CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://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 NLT</title><link rel="stylesheet" href="/chapnew2.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="../spec.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /></head> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-LR4HSKRP2H"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-LR4HSKRP2H'); </script><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="../cmenus/numbers/31.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="../topmenuchap/numbers/31-1.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="http://biblehub.com">Bible</a> > <a href="../">NLT</a> > Numbers 31</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></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="../numbers/30.htm" title="Numbers 30">◄</a> Numbers 31 <a href="../numbers/32.htm" title="Numbers 32">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top">New Living Translation</td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/p/nlt/esv/numbers/31.shtml" style="color:#001320" title="Parallel Chapters"> Par ▾ </a></td></tr></table></div><div class="chap"><p class="hdg">Conquest of the Midianites</p><p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/31-1.htm"><b>1</b></a></span>Then the LORD said to Moses, <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/31-2.htm"><b>2</b></a></span>“On behalf of the people of Israel, take revenge on the Midianites for leading them into idolatry. After that, you will die and join your ancestors.”</p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/31-3.htm"><b>3</b></a></span>So Moses said to the people, “Choose some men, and arm them to fight the LORD’s war of revenge against Midian. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/31-4.htm"><b>4</b></a></span>From each tribe of Israel, send 1,000 men into battle.” <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/31-5.htm"><b>5</b></a></span>So they chose 1,000 men from each tribe of Israel, a total of 12,000 men armed for battle. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/31-6.htm"><b>6</b></a></span>Then Moses sent them out, 1,000 men from each tribe, and Phinehas son of Eleazar the priest led them into battle. They carried along the holy objects of the sanctuary and the trumpets for sounding the charge. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/31-7.htm"><b>7</b></a></span>They attacked Midian as the LORD had commanded Moses, and they killed all the men. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/31-8.htm"><b>8</b></a></span>All five of the Midianite kings—Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba—died in the battle. They also killed Balaam son of Beor with the sword.</p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/31-9.htm"><b>9</b></a></span>Then the Israelite army captured the Midianite women and children and seized their cattle and flocks and all their wealth as plunder. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/31-10.htm"><b>10</b></a></span>They burned all the towns and villages where the Midianites had lived. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/31-11.htm"><b>11</b></a></span>After they had gathered the plunder and captives, both people and animals, <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/31-12.htm"><b>12</b></a></span>they brought them all to Moses and Eleazar the priest, and to the whole community of Israel, which was camped on the plains of Moab beside the Jordan River, across from Jericho. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/31-13.htm"><b>13</b></a></span>Moses, Eleazar the priest, and all the leaders of the community went to meet them outside the camp. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/31-14.htm"><b>14</b></a></span>But Moses was furious with all the generals and captains<a href="#footnotes"><span class="fn">a</span></a> who had returned from the battle.</p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/31-15.htm"><b>15</b></a></span>“Why have you let all the women live?” he demanded. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/31-16.htm"><b>16</b></a></span>“These are the very ones who followed Balaam’s advice and caused the people of Israel to rebel against the LORD at Mount Peor. They are the ones who caused the plague to strike the LORD’s people. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/31-17.htm"><b>17</b></a></span>So kill all the boys and all the women who have had intercourse with a man. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/31-18.htm"><b>18</b></a></span>Only the young girls who are virgins may live; you may keep them for yourselves. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/31-19.htm"><b>19</b></a></span>And all of you who have killed anyone or touched a dead body must stay outside the camp for seven days. You must purify yourselves and your captives on the third and seventh days. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/31-20.htm"><b>20</b></a></span>Purify all your clothing, too, and everything made of leather, goat hair, or wood.”</p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/31-21.htm"><b>21</b></a></span>Then Eleazar the priest said to the men who were in the battle, “The LORD has given Moses this legal requirement: <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/31-22.htm"><b>22</b></a></span>Anything made of gold, silver, bronze, iron, tin, or lead— <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/31-23.htm"><b>23</b></a></span>that is, all metals that do not burn—must be passed through fire in order to be made ceremonially pure. These metal objects must then be further purified with the water of purification. But everything that burns must be purified by the water alone. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/31-24.htm"><b>24</b></a></span>On the seventh day you must wash your clothes and be purified. Then you may return to the camp.”</p><p class="hdg">Division of the Plunder</p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/31-25.htm"><b>25</b></a></span>And the LORD said to Moses, <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/31-26.htm"><b>26</b></a></span>“You and Eleazar the priest and the family leaders of each tribe are to make a list of all the plunder taken in the battle, including the people and animals. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/31-27.htm"><b>27</b></a></span>Then divide the plunder into two parts, and give half to the men who fought the battle and half to the rest of the people. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/31-28.htm"><b>28</b></a></span>From the army’s portion, first give the LORD his share of the plunder—one of every 500 of the prisoners and of the cattle, donkeys, sheep, and goats. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/31-29.htm"><b>29</b></a></span>Give this share of the army’s half to Eleazar the priest as an offering to the LORD. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/31-30.htm"><b>30</b></a></span>From the half that belongs to the people of Israel, take one of every fifty of the prisoners and of the cattle, donkeys, sheep, goats, and other animals. Give this share to the Levites, who are in charge of maintaining the LORD’s Tabernacle.” <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/31-31.htm"><b>31</b></a></span>So Moses and Eleazar the priest did as the LORD commanded Moses.</p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/31-32.htm"><b>32</b></a></span>The plunder remaining from everything the fighting men had taken totaled 675,000 sheep and goats, <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/31-33.htm"><b>33</b></a></span>72,000 cattle, <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/31-34.htm"><b>34</b></a></span>61,000 donkeys, <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/31-35.htm"><b>35</b></a></span>and 32,000 virgin girls.</p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/31-36.htm"><b>36</b></a></span>Half of the plunder was given to the fighting men. It totaled 337,500 sheep and goats, <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/31-37.htm"><b>37</b></a></span>of which 675 were the LORD’s share; <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/31-38.htm"><b>38</b></a></span>36,000 cattle, of which 72 were the LORD’s share; <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/31-39.htm"><b>39</b></a></span>30,500 donkeys, of which 61 were the LORD’s share; <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/31-40.htm"><b>40</b></a></span>and 16,000 virgin girls, of whom 32 were the LORD’s share. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/31-41.htm"><b>41</b></a></span>Moses gave all the LORD’s share to Eleazar the priest, just as the LORD had directed him.</p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/31-42.htm"><b>42</b></a></span>Half of the plunder belonged to the people of Israel, and Moses separated it from the half belonging to the fighting men. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/31-43.htm"><b>43</b></a></span>It totaled 337,500 sheep and goats, <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/31-44.htm"><b>44</b></a></span>36,000 cattle, <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/31-45.htm"><b>45</b></a></span>30,500 donkeys, <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/31-46.htm"><b>46</b></a></span>and 16,000 virgin girls. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/31-47.htm"><b>47</b></a></span>From the half-share given to the people, Moses took one of every fifty prisoners and animals and gave them to the Levites, who maintained the LORD’s Tabernacle. All this was done as the LORD had commanded Moses.</p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/31-48.htm"><b>48</b></a></span>Then all the generals and captains came to Moses <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/31-49.htm"><b>49</b></a></span>and said, “We, your servants, have accounted for all the men who went out to battle under our command; not one of us is missing! <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/31-50.htm"><b>50</b></a></span>So we are presenting the items of gold we captured as an offering to the LORD from our share of the plunder—armbands, bracelets, rings, earrings, and necklaces. This will purify our lives before the LORD and make us right with him.<a href="#footnotes"><span class="fn">b</span></a>”</p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/31-51.htm"><b>51</b></a></span>So Moses and Eleazar the priest received the gold from all the military commanders—all kinds of jewelry and crafted objects. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/31-52.htm"><b>52</b></a></span>In all, the gold that the generals and captains presented as a gift to the LORD weighed about 420 pounds.<a href="#footnotes"><span class="fn">c</span></a> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/31-53.htm"><b>53</b></a></span>All the fighting men had taken some of the plunder for themselves. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/31-54.htm"><b>54</b></a></span>So Moses and Eleazar the priest accepted the gifts from the generals and captains and brought the gold to the Tabernacle<a href="#footnotes"><span class="fn">d</span></a> as a reminder to the LORD that the people of Israel belong to him.</p><A name="footnotes"></a><hr size="1" color="DDEEFF"><span class="mainfootnotes"><span class="mainfootnoteshdg">Footnotes:</span><br><span class="fn">a</span><note caller="+" style="f"><span class="fr">31:14 </span><span class="ft">Hebrew </span><span class="it">the commanders of thousands, and the commanders of hundreds;</span><span class="ft"> also in 31:48, 52, 54.</span><br><span class="fn">b</span><note caller="+" style="f"><span class="fr">31:50 </span><span class="ft">Or </span><span class="it">will make atonement for our lives before the </span><span class="sc"><span class="it">Lord</span></span><span class="it">.</span><br><span class="fn">c</span><note caller="+" style="f"><span class="fr">31:52 </span><span class="ft">Hebrew </span><span class="it">16,750 shekels</span><span class="ft"> [191 kilograms].</span><br><span class="fn">d</span><note caller="+" style="f"><span class="fr">31:54 </span><span class="ft">Hebrew </span><span class="it">the Tent of Meeting.</span><br></span></div></div><div id="botbox"><div class="padbot"><div align="center"><em>Holy Bible</em>, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of <a href="http://www.tyndale.com">Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.</a>, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/">Bible Hub</a></div></div></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="../numbers/30.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Numbers 30"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Numbers 30" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="../numbers/32.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Numbers 32"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Numbers 32" /></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="rightbox"><div class="padright"><div id="pic"><iframe width="100%" height="860" scrolling="no" src="//biblescan.com/mpc/numbers/31-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></div></div><div id="rightbox4"><div class="padright2"><div id="spons1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tr><td class="sp1"><iframe width="122" height="860" scrolling="no" src="../sidemenu.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhchap.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>