King James Version

What Does Numbers 31:47 Mean?

Numbers 31:47 in the King James Version says “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... — study this verse from Numbers chapter 31 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Numbers 31:47 · KJV


Context

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:

49

And they said unto Moses, Thy servants have taken the sum of the men of war which are under our charge, and there lacketh not one man of us. charge: Heb. hand


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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—From the congregation's half, Moses extracted a 2% Levitical tax (אֶחָד אָחֻז מִן־הַחֲמִשִּׁים, echad achutz min-ha-chamishim, "one drawn/seized from the fifty"). This totaled 6,750 sheep, 720 cattle, 610 donkeys, and 320 persons for the Levites, which kept the charge of the tabernacle of the LORD (שֹׁמְרֵי מִשְׁמֶרֶת מִשְׁכַּן יְהוָה, shomrei mishmereth mishkan YHWH, "keepers of the keeping/service of the tabernacle").

This wasn't Moses' innovation but as the LORD commanded Moses—divine provision for those without tribal inheritance. Levites maintained worship, taught Torah, and administered justice. The 2% tax on community spoils (versus 0.2% on warriors' portion, v. 28-29) shows that communal wealth bore greater responsibility for supporting religious infrastructure.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Levites received no land inheritance in Canaan (Numbers 18:20-24), depending on tithes and offerings. This spoil distribution provided immediate livestock and labor for tabernacle service during the conquest period. The 320 persons likely assisted with animal care, tent maintenance, and transport—essential for a mobile worship center serving 600,000+ people.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the Levitical provision from spoils teach about the community's responsibility to support those in full-time ministry?
  2. How does the principle "keepers of the charge" apply to pastoral oversight and spiritual stewardship today?
  3. Why does Scripture emphasize "as the LORD commanded"—what dangers arise when support for ministers comes from human invention rather than divine command?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 26 words
וַיִּקַּ֨ח1 of 26

took

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

מֹשֶֽׁה׃2 of 26

Moses

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

מִמַּֽחֲצִ֣ת3 of 26

half

H4276

a halving or the middle

בְּנֵֽי4 of 26

Even 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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל5 of 26

of Israel's

H3478

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

אֶת6 of 26
H853

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

הָֽאָחֻז֙7 of 26

portion

H270

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

אֶחָ֣ד8 of 26

one

H259

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

מִן9 of 26
H4480

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

הַֽחֲמִשִּׁ֔ים10 of 26

of fifty

H2572

fifty

מִן11 of 26
H4480

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

הָֽאָדָ֖ם12 of 26

both of man

H120

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

וּמִן13 of 26
H4480

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

הַבְּהֵמָ֑ה14 of 26

and of beast

H929

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

וַיִּתֵּ֨ן15 of 26

and gave

H5414

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

אֹתָ֜ם16 of 26
H853

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

לַלְוִיִּ֗ם17 of 26

them unto the Levites

H3881

a levite or descendant of levi

שֹֽׁמְרֵי֙18 of 26

which kept

H8104

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

מִשְׁמֶ֙רֶת֙19 of 26

the charge

H4931

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

מִשְׁכַּ֣ן20 of 26

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

יְהוָ֖ה21 of 26

as the LORD

H3068

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

כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֛ר22 of 26
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

צִוָּ֥ה23 of 26

commanded

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

יְהוָ֖ה24 of 26

as the LORD

H3068

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

אֶת25 of 26
H853

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

מֹשֶֽׁה׃26 of 26

Moses

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver


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 31:47 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 31:47 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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