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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 31:17 So now, kill all the boys, as well as every woman who has had relations with a man,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/numbers/31-17.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/2/04_Num_31_17.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Numbers 31:17 - Vengeance on Midian" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="So now, kill all the boys, as well as every woman who has had relations with a man," /><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/31-17.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/31-17.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 17</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="/ad17.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/31-16.htm" title="Numbers 31:16">◄</a> Numbers 31:17 <a href="/numbers/31-18.htm" title="Numbers 31:18">►</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 />Now kill all the boys. And kill every woman who has slept with a man,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/numbers/31.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />So kill all the boys and all the women who have had intercourse with a man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/numbers/31.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Now therefore, kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman who has known man by lying with him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/numbers/31.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />So now, kill all the boys, as well as every woman who has had relations with a man,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/numbers/31.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Now therefore kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman that hath known man by lying with him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/numbers/31.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Now therefore, kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman who has known a man intimately.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/numbers/31.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now therefore, kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman who has known a man intimately.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/numbers/31.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Now therefore, kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman who has known man intimately.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/numbers/31.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Now therefore, kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman who has known man intimately.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/numbers/31.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />So now, kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman who has known man intimately.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/numbers/31.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Now therefore, kill every male among the children, and kill every woman who is not a virgin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/numbers/31.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />So now, kill every male among the dependents and kill every woman who has gone to bed with a man,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/numbers/31.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />So now, kill all the male children and kill every woman who has had sexual relations with a man,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/numbers/31.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Now therefore kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman that hath known man by lying with him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/numbers/31.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />You must put to death every boy and all the women who have ever had sex. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/numbers/31.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Now therefore kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman that hath known man by lying with him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/numbers/31.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />So kill all the Midianite boys and every Midianite woman who has gone to bed with a man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/numbers/31.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />So now kill every boy and kill every woman who has had sexual intercourse, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/numbers/31.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />You are to kill every male child and every woman who has had sexual relations with a man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/numbers/31.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />So now, kill all the boys, as well as every woman who has had relations with a man,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/numbers/31.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Now therefore kill every boy, and kill every woman who has had sexual intercourse with a man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/numbers/31.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Now therefore kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman who has known man by lying with him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/numbers/31.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Now therefore kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman that hath known man by lying with him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/numbers/31.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Now therefore kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman who has known man by lying with him. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/numbers/31.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And now, slay every male among the infants, indeed, slay every woman knowing a man by the lying of a male;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/numbers/31.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 'And now, slay ye every male among the infants, yea, every woman known of man by the lying of a male ye have slain;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/numbers/31.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And now kill every male among the little ones; and every woman know in man by the bed of a male, do ye kill.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/numbers/31.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Therefore kill all that are of the male sex, even of the children: and put to death the women, that have carnally known men. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/numbers/31.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Therefore, put to death all of them: whatever is of the male sex, even among the little ones, and cut the throats of those women who have known men by sexual relations.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/numbers/31.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Now kill, therefore, every male among the children and kill every woman who has had sexual relations with a man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/numbers/31.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Now therefore, kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman who has known a man by sleeping with him.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/numbers/31.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Now therefore kill every male among the little ones and kill every woman who has known man by lying with him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/numbers/31.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Now kill all of the boys of the males and kill every woman who has known sexual relations of males.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/numbers/31.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Now therefore kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman that hath known man by lying with him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/numbers/31.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Now then slay every male in all the spoil, slay every woman, who has known the lying with man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/numbers/31-17.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=9547" 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">16</span>“Look, these women caused the sons of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to turn unfaithfully against the LORD at Peor, so that the plague struck the congregation of the LORD. <span class="reftext">17</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/6258.htm" title="6258: wə·‘at·tāh (Conj-w:: Adv) -- Now. From eth; at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive.">So now,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2026.htm" title="2026: hir·ḡū (V-Qal-Imp-mp) -- To kill, slay. A primitive root; to smite with deadly intent.">kill</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: ḵāl (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">all</a> <a href="/hebrew/2145.htm" title="2145: zā·ḵār (N-ms) -- Male. From zakar; properly, remembered, i.e. A male.">the boys,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2945.htm" title="2945: baṭ·ṭāp̄ (Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- Children. From taphaph; a family."></a> <a href="/hebrew/2026.htm" title="2026: hă·rō·ḡū (V-Qal-Imp-mp) -- To kill, slay. A primitive root; to smite with deadly intent.">as well as</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: wə·ḵāl (Conj-w:: N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">every</a> <a href="/hebrew/802.htm" title="802: ’iš·šāh (N-fs) -- Woman, wife, female. Feminine of 'iysh or 'enowsh; irregular plural, nashiym; a woman.">woman</a> <a href="/hebrew/3045.htm" title="3045: yō·ḏa·‘aṯ (V-Qal-Prtcpl-fs) -- A primitive root; to know; used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially.">who has had relations with</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: ’îš (N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4904.htm" title="4904: lə·miš·kaḇ (Prep-l:: N-msc) -- Place of lying, a couch, act of lying. From shakab; a bed; abstractly, sleep; by euphemism, carnal intercourse."></a> <a href="/hebrew/2145.htm" title="2145: zā·ḵār (N-ms) -- Male. From zakar; properly, remembered, i.e. A male.">a man,</a> </span><span class="reftext">18</span>but spare for yourselves every girl who has never had relations with a man.…<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/20-16.htm">Deuteronomy 20:16-18</a></span><br />However, in the cities of the nations that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, you must not leave alive anything that breathes. / For you must devote them to complete destruction—the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites—as the LORD your God has commanded you, / so that they cannot teach you to do all the detestable things they do for their gods, and so cause you to sin against the LORD your God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/6-17.htm">Joshua 6:17-21</a></span><br />Now the city and everything in it must be devoted to the LORD for destruction. Only Rahab the prostitute and all those with her in her house will live, because she hid the spies we sent. / But keep away from the things devoted to destruction, lest you yourself be set apart for destruction. If you take any of these, you will set apart the camp of Israel for destruction and bring disaster upon it. / For all the silver and gold and all the articles of bronze and iron are holy to the LORD; they must go into His treasury.” ...<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 21:10-12</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="/deuteronomy/7-2.htm">Deuteronomy 7:2</a></span><br />and when the LORD your God has delivered them over to you to defeat them, then you must devote them to complete destruction. Make no treaty with them and show them no mercy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/15-18.htm">1 Samuel 15:18</a></span><br />and sent you on a mission, saying, ‘Go and devote to destruction the sinful Amalekites. Fight against them until you have wiped them out.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/11-14.htm">Joshua 11:14</a></span><br />The Israelites took for themselves all the plunder and livestock of these cities, but they put all the people to the sword until they had completely destroyed them, not sparing anyone who breathed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/2-34.htm">Deuteronomy 2:34</a></span><br />At that time we captured all his cities and devoted to destruction the people of every city, including women and children. We left no survivors.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/11-1.htm">1 Kings 11:1-2</a></span><br />King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women along with the daughter of Pharaoh—women of Moab, Ammon, Edom, and Sidon, as well as Hittite women. / These women were from the nations about which the LORD had told the Israelites, “You must not intermarry with them, for surely they will turn your hearts after their gods.” Yet Solomon clung to these women in love.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/3-6.htm">Deuteronomy 3:6</a></span><br />We devoted them to destruction, as we had done to Sihon king of Heshbon, utterly destroying the men, women, and children of every city.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/10-11.htm">2 Kings 10:11</a></span><br />So Jehu killed everyone in Jezreel who remained of the house of Ahab, as well as all his great men and close friends and priests, leaving him without a single survivor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/25-12.htm">2 Chronicles 25:12</a></span><br />and the army of Judah also captured 10,000 men alive. They took them to the top of a cliff and threw them down so that all were dashed to pieces.<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/9-54.htm">Luke 9:54-56</a></span><br />When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, “Lord, do You want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?” / But Jesus turned and rebuked them. / And He and His disciples went on to another village.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/15-4.htm">Matthew 15:4</a></span><br />For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Now therefore kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman that has known man by lying with him.</p><p class="hdg">kill every male.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/21-11.htm">Judges 21:11,12</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="hdg">him.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/exodus/1-18.htm">Boys</a> <a href="/numbers/11-28.htm">Child</a> <a href="/numbers/31-7.htm">Death</a> <a href="/numbers/31-9.htm">Infants</a> <a href="/2_timothy/3-10.htm">Intimately</a> <a href="/numbers/25-17.htm">Kill</a> <a href="/numbers/31-9.htm">Little</a> <a href="/numbers/31-7.htm">Male</a> <a href="/numbers/31-16.htm">Ones</a> <a href="/numbers/25-5.htm">Relations</a> <a href="/leviticus/22-24.htm">Sex</a> <a href="/numbers/31-8.htm">Slain</a> <a href="/genesis/41-5.htm">Slept</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_kings/2-23.htm">Boys</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/10-18.htm">Child</a> <a href="/numbers/33-39.htm">Death</a> <a href="/numbers/31-18.htm">Infants</a> <a href="/numbers/31-18.htm">Intimately</a> <a href="/numbers/35-17.htm">Kill</a> <a href="/numbers/32-17.htm">Little</a> <a href="/numbers/31-18.htm">Male</a> <a href="/numbers/32-16.htm">Ones</a> <a href="/numbers/31-18.htm">Relations</a> <a href="/numbers/31-18.htm">Sex</a> <a href="/numbers/31-19.htm">Slain</a> <a href="/numbers/31-18.htm">Slept</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>So now, kill all the boys</b><br>This directive follows the Israelites' victory over the Midianites, a people who had led Israel into sin through idolatry and immorality (Numbers 25). The command to kill all the boys reflects the ancient practice of eliminating future threats; young males could grow up to avenge their fathers. This harsh measure underscores the seriousness of sin and the need to protect the covenant community from future corruption. It also highlights the concept of divine justice, where the consequences of sin are severe. Theologically, it points to the need for purity and holiness among God's people, a theme echoed throughout Scripture (e.g., <a href="/deuteronomy/7-2.htm">Deuteronomy 7:2-6</a>).<p><b>as well as every woman who has had relations with a man</b><br>This part of the command targets those who participated in the seduction of Israelite men, leading them into idolatry and immorality (<a href="/numbers/25.htm">Numbers 25:1-3</a>). The Midianite women were instrumental in this sin, and their execution is seen as a necessary step to prevent further spiritual contamination. In the cultural context, sexual relations were often linked to pagan worship practices, making these women a direct threat to Israel's spiritual fidelity. This action serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of leading others into sin and the importance of maintaining spiritual purity. It also foreshadows the New Testament call for believers to separate themselves from sin and live holy lives (<a href="/2_corinthians/6-14.htm">2 Corinthians 6:14-18</a>).<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 conveyed God's commands to the people. In this context, he is delivering instructions regarding the Midianites.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/m/midianites.htm">Midianites</a></b><br>A nomadic tribe that had led Israel into sin through the counsel of Balaam, resulting in God's judgment upon them.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The chosen people of God, who were commanded to execute judgment on the Midianites as a consequence of their idolatry and immorality.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/b/balaam.htm">Balaam</a></b><br>A prophet who, although initially unable to curse Israel, advised the Midianites on how to lead Israel into sin, which brought about divine retribution.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_battle_against_midian.htm">The Battle against Midian</a></b><br>A divinely sanctioned conflict where the Israelites were commanded to execute judgment on the Midianites for their role in leading Israel into sin.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_seriousness_of_sin.htm">The Seriousness of Sin</a></b><br>God's command to execute judgment on the Midianites underscores the seriousness with which He views sin, particularly idolatry and immorality. Believers are called to recognize the destructive nature of sin and to avoid it at all costs.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/divine_justice_and_mercy.htm">Divine Justice and Mercy</a></b><br>While the command may seem harsh, it reflects God's justice in dealing with sin. It also points to His mercy in preserving a remnant and providing a way for redemption through Christ.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_obedience.htm">The Importance of Obedience</a></b><br>The Israelites were called to obey God's commands fully. This teaches believers the importance of obedience to God's Word, even when it is difficult or counter-cultural.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/guarding_against_idolatry.htm">Guarding Against Idolatry</a></b><br>The passage serves as a warning to guard against influences that lead away from God. Believers must be vigilant in maintaining their devotion to God alone.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_leadership.htm">The Role of Leadership</a></b><br>Moses' role in conveying God's commands highlights the responsibility of leaders to guide their people in righteousness and to uphold God's standards.<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_on_refusing_medical_treatment.htm">What happened to the Midianite virgins in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_happened_to_midianite_virgins.htm">What happened to the Midianite virgins in the Bible?</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_does_god_permit_biblical_genocides.htm">Why does God allow genocides to happen, including those commanded in the Bible (Numbers 31:17-18)?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/numbers/31-17.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">So now,</span><br /><span class="heb">וְעַתָּ֕ה</span> <span class="translit">(wə·‘at·tāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6258.htm">Strong's 6258: </a> </span><span class="str2">At this time</span><br /><br /><span class="word">kill</span><br /><span class="heb">הִרְג֥וּ</span> <span class="translit">(hir·ḡū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperative - 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">all</span><br /><span class="heb">כָל־</span> <span class="translit">(ḵāl)</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">the boys,</span><br /><span class="heb">זָכָ֖ר</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 /><br /><span class="word">and kill</span><br /><span class="heb">הֲרֹֽגוּ׃</span> <span class="translit">(hă·rō·ḡū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperative - 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">וְכָל־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ḵāl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | 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">woman</span><br /><span class="heb">אִשָּׁ֗ה</span> <span class="translit">(’iš·šāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<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">who has had relations with</span><br /><span class="heb">יֹדַ֥עַת</span> <span class="translit">(yō·ḏa·‘aṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3045.htm">Strong's 3045: </a> </span><span class="str2">To know</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a man,</span><br /><span class="heb">זָכָ֖ר</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/31-17.htm">Numbers 31:17 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/numbers/31-17.htm">Numbers 31:17 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/numbers/31-17.htm">Numbers 31:17 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/numbers/31-17.htm">Numbers 31:17 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/numbers/31-17.htm">Numbers 31:17 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/numbers/31-17.htm">Numbers 31:17 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/numbers/31-17.htm">Numbers 31:17 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/numbers/31-17.htm">Numbers 31:17 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/numbers/31-17.htm">Numbers 31:17 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/numbers/31-17.htm">Numbers 31:17 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/numbers/31-17.htm">OT Law: Numbers 31:17 Now therefore kill every male among (Nu Num.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/numbers/31-16.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Numbers 31:16"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Numbers 31:16" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/numbers/31-18.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Numbers 31:18"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Numbers 31:18" /></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>