Westminster Annotations, Numbers · Chapter 31
CHAP. XXXI.
Vers. 2. GAthered unto thy people] See Annot. on Gen. 25. vers. 8.
V. 3. avenge the Lord] As he had commanded, Chap. 25. 17, 18. declaring also that the injury done against his people, is done against himselfe; and as God shewed himselfe a preserver of his people, in appointing a revenge in their names; so Moses required that they should take up armes, not so much for their owne cause, as for Gods, who was not lesse dishonoured, then the people were indangered by their sinne.
V. 6. and Phinehas] Because of the great zeale he bare to the Lord, Chap. 25. vers. 7. yet though Joshua be not mentioned, it is probable that he was Generall of the Armie, and not Phinehas; who yet in the affaires of God, and the holy things of the Tabernacle had most to doe.
with the holy instruments] The Arke, with the Tables of the Law, the Cherubims and Mercy-seat; for these (as the Heathens brought their Idols to the Battell) the Jewes carried with them when they went to warre, 1 Sam. 4. 17. as the remembrances of Gods especiall presence, and incentives of courage to fight for his cause; this was when the warre was undertaken with command or allowance from God, otherwise the Priests were not permitted to carry it out of the Campe to Battell with the enemie, Num. 14. 44.
and the Trumpets] The two silver Trumpets, whereof see Chap. 10. 2.
V. all the males] But such as saved themselves by flight; who running for refuge into another Region, afterwards in the time of Gedeon returned, and vexed the Israelites, Judg. 6. v. 1.
V. 7. and Zur] He was the father of the Midianitish woman, whom Phinehas slew, Chap. 25. 18.
V. 8. Balaam also] Chap. 24. vers. 25. he is said to returne to his place; that is, to his Countrey; but he either staid with the Midianites in his way homeward from the King of Moab, or returned to them againe from his Countrey of Syria, or Mesopotamia; howsoever it was just with God, that he should be a partner with them in punishment, who was their counsellour in sinne, ver. 16. See Annot. on Chap. 25. vers. 18.
V. 13. Moses and Eleazar] To congratulate their returne with victorious revenge.
V. 17. and every woman] Women and children in regard of their impotencie to assault, or resist, are to be priviledged from the destruction of the sword; yet Moses by warrant from God might justly command them to be killed, since they are by sinne liable to his justice at all times, and are to give up their lives by what kinde of death he pleaseth.
V. 18. that have not knowne] As farre as they could conjecture by their age; these were to be reserved for marriage, if they would embrace the Religion of the Hebrews; for the service of hand-maids; or if they had more then were needfull to such purposes, they might set them to sale and make money of them.
V. 19. whosoever hath killed] Though the warre were lawfull, and taken up upon Gods owne command, yet that men should not have swift feet to shed blood, there is a ceremoniall uncleannesse contracted by him that killeth, as well as by him that toucheth the party killed, Num. 19. 14.
V. 20. and purifie all] See Annot. on vers. 23.
V. 23. abide the fire] Metals were to be purged by passing through the fire, and by sprinkling the water of separation upon them; other things were purified by washing in ordinary water.
V. 27. All the Congregation] The parts of the prey were made equall, the parties betwixt whom they were divided very unequall; for a few wa…riers had as much as all that staid from the warre, because they did hazard their lives in the Battell, which the others did not; afterwards David set downe an order of division of the spoyles of warre, which was, that they that tarried with the stuffe to watch and guard it, should have an equall share with those that fought, 1 Sam. 30. 24. and the reason is, (which much varieth the case and course he resolved on) for that such as stay so neere the enemy as the carriages, are exposed to the perill of their lives, as well as those that goe forth to battell; and when they have an enemy more covetous then valorous, they are in greater danger then they that manage the warre.
V. 28. one soule] That is, one person, as vers. 30. See vers. 47.
of the persons] To wit, which were taken in warre as well as of the other spoyles.
V. 29. of their halfe] The prey was first divided into two parts, the one part was for the souldiers, the other for the rest of the people: this tribute is of the souldiers part or halfe, who (though they were but twelve thousand) had a greater proportion of the prey, then they that staid at home and made no such adventure of their persons, as the souldiers did; and therefore also was their tribute but one of five hundred, whereas of the peoples part, vers. 30. was taken one of fiftie.
V. 40. thirtie and two persons] Taking one for every five hundred, as vers. 28.
V. 49. not one] It is a strange battell (they say) where no man escapes, more strange on that side where no man perisheth, and many are slaine on the adverse party, especially a whole nation on the one side (and that populous) being against twelve thousand on the other.
V. 50. We have therefore] This was a free-offering over and besides the tribute before imposed, whereby the Captaines acknowledge the great benefit of God in preserving his people.
for our soules] Fearing (belike) that God might inflict some deadly judgement upon them, for shewing too much mercy in sparing from death the Midianitish women. See vers. 15.
V. 52. of the captaines] Who brought their owne, and their souldiers part to Moses and Eleazar.
V. 53. had taken] Spoyles of such things for themselves as they could conveniently carry away; for that which was communicated with the multitude was but the prey of men and beasts, vers. 11, 12. and for the oblation of gold, that was made by the Princes or principall men; but the common souldiers kept what they caught to themselves, as hath beene said.
V. 54. for a memoriall] A memoriall that God had given them victory in battell, and that he would graciously accept of their oblation, and shew himselfe mindfull of it, when they had most need of his assistance.