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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 31:18 but spare for yourselves every girl who has never had relations with a man.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/numbers/31-18.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/3/04_Num_31_18.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Numbers 31:18 - Vengeance on Midian" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="but spare for yourselves every girl who has never 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'; 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you may keep them for yourselves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/numbers/31.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />But all the young girls who have not known man by lying with him keep alive for yourselves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/numbers/31.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />but spare for yourselves every girl who has never 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 />But all the women children, that have not known a man by lying with him, keep alive for yourselves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/numbers/31.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />But keep alive for yourselves all the young girls who have not 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 />However, all the girls who have not known a man intimately, keep alive for yourselves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/numbers/31.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220But all the girls who have not known man intimately, spare for yourselves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/numbers/31.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“But all the girls who have not known man intimately, spare for yourselves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/numbers/31.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />But all the girls who have not known man intimately, spare for yourselves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/numbers/31.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />But all the young girls who have not known a man intimately, keep alive for yourselves [to marry].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/numbers/31.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />but keep alive for yourselves all the young females who have not 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 />but keep alive for yourselves all the young females who have not had sexual relations.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/numbers/31.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />But all the women-children, that have not known man by lying with him, keep alive for yourselves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/numbers/31.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />But do not kill the young women who have never had sex. You may keep them for yourselves." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/numbers/31.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />But all the women children, that have not known man by lying with him, keep alive for yourselves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/numbers/31.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />But save for yourselves every girl who has never 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 />but keep alive for yourselves all the girls and all the women who are virgins. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/numbers/31.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />You are to allow the young women who haven't yet had sexual relations with a man to live for yourselves."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/numbers/31.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />but spare for yourselves every girl who has never 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 />But all the young women who have not had sexual intercourse with a man will be yours. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/numbers/31.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />But all the girls, who have not known man by lying with him, keep alive for yourselves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/numbers/31.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />But all the female children, that have not known a man by lying with him, keep alive for yourselves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/numbers/31.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />But all the girls, who have not known man by lying with him, keep alive for yourselves. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/numbers/31.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and all the infants among the women who have not known the lying of a male you have kept alive for yourselves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/numbers/31.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and all the infants among the women, who have not known the lying of a male, ye have kept alive for yourselves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/numbers/31.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And all the little ones among the women who knew not the bed of a male, preserve ye alive for yourselves.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/numbers/31.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />But the girls, and all the women that are virgins save for yourselves: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/numbers/31.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />But the young girls, and all female virgins, reserve for yourselves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/numbers/31.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />But you may spare for yourselves all the girls who have not had sexual relations. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/numbers/31.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />But all the young girls who have not known a man by sleeping with him, keep alive for yourselves.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/numbers/31.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />But all the female children, who have not known a man by lying with him, keep alive for yourselves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/numbers/31.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And every female child of women that has not known sexual relations of males save for yourselves.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/numbers/31.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />But all the women children, that have not known man by lying with him, keep alive for yourselves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/numbers/31.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And as for all the captivity of women, who have not known the lying with man, save ye them alive.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/numbers/31-18.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=9553" 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">17</span>So now, kill all the boys, as well as every woman who has had relations with a man, <span class="reftext">18</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/2421.htm" title="2421: ha·ḥă·yū (V-Hifil-Imp-mp) -- To live, to revive. A primitive root; to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive.">but spare</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·ḵem (Prep:: 2mp) -- ">for yourselves</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: wə·ḵōl (Conj-w:: N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">every</a> <a href="/hebrew/2945.htm" title="2945: haṭ·ṭap̄ (Art:: N-ms) -- Children. From taphaph; a family.">girl</a> <a href="/hebrew/802.htm" title="802: ban·nā·šîm (Prep-b, Art:: N-fp) -- Woman, wife, female. Feminine of 'iysh or 'enowsh; irregular plural, nashiym; a woman."></a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">who</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō- (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">has never</a> <a href="/hebrew/3045.htm" title="3045: yā·ḏə·‘ū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- A primitive root; to know; used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially.">had relations</a> <a href="/hebrew/4904.htm" title="4904: miš·kaḇ (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.">with a man.</a> </span><span class="reftext">19</span>All of you who have killed a person or touched the dead are to remain outside the camp for seven days. On the third day and the seventh day you are to purify both yourselves and your captives.…<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/21-10.htm">Deuteronomy 21:10-14</a></span><br />When you go to war against your enemies and the LORD your God delivers them into your hand and you take them captive, / if you see a beautiful woman among them, and you desire her and want to take her as your wife, / then you shall bring her into your house. She must shave her head, trim her nails, ...<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="/joshua/6-17.htm">Joshua 6:17-25</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="/deuteronomy/20-13.htm">Deuteronomy 20:13-14</a></span><br />When the LORD your God has delivered it into your hand, you must put every male to the sword. / But the women, children, livestock, and whatever else is in the city—all its spoil—you may take as plunder, and you shall use the spoil of your enemies that the LORD your God gives you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/30-1.htm">1 Samuel 30:1-2</a></span><br />On the third day David and his men arrived in Ziklag, and the Amalekites had raided the Negev, attacked Ziklag, and burned it down. / They had taken captive the women and all who were there, both young and old. They had not killed anyone, but had carried them off as they went on their way.<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="/genesis/34-29.htm">Genesis 34:29</a></span><br />They carried off all their possessions and women and children, and they plundered everything in their houses.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/27-28.htm">Leviticus 27:28-29</a></span><br />Nothing that a man sets apart to the LORD from all he owns—whether a man, an animal, or his inherited land—can be sold or redeemed; everything so devoted is most holy to the LORD. / No person set apart for destruction may be ransomed; he must surely be put to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/5-2.htm">2 Kings 5:2</a></span><br />At this time the Arameans had gone out in bands and had taken a young girl from the land of Israel, and she was serving Naaman’s wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-17.htm">Matthew 5:17-18</a></span><br />Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them. / For I tell you truly, until heaven and earth pass away, not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/21-24.htm">Luke 21:24</a></span><br />They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive into all the nations. And Jerusalem will be trodden down by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/15-20.htm">Acts 15:20</a></span><br />Instead, we should write and tell them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals, and from blood.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/7-12.htm">Romans 7:12</a></span><br />So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous, and 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.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">But all the women children, that have not known a man by lying with him, keep alive for yourselves.</p><p class="hdg">keep alive for yourselves.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/21-10.htm">Numbers 21:10-14</a></b></br> And the children of Israel set forward, and pitched in Oboth… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/25-44.htm">Leviticus 25:44</a></b></br> Both thy bondmen, and thy bondmaids, which thou shalt have, <i>shall be</i> of the heathen that are round about you; of them shall ye buy bondmen and bondmaids.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/20-14.htm">Deuteronomy 20:14</a></b></br> But the women, and the little ones, and the cattle, and all that is in the city, <i>even</i> all the spoil thereof, shalt thou take unto thyself; and thou shalt eat the spoil of thine enemies, which the LORD thy God hath given thee.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/numbers/31-15.htm">Alive</a> <a href="/numbers/31-16.htm">Children</a> <a href="/numbers/31-17.htm">Infants</a> <a href="/numbers/31-17.htm">Intimately</a> <a href="/numbers/31-15.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/leviticus/14-47.htm">Lying</a> <a href="/numbers/31-17.htm">Male</a> <a href="/numbers/31-17.htm">Relations</a> <a href="/numbers/26-65.htm">Save</a> <a href="/numbers/31-17.htm">Sex</a> <a href="/numbers/31-17.htm">Slept</a> <a href="/genesis/18-26.htm">Spare</a> <a href="/numbers/31-15.htm">Women</a> <a href="/numbers/30-16.htm">Young</a> <a href="/numbers/31-3.htm">Yourselves</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/deuteronomy/4-4.htm">Alive</a> <a href="/numbers/31-30.htm">Children</a> <a href="/numbers/32-16.htm">Infants</a> <a href="/numbers/31-35.htm">Intimately</a> <a href="/numbers/31-42.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/numbers/31-35.htm">Lying</a> <a href="/numbers/31-35.htm">Male</a> <a href="/numbers/31-35.htm">Relations</a> <a href="/numbers/32-12.htm">Save</a> <a href="/numbers/31-35.htm">Sex</a> <a href="/numbers/31-35.htm">Slept</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/7-16.htm">Spare</a> <a href="/numbers/31-35.htm">Women</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/7-13.htm">Young</a> <a href="/numbers/31-19.htm">Yourselves</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>but spare for yourselves</b><br>This phrase indicates a directive given to the Israelites after their victory over the Midianites. The sparing of certain individuals reflects the ancient practice of taking captives in warfare, which was common in the Near Eastern cultures. It also highlights the concept of spoils of war, where victors would take people and goods as part of their conquest. This directive is part of a larger narrative where God commands Moses to take vengeance on the Midianites for leading Israel into idolatry and immorality (Numbers 25). The sparing of certain individuals can be seen as a form of mercy or practical necessity, as these captives could be integrated into Israelite society.<p><b>every girl who has never had relations with a man</b><br>This specification serves a dual purpose. Culturally, it reflects the importance placed on virginity and purity in ancient Israelite society. Virgins were often seen as more easily assimilated into the community, as they had not been involved in the idolatrous practices of the Midianites. Historically, this practice ensured that those who were spared were not complicit in the previous seduction and idolatry that led Israel astray. Theologically, this can be seen as a measure to maintain the holiness and distinctiveness of the Israelite community. In a broader biblical context, the concept of purity and separation from sin is a recurring theme, pointing towards the need for a holy people set apart for God. This can also be seen as a type of Christ, who is the ultimate pure and spotless sacrifice, emphasizing the need for purity in those who are part of God's covenant community.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>The leader of the Israelites, who received and conveyed God's commands regarding the Midianites.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/m/midianites.htm">Midianites</a></b><br>A nomadic tribe that opposed Israel and led them into idolatry and immorality.<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.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/p/phinehas.htm">Phinehas</a></b><br>The priest who played a significant role in the battle against the Midianites.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/w/war_against_midian.htm">War against Midian</a></b><br>A divinely commanded conflict as a judgment against the Midianites for their role in leading Israel into sin.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_divine_justice.htm">Understanding Divine Justice</a></b><br>The command in <a href="/numbers/31-18.htm">Numbers 31:18</a> reflects God's justice and holiness. It is crucial to understand the context of divine judgment in the Old Testament.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_obedience.htm">The Role of Obedience</a></b><br>The Israelites were called to obey God's commands, even when they were difficult. This teaches us the importance of obedience to God’s will.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_sin.htm">The Consequences of Sin</a></b><br>The Midianites' actions led to severe consequences. This serves as a reminder of the seriousness of sin and its impact on individuals and communities.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty.htm">God’s Sovereignty</a></b><br>God’s commands, even when challenging, are part of His sovereign plan. Trusting in His sovereignty is essential for believers.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/m/moral_and_ethical_reflections.htm">Moral and Ethical Reflections</a></b><br>Reflect on the ethical implications of Old Testament warfare and how they relate to the broader account of Scripture and God’s redemptive plan.<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><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/numbers/31.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(18) <span class= "bld">Keep alive for yourselves.</span>--The Israelites were allowed to make slaves of their captives. Shortly after the capture of these Midianitish women, and, it may be, as arising out of it, the law concerning marriage with captives was enacted. (See <a href="/context/deuteronomy/21-10.htm" title="When you go forth to war against your enemies, and the LORD your God has delivered them into your hands, and you have taken them captive,">Deuteronomy 21:10-14</a>.)<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/numbers/31.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 18.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Keep alive for yourselves,</span> <span class="accented">i.e.</span>, for domestic slaves in the first instance. Subsequently no doubt many of them became inferior wives of their masters, or were married to their sons. Infants were probably put to death with their mothers. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/numbers/31-18.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">but spare</span><br /><span class="heb">הַחֲי֖וּ</span> <span class="translit">(ha·ḥă·yū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2421.htm">Strong's 2421: </a> </span><span class="str2">To live, to revive</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for yourselves</span><br /><span class="heb">לָכֶֽם׃</span> <span class="translit">(lā·ḵem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><br /><span class="word">every</span><br /><span class="heb">וְכֹל֙</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ḵōl)</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">girl</span><br /><span class="heb">הַטַּ֣ף</span> <span class="translit">(haṭ·ṭap̄)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<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">who</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲשֶׁ֥ר</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·šer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - relative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">has never</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹא־</span> <span class="translit">(lō-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">had relations</span><br /><span class="heb">יָדְע֖וּ</span> <span class="translit">(yā·ḏə·‘ū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural<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">with a man.</span><br /><span class="heb">זָכָ֑ר</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/31-18.htm">Numbers 31:18 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/numbers/31-18.htm">Numbers 31:18 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/numbers/31-18.htm">Numbers 31:18 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/numbers/31-18.htm">Numbers 31:18 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/numbers/31-18.htm">Numbers 31:18 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/numbers/31-18.htm">Numbers 31:18 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/numbers/31-18.htm">Numbers 31:18 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/numbers/31-18.htm">Numbers 31:18 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/numbers/31-18.htm">Numbers 31:18 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/numbers/31-18.htm">Numbers 31:18 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/numbers/31-18.htm">OT Law: Numbers 31:18 But all the girls who have not (Nu Num.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/numbers/31-17.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Numbers 31:17"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Numbers 31:17" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/numbers/31-19.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Numbers 31:19"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Numbers 31:19" /></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>