King James Version

What Does Numbers 31:9 Mean?

Numbers 31:9 in the King James Version says “And the children of Israel took all the women of Midian captives, and their little ones, and took the spoil of all their...” — study this verse from Numbers chapter 31 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And the children of Israel took all the women of Midian captives, and their little ones, and took the spoil of all their cattle, and all their flocks, and all their goods.”

Numbers 31:9 · KJV

Context

7

And they warred against the Midianites, as the LORD commanded Moses; and they slew all the males.

8

And they slew the kings of Midian, beside the rest of them that were slain; namely, Evi, and Rekem, and Zur, and Hur, and Reba, five kings of Midian: Balaam also the son of Beor they slew with the sword.

9

And the children of Israel took all the women of Midian captives, and their little ones, and took the spoil of all their cattle, and all their flocks, and all their goods.

10

And they burnt all their cities wherein they dwelt, and all their goodly castles, with fire.

11

And they took all the spoil, and all the prey, both of men and of beasts.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The children of Israel took all the women of Midian captives, and their little ones—the Hebrew shabah (took captive) describes taking prisoners of war. Initially, the soldiers spared the women and children contrary to God's intent, prompting Moses' rebuke in verse 15. The taking of all the spoil of all their cattle...flocks...and goods (Hebrew shalal for spoil, malqowach for prey) was standard ancient warfare practice, but Israel's campaigns differed—spoils belonged to Yahweh first, then were distributed by divine law.

This verse sets up the theological problem addressed in verses 15-18: the women of Midian had been instruments of Israel's seduction to Baal-Peor (25:1-18), making their preservation dangerous. The soldiers' initial mercy violated God's purpose to remove the source of Israel's spiritual corruption, demonstrating that human compassion without divine wisdom can perpetuate sin's influence.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This campaign against Midian (c. 1406 BC) executed divine judgment for the Baal-Peor incident where Midianite women, following Balaam's counsel, seduced Israelite men into idolatry and sexual immorality, resulting in a plague killing 24,000. The Midianites were descended from Abraham through Keturah (Genesis 25:1-4), making this judgment against distant relatives particularly poignant. The battle occurred on the plains of Moab just before Israel's entry into Canaan, serving as Moses' final military act.

Reflection Questions

  1. How can well-intentioned mercy toward sin's sources undermine God's purposes for holiness in your life?
  2. What 'captives' are you taking—influences or relationships—that seem harmless but carry spiritual danger?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
וַיִּשְׁבּ֧וּ1 of 18

“captives”

H7617

to transport into captivity

בְנֵֽי2 of 18

“And 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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל3 of 18

“of Israel”

H3478

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

אֶת4 of 18
H853

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

נְשֵׁ֥י5 of 18

“took all the women”

H802

a woman

מִדְיָ֖ן6 of 18

“of Midian”

H4080

midjan, a son of abraham; also his country and (collectively) his descendants

וְאֶת7 of 18
H853

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

טַפָּ֑ם8 of 18

“and their little ones”

H2945

a family (mostly used collectively in the singular)

וְאֵ֨ת9 of 18
H853

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

כָּל10 of 18
H3605

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

בְּהֶמְתָּ֧ם11 of 18

“of all their cattle”

H929

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

וְאֶת12 of 18
H853

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

כָּל13 of 18
H3605

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

מִקְנֵהֶ֛ם14 of 18

“and all their flocks”

H4735

something bought, i.e., property, but only live stock; abstractly, acquisition

וְאֶת15 of 18
H853

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

כָּל16 of 18
H3605

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

חֵילָ֖ם17 of 18

“and all their goods”

H2428

probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength

בָּזָֽזוּ׃18 of 18

“and took the spoil”

H962

to plunder

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 31:9 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 31:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Chronicles 28:5Numbers 31:15-162 Chronicles 28:8-10Deuteronomy 20:14

Places in This Verse

MidianRegion · Modern: Al Bad · 28.49°N, 35.01°E51 verses across 11 books
View all places in Numbers 31 →

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