מֹשֶׁ֔ה
Môsheh
H4872
Moses
N-proper
מִן
min
H4480
from
Prep
הָ/אֲנָשִׁ֖ים
ʼîysh
H376
man
Art | N-mp
הַ/צֹּבְאִֽים
tsâbâʼ
H6633
to serve
Art | V-Qal
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Hebrew Word Reference — Numbers 31:42
וּ/מִֽ/מַּחֲצִ֖ית
machătsîyth
H4276
"half"
Conj | Prep | N-fs
This word refers to something that is divided in half or the middle of something, like in 1 Kings 16:21 where the kingdom is divided. It can also refer to the middle of the day or noon, as in Acts 22:6.
Definition: 1) half, middle 1a) half 1b) middle, midday, noon
Usage: Occurs in 14 OT verses. KJV: half (so much), mid(-day). See also: Exodus 30:13; Numbers 31:42; Nehemiah 8:3.
בְּנֵ֣י
bên
H1121
"son"
N-mp
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
"Israel"
N-proper
Israel is the symbolic name of Jacob, also referring to his descendants. Jacob, son of Isaac and Rebekah, had 12 sons who became the tribes of Israel, as told in Genesis 25:26. His story is crucial to the Bible's narrative.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.26; son of: Isaac (H3327) and Rebekah (H7259); brother of: Esau (H6215); married to Rachel (H7354), Leah (H3812), Zilpah (H2153) and Bilhah (H1090A); father of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); also called Jacob frequently § Israel = "God prevails" 1) the second name for Jacob given to him by God after his wrestling with the angel at Peniel 2) the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob 2a) the name of the nation until the death of Solomon and the split 2b) the name used and given to the northern kingdom consisting of the 10 tribes under Jeroboam; the southern kingdom was known as Judah 2c) the name of the nation after the return from exile
Usage: Occurs in 2231 OT verses. KJV: Israel. See also: Genesis 32:29; Exodus 13:18; Exodus 40:38.
אֲשֶׁר֙
ʼăsher
H834
"which"
Rel
This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.
Definition: A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when
Usage: Occurs in 4440 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, [idiom] alike, as (soon as), because, [idiom] every, for, [phrase] forasmuch, [phrase] from whence, [phrase] how(-soever), [idiom] if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), [idiom] though, [phrase] until, [phrase] whatsoever, when, where ([phrase] -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, [phrase] whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 20:9; Genesis 31:16.
חָצָ֣ה
châtsâh
H2673
"to divide"
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
To divide means to cut or split something in two, like the parting of the Red Sea in Exodus. This word can also mean to live half of one's life, as seen in the story of Isaac.
Definition: 1) to divide, cut in two, cut short, live half (of one's life) 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to divide 1a2) to half, cut in two 1b) (Niphal) to be divided
Usage: Occurs in 14 OT verses. KJV: divide, [idiom] live out half, reach to the midst, participle See also: Genesis 32:8; 2 Kings 2:8; Psalms 55:24.
מֹשֶׁ֔ה
Môsheh
H4872
"Moses"
N-proper
Moses, the Israelite leader, was born to Amram and Jochebed and led the Exodus from Egypt. He received the law from God and is considered a key figure in the Bible. Moses means 'drawn' in Hebrew.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Exo.2.10; son of: Amram (H6019) and Jochebed (H3115); brother of: Aaron (H0175) and Miriam (H4813); married to Zipporah (H6855); father of: Gershom (H1647) and Eliezer (H0461H); also called Manasseh at Jdg.18.30(?) § Moses = "drawn" the prophet and lawgiver, leader of the exodus
Usage: Occurs in 704 OT verses. KJV: Moses. See also: Exodus 2:10; Exodus 13:1; Exodus 32:21.
מִן
min
H4480
"from"
Prep
This Hebrew word means a portion or part of something, and is often used to show the relationship between things, like from or out of something.
Definition: prep 1) from, out of, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not, more than 1a) from (expressing separation), off, on the side of 1b) out of 1b1) (with verbs of proceeding, removing, expelling) 1b2) (of material from which something is made) 1b3) (of source or origin) 1c) out of, some of, from (partitively) 1d) from, since, after (of time) 1e) than, more than (in comparison) 1f) from...even to, both...and, either...or 1g) than, more than, too much for (in comparisons) 1h) from, on account of, through, because (with infinitive) conj 2) that Aramaic equivalent: min (מִן־ "from" H4481)
Usage: Occurs in 1094 OT verses. KJV: above, after, among, at, because of, by (reason of), from (among), in, [idiom] neither, [idiom] nor, (out) of, over, since, [idiom] then, through, [idiom] whether, with. See also: Genesis 2:6; Exodus 16:32; Leviticus 14:26.
הָ/אֲנָשִׁ֖ים
ʼîysh
H376
"man"
Art | N-mp
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.
הַ/צֹּבְאִֽים
tsâbâʼ
H6633
"to serve"
Art | V-Qal
To serve or go to war, this term is used to describe assembling for battle or serving at the sacred tent. It can also mean to fight or perform a duty, and is used in various biblical contexts to describe military or religious service.
Definition: 1) to go forth, wage war, fight, serve 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to wage war, fight, go forth to war 1a2) to serve (at sacred tent) 1b) (Hiphil) to cause to go forth, muster
Usage: Occurs in 12 OT verses. KJV: assemble, fight, perform, muster, wait upon, war. See also: Exodus 38:8; 2 Kings 25:19; Isaiah 29:7.
Study Notes — Numbers 31:42
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Division of the Spoils
40and 16,000 people, including a tribute to the LORD of 32.
41Moses gave the tribute to Eleazar the priest as an offering for the LORD, as the LORD had commanded Moses.
42From the Israelites’ half, which Moses had set apart from the men who had gone to war,
43this half belonged to the congregation: 337,500 sheep, 4436,000 cattle,Numbers 31:42 Summary
[This verse is talking about how the Israelites divided up the spoils of war, with one half going to the people and the other half being set apart for the LORD, as seen in Numbers 31:41. This reminds us that everything we have belongs to God, and we should be willing to give back to Him, as seen in Psalm 24:1 and 1 Chronicles 29:14. Just like the Israelites, we can trust in God's provision and instructions for our lives, and seek to honor Him with our resources, as seen in Matthew 6:33 and 2 Corinthians 9:6-11. By doing so, we can experience God's blessings and provision in our lives, as seen in Malachi 3:10 and Luke 6:38.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is meant by 'the Israelites' half' in Numbers 31:42?
This refers to the portion of the spoil that was set apart for the Israelites, as opposed to the portion given to the LORD as an offering, as seen in Numbers 31:41, where Moses gave the tribute to Eleazar the priest as an offering for the LORD, as commanded in Leviticus 7:1-10.
Why did Moses set apart this half from the men who had gone to war?
Moses set apart this half in accordance with the instructions given by the LORD, as seen in Numbers 31:25-47, where the LORD commands the Israelites to divide the spoil between the warriors and the congregation, similar to the principle of giving to the Levites in Numbers 18:21-24.
How does this verse relate to the overall theme of Numbers 31?
This verse is part of the larger narrative of the Israelites' victory over the Midianites, and the subsequent division of the spoil, which serves as a reminder of the LORD's provision and instructions for the Israelites, as seen in Deuteronomy 8:18 and Numbers 31:1-20.
What can we learn from the Israelites' practice of setting apart a portion for the LORD?
The Israelites' practice of setting apart a portion for the LORD teaches us the importance of giving to God and trusting in His provision, as seen in Malachi 3:10 and Matthew 6:33, where we are encouraged to seek first the kingdom of God and trust in His provision.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I can set apart a portion of my life and resources for the LORD, just as the Israelites did?
- How can I trust in the LORD's provision and instructions for my life, even when it seems uncertain or challenging?
- What are some areas of my life where I need to be more mindful of giving to God and seeking His will, as seen in Romans 12:1-2 and 1 Corinthians 10:31?
- How can I apply the principle of giving to God and trusting in His provision in my daily life, as seen in Proverbs 3:9-10 and 2 Corinthians 9:6-11?
Gill's Exposition on Numbers 31:42
[See comments on Numbers 31:32].
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 31:42
And the half, which was the portion of them that went out to war, was in number three hundred thousand and seven and thirty thousand and five hundred sheep: No JFB commentary on these verses.
Cambridge Bible on Numbers 31:42
25–54. The apportionment of the spoil. Those who fought and those who remained behind were to receive equal shares. This was an ancient custom, which was traced to the action of David (1 Samuel 30:24 f.). But before the appropriation by individuals, a religious tax was to be paid. The fighters were to pay from their share 1/500th to the priests, and the others 1/50th to the Levites. Such a tax is not mentioned elsewhere in the O.T., but perhaps, like the foregoing regulation, it had an ancient custom behind it. Mohammed, whose religion was ultimately based on the O.T., enjoined a similar tax of 1/5th (Koran viii. 42, cited by Gray).