King James Version

What Does Numbers 31:52 Mean?

Numbers 31:52 in the King James Version says “And all the gold of the offering that they offered up to the LORD, of the captains of thousands, and of the captains of ...” — study this verse from Numbers chapter 31 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And all the gold of the offering that they offered up to the LORD, of the captains of thousands, and of the captains of hundreds, was sixteen thousand seven hundred and fifty shekels. offering: Heb. heave offering”

Numbers 31:52 · KJV

Context

50

We have therefore brought an oblation for the LORD, what every man hath gotten, of jewels of gold, chains, and bracelets, rings, earrings, and tablets, to make an atonement for our souls before the LORD. gotten: Heb. found

51

And Moses and Eleazar the priest took the gold of them, even all wrought jewels.

52

And all the gold of the offering that they offered up to the LORD, of the captains of thousands, and of the captains of hundreds, was sixteen thousand seven hundred and fifty shekels. offering: Heb. heave offering

53

( For the men of war had taken spoil, every man for himself.)

54

And Moses and Eleazar the priest took the gold of the captains of thousands and of hundreds, and brought it into the tabernacle of the congregation, for a memorial for the children of Israel before the LORD.

Read Numbers 31 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And all the gold of the offering that they offered up to the LORD, of the captains of thousands, and of the captains of hundreds, was sixteen thousand seven hundred and fifty shekels—The precise total—sixteen thousand seven hundred and fifty shekels (שִׁשָּׁה עָשָׂר אֶלֶף וּשְׁבַע מֵאוֹת וַחֲמִשִּׁים שֶׁקֶל shishah asar elef usheva me'ot vachamishim sheqel)—represents approximately 420 pounds (190 kg) of gold. The phrase captains of thousands and captains of hundreds (שָׂרֵי הָאֲלָפִים וְשָׂרֵי הַמֵּאוֹת sarei ha'alafim vesarei hame'ot) indicates this was military leadership's offering, not common soldiers'.

The specific enumeration demonstrates meticulous accountability in sacred offerings—no approximation or rounding, but exact weights ensuring transparent stewardship. Paul commended Corinthian church's transparency: 'We have sent with him the brother... taking precaution so that no one will discredit us in our administration of this generous gift' (2 Corinthians 8:18-20 NASB). Sacred resources require scrupulous accounting to maintain credibility.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

16,750 shekels of gold (using ancient shekel of ~11.4 grams) totaled about 190 kilograms of precious metal—representing perhaps 5-10 years' combined wages for all the military officers. This enormous offering demonstrated profound gratitude for miraculous battlefield preservation where conventional warfare would have caused 10-20% casualties.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the precise enumeration of the gold offering teach the importance of financial accountability in church and ministry contexts?
  2. What does the officers' massive offering (perhaps years of accumulated wealth) teach about proportional giving in response to divine blessing?
  3. How can you ensure that any financial stewardship you oversee maintains transparent, detailed accountability honoring both God and the community?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וַיְהִ֣י׀1 of 20
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

כָּל2 of 20
H3605

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

זְהַ֣ב3 of 20

“And all the gold”

H2091

gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e., yellow), as oil, a clear sky

הַתְּרוּמָ֗ה4 of 20

“of the offering”

H8641

a present (as offered up), especially in sacrifice or as tribute

אֲשֶׁ֤ר5 of 20
H834

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

הֵרִ֙ימוּ֙6 of 20

“that they offered up”

H7311

to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)

לַֽיהוָ֔ה7 of 20

“to the LORD”

H3068

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

שִׁשָּׁ֨ה8 of 20

“was sixteen”

H8337

six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ordinal, sixth

עָשָׂ֥ר9 of 20
H6240

ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth

הָֽאֲלָפִ֔ים10 of 20

“of thousands”

H505

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

שְׁבַע11 of 20

“seven”

H7651

seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number

הַמֵּאֽוֹת׃12 of 20

“hundred”

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

וַֽחֲמִשִּׁ֖ים13 of 20

“and fifty”

H2572

fifty

שָׁ֑קֶל14 of 20

“shekels”

H8255

probably a weight; used as a commercial standard

מֵאֵת֙15 of 20
H853

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

שָׂרֵ֥י16 of 20

“and of the captains”

H8269

a head person (of any rank or class)

הָֽאֲלָפִ֔ים17 of 20

“of thousands”

H505

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

וּמֵאֵ֖ת18 of 20
H853

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

שָׂרֵ֥י19 of 20

“and of the captains”

H8269

a head person (of any rank or class)

הַמֵּאֽוֹת׃20 of 20

“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 31:52 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

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