King James Version

What Does Numbers 31:30 Mean?

Numbers 31:30 in the King James Version says “And of the children of Israel's half, thou shalt take one portion of fifty, of the persons, of the beeves, of the asses,... — study this verse from Numbers chapter 31 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And of the children of Israel's half, thou shalt take one portion of fifty, of the persons, of the beeves, of the asses, and of the flocks, of all manner of beasts, and give them unto the Levites, which keep the charge of the tabernacle of the LORD. flocks: or, goats

Numbers 31:30 · KJV


Context

28

And levy a tribute unto the LORD of the men of war which went out to battle: one soul of five hundred, both of the persons, and of the beeves, and of the asses, and of the sheep:

29

Take it of their half, and give it unto Eleazar the priest, for an heave offering of the LORD.

30

And of the children of Israel's half, thou shalt take one portion of fifty, of the persons, of the beeves, of the asses, and of the flocks, of all manner of beasts, and give them unto the Levites, which keep the charge of the tabernacle of the LORD. flocks: or, goats

31

And Moses and Eleazar the priest did as the LORD commanded Moses.

32

And the booty, being the rest of the prey which the men of war had caught, was six hundred thousand and seventy thousand and five thousand sheep,


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And of the children of Israel's half, thou shalt take one portion of fifty—The non-combatant majority (congregation) gives 1/50 to the Levites who assist priests but don't perform high priestly duties. This tenfold higher rate (compared to soldiers' 1/500) reflects their non-risk status and larger numbers.

Give them unto the Levites, which keep the charge of the tabernacle—The Levites (shomer mishmeret, keep the charge/watch) maintain sacred space, transport Tabernacle components, assist sacrifices. Numbers 18:21-24 establishes their livelihood through Israel's tithes. This spoils distribution supplements regular tithes, acknowledging their essential ministry supporting national worship.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The Levites numbered 23,000 males (Numbers 26:62), significant population requiring support. 'Keeping the charge' involved guarding Tabernacle sanctity, preventing unauthorized access (which brought death, Numbers 18:7), and performing ritual duties. This wasn't leisurely work but demanding sacred responsibility.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why do Levites receive less per capita than priests, and how does this reflect ministry hierarchy?
  2. How might churches today ensure adequate support for those in 'behind-the-scenes' ministry roles like Levites?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 25 words
וּמִמַּֽחֲצִ֨ת1 of 25

half

H4276

a halving or the middle

בְּנֵֽי2 of 25

And of the children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל3 of 25

of Israel's

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

תִּקַּ֣ח׀4 of 25

thou shalt take

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

אֶחָ֣ד׀5 of 25

one

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

אָחֻ֣ז6 of 25

portion

H270

to seize (often with the accessory idea of holding in possession)

מִן7 of 25
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הַֽחֲמִשִּׁ֗ים8 of 25

of fifty

H2572

fifty

מִן9 of 25
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הָֽאָדָ֧ם10 of 25

of the persons

H120

ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)

מִן11 of 25
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הַבָּקָ֛ר12 of 25

of the beeves

H1241

a beeve or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing); collectively, a herd

מִן13 of 25
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הַֽחֲמֹרִ֥ים14 of 25

of the asses

H2543

a male ass (from its dun red)

וּמִן15 of 25
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הַצֹּ֖אן16 of 25

and of the flocks

H6629

a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)

מִכָּל17 of 25
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַבְּהֵמָ֑ה18 of 25

of all manner of beasts

H929

properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective)

וְנָֽתַתָּ֤ה19 of 25

and give

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

אֹתָם֙20 of 25
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

לַלְוִיִּ֔ם21 of 25

them unto the Levites

H3881

a levite or descendant of levi

שֹֽׁמְרֵ֕י22 of 25

which keep

H8104

properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc

מִשְׁמֶ֖רֶת23 of 25

the charge

H4931

watch, i.e., the act (custody), or (concretely) the sentry, the post; objectively preservation, or (concretely) safe; figuratively observance, i.e., (

מִשְׁכַּ֥ן24 of 25

of the tabernacle

H4908

a residence (including a shepherd's hut, the lair of animals, figuratively, the grave; also the temple); specifically, the tabernacle (properly, its w

יְהוָֽה׃25 of 25

of the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Numbers. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Numbers 31:30 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Numbers 31:30 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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