CINXE.COM

<!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 31:38 36,000 cattle, including a tribute to the LORD of 72,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/numbers/31-38.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/6/04_Num_31_38.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Numbers 31:38 - Division of the Spoils" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="36,000 cattle, including a tribute to the LORD of 72," /><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'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/numbers/31-38.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/numbers/31-38.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/numbers/">Numbers</a> > <a href="/numbers/31.htm">Chapter 31</a> > Verse 38</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad18.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/numbers/31-37.htm" title="Numbers 31:37">◄</a> Numbers 31:38 <a href="/numbers/31-39.htm" title="Numbers 31:39">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/numbers/31.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/numbers/31.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />36,000 cattle, of which the tribute for the LORD was 72;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/numbers/31.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />36,000 cattle, of which 72 were the LORD’s share;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/numbers/31.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />The cattle were 36,000, of which the LORD’s tribute was 72.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/numbers/31.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />36,000 cattle, including a tribute to the LORD of 72,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/numbers/31.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And the beeves <i>were</i> thirty and six thousand; of which the LORD'S tribute <i>was</i> threescore and twelve.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/numbers/31.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />The cattle <i>were</i> thirty-six thousand, of which the LORD’s tribute <i>was</i> seventy-two.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/numbers/31.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />the cattle were thirty-six thousand, from which the LORD’S tribute tax was seventy-two;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/numbers/31.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />and the cattle were 36,000, from which the LORD&#8217S levy was 72;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/numbers/31.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />and the cattle were 36,000, from which the LORD’S levy was 72.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/numbers/31.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />and the cattle were 36,000, from which the levy of Yahweh was 72;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/numbers/31.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />the cattle were 36,000, from which the LORD’S levy was 72;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/numbers/31.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />from the 36,000 cattle, the tribute to the LORD was 72;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/numbers/31.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />from the 36,000 cattle, the tribute to the LORD was 72; <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/numbers/31.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And the oxen were thirty and six thousand; of which Jehovah's tribute was threescore and twelve.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/numbers/31.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And the beeves were thirty and six thousand; of which the LORD'S tribute was threescore and twelve.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/numbers/31.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Of the 36,000 cattle they received, 72 went to the LORD as taxes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/numbers/31.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The cattle numbered 36,000, so the LORD's tribute totaled 72. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/numbers/31.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />36,000 cattle, including a tribute to the LORD of 72,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/numbers/31.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The cattle numbered 36,000; the LORD's tribute was 72.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/numbers/31.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />The cattle were thirty-six thousand; of which the LORD's tribute was seventy-two.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/numbers/31.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And the beeves were thirty and six thousand; of which the LORD'S tribute was seventy two.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/numbers/31.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The cattle were thirty-six thousand, of which Yahweh’s tribute was seventy-two. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/numbers/31.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and the herd [is] thirty-six thousand, and their tribute to YHWH [is] seventy-two;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/numbers/31.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and the herd is six and thirty thousand, and their tribute to Jehovah is two and seventy;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/numbers/31.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And the oxen, six and thirty thousand; and their tribute to Jehovah, two and seventy.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/numbers/31.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And out of the thirty-six thousand oxen, seventy-two oxen: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/numbers/31.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />and from the thirty-six thousand oxen, seventy-two oxen;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/numbers/31.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />thirty-six thousand oxen, of which seventy-two fell as tax to the LORD;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/numbers/31.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The oxen were thirty-six thousand, of which the LORD’s tribute was seventy-two.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/numbers/31.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And the oxen were thirty-six thousand; of which the LORD'S tribute was seven hundred and twenty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/numbers/31.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And oxen, thirty and six thousand, and their tax to LORD JEHOVAH: seven hundred and twenty.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/numbers/31.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And the beeves were thirty and six thousand, of which the LORD'S tribute was threescore and twelve.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/numbers/31.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And the oxen, six and thirty thousand, and the tribute to the Lord seventy-two.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/numbers/31-38.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=9700" 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">Division of the Spoils</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">37</span>including a tribute to the LORD of 675, <span class="reftext">38</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/8337.htm" title="8337: šiš·šāh (Number-ms) -- Masculine shishshah; a primitive number; six (see suws) beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ord. Sixth.">36,000</a> <a href="/hebrew/7970.htm" title="7970: ū·šə·lō·šîm (Conj-w:: Number-cp) -- Thirty. Or shloshiym; multiple of shalowsh; thirty; or thirtieth."></a> <a href="/hebrew/505.htm" title="505: ’ā·lep̄ (Number-ms) -- A thousand. Prop, the same as 'eleph; hence a thousand."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1241.htm" title="1241: wə·hab·bā·qār (Conj-w, Art:: N-ms) -- Cattle, herd, an ox. From baqar; beef cattle or an animal of the ox family of either gender; collectively, a herd.">cattle,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4371.htm" title="4371: ū·miḵ·sām (Conj-w:: N-msc:: 3mp) -- Computation, proportion to be paid, tax. Probably from an unused root meaning to enumerate; an assessment.">including a tribute</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (Prep-l:: N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">to the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/8147.htm" title="8147: šə·na·yim (Number-md) -- Two (a card. number). Dual of sheniy; feminine shttayim; two; also twofold.">of 72,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7657.htm" title="7657: wə·šiḇ·‘îm (Conj-w:: Number-cp) -- Seventy (a card. number). Multiple of sheba'; seventy."></a> </span><span class="reftext">39</span>30,500 donkeys, including a tribute to the LORD of 61,…<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="/exodus/12-35.htm">Exodus 12:35-36</a></span><br />Furthermore, the Israelites acted on Moses’ word and asked the Egyptians for articles of silver and gold, and for clothing. / And the LORD gave the people such favor in the sight of the Egyptians that they granted their request. In this way they plundered the Egyptians.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/22-8.htm">Joshua 22:8</a></span><br />saying, “Return to your homes with your great wealth, with immense herds of livestock, with silver, gold, bronze, iron, and very many clothes. Divide with your brothers the spoil of your enemies.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/30-20.htm">1 Samuel 30:20-26</a></span><br />And he took all the flocks and herds, which his men drove ahead of the other livestock, calling out, “This is David’s plunder!” / When David came to the two hundred men who had been too exhausted to follow him and who were left behind at the Brook of Besor, they came out to meet him and the troops with him. As David approached the men, he greeted them, / but all the wicked and worthless men among those who had gone with David said, “Because they did not go with us, we will not share with them the plunder we recovered, except for each man’s wife and children. They may take them and go.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/31-5.htm">2 Chronicles 31:5-6</a></span><br />As soon as the order went out, the Israelites generously provided the firstfruits of the grain, new wine, oil, and honey, and of all the produce of the field, and they brought in an abundance—a tithe of everything. / And the Israelites and Judahites who lived in the cities of Judah also brought a tithe of their herds and flocks and a tithe of the holy things consecrated to the LORD their God, and they laid them in large heaps.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/10-37.htm">Nehemiah 10:37-39</a></span><br />Moreover, we will bring to the priests at the storerooms of the house of our God the firstfruits of our dough, of our grain offerings, of the fruit of all our trees, and of our new wine and oil. A tenth of our produce belongs to the Levites, so that they shall receive tithes in all the towns where we labor. / A priest of Aaron’s line is to accompany the Levites when they collect the tenth, and the Levites are to bring a tenth of these tithes to the storerooms of the treasury in the house of our God. / For the Israelites and the Levites are to bring the contributions of grain, new wine, and oil to the storerooms where the articles of the sanctuary are kept and where the ministering priests, the gatekeepers, and the singers stay. Thus we will not neglect the house of our God.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/3-9.htm">Proverbs 3:9-10</a></span><br />Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your crops; / then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/44-30.htm">Ezekiel 44:30</a></span><br />The best of all the firstfruits and of every contribution from all your offerings will belong to the priests. You are to give your first batch of dough to the priest, so that a blessing may rest upon your homes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/malachi/3-10.htm">Malachi 3:10</a></span><br />Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house. Test Me in this,” says the LORD of Hosts. “See if I will not open the windows of heaven and pour out for you blessing without measure.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/23-23.htm">Matthew 23:23</a></span><br />Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You pay tithes of mint, dill, and cumin. But you have disregarded the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/11-42.htm">Luke 11:42</a></span><br />Woe to you Pharisees! For you pay tithes of mint, rue, and every herb, but you disregard justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without neglecting the former.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/18-12.htm">Luke 18:12</a></span><br />I fast twice a week and pay tithes of all that I acquire.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/4-34.htm">Acts 4:34-35</a></span><br />There were no needy ones among them, because those who owned lands or houses would sell their property, bring the proceeds from the sales, / and lay them at the apostles’ feet for distribution to anyone as he had need.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/5-1.htm">Acts 5:1-4</a></span><br />Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. / With his wife’s full knowledge, he kept back some of the proceeds for himself, but brought a portion and laid it at the apostles’ feet. / Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and withhold some of the proceeds from the land? ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/15-27.htm">Romans 15:27</a></span><br />They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual blessings, they are obligated to minister to them with material blessings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/9-11.htm">1 Corinthians 9:11-14</a></span><br />If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much for us to reap a material harvest from you? / If others have this right to your support, shouldn’t we have it all the more? But we did not exercise this right. Instead, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ. / Do you not know that those who work in the temple eat of its food, and those who serve at the altar partake of its offerings? ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And the beeves were thirty and six thousand; of which the LORD's tribute was three score and twelve.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/numbers/31-33.htm">Beeves</a> <a href="/numbers/31-33.htm">Cattle</a> <a href="/numbers/31-37.htm">Jehovah's</a> <a href="/numbers/31-37.htm">LORD's</a> <a href="/numbers/31-33.htm">Oxen</a> <a href="/numbers/31-37.htm">Part</a> <a href="/numbers/31-37.htm">Seventy</a> <a href="/revelation/21-17.htm">Seventy-Two</a> <a href="/numbers/31-37.htm">Six</a> <a href="/numbers/29-38.htm">Thereof</a> <a href="/numbers/31-36.htm">Thirty</a> <a href="/nehemiah/7-68.htm">Thirty-Six</a> <a href="/numbers/31-36.htm">Thousand</a> <a href="/numbers/31-37.htm">Threescore</a> <a href="/numbers/31-37.htm">Tribute</a> <a href="/numbers/31-33.htm">Twelve</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/numbers/31-44.htm">Beeves</a> <a href="/numbers/31-44.htm">Cattle</a> <a href="/numbers/31-39.htm">Jehovah's</a> <a href="/numbers/31-39.htm">LORD's</a> <a href="/numbers/31-44.htm">Oxen</a> <a href="/numbers/31-39.htm">Part</a> <a href="/numbers/33-9.htm">Seventy</a> <a href="/ezra/2-3.htm">Seventy-Two</a> <a href="/numbers/31-44.htm">Six</a> <a href="/numbers/31-39.htm">Thereof</a> <a href="/numbers/31-39.htm">Thirty</a> <a href="/joshua/7-5.htm">Thirty-Six</a> <a href="/numbers/31-39.htm">Thousand</a> <a href="/numbers/31-39.htm">Threescore</a> <a href="/numbers/31-39.htm">Tribute</a> <a href="/numbers/33-9.htm">Twelve</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'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/numbers/31.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/numbers/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/numbers/31.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>36,000 cattle</b><br>The mention of 36,000 cattle highlights the significant wealth and resources obtained from the Midianite campaign. In the ancient Near East, cattle were a primary measure of wealth and economic stability. This large number indicates the scale of the victory and the abundance of resources that God provided to the Israelites. Cattle were essential for agricultural work, food, and religious sacrifices, underscoring their importance in Israelite society.<p><b>including a tribute to the LORD of 72</b><br>The tribute of 72 cattle to the LORD represents the portion set aside for God from the spoils of war. This act of giving a portion to the LORD is consistent with the principle of firstfruits and tithing found throughout the Old Testament, where the best and first of what one has is dedicated to God. The number 72, being a small fraction of the total, reflects the specific command given by God to Moses regarding the division of the spoils. This tribute signifies acknowledgment of God's sovereignty and provision, as well as a reminder of the Israelites' dependence on Him. It also prefigures the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who is the perfect offering to God, fulfilling the law and the prophets.<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 is overseeing the distribution of the spoils of war.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The people of God who have just defeated the Midianites and are dividing the spoils.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/m/midianites.htm">Midianites</a></b><br>The people defeated by the Israelites, whose possessions are being divided.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD</a></b><br>The God of Israel, to whom a tribute is given from the spoils.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/c/cattle.htm">Cattle</a></b><br>Part of the spoils taken from the Midianites, a portion of which is given as a tribute to the LORD.<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' act of giving a tribute to the LORD demonstrates obedience to God's instructions. We are called to obey God's commands in our lives, including giving back to Him.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/a/acknowledgment_of_god's_provision.htm">Acknowledgment of God's Provision</a></b><br>By giving a portion of the spoils to the LORD, the Israelites acknowledge that their victory and possessions come from Him. We should recognize God's provision in our lives and respond with gratitude.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_principle_of_firstfruits.htm">The Principle of Firstfruits</a></b><br>The tribute represents the principle of giving the first and best to God. This principle can be applied in our lives by prioritizing God in our finances, time, and talents.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_and_accountability.htm">Community and Accountability</a></b><br>The distribution of spoils and the tribute to the LORD were done in a community setting, emphasizing the importance of accountability and shared responsibility in our faith communities.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/holiness_and_dedication.htm">Holiness and Dedication</a></b><br>The act of setting apart a portion for the LORD signifies holiness and dedication. We are called to live lives set apart for God, dedicating ourselves to His service.<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/bible_books'_order.htm">What is the order of the Bible's books?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_spoils_distribution_fit_human_worth.htm">Numbers 31:28-30: How does distributing people as spoils align with the broader biblical theme of human worth?</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/is_there_a_38_vs._40-year_timeline_issue.htm">Deuteronomy 2:14 notes a 38-year delay, yet the Bible elsewhere often references 40 years; is there a timeline inconsistency?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/numbers/31-38.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">36,000</span><br /><span class="heb">שִׁשָּׁ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(šiš·šāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8337.htm">Strong's 8337: </a> </span><span class="str2">Six (a cardinal number)</span><br /><br /><span class="word">cattle</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהַ֨בָּקָ֔ר</span> <span class="translit">(wə·hab·bā·qār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1241.htm">Strong's 1241: </a> </span><span class="str2">Beef cattle, ox, a herd</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with a tribute</span><br /><span class="heb">וּמִכְסָ֥ם</span> <span class="translit">(ū·miḵ·sām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4371.htm">Strong's 4371: </a> </span><span class="str2">Computation, proportion to be paid, tax</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to the LORD</span><br /><span class="heb">לַיהוָ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | 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">of 72,</span><br /><span class="heb">שְׁנַ֥יִם</span> <span class="translit">(šə·na·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - md<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8147.htm">Strong's 8147: </a> </span><span class="str2">Two (a cardinal number)</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/numbers/31-38.htm">Numbers 31:38 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/numbers/31-38.htm">Numbers 31:38 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/numbers/31-38.htm">Numbers 31:38 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/numbers/31-38.htm">Numbers 31:38 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/numbers/31-38.htm">Numbers 31:38 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/numbers/31-38.htm">Numbers 31:38 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/numbers/31-38.htm">Numbers 31:38 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/numbers/31-38.htm">Numbers 31:38 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/numbers/31-38.htm">Numbers 31:38 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/numbers/31-38.htm">Numbers 31:38 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/numbers/31-38.htm">OT Law: Numbers 31:38 The cattle were thirty-six thousand (Nu Num.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/numbers/31-37.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Numbers 31:37"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Numbers 31:37" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/numbers/31-39.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Numbers 31:39"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Numbers 31:39" /></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>