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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 31:9 The Israelites captured the Midianite women and their children, and they plundered all their herds, flocks, and goods.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/numbers/31-9.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/13/04_Num_31_09.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Numbers 31:9 - Vengeance on Midian" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="The Israelites captured the Midianite women and their children, and they plundered all their herds, flocks, and goods." /><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 plundered all their cattle, all their flocks, and all their property.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/numbers/31.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />The sons of Israel captured the women of Midian and their little ones; and all their cattle and all their flocks and all their goods they plundered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/numbers/31.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And the sons of Israel captured the women of Midian and their little ones; and all their cattle and all their flocks and all their goods, they plundered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/numbers/31.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And the sons of Israel captured the women of Midian and their little ones; and all their cattle and all their flocks and all their goods they plundered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/numbers/31.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />The sons of Israel captured the women of Midian and their children; and all their cattle, all their livestock, and all their property they took as spoil [of war].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/numbers/31.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The Israelites took the Midianite women and their dependents captive, and they plundered all their cattle, flocks, and property.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/numbers/31.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The Israelites took the Midianite women and their children captive, and they plundered all their cattle, flocks, and property.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/numbers/31.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And the children of Israel took captive the women of Midian and their little ones; and all their cattle, and all their flocks, and all their goods, they took for a prey.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/numbers/31.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />The Israelites captured every woman and child, then led away the Midianites' cattle and sheep, and took everything else that belonged to them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/numbers/31.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And the children of Israel took captive the women of Midian and their little ones; and all their cattle, and all their flocks, and all their goods, they took for a prey.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/numbers/31.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The Israelites took the Midianite women and children as prisoners of war. They also took all their animals, their livestock, and their valuables as loot.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/numbers/31.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The people of Israel captured the Midianite women and children, took their cattle and their flocks, plundered all their wealth, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/numbers/31.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />After this, the Israelis took captive the Midianite women and children and confiscated as spoils of war all their cattle, livestock, and their goods. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/numbers/31.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />The Israelites captured the Midianite women and their children, and they plundered all their herds, flocks, and goods.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/numbers/31.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The Israelites took the women of Midian captives along with their little ones, and took all their herds, all their flocks, and all their goods as plunder.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/numbers/31.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />The children of Israel took captive the women of Midian and their little ones; and all their livestock, and all their flocks, and all their goods, they took for a prey.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/numbers/31.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And the children of Israel took all the women of Midian captives, and their little ones, and took the spoil of all their cattle, and all their flocks, and all their goods.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/numbers/31.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The children of Israel took the women of Midian captive with their little ones; and all their livestock, all their flocks, and all their goods, they took as plunder. <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 sons of Israel take the women of Midian and their infants captive; and they have plundered all their livestock, and all their substance, and all their wealth;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/numbers/31.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And the sons of Israel take captive the women of Midian, and their infants; and all their cattle, and all their substance, and all their wealth they have plundered;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/numbers/31.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And the sons of Israel will take captive the women of Midian and their little ones, and all their cattle, and all their possessions, and they plundered all their strength.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/numbers/31.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And they took their women, and their children captives, and all their cattle, and all their goods: and all their possessions they plundered: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/numbers/31.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And they seized their women and little ones, and all their cattle, and all their goods; whatever they were able to have, they despoiled.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/numbers/31.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />But the Israelites took captive the women of the Midianites with their children, and all their herds and flocks and wealth as loot,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/numbers/31.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The Israelites took the women of Midian and their little ones captive; and they took all their cattle, their flocks, and all their goods as booty.<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 children of Israel took all the women of Midian captives; and their little ones and all their cattle and all their flocks and all their I wealth they plundered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/numbers/31.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And the sons of Israel took the women of Midian and their little ones captive and they plundered all their livestock and all their possessions and all their wealth.<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 children of Israel took captive the women of Midian and their little ones; and all their cattle, and all their flocks, and all their goods, they took for a prey.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/numbers/31.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And they made a prey of the women of Madian, and their store, and their cattle, and all their possessions: and they spoiled their forces.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/numbers/31-9.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=9483" 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">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. <span class="reftext">9</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: ḇə·nê- (N-mpc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">The Israelites</a> <a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: yiś·rā·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7617.htm" title="7617: way·yiš·bū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To take captive. A primitive root; to transport into captivity.">captured</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/4080.htm" title="4080: miḏ·yān (N-proper-ms) -- The same as midyan; Midjan, a son of Abraham; also his country and his descendants.">the Midianite</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: wə·’eṯ- (Conj-w:: DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/802.htm" title="802: nə·šê (N-fpc) -- Woman, wife, female. Feminine of 'iysh or 'enowsh; irregular plural, nashiym; a woman.">women</a> <a href="/hebrew/2945.htm" title="2945: ṭap·pām (N-msc:: 3mp) -- Children. From taphaph; a family.">and their children,</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: wə·’êṯ (Conj-w:: DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/962.htm" title="962: bā·zā·zū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To spoil, plunder. A primitive root; to plunder.">and they plundered</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.">all</a> <a href="/hebrew/929.htm" title="929: bə·hem·tām (N-fsc:: 3mp) -- A beast, animal, cattle. From an unused root; properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal.">their herds,</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: wə·’eṯ- (Conj-w:: DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></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."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4735.htm" title="4735: miq·nê·hem (N-mpc:: 3mp) -- Cattle. From qanah; something bought, i.e. Property, but only livestock; abstractly, acquisition.">flocks,</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: wə·’eṯ- (Conj-w:: DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></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."></a> <a href="/hebrew/2428.htm" title="2428: ḥê·lām (N-msc:: 3mp) -- From chuwl; probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength.">and goods.</a> </span><span class="reftext">10</span>Then they burned all the cities where the Midianites had lived, as well as all their encampments,…<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/20-14.htm">Deuteronomy 20:14</a></span><br />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 21:10-14</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.” / So they found among the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead four hundred young women who had not had relations with a man, and they brought them to the camp at Shiloh in the land of Canaan. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/28-8.htm">2 Chronicles 28:8-15</a></span><br />Then the Israelites took 200,000 captives from their kinsmen—women, sons, and daughters. They also carried off a great deal of plunder and brought it to Samaria. / But a prophet of the LORD named Oded was there, and he went out to meet the army that returned to Samaria. “Look,” he said to them, “because of His wrath against Judah, the LORD, the God of your fathers, has delivered them into your hand. But you have slaughtered them in a rage that reaches up to heaven. / And now you intend to reduce to slavery the men and women of Judah and Jerusalem. But are you not also guilty before the LORD your God? ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/6-22.htm">2 Kings 6:22-23</a></span><br />“Do not kill them,” he replied. “Would you kill those you have captured with your own sword or bow? Set food and water before them, that they may eat and drink and then return to their master.” / So the king prepared a great feast for them, and after they had finished eating and drinking, he sent them away, and they returned to their master. And the Aramean raiders did not come into the land of Israel again.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/24-14.htm">2 Kings 24:14</a></span><br />He carried into exile all Jerusalem—all the commanders and mighty men of valor, all the craftsmen and metalsmiths—ten thousand captives in all. Only the poorest people of the land remained.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/13-16.htm">Isaiah 13:16</a></span><br />Their infants will be dashed to pieces before their eyes, their houses will be looted, and their wives will be ravished.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/50-37.htm">Jeremiah 50:37</a></span><br />A sword is against her horses and chariots and against all the foreigners in her midst, and they will become like women. A sword is against her treasuries, and they will be plundered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/30-17.htm">Ezekiel 30:17</a></span><br />The young men of On and Pi-beseth will fall by the sword, and those cities will go into captivity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-44.htm">Matthew 5:44</a></span><br />But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/6-27.htm">Luke 6:27-28</a></span><br />But to those of you who will listen, I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, / bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/12-20.htm">Romans 12:20-21</a></span><br />On the contrary, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head.” / Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/7-14.htm">1 Corinthians 7:14</a></span><br />For the unbelieving husband is sanctified through his believing wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/10-3.htm">2 Corinthians 10:3-4</a></span><br />For though we live in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh. / The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the flesh. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And the children of Israel took all the women of Midian captives, and their little ones, and took the spoil of all their cattle, and all their flocks, and all their goods.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/31-15.htm">Numbers 31:15,16</a></b></br> And Moses said unto them, Have ye saved all the women alive? … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/21-14.htm">Deuteronomy 21:14</a></b></br> And it shall be, if thou have no delight in her, then thou shalt let her go whither she will; but thou shalt not sell her at all for money, thou shalt not make merchandise of her, because thou hast humbled her.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_chronicles/28-5.htm">2 Chronicles 28:5,8-10</a></b></br> Wherefore the LORD his God delivered him into the hand of the king of Syria; and they smote him, and carried away a great multitude of them captives, and brought <i>them</i> to Damascus. And he was also delivered into the hand of the king of Israel, who smote him with a great slaughter… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/49-27.htm">Booty</a> <a href="/numbers/24-22.htm">Captive</a> <a href="/numbers/21-29.htm">Captives</a> <a href="/numbers/21-32.htm">Captured</a> <a href="/numbers/22-40.htm">Cattle</a> <a href="/numbers/31-2.htm">Children</a> <a href="/numbers/11-22.htm">Herds</a> <a href="/numbers/14-31.htm">Infants</a> <a href="/numbers/31-5.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/numbers/31-2.htm">Israelites</a> <a href="/numbers/16-27.htm">Little</a> <a href="/numbers/31-8.htm">Midian</a> <a href="/numbers/31-8.htm">Mid'ian</a> <a href="/numbers/25-18.htm">Midianite</a> <a href="/numbers/31-5.htm">Ones</a> <a href="/exodus/12-36.htm">Plundered</a> <a href="/numbers/23-24.htm">Prey</a> <a href="/numbers/24-22.htm">Prisoner</a> <a href="/numbers/14-31.htm">Spoil</a> <a href="/exodus/24-10.htm">Substance</a> <a href="/leviticus/25-47.htm">Wealth</a> <a href="/numbers/25-5.htm">Women</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/numbers/31-11.htm">Booty</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/1-39.htm">Captive</a> <a href="/numbers/31-12.htm">Captives</a> <a href="/numbers/31-26.htm">Captured</a> <a href="/numbers/31-11.htm">Cattle</a> <a href="/numbers/31-12.htm">Children</a> <a href="/numbers/32-1.htm">Herds</a> <a href="/numbers/31-17.htm">Infants</a> <a href="/numbers/31-12.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/numbers/31-16.htm">Israelites</a> <a href="/numbers/31-17.htm">Little</a> <a href="/joshua/13-21.htm">Midian</a> <a href="/judges/6-1.htm">Mid'ian</a> <a href="/judges/7-15.htm">Midianite</a> <a href="/numbers/31-16.htm">Ones</a> <a href="/numbers/31-32.htm">Plundered</a> <a href="/numbers/31-11.htm">Prey</a> <a href="/joshua/8-23.htm">Prisoner</a> <a href="/numbers/31-11.htm">Spoil</a> <a href="/numbers/35-3.htm">Substance</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/3-7.htm">Wealth</a> <a href="/numbers/31-15.htm">Women</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>The Israelites captured the Midianite women and their children</b><br>This phrase highlights the aftermath of a battle between the Israelites and the Midianites. The Midianites were descendants of Abraham through Keturah, and they had a complex relationship with Israel, sometimes allies, other times adversaries. In this context, the capture of women and children reflects the ancient Near Eastern practice of taking captives after a military victory. This action was part of God's judgment on the Midianites for their role in leading Israel into idolatry and immorality, as seen in <a href="/numbers/25.htm">Numbers 25</a>. The capture of women and children also raises questions about the treatment of captives, which is addressed later in the chapter.<p><b>and they plundered all their herds, flocks, and goods</b><br>Plundering was a common practice in ancient warfare, serving as both a reward for the victors and a means of weakening the enemy. The herds and flocks were valuable assets, providing food, clothing, and economic resources. This act of plundering fulfilled God's command to Moses to execute vengeance on the Midianites (<a href="/numbers/31-2.htm">Numbers 31:2</a>). The acquisition of goods also signifies the transfer of wealth and resources, which would have been seen as a divine blessing and provision for the Israelites. This event can be compared to other instances in the Bible where God allows His people to take spoils from their enemies, such as the plundering of Egypt during the Exodus (<a href="/exodus/12-35.htm">Exodus 12:35-36</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The chosen people of God, descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who were led by Moses during this period.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/m/midianites.htm">Midianites</a></b><br>A nomadic tribe descended from Midian, a son of Abraham by Keturah. They were often in conflict with Israel.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>The leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to lead His people out of Egypt and through the wilderness.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/p/plunder.htm">Plunder</a></b><br>The goods, livestock, and captives taken by the Israelites from the Midianites as a result of their victory in battle.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/b/battle_against_midian.htm">Battle against Midian</a></b><br>A divinely commanded conflict where the Israelites were instructed to execute God’s judgment on the Midianites for their role in leading Israel into sin.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_justice_and_judgment.htm">God’s Justice and Judgment</a></b><br>God’s command to take vengeance on the Midianites demonstrates His justice and the seriousness of leading His people into sin.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_sin.htm">The Consequences of Sin</a></b><br>The capture of the Midianite women and children serves as a reminder of the far-reaching consequences of sin, affecting entire communities and future generations.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/o/obedience_to_divine_commands.htm">Obedience to Divine Commands</a></b><br>The Israelites’ actions reflect their obedience to God’s specific instructions, highlighting the importance of following God’s commands even when they are difficult.<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 judgment underscores the responsibility of leaders to guide their people according to God’s will.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_warfare.htm">Spiritual Warfare</a></b><br>The physical battle against Midian can be seen as a metaphor for spiritual warfare, where believers must be vigilant against influences that lead them away from 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_did_nomads_get_gold_in_exodus_25_2.htm">Exodus 25:2 – How could a nomadic people realistically possess or acquire so much gold and other precious materials in the wilderness? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_commend_phinehas_for_killing.htm">Numbers 25:6-8: Why does God commend Phinehas for killing an Israelite man and a Midianite woman, raising moral questions about vigilante violence?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_god_permit_biblical_genocides.htm">Why does God allow genocides to happen, including those commanded in the Bible (Numbers 31:17-18)?</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><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/numbers/31-9.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">The Israelites</span><br /><span class="heb">בְנֵי־</span> <span class="translit">(ḇə·nê-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><br /><span class="word">captured</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּשְׁבּ֧וּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiš·bū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7617.htm">Strong's 7617: </a> </span><span class="str2">To transport into captivity</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the Midianite</span><br /><span class="heb">מִדְיָ֖ן</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">women</span><br /><span class="heb">נְשֵׁ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(nə·šê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_802.htm">Strong's 802: </a> </span><span class="str2">Woman, wife, female</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and their children,</span><br /><span class="heb">טַפָּ֑ם</span> <span class="translit">(ṭap·pām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2945.htm">Strong's 2945: </a> </span><span class="str2">A family</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and they plundered</span><br /><span class="heb">בָּזָֽזוּ׃</span> <span class="translit">(bā·zā·zū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_962.htm">Strong's 962: </a> </span><span class="str2">To spoil, plunder</span><br /><br /><span class="word">all</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">their herds,</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּהֶמְתָּ֧ם</span> <span class="translit">(bə·hem·tām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_929.htm">Strong's 929: </a> </span><span class="str2">A dumb beast, any large quadruped, animal</span><br /><br /><span class="word">flocks,</span><br /><span class="heb">מִקְנֵהֶ֛ם</span> <span class="translit">(miq·nê·hem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4735.htm">Strong's 4735: </a> </span><span class="str2">Something bought, property, livestock, acquisition</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and goods.</span><br /><span class="heb">חֵילָ֖ם</span> <span class="translit">(ḥê·lām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2428.htm">Strong's 2428: </a> </span><span class="str2">A force, an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/numbers/31-9.htm">Numbers 31:9 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/numbers/31-9.htm">Numbers 31:9 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/numbers/31-9.htm">Numbers 31:9 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/numbers/31-9.htm">Numbers 31:9 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/numbers/31-9.htm">Numbers 31:9 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/numbers/31-9.htm">Numbers 31:9 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/numbers/31-9.htm">Numbers 31:9 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/numbers/31-9.htm">Numbers 31:9 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/numbers/31-9.htm">Numbers 31:9 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/numbers/31-9.htm">Numbers 31:9 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/numbers/31-9.htm">OT Law: Numbers 31:9 The children of Israel took captive (Nu Num.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/numbers/31-8.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Numbers 31:8"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Numbers 31:8" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/numbers/31-10.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Numbers 31:10"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Numbers 31:10" /></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>