The reference to "32,000 women" is found in the context of the Israelites' conquest of the Midianites as recorded in the Book of Numbers, chapter 31. This event is part of the narrative detailing the Israelites' journey and conquests as they approached the Promised Land under the leadership of Moses.

Biblical Context:

In Numbers 31, God commands Moses to take vengeance on the Midianites for their role in leading the Israelites into idolatry and immorality at Peor, as described in Numbers 25. Moses instructs the Israelites to arm themselves for battle, and a force of 12,000 men, one thousand from each tribe, is sent to war against Midian.

The Israelites achieve a decisive victory, killing all the Midianite men, including the five kings of Midian and the prophet Balaam, who had previously attempted to curse Israel. The Israelite soldiers capture the women, children, livestock, and goods of the Midianites as plunder.

The Division of Spoils:

After the battle, Moses becomes angry with the officers of the army for sparing the women, as they had been instrumental in leading Israel into sin. Following God's instructions, Moses orders the execution of all male children and non-virgin women. The virgin women, however, are spared.

The spoils of war, including the captives, are divided among the soldiers and the community. Numbers 31:35 specifically mentions the number of women who were spared: "and 32,000 women who had not slept with a man."

Significance:

The sparing of the 32,000 women is significant in several ways. It reflects the ancient Near Eastern practices of warfare and the treatment of captives. The narrative also underscores the theme of purity and the consequences of idolatry and immorality, as the Midianite women had previously led the Israelites astray.

The division of the spoils, including the women, is conducted according to divine instruction, with a portion dedicated to the Lord and the Levites. This allocation underscores the importance of acknowledging God's role in the victory and the need to maintain ritual purity and devotion.

Theological Implications:

The account raises complex theological and ethical questions about divine justice, warfare, and the treatment of captives. It challenges readers to consider the historical and cultural context of the narrative while grappling with the moral dimensions of the text.

Related References:

· Numbers 25:1-18: The incident at Peor, where the Israelites are led into sin by the Midianite women.
· Numbers 31:1-54: The full account of the war against Midian, including the instructions for dividing the spoils.
· Deuteronomy 20:10-18: Instructions for warfare, including the treatment of captives in different contexts.

The narrative of the 32,000 women serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities of biblical history and the enduring themes of faithfulness, purity, and divine justice.