King James Version

What Does Numbers 31:45 Mean?

Numbers 31:45 in the King James Version says “And thirty thousand asses and five hundred,” — study this verse from Numbers chapter 31 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And thirty thousand asses and five hundred,”

Numbers 31:45 · King James Version

Context

43

(Now the half that pertained unto the congregation was three hundred thousand and thirty thousand and seven thousand and five hundred sheep ,

44

And thirty and six thousand beeves,

45

And thirty thousand asses and five hundred,

46

And sixteen thousand persons ;)

47

Even of the children of Israel's half, Moses took one portion of fifty, both of man and of beast, and gave them unto the Levites, which kept the charge of the tabernacle of the LORD; as the LORD commanded Moses.

Read Numbers 31 full chapter

Commentaries2 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
And thirty thousand asses and five hundred—The Hebrew חֲמוֹר (chamor, "donkey") was the primary beast of burden in ancient Israel. The congregation received 30,500 donkeys (from 61,000 total)—essential for transporting goods, especially in mountainous terrain unsuitable for wagons.

Donkeys appear throughout biblical narrative as symbols of peaceful labor (unlike horses for war). That God provided thousands of donkeys shows His attention to the practical logistics of settling Canaan. Every family needed transport for harvests, water, and household goods. This wasn't luxury—it was infrastructure for covenant life in the land.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Donkeys were more valuable than horses in Canaan's rocky hill country, able to navigate steep paths while carrying heavy loads. They were essential for olive oil and wine transport from hill-country farms to valley markets. The massive donkey distribution occurred at Moab's plains, preparing Israel for the geographical challenges of Canaan's central highlands.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does God's provision of practical transportation teach about His concern for daily logistics, not just spiritual matters?
  2. How does the donkey (peaceful labor) versus horse (warfare) distinction shape our understanding of kingdom priorities?
  3. In what ways should the church equip believers with practical resources for faithful living, not just theological knowledge?

Compare 2 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 5 words
וַֽחֲמֹרִ֕ים1 of 5

“asses”

H2543

a male ass (from its dun red)

שְׁלֹשִׁ֥ים2 of 5

“And thirty”

H7970

thirty; or (ordinal) thirtieth

אֶ֖לֶף3 of 5

“thousand”

H505

hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

וַֽחֲמֵ֥שׁ4 of 5

“and five”

H2568

five

מֵאֽוֹת׃5 of 5

“hundred”

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

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 31:45 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Test Your Knowledge

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