Numbers 31:43
Numbers 31:43 in Multiple Translations
this half belonged to the congregation: 337,500 sheep,
(Now the half that pertained unto the congregation was three hundred thousand and thirty thousand and seven thousand and five hundred sheep,
(now the congregation’s half was three hundred thousand and thirty thousand, seven thousand and five hundred sheep,
(Now the people's half was three hundred and thirty-seven thousand, five hundred sheep,
consisted of: 337,500 sheep,
(For the halfe that perteined vnto the Congregation, was three hundreth thirtie and seuen thousand sheepe and fiue hundreth,
and the company's half is, of the flock three hundred thousand, and thirty thousand, seven thousand and five hundred;
(now the congregation’s half was three hundred thirty-seven thousand five hundred sheep,
(Now the half that pertained to the congregation was three hundred thousand and thirty thousand and seven thousand and five hundred sheep,
But out of the half that fell to the rest of the multitude, that is to say, out of the three hundred thirty-seven thousand five hundred sheep,
Berean Amplified Bible — Numbers 31:43
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 31:43 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/תְּהִ֛י
מֶחֱצַ֥ת
הָ/עֵדָ֖ה
מִן
הַ/צֹּ֑אן
שְׁלֹשׁ
מֵא֥וֹת
אֶ֨לֶף֙
וּ/שְׁלֹשִׁ֣ים
אֶ֔לֶף
שִׁבְעַ֥ת
אֲלָפִ֖ים
וַ/חֲמֵ֥שׁ
מֵאֽוֹת
וַ/תְּהִ֛י
hâyâh
H1961
to be
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
מֶחֱצַ֥ת
mechĕtsâh
H4275
half
N-fs
הָ/עֵדָ֖ה
ʻêdâh
H5712
congregation
Art | N-fs
מִן
min
H4480
from
Prep
הַ/צֹּ֑אן
tsôʼn
H6629
Sheep (Gate)
Art | N-cs
שְׁלֹשׁ
shâlôwsh
H7969
three
Adj
מֵא֥וֹת
mêʼâh
H3967
hundred
Adj
אֶ֨לֶף֙
ʼeleph
H505
thousand
Adj
וּ/שְׁלֹשִׁ֣ים
shᵉlôwshîym
H7970
thirty
Conj | Adj
אֶ֔לֶף
ʼeleph
H505
thousand
Adj
שִׁבְעַ֥ת
shebaʻ
H7651
seven
Adj
אֲלָפִ֖ים
ʼeleph
H505
thousand
Adj
וַ/חֲמֵ֥שׁ
châmêsh
H2568
five
Conj | Adj
מֵאֽוֹת
mêʼâh
H3967
hundred
Adj
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Numbers 31:43
וַ/תְּהִ֛י
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
מֶחֱצַ֥ת
mechĕtsâh
H4275
"half"
N-fs
This word means half or a division of something, like in Isaiah 58:7 where it talks about sharing food with the hungry. It often refers to dividing spoils or resources.
Definition: 1) half 1a) of spoils
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: half. See also: Numbers 31:36; Numbers 31:43.
הָ/עֵדָ֖ה
ʻêdâh
H5712
"congregation"
Art | N-fs
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means a gathering of people, like a congregation or crowd, often referring to a group of Israelites. It is used in various books, including Exodus and Psalms. The word is about people coming together.
Definition: congregation, gathering
Usage: Occurs in 140 OT verses. KJV: assembly, company, congregation, multitude, people, swarm. Compare H5713 (עֵדָה). See also: Exodus 12:3; Numbers 20:1; Psalms 1:5.
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.
הַ/צֹּ֑אן
tsôʼn
H6629
"Sheep (Gate)"
Art | N-cs
This word refers to a flock of sheep or goats, and is sometimes used to describe people in a figurative sense. It is also associated with the Sheep Gate in Jerusalem, a significant location in biblical times.
Definition: This name means sheep and goats Also named: probatikos (προβατικός "Sheep Gate" G4262)
Usage: Occurs in 247 OT verses. KJV: (small) cattle, flock ([phrase] -s), lamb ([phrase] -s), sheep(-cote, -fold, -shearer, -herds). See also: Genesis 4:2; Deuteronomy 28:31; Psalms 44:12.
שְׁלֹשׁ
shâlôwsh
H7969
"three"
Adj
This Hebrew word means three or thrice, and is used to describe quantities or repetitions in the Bible. It appears in various forms, including three, third, and thirteen.
Definition: 1) three, triad 1a) 3, 300, third Aramaic equivalent: te.lat (תְּלָת "three" H8532)
Usage: Occurs in 381 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] fork, [phrase] often(-times), third, thir(-teen, -teenth), three, [phrase] thrice. Compare H7991 (שָׁלִישׁ). See also: Genesis 5:22; Joshua 1:11; 2 Kings 9:32.
מֵא֥וֹת
mêʼâh
H3967
"hundred"
Adj
Means a hundred, used as a simple number or part of a larger number in the Bible. It appears in various forms, including fractions like one one-hundredth. Found in books like Genesis and Psalms.
Definition: 1) hundred 1a) as simple number 1b) as part of larger number 1c) as a fraction-one one-hundredth (1/100) Aramaic equivalent: me.ah (מְאָה "hundred" H3969)
Usage: Occurs in 511 OT verses. KJV: hundred((-fold), -th), [phrase] sixscore. See also: Genesis 5:3; Numbers 2:6; Judges 18:17.
אֶ֨לֶף֙
ʼeleph
H505
"thousand"
Adj
A thousand, as in Exodus 20:6 where God shows love to thousands of people. It represents a large number or a company of people under one leader, like an army or a group of soldiers.
Definition: : thousand 1) a thousand 1a) as numeral 2) a thousand, company 2a) as a company of men under one leader, troops
Usage: Occurs in 390 OT verses. KJV: thousand. See also: Genesis 20:16; Joshua 3:4; 2 Kings 18:23.
וּ/שְׁלֹשִׁ֣ים
shᵉlôwshîym
H7970
"thirty"
Conj | Adj
Thirty is the meaning of this Hebrew word, which can also be used as an ordinal to describe something as thirtieth. It is used to count quantities in the Bible.
Definition: thirty, thirtieth Aramaic equivalent: te.la.tin (תְּלָתִין "thirty" H8533)
Usage: Occurs in 163 OT verses. KJV: thirty, thirtieth. Compare H7991 (שָׁלִישׁ). See also: Genesis 5:3; 1 Samuel 11:8; Jeremiah 38:10.
אֶ֔לֶף
ʼeleph
H505
"thousand"
Adj
A thousand, as in Exodus 20:6 where God shows love to thousands of people. It represents a large number or a company of people under one leader, like an army or a group of soldiers.
Definition: : thousand 1) a thousand 1a) as numeral 2) a thousand, company 2a) as a company of men under one leader, troops
Usage: Occurs in 390 OT verses. KJV: thousand. See also: Genesis 20:16; Joshua 3:4; 2 Kings 18:23.
שִׁבְעַ֥ת
shebaʻ
H7651
"seven"
Adj
This word means the number seven, which was considered a special or sacred number. It can also mean seven times or a week, and is used in the Bible to describe completeness or perfection. The KJV translates it as seven or sevenfold.
Definition: 1) seven (cardinal number) 1a) as ordinal number 1b) in combination-17, 700 etc Aramaic equivalent: shiv.ah (שִׁבְעָה "seven" H7655)
Usage: Occurs in 344 OT verses. KJV: ([phrase] by) seven(-fold),-s, (-teen, -teenth), -th, times). Compare H7658 (שִׁבְעָנָה). See also: Genesis 4:24; Leviticus 23:15; 2 Samuel 21:6.
אֲלָפִ֖ים
ʼeleph
H505
"thousand"
Adj
A thousand, as in Exodus 20:6 where God shows love to thousands of people. It represents a large number or a company of people under one leader, like an army or a group of soldiers.
Definition: : thousand 1) a thousand 1a) as numeral 2) a thousand, company 2a) as a company of men under one leader, troops
Usage: Occurs in 390 OT verses. KJV: thousand. See also: Genesis 20:16; Joshua 3:4; 2 Kings 18:23.
וַ/חֲמֵ֥שׁ
châmêsh
H2568
"five"
Conj | Adj
This Hebrew word simply means the number five. It is used throughout the Bible to describe quantities of five, such as five loaves of bread in Matthew 14:17. It can also mean a multiple of five.
Definition: 1) five 1a) five (cardinal number) 1b) a multiple of five (with another number) 1c) fifth (ordinal number)
Usage: Occurs in 272 OT verses. KJV: fif(-teen), fifth, five ([idiom] apiece). See also: Genesis 5:6; Numbers 31:45; Ezra 2:66.
מֵאֽוֹת
mêʼâh
H3967
"hundred"
Adj
Means a hundred, used as a simple number or part of a larger number in the Bible. It appears in various forms, including fractions like one one-hundredth. Found in books like Genesis and Psalms.
Definition: 1) hundred 1a) as simple number 1b) as part of larger number 1c) as a fraction-one one-hundredth (1/100) Aramaic equivalent: me.ah (מְאָה "hundred" H3969)
Usage: Occurs in 511 OT verses. KJV: hundred((-fold), -th), [phrase] sixscore. See also: Genesis 5:3; Numbers 2:6; Judges 18:17.
Study Notes — Numbers 31:43
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Division of the Spoils
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, 4530,500 donkeys,Numbers 31:43 Summary
[This verse is talking about the spoils of war that the Israelites got after they defeated the Midianites. The congregation's half refers to the part of the spoils that belonged to the community of Israel, not just the warriors or the Levites. This shows that God provides for His people and wants them to trust in Him, as seen in Psalm 23:1. The large number of sheep, 337,500, demonstrates God's abundance and care for His people.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the congregation's half in Numbers 31:43?
The congregation's half represents the portion of the spoils of war that belonged to the community of Israel, as opposed to the portion given to the Levites and the warriors, as seen in Numbers 31:41-45 and Deuteronomy 18:1-2.
How does this verse relate to the concept of tithing in the Bible?
The division of the spoils in Numbers 31:43 can be seen as an example of the principle of giving a portion of one's increase to the Lord, similar to the concept of tithing found in Leviticus 27:30-32 and Malachi 3:10.
What can we learn about God's provision from the large number of sheep mentioned in this verse?
The abundance of sheep in Numbers 31:43 demonstrates God's faithfulness to provide for His people, as seen in Psalm 23:1 and Matthew 6:26, where God's care for His creatures is evident.
How does this verse fit into the broader narrative of the Israelites' conquest of Canaan?
The spoils of war mentioned in Numbers 31:43 are a result of the Israelites' obedience to God's command to conquer the Midianites, as seen in Numbers 25:16-18 and Numbers 31:1-12, highlighting God's power and faithfulness to His people.
Reflection Questions
- What does the concept of 'congregation' mean to me, and how can I apply it to my own community of faith?
- How can I trust God to provide for my needs, just as He provided for the Israelites in the wilderness?
- In what ways can I give back to God a portion of the blessings He has given me, just as the Israelites gave a portion of their spoils to the Lord?
- What can I learn from the Israelites' experience about the importance of obedience and faithfulness to God's commands?
Gill's Exposition on Numbers 31:43
[See comments on Numbers 31:32].
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 31:43
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 31:43
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).