Numbers 31:45
Numbers 31:45 in Multiple Translations
30,500 donkeys,
And thirty thousand asses and five hundred,
and thirty thousand and five hundred asses,
And thirty thousand, five hundred asses,
30,500 donkeys,
And thirtie thousand asses, and fiue hudreth,
and of asses thirty thousand and five hundred;
thirty thousand five hundred donkeys,
And thirty thousand asses and five hundred,
And out of the thirty thousand five hundred asses,
Berean Amplified Bible — Numbers 31:45
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
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Numbers 31:45 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/חֲמֹרִ֕ים
שְׁלֹשִׁ֥ים
אֶ֖לֶף
וַ/חֲמֵ֥שׁ
מֵאֽוֹת
וַ/חֲמֹרִ֕ים
chămôwr
H2543
donkey
Conj | N-cp
שְׁלֹשִׁ֥ים
shᵉlôwshîym
H7970
thirty
Adj
אֶ֖לֶף
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 31:45
וַ/חֲמֹרִ֕ים
chămôwr
H2543
"donkey"
Conj | N-cp
The Hebrew word for a male donkey, it is translated as he ass in the KJV Bible. The name comes from the animal's reddish-brown color.
Definition: (he) ass
Usage: Occurs in 93 OT verses. KJV: (he) ass. See also: Genesis 12:16; Judges 6:4; Proverbs 26:3.
שְׁלֹשִׁ֥ים
shᵉlôwshîym
H7970
"thirty"
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.
אֶ֖לֶף
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 31:45
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Division of the Spoils
43this half belonged to the congregation: 337,500 sheep,
4436,000 cattle,
4530,500 donkeys,
46and 16,000 people. 47From the Israelites’ half, Moses took one out of every fifty persons and animals and gave them to the Levites who kept charge of the tabernacle of the LORD, as the LORD had commanded him.Numbers 31:45 Summary
This verse talks about the spoils of war that the Israelites took from the Midianites, including 30,500 donkeys. This shows how God provided for the Israelites and blessed them with abundance, just like He promised in Deuteronomy 8:18. The Israelites were careful to follow God's instructions for dividing the spoils, which included giving some to the Levites who took care of the tabernacle, as seen in Numbers 31:47. This teaches us about the importance of being faithful stewards of what God gives us, just like the Israelites were with the donkeys and other spoils of war.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the number of donkeys mentioned in Numbers 31:45?
The number of donkeys, 30,500, represents the spoils of war that the Israelites took from the Midianites, as seen in Numbers 31:1-12, and is a demonstration of God's provision and blessing, as promised in Deuteronomy 8:18.
How does this verse relate to the broader context of the Israelites' conquest of the Midianites?
This verse is part of the accounting of the spoils of war, which also includes sheep, cattle, and people, as seen in Numbers 31:43-46, and demonstrates the Israelites' obedience to God's commands regarding the division of the spoils, as seen in Numbers 31:25-47.
What can we learn about God's character from the way the Israelites divided the spoils of war?
The division of the spoils, including the donkeys, demonstrates God's concern for the well-being of the Levites, who were responsible for the tabernacle, as seen in Numbers 31:47, and highlights God's desire to provide for those who serve Him, as seen in Numbers 18:21-24 and Deuteronomy 18:1-8.
How does this verse relate to the concept of stewardship in the Bible?
The Israelites' handling of the spoils of war, including the donkeys, demonstrates the importance of faithful stewardship, as seen in Numbers 31:48-54 and 1 Corinthians 4:2, and highlights the need for believers to be responsible and obedient in their management of the resources God provides, as seen in Matthew 25:14-30 and Luke 12:42-48.
Reflection Questions
- What does the abundance of donkeys in this verse reveal about God's provision and care for His people?
- How can I apply the principles of faithful stewardship seen in this verse to my own life and management of the resources God has given me?
- What can I learn from the Israelites' obedience to God's commands regarding the division of the spoils, and how can I demonstrate similar obedience in my own life?
- How does the mention of donkeys in this verse remind me of God's attention to detail and care for the everyday needs of His people?
Gill's Exposition on Numbers 31:45
[See comments on Numbers 31:32].
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 31:45
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 31:45
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).