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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Numbers 31:7 Then they waged war against Midian, as the LORD had commanded Moses, and they killed every male.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/numbers/31-7.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/11/04_Num_31_07.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Numbers 31:7 - Vengeance on Midian" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Then they waged war against Midian, as the LORD had commanded Moses, and they killed every male." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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and they slew all the males.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/numbers/31.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And they warred against the Midianites, just as the LORD commanded Moses, and they killed all the males.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/numbers/31.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />So they made war against Midian, just as the LORD had commanded Moses, and they killed every male.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/numbers/31.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />So they made war against Midian, just as the LORD had commanded Moses, and they killed every male.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/numbers/31.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />So they made war against Midian, just as the LORD had commanded Moses, and they killed every male.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/numbers/31.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />So they made war against Midian, just as Yahweh had commanded Moses, and they killed every male.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/numbers/31.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />They made war against Midian, just as the LORD had commanded Moses, and they killed every male.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/numbers/31.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They waged war against Midian, as the LORD had commanded Moses, and killed every male.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/numbers/31.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They waged war against Midian, as the LORD had commanded Moses, and killed every male.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/numbers/31.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And they warred against Midian, as Jehovah commanded Moses; and they slew every male.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/numbers/31.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />The Israelites fought against the Midianites, just as the LORD had commanded Moses. They killed all the men, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/numbers/31.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And they warred against Midian, as the LORD commanded Moses; and they slew every male.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/numbers/31.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />They went to war against Midian, as the LORD commanded Moses, and killed every man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/numbers/31.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />They attacked Midian, as the LORD had commanded Moses, and killed all the men, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/numbers/31.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />They fought against the Midianites just as the LORD had commanded Moses, killing every man. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/numbers/31.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then they waged war against Midian, as the LORD had commanded Moses, and they killed every male.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/numbers/31.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />They fought against the Midianites, as the LORD commanded Moses, and they killed every male.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/numbers/31.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />They warred against Midian, as the LORD commanded Moses; and they killed every male.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/numbers/31.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And they warred against the Midianites, as the LORD commanded Moses; and they slew all the males.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/numbers/31.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />They fought against Midian, as Yahweh commanded Moses. They killed every male. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/numbers/31.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And they war against Midian, as YHWH has commanded Moses, and slay every male;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/numbers/31.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And they war against Midian, as Jehovah hath commanded Moses, and slay every male;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/numbers/31.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And they will go forth against Midian as Jehovah commanded Moses; and they killed every male.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/numbers/31.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And when they had fought against the Madianites and had overcome them, they slew all the men. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/numbers/31.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And when they had fought against the Midianites and had prevailed, they killed all the men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/numbers/31.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />They waged war against the Midianites, as the LORD had commanded Moses, and killed every male.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/numbers/31.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />They did battle against Midian, as the LORD had commanded Moses, and killed every male.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/numbers/31.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And they warred against Midian, as the LORD commanded Moses; and they slew all the males.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/numbers/31.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And they were strengthened against Midian, as LORD JEHOVAH commanded Moshe, and they killed every male.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/numbers/31.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And they warred against Midian, as the LORD commanded Moses; and they slew every male.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/numbers/31.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And they set themselves in array against Madian, as the Lord commanded Moses; and they slew every male.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/numbers/31-7.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yauBFvKLNNo?start=9464" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/numbers/31.htm">Vengeance on Midian</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">6</span>And Moses sent the thousand from each tribe into battle, along with Phinehas son of Eleazar the priest, who took with him the vessels of the sanctuary and the trumpets for signaling. <span class="reftext">7</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/6633.htm" title="6633: way·yiṣ·bə·’ū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To wage war, serve. A primitive root; to mass.">Then they waged war</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">against</a> <a href="/hebrew/4080.htm" title="4080: miḏ·yān (N-proper-ms) -- The same as midyan; Midjan, a son of Abraham; also his country and his descendants.">Midian,</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ka·’ă·šer (Prep-k:: Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">as</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/6680.htm" title="6680: ṣiw·wāh (V-Piel-Perf-3ms) -- To lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command, order. A primitive root; to constitute, enjoin.">had commanded</a> <a href="/hebrew/4872.htm" title="4872: mō·šeh (N-proper-ms) -- A great Isr. leader, prophet and lawgiver. From mashah; drawing out, i.e. Rescued; Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver.">Moses,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2026.htm" title="2026: way·ya·har·ḡū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To kill, slay. A primitive root; to smite with deadly intent.">and they killed</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kāl- (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">every</a> <a href="/hebrew/2145.htm" title="2145: zā·ḵār (N-ms) -- Male. From zakar; properly, remembered, i.e. A male.">male.</a> </span><span class="reftext">8</span>Among the slain were Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba—the five kings of Midian. They also killed Balaam son of Beor with the sword.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/20-13.htm">Deuteronomy 20:13-14</a></span><br />When the LORD your God has delivered it into your hand, you must put every male to the sword. / But the women, children, livestock, and whatever else is in the city—all its spoil—you may take as plunder, and you shall use the spoil of your enemies that the LORD your God gives you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/6-21.htm">Joshua 6:21</a></span><br />With the edge of the sword they devoted to destruction everything in the city—man and woman, young and old, oxen, sheep, and donkeys.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/15-3.htm">1 Samuel 15:3</a></span><br />Now go and attack the Amalekites and devote to destruction all that belongs to them. Do not spare them, but put to death men and women, children and infants, oxen and sheep, camels and donkeys.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/21-10.htm">Judges 21:10-11</a></span><br />So the congregation sent 12,000 of their most valiant men and commanded them: “Go and put to the sword those living in Jabesh-gilead, including women and children. / This is what you are to do: Devote to destruction every male, as well as every female who has had relations with a man.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/20-42.htm">1 Kings 20:42</a></span><br />And the prophet said to the king, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Because you have let slip from your hand the man I had devoted to destruction, your life will be exchanged for his life, and your people for his people.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/3-24.htm">2 Kings 3:24-25</a></span><br />But when the Moabites came to the camp of Israel, the Israelites rose up and attacked them, and they fled before them. So the Israelites invaded their land and struck down the Moabites. / They destroyed the cities, and each man threw stones on every good field until it was covered. They stopped up every spring and cut down every good tree. Only Kir-haraseth was left with stones in place, but men with slings surrounded it and attacked it as well.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/20-23.htm">2 Chronicles 20:23</a></span><br />The Ammonites and Moabites rose up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir, devoting them to destruction. And when they had finished off the inhabitants of Seir, they helped to destroy one another.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/13-15.htm">Isaiah 13:15-18</a></span><br />Whoever is caught will be stabbed, and whoever is captured will die by the sword. / Their infants will be dashed to pieces before their eyes, their houses will be looted, and their wives will be ravished. / Behold, I will stir up against them the Medes, who have no regard for silver and no desire for gold. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/50-21.htm">Jeremiah 50:21</a></span><br />Go up against the land of Merathaim, and against the residents of Pekod. Kill them and devote them to destruction. Do all that I have commanded you,” declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/9-5.htm">Ezekiel 9:5-7</a></span><br />And as I listened, He said to the others, “Follow him through the city and start killing; do not show pity or spare anyone! / Slaughter the old men, the young men and maidens, the women and children; but do not go near anyone who has the mark. Now begin at My sanctuary.” So they began with the elders who were before the temple. / Then He told them, “Defile the temple and fill the courts with the slain. Go forth!” So they went out and began killing throughout the city.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-21.htm">Matthew 5:21-22</a></span><br />You have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not murder’ and ‘Anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ / But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to the fire of hell.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/19-27.htm">Luke 19:27</a></span><br />And these enemies of mine who were unwilling for me to rule over them, bring them here and slay them in front of me.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/13-4.htm">Romans 13:4</a></span><br />For he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not carry the sword in vain. He is God’s servant, an agent of retribution to the wrongdoer.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/10-4.htm">2 Corinthians 10:4-6</a></span><br />The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the flesh. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. / We demolish arguments and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God; and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. / And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, as soon as your obedience is complete.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/6-12.htm">Ephesians 6:12</a></span><br />For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And they warred against the Midianites, as the LORD commanded Moses; and they slew all the males.</p><p class="hdg">all</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/20-13.htm">Deuteronomy 20:13,14</a></b></br> And when the LORD thy God hath delivered it into thine hands, thou shalt smite every male thereof with the edge of the sword: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/21-11.htm">Judges 21:11</a></b></br> And this <i>is</i> the thing that ye shall do, Ye shall utterly destroy every male, and every woman that hath lain by man.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/27-9.htm">1 Samuel 27:9</a></b></br> And David smote the land, and left neither man nor woman alive, and took away the sheep, and the oxen, and the asses, and the camels, and the apparel, and returned, and came to Achish.</p><p class="hdg">the male</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/6-1.htm">Judges 6:1,2,33</a></b></br> And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD: and the LORD delivered them into the hand of Midian seven years… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/numbers/30-16.htm">Commanded</a> <a href="/numbers/27-8.htm">Death</a> <a href="/numbers/25-18.htm">Killed</a> <a href="/numbers/29-38.htm">Male</a> <a href="/numbers/26-62.htm">Males</a> <a href="/numbers/31-3.htm">Midian</a> <a href="/numbers/31-3.htm">Mid'ian</a> <a href="/numbers/31-3.htm">Midianites</a> <a href="/numbers/31-3.htm">Moses</a> <a href="/numbers/29-40.htm">Orders</a> <a href="/numbers/25-5.htm">Slay</a> <a href="/numbers/21-35.htm">Slew</a> <a href="/numbers/31-6.htm">War</a> <a href="/revelation/12-7.htm">Warred</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/numbers/31-21.htm">Commanded</a> <a href="/numbers/31-17.htm">Death</a> <a href="/numbers/31-8.htm">Killed</a> <a href="/numbers/31-17.htm">Male</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/15-19.htm">Males</a> <a href="/numbers/31-8.htm">Midian</a> <a href="/numbers/31-8.htm">Mid'ian</a> <a href="/numbers/31-10.htm">Midianites</a> <a href="/numbers/31-12.htm">Moses</a> <a href="/numbers/31-31.htm">Orders</a> <a href="/numbers/35-19.htm">Slay</a> <a href="/numbers/31-8.htm">Slew</a> <a href="/numbers/31-14.htm">War</a> <a href="/numbers/31-42.htm">Warred</a><div class="vheading2">Numbers 31</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/31-1.htm">The Midianites are spoiled, and Balaam slain</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/31-13.htm">Moses is angry with the officers, for saving the women alive</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/31-19.htm">How the soldiers, with their captives and spoil, are to be purified</a></span><br><span class="reftext">25. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/31-25.htm">The proportion in which the prey is to be divided</a></span><br><span class="reftext">48. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/31-48.htm">The voluntary offering unto the treasure of the Lord</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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This war is a divine retribution for Midian's role in seducing Israel away from God. The Midianites were a nomadic people, often interacting with Israel, sometimes as allies, as seen with Moses' father-in-law, Jethro, a Midianite priest. This war signifies a break from any previous peaceful relations.<p><b>as the LORD had commanded Moses</b><br>This phrase underscores the divine mandate behind the military action. It reflects the theocratic nature of Israel, where God directly guides national decisions. The command to wage war is not a human initiative but a fulfillment of divine justice. This obedience to God's command is a recurring theme in the Pentateuch, emphasizing the importance of following divine instructions precisely.<p><b>and they killed every male</b><br>The complete destruction of the male population is indicative of the totality of the judgment against Midian. In ancient Near Eastern warfare, the killing of males was a common practice to prevent future retaliation and to weaken the enemy's societal structure. This act also serves as a deterrent to other nations that might lead Israel into sin. Theologically, it reflects the seriousness of sin and the lengths to which God will go to preserve the holiness of His people. This action can be compared to other instances of divine judgment, such as the flood in Genesis or the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>The leader of the Israelites, who received direct commands from God regarding the actions against Midian.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/m/midian.htm">Midian</a></b><br>A region and people who were adversaries of Israel. The Midianites had previously led Israel into sin through the incident at Peor.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_israelites.htm">The Israelites</a></b><br>The people of God, chosen to execute His judgment against Midian as a response to their seduction and idolatry.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a></b><br>The covenant God of Israel, who commanded the Israelites to wage war against Midian.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_war_against_midian.htm">The War Against Midian</a></b><br>A divinely commanded military campaign to execute judgment on the Midianites for their role in leading Israel into sin.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/o/obedience_to_god's_commands.htm">Obedience to God's Commands</a></b><br>The Israelites' actions against Midian were in direct obedience to God's command. This highlights the importance of following God's instructions, even when they are difficult or challenging.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_sin.htm">The Consequences of Sin</a></b><br>The war against Midian serves as a reminder of the serious consequences of leading others into sin. The Midianites' actions at Peor had severe repercussions, emphasizing the need for holiness and purity.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_judgment.htm">God's Sovereignty in Judgment</a></b><br>God's command to wage war against Midian demonstrates His sovereignty and justice. It reminds us that God is the ultimate judge and that His judgments are righteous and true.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_warfare.htm">Spiritual Warfare</a></b><br>While the battle against Midian was physical, it symbolizes the spiritual battles believers face today. Christians are called to wage war against sin and spiritual forces, relying on God's strength and guidance.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_leadership.htm">The Role of Leadership</a></b><br>Moses' leadership in executing God's command underscores the responsibility of leaders to guide their people in righteousness and obedience to God.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_numbers_31.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Numbers 31</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_reconcile_numbers_31_7-18_with_compassion.htm">Numbers 31:7–18: How can the command to kill non-virgin women and boys be reconciled with claims of a compassionate God? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_did_god_order_killing_midianites.htm">Why did God command killing Midianites, including children?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_is_numbers_31's_warfare_approach_unique.htm">Numbers 31 compared to earlier laws in Exodus and Leviticus: Why does this narrative's approach to warfare seem inconsistent with other divine commandments?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_the_earth_swallow_people.htm">How could the earth physically open and swallow people as described in Numbers 16:31-33?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/numbers/31.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(7) <span class= "bld">They slew all the males.</span>--The reference appears to be to those who were engaged in the war. The words do not refer to the whole of the male population, as appears from <a href="/numbers/31-17.htm" title="Now therefore kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman that has known man by lying with him.">Numbers 31:17</a>; and it is probable that many of the Midianites who were not engaged in the war withdrew from the scene of conflict. The reference in this verse, unless the words are inserted proleptically, seems to be to the whole of the adult males who fell into the hands of the Israelites during the war.<p><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/numbers/31-7.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Then they waged war</span><br /><span class="heb">וַֽיִּצְבְּאוּ֙</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiṣ·bə·’ū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6633.htm">Strong's 6633: </a> </span><span class="str2">To wage war, serve</span><br /><br /><span class="word">against</span><br /><span class="heb">עַל־</span> <span class="translit">(‘al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Midian,</span><br /><span class="heb">מִדְיָ֔ן</span> <span class="translit">(miḏ·yān)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4080.htm">Strong's 4080: </a> </span><span class="str2">Midian -- a son of Abraham and Keturah, also his descendants and the region where they settled </span><br /><br /><span class="word">as</span><br /><span class="heb">כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר</span> <span class="translit">(ka·’ă·šer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the LORD</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">had commanded</span><br /><span class="heb">צִוָּ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(ṣiw·wāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6680.htm">Strong's 6680: </a> </span><span class="str2">To lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command, order</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Moses,</span><br /><span class="heb">מֹשֶׁ֑ה</span> <span class="translit">(mō·šeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4872.htm">Strong's 4872: </a> </span><span class="str2">Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and killed</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיַּֽהַרְג֖וּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·ya·har·ḡū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2026.htm">Strong's 2026: </a> </span><span class="str2">To smite with deadly intent</span><br /><br /><span class="word">every</span><br /><span class="heb">כָּל־</span> <span class="translit">(kāl-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">male.</span><br /><span class="heb">זָכָֽר׃</span> <span class="translit">(zā·ḵār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2145.htm">Strong's 2145: </a> </span><span class="str2">Remembered, a male</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/numbers/31-7.htm">Numbers 31:7 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/numbers/31-7.htm">Numbers 31:7 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/numbers/31-7.htm">Numbers 31:7 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/numbers/31-7.htm">Numbers 31:7 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/numbers/31-7.htm">Numbers 31:7 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/numbers/31-7.htm">Numbers 31:7 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/numbers/31-7.htm">Numbers 31:7 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/numbers/31-7.htm">Numbers 31:7 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/numbers/31-7.htm">Numbers 31:7 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/numbers/31-7.htm">Numbers 31:7 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/numbers/31-7.htm">OT Law: Numbers 31:7 They warred against Midian as Yahweh commanded (Nu Num.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/numbers/31-6.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Numbers 31:6"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Numbers 31:6" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/numbers/31-8.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Numbers 31:8"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Numbers 31:8" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>