Numbers 31: God's Vengeance On Sources Of Sin

Numbers 31: God's Vengeance On Sources Of Sin

Collin Leong. May 19, 2026

(v1-54) Vengeance on Midian

(v1-5) The LORD spoke to Moses: "Avenge the people of Israel on the Midianites. Afterward, you will be gathered to your people. So Moses told the people: "Arm your men to go against Midian to execute the LORD's vengeance on Midian. You shall send a thousand from each tribes of Israel to the war." So they provided twelve thousand men armed for war. 

Exp: God had told Moses to "strike down" the Midianites in Num 25:16-18, after the sin at Peor. It didn't happen immediately, but only in this chapter. The Midianites had deliberately enticed Israel into idolatry at Peor, leading to a plague that killed 24,000 Israelites. This was not just a political offense but a spiritual assault against the covenant. By framing it as "the LORD’s vengeance", he emphasizes that this is God’s justice, not personal retaliation.

In Scripture, vengeance is consistently portrayed as belonging to God (Deu 32:35, Rom 12:19). Israel’s role was simply to carry out His judgment, not to pursue their own revenge.

(v6-8) Moses sent them to the war, including Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, with the vessels of the sanctuary and the trumpets for the alarm in his hand. They warred against Midian, and killed every male. They killed the kings of Midian: Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba - the five kings of Midian. And they also killed Balaam the son of Beor with the sword. 

Exp: Phinehas was the one who killed the Israel man and his Midianite woman in Num 25, and God blessed him. Midian was not a centralized kingdom under one monarch. Instead, it was a confederation of tribal groups, each with its own ruler or “king.” The five names reflect the leaders of different clans or city-states within Midianite territory. One of these kings, Zur, was the father of Cozbi, the Midianite woman that the Israel man brought home.

Balaam, the non-Israelite seer/diviner whom Balak the king of Moab hired to curse Israel in Numbers 22, were also killed in this war. Though his hometown was in Pethor near Euphrates river, hundreds of miles away, he were staying in Midian when the war happened. Balaam apparently aligned himself with Midian. Later passages (Num 31:16; Rev 2:14) indicate Balaam advised the Midianites (and Moabites) to seduce Israel into idolatry at Peor.

(v9-12) And the men of Israel took captive the women of Midian and their little ones, and they plunder all their cattle, their flocks, and all their goods. All their cities in the places where they lived, and all their encampments, they burned with fire, and took all the spoil and all the plunder, both of man and of beast.  They brought the captives and the plunder to Moses and Eleazar and to the congregation of the people of Israel, at the camp on the plains of Moab by the Jordan, opposite Jericho. 

Exp: The men of Israel went to every town of the Midianites and burned it down. They took the their spoils, their beasts and their women and children back to their encampment. 

(v13-18) Moses, Eleazar and the chiefs of the congregation went to meet them outside the camp. Moses was angry with the officers of the arm - the commanders of thousands and the commanders of hundreds, who had come back from the war. Moses said to them: "Why did you let the women live? They are the ones, under Balaam's advice, cause the people of Israel to act treacherously against the LORD in the incident of Peor, and so the plague came among the congregation. Now therefore, kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman who has laid with a man. But all the young virgins can be kept alive for yourselves."

Exp: The army should have killed the women, as they are part of the scheme to temp the men of Israel to worship the idols and to take them as prostitutes. It's said here this scheme came from Balaam. As for the boys of the enemies, killing them in warfare is common strategy to eliminate future threats. In fact, when Joshua attack Jericho, they killed all the women and children and even the animals. (Joshua 6:21). Samuel also commanded Saul to do the same during the war with the Amalekites. (1 Sam 15:3)

However, in this war of "vengeance", Moses did not kill the virgins and animals. The virgins are unlikely to cause trouble in the future, and the animals is a form of wealth and were used for sacrifice. The reason Jericho and Amalek were different because those are "herem" (Hebrew) wars, means something like “devoted to destruction” or “set apart under the ban.” Something placed under ḥērem is totally given over to God — either by destruction or by consecration. For example, objects or property consecrated to the LORD, are permanently removed from human use (Lev 27:28–29).

(v19-20) "Encamp outside the camp for seven days. Whoever of you has killed any person and whoever has touched the slain, purify yourselves and your captives on the third day and on the seventh day. You shall purify every garment, every article of skin, all work of goats' hair, and every article of wood."

Exp: Moses reminded them that they have to be "clean" before entering the camp. Killing and touching the dead makes them unclean. The "captives" refer to the virgin. God's law also applies to foreigners who sojourn with them and their captives (Num 15:14-16). According to the law of purification after contact with death (Num 19:11-12), they have to wash themselves on 3rd and 7th day. Their garments and tools also have to be purify. Such as their uniform or cloaks, their water skins and skin sandals, their tents or coverings made of goat's hair, and wooden utensils and weapons (spears, bows, etc). 

(v21-24) Then Eleazar the priest said to the army: "This is the statute of the law that the LORD has commanded Moses: only gold, silver, bronze, iron, tin, and lead, and everything that can withstand the fire, you shall pass through the fire, and it shall be clean. But they shall also be purified with water for impurity. And whatever cannot withstand the fire, you shall pass through the water. You must wash your clothes on the seventh day, and you shall be clean. And afterward you may come into the camp."

Exp: Eleazar highlights the details of the purification for different items based on the materials they are made. This is the only reference to this law. 

(v25-54) Distribution of the Spoils and Contribution To God

(v25-27) The LORD said to Moses, "Count the plunder that was taken, both man and beast, you and Eleazar the priest and the heads of the fathers' houses of the congregation. Divide the plunder into two parts between and warriors who went out to battle and all the congregation."

Exp: The plunder will be divided in two - one for the warriors and one for the congregation.

(v28-29) And levy for the LORD a tribute of the men of war who went out to battle, one out of five hundred, of the people and oxen and donkeys and of the flocks. Take it from their half and give to Eleazar as a contribution to the LORD. 

Exp: Out of the half of plunder for the army, 1 out of 500 of the animal species is to be dedicated to God. This includes the virgins, who are likely to be servants of the sanctuary under priestly oversight. Virgins were chosen because they had not been defiled by Midianite idolatry and sexual practices (v16). Their status made them ritually “clean” for service.

(v30-31) "From the half of the plunder for the people of Israel, you take 1 out of 50, of the people, oxen, donkeys, the flocks, cattle, and give them to the Levites who keep guard over the tabernacles of the LORD." And Moses and Eleazar did as the LORD commanded Moses.

Exp: The other half that belongs to the congregation, they are to contribute 1 out of 50 animals and virgins. 

(v32-35) The plunder that the army took was: 675,000 sheep, 72,000 cattle, 61,000 donkeys, and 32,000 persons in all, women who had not known man by lying with him.

(v36-41) The half of the plunder given to the army was: 337,500 sheep,  the Lord’s tribute was 675. The cattle were 36,000, the Lord’s tribute was 72. The donkeys were 30,500, the Lord’s tribute was 61. The persons were 16,000, the Lord’s tribute was 32 persons. Moses gave the tribute, which was the contribution for the LORD to Eleazar, as commanded by the LORD. 

(v42-47) From the people of Israel half: 337,500 sheep, 36,000 cattle, 30,500 donkeys, and 16,000 persons. Moses took 1 of every 50, both of persons and of beasts, and gave them to the Levites who kept guard over the tabernacle of the Lord, as the Lord commanded Moses.

Exp: Tribute to the LORD from the people's half was 6750 sheep, 720 cattle, 610 donkeys, and 320 virgins. The total contributed by the army and congregation were 7425 sheep, 792 cattle, 671 donkeys, and 352 virgins. (There are 8,888 animals given to the LORD. Plus virgins it was 9,240)

(v48-50) Then the officers and the commanders of the thousands and the hundreds of the army came to Moses and said: "Your servants have counted the men of war who are under our command, and there is not a man missing from us. And we have brought the LORD's offering, what each man found, articles of gold, armlets and bracelets, signet rings, earrings, and beads, to make atonement for ourselves before the LORD." 

Exp: These precious materials are a voluntary thanksgiving from the army of Israel. It was not commanded by the Lord. This is because none of the people of the army was killed or missing. This is an incredible protection from the Lord, and the army wants to honor the Lord with this voluntary giving. 

(v51-54) Moses and Eleazar received from them the gold, all crafted articles. All the gold of the contribution they presented to the LORD, was 16,750 shekels. (The men in the army had each taken plunder for himself.) Moses and Eleazar brought the gold into the tent of meeting, as a memorial for the people of Israel before the LORD. 

Exp: In biblical times, gold was measured by weight (shekels, talents) rather than fluctuating “market prices.” Its value was relational — gold vs. silver, livestock, land, or labor. Most scholars estimate that 1 shekel is equivalent to 11.4 grams. 16,750 shekels is approximately 190.95 kilograms.  According to gold price on May 18, 2026,  is 145.89 USD/gram. 190.95kg of gold would be worth 27.86 million USD. 

In those days, gold was prized for its incorruptibility (doesn’t tarnish) and beauty. It was reserved for kings, temples, and sacred objects. While gold today is cheaper in terms of purchasing power, in biblical times gold was economically and socially “worth more” because it concentrated wealth and status far beyond its weight.

Key Messages

Numbers 31 recounts Israel’s divinely commanded war against Midian, emphasizing God’s judgment on idolatry and immorality, the holiness of His people, and the proper handling of spoils. It highlights themes of obedience to God’s command, separation from corruption, accountability in warfare, and consecration of possessions to the LORD.

1. God’s Command to Defeat Midian (vv. 1–12)

The LORD instructs Moses to take vengeance on Midian for leading Israel into idolatry and immorality (Numbers 25). Israel obeys, defeating Midian and bringing back captives and spoils.

Application: Believers are reminded that God calls His people to confront sin decisively. Compromise with idolatry or immorality leads to destruction. Obedience to God’s command, even when difficult, preserves holiness.

2. Purging Corruption (vv. 13–20)

Moses rebukes the officers for sparing the women who had led Israel astray. He orders purification of the camp, including cleansing of soldiers, captives, and possessions.

Application: God’s people must not tolerate influences that lead to sin. Believers today are called to spiritual discernment, removing corrupting influences and pursuing purity in life and community.

3. Division of Spoils (vv. 21–47)

The spoils of war—livestock, goods, and captives—are divided between the soldiers and the congregation, with a portion dedicated to the LORD and the priests.

Application: God’s provision in victory is to be shared and consecrated. Believers are reminded that material gain should honor God and support His work, not merely personal enrichment.

4. Freewill Offering of the Officers (vv. 48–54)

The officers present a voluntary offering of gold to the LORD, acknowledging His protection of the soldiers.

Application: Gratitude to God should overflow in voluntary worship. Believers are reminded to honor God with thanksgiving and offerings, recognizing His mercy and deliverance.

Numbers 31 underscores the seriousness of sin and God’s judgment, the necessity of purity among His people, and the importance of consecrating victory and possessions to the LORD. For believers today, it teaches that obedience to God requires decisive rejection of sin, gratitude for His protection, and dedication of all blessings to His service.