Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version They fought against Midian, as the LORD commanded Moses, and killed every man. New Living Translation They attacked Midian as the LORD had commanded Moses, and they killed all the men. English Standard Version They warred against Midian, as the LORD commanded Moses, and killed every male. Berean Standard Bible Then they waged war against Midian, as the LORD had commanded Moses, and they killed every male. King James Bible And they warred against the Midianites, as the LORD commanded Moses; and they slew all the males. New King James Version And they warred against the Midianites, just as the LORD commanded Moses, and they killed all the males. New American Standard Bible So they made war against Midian, just as the LORD had commanded Moses, and they killed every male. NASB 1995 So they made war against Midian, just as the LORD had commanded Moses, and they killed every male. NASB 1977 So they made war against Midian, just as the LORD had commanded Moses, and they killed every male. Legacy Standard Bible So they made war against Midian, just as Yahweh had commanded Moses, and they killed every male. Amplified Bible They made war against Midian, just as the LORD had commanded Moses, and they killed every male. Christian Standard Bible They waged war against Midian, as the LORD had commanded Moses, and killed every male. Holman Christian Standard Bible They waged war against Midian, as the LORD had commanded Moses, and killed every male. American Standard Version And they warred against Midian, as Jehovah commanded Moses; and they slew every male. Contemporary English Version The Israelites fought against the Midianites, just as the LORD had commanded Moses. They killed all the men, English Revised Version And they warred against Midian, as the LORD commanded Moses; and they slew every male. GOD'S WORD® Translation They went to war against Midian, as the LORD commanded Moses, and killed every man. Good News Translation They attacked Midian, as the LORD had commanded Moses, and killed all the men, International Standard Version They fought against the Midianites just as the LORD had commanded Moses, killing every man. Majority Standard Bible Then they waged war against Midian, as the LORD had commanded Moses, and they killed every male. NET Bible They fought against the Midianites, as the LORD commanded Moses, and they killed every male. New Heart English Bible They warred against Midian, as the LORD commanded Moses; and they killed every male. Webster's Bible Translation And they warred against the Midianites, as the LORD commanded Moses; and they slew all the males. World English Bible They fought against Midian, as Yahweh commanded Moses. They killed every male. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd they war against Midian, as YHWH has commanded Moses, and slay every male; Young's Literal Translation And they war against Midian, as Jehovah hath commanded Moses, and slay every male; Smith's Literal Translation And they will go forth against Midian as Jehovah commanded Moses; and they killed every male. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd when they had fought against the Madianites and had overcome them, they slew all the men. Catholic Public Domain Version And when they had fought against the Midianites and had prevailed, they killed all the men. New American Bible They waged war against the Midianites, as the LORD had commanded Moses, and killed every male. New Revised Standard Version They did battle against Midian, as the LORD had commanded Moses, and killed every male. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd they warred against Midian, as the LORD commanded Moses; and they slew all the males. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And they were strengthened against Midian, as LORD JEHOVAH commanded Moshe, and they killed every male. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And they warred against Midian, as the LORD commanded Moses; and they slew every male. Brenton Septuagint Translation And they set themselves in array against Madian, as the Lord commanded Moses; and they slew every male. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Vengeance on Midian…6And Moses sent the thousand from each tribe into battle, along with Phinehas son of Eleazar the priest, who took with him the vessels of the sanctuary and the trumpets for signaling. 7Then they waged war against Midian, as the LORD had commanded Moses, and they killed every male. 8Among the slain were Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba—the five kings of Midian. They also killed Balaam son of Beor with the sword.… Cross References Deuteronomy 20:13-14 When the LORD your God has delivered it into your hand, you must put every male to the sword. / But the women, children, livestock, and whatever else is in the city—all its spoil—you may take as plunder, and you shall use the spoil of your enemies that the LORD your God gives you. Joshua 6:21 With the edge of the sword they devoted to destruction everything in the city—man and woman, young and old, oxen, sheep, and donkeys. 1 Samuel 15:3 Now go and attack the Amalekites and devote to destruction all that belongs to them. Do not spare them, but put to death men and women, children and infants, oxen and sheep, camels and donkeys.’” Judges 21:10-11 So the congregation sent 12,000 of their most valiant men and commanded them: “Go and put to the sword those living in Jabesh-gilead, including women and children. / This is what you are to do: Devote to destruction every male, as well as every female who has had relations with a man.” 1 Kings 20:42 And the prophet said to the king, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Because you have let slip from your hand the man I had devoted to destruction, your life will be exchanged for his life, and your people for his people.’” 2 Kings 3:24-25 But when the Moabites came to the camp of Israel, the Israelites rose up and attacked them, and they fled before them. So the Israelites invaded their land and struck down the Moabites. / They destroyed the cities, and each man threw stones on every good field until it was covered. They stopped up every spring and cut down every good tree. Only Kir-haraseth was left with stones in place, but men with slings surrounded it and attacked it as well. 2 Chronicles 20:23 The Ammonites and Moabites rose up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir, devoting them to destruction. And when they had finished off the inhabitants of Seir, they helped to destroy one another. Isaiah 13:15-18 Whoever is caught will be stabbed, and whoever is captured will die by the sword. / Their infants will be dashed to pieces before their eyes, their houses will be looted, and their wives will be ravished. / Behold, I will stir up against them the Medes, who have no regard for silver and no desire for gold. ... Jeremiah 50:21 Go up against the land of Merathaim, and against the residents of Pekod. Kill them and devote them to destruction. Do all that I have commanded you,” declares the LORD. Ezekiel 9:5-7 And as I listened, He said to the others, “Follow him through the city and start killing; do not show pity or spare anyone! / Slaughter the old men, the young men and maidens, the women and children; but do not go near anyone who has the mark. Now begin at My sanctuary.” So they began with the elders who were before the temple. / Then He told them, “Defile the temple and fill the courts with the slain. Go forth!” So they went out and began killing throughout the city. Matthew 5:21-22 You have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not murder’ and ‘Anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ / But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to the fire of hell. Luke 19:27 And these enemies of mine who were unwilling for me to rule over them, bring them here and slay them in front of me.’” Romans 13:4 For he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not carry the sword in vain. He is God’s servant, an agent of retribution to the wrongdoer. 2 Corinthians 10:4-6 The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the flesh. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. / We demolish arguments and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God; and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. / And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, as soon as your obedience is complete. Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Treasury of Scripture And they warred against the Midianites, as the LORD commanded Moses; and they slew all the males. all Deuteronomy 20:13,14 And when the LORD thy God hath delivered it into thine hands, thou shalt smite every male thereof with the edge of the sword: … Judges 21:11 And this is the thing that ye shall do, Ye shall utterly destroy every male, and every woman that hath lain by man. 1 Samuel 27:9 And David smote the land, and left neither man nor woman alive, and took away the sheep, and the oxen, and the asses, and the camels, and the apparel, and returned, and came to Achish. the male Judges 6:1,2,33 And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD: and the LORD delivered them into the hand of Midian seven years… Jump to Previous Commanded Death Killed Male Males Midian Mid'ian Midianites Moses Orders Slay Slew War WarredJump to Next Commanded Death Killed Male Males Midian Mid'ian Midianites Moses Orders Slay Slew War WarredNumbers 31 1. The Midianites are spoiled, and Balaam slain13. Moses is angry with the officers, for saving the women alive 19. How the soldiers, with their captives and spoil, are to be purified 25. The proportion in which the prey is to be divided 48. The voluntary offering unto the treasure of the Lord Then they waged war against Midian The Israelites' conflict with Midian is rooted in earlier events, particularly the incident at Peor (Numbers 25), where Midianite women led the Israelites into idolatry and immorality. This war is a divine retribution for Midian's role in seducing Israel away from God. The Midianites were a nomadic people, often interacting with Israel, sometimes as allies, as seen with Moses' father-in-law, Jethro, a Midianite priest. This war signifies a break from any previous peaceful relations. as the LORD had commanded Moses and they killed every male Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe leader of the Israelites, who received direct commands from God regarding the actions against Midian. 2. Midian A region and people who were adversaries of Israel. The Midianites had previously led Israel into sin through the incident at Peor. 3. The Israelites The people of God, chosen to execute His judgment against Midian as a response to their seduction and idolatry. 4. The LORD (Yahweh) The covenant God of Israel, who commanded the Israelites to wage war against Midian. 5. The War Against Midian A divinely commanded military campaign to execute judgment on the Midianites for their role in leading Israel into sin. Teaching Points Obedience to God's CommandsThe Israelites' actions against Midian were in direct obedience to God's command. This highlights the importance of following God's instructions, even when they are difficult or challenging. The Consequences of Sin The war against Midian serves as a reminder of the serious consequences of leading others into sin. The Midianites' actions at Peor had severe repercussions, emphasizing the need for holiness and purity. God's Sovereignty in Judgment God's command to wage war against Midian demonstrates His sovereignty and justice. It reminds us that God is the ultimate judge and that His judgments are righteous and true. Spiritual Warfare While the battle against Midian was physical, it symbolizes the spiritual battles believers face today. Christians are called to wage war against sin and spiritual forces, relying on God's strength and guidance. The Role of Leadership Moses' leadership in executing God's command underscores the responsibility of leaders to guide their people in righteousness and obedience to God.(7) They slew all the males.--The reference appears to be to those who were engaged in the war. The words do not refer to the whole of the male population, as appears from Numbers 31:17; and it is probable that many of the Midianites who were not engaged in the war withdrew from the scene of conflict. The reference in this verse, unless the words are inserted proleptically, seems to be to the whole of the adult males who fell into the hands of the Israelites during the war. Hebrew Then they waged warוַֽיִּצְבְּאוּ֙ (way·yiṣ·bə·’ū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 6633: To wage war, serve against עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against Midian, מִדְיָ֔ן (miḏ·yān) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 4080: Midian -- a son of Abraham and Keturah, also his descendants and the region where they settled as כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר (ka·’ă·šer) Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that the LORD יְהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel had commanded צִוָּ֥ה (ṣiw·wāh) Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 6680: To lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command, order Moses, מֹשֶׁ֑ה (mō·šeh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 4872: Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver and killed וַיַּֽהַרְג֖וּ (way·ya·har·ḡū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 2026: To smite with deadly intent every כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every male. זָכָֽר׃ (zā·ḵār) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 2145: Remembered, a male Links Numbers 31:7 NIVNumbers 31:7 NLT Numbers 31:7 ESV Numbers 31:7 NASB Numbers 31:7 KJV Numbers 31:7 BibleApps.com Numbers 31:7 Biblia Paralela Numbers 31:7 Chinese Bible Numbers 31:7 French Bible Numbers 31:7 Catholic Bible OT Law: Numbers 31:7 They warred against Midian as Yahweh commanded (Nu Num.) |