King James Version
What Does Numbers 31:46 Mean?
“And sixteen thousand persons ;)”
Numbers 31:46 · KJV
Context
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.
48
And the officers which were over thousands of the host, the captains of thousands, and captains of hundreds, came near unto Moses:
Commentary
KJV Study CommentaryAnd sixteen thousand persons—The Hebrew נֶפֶשׁ אָדָם (nephesh adam, "souls of mankind") refers to Midianite captives, specifically young women who had not known man (v. 18). The congregation's half was 16,000 from 32,000 total. While jarring to modern readers, this reflects ancient warfare customs where unmarried women were integrated into the conquering community.
Critically, these were not slaves but potential covenant members—they would marry into Israelite families, raising children under Torah. The separation from warriors' spoils meant these women were distributed broadly throughout Israel, not concentrated as concubines. Several became ancestors of faithful Israelites, illustrating God's redemptive purposes even in judgment contexts.
Critically, these were not slaves but potential covenant members—they would marry into Israelite families, raising children under Torah. The separation from warriors' spoils meant these women were distributed broadly throughout Israel, not concentrated as concubines. Several became ancestors of faithful Israelites, illustrating God's redemptive purposes even in judgment contexts.
KJV Study — Public Domain
Historical & Cultural Context
Ancient Near Eastern warfare typically killed all captives or enslaved them permanently. Israel's law required different treatment: foreign women could become wives with full legal protections (Deuteronomy 21:10-14). These Midianite women, spared from the sexual idolatry that seduced Israel (Numbers 25), were given opportunity for covenant inclusion. Some likely became mothers in Israel.
Reflection Questions
- How does God's law protect even captive women with marriage rights and dignity, contrasting with ancient Near Eastern slavery?
- What does the integration of former enemies into covenant community teach about the gospel's power to reconcile?
- How should the church balance remembering difficult biblical texts with understanding their ancient context and redemptive trajectory?
Original Language Analysis
Hebrew · 5 wordsוְנֶ֣פֶשׁ1 of 5
“persons”
H5315properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
שִׁשָּׁ֥ה3 of 5
“And sixteen”
H8337six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ordinal, sixth
אָֽלֶף׃5 of 5
“thousand”
H505hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
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 31:46 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.