Chapter XXXI
all others, Balaam deserved and got the just reward of his deeds. His conduct had been atrociously sinful, considering the knowledge he possessed, and the revelations he had received, of the will of God. For any one in his circumstances to attempt defeating the prophecies he had himself been the organ of uttering, and plotting to deprive the chosen people of the Divine favour and protection, was an act of desperate wickedness, which no language can adequately characterize. 13. Moses and Eleazar the priest went forth to meet them witliout the camp—partly as a token of respect and congratulation on their victorj-, partly to see how they had executed the Lord's commands, and partly to prevent the defilement of the camp by the entrance of warriors stained with blood. 14-18. Moses was vrroth ^vith the officers of tlie host—The displeasure of the great leader, though
Ver. l-!>4. The Midianites Spoiled and Balaam SlaiK. 1, 3. The liord spake luito Moses, Avenge tlie children of Israel of the MlOlanites— a semi-nomad people, descended from Abraham and Keturah, occupying a tract of country east and south-east of Moab, which lay on the eastern coast of the Dead Sea. They seem to have been the principal instigators of the infamous scheme of seduction, planned to entrap the Israelites into the double crime of idolatry and licentiousness, by which. It was hoped, the Lord would withdraw from that people the benefit of His protection and favour. Sloreover, the Midianites had rendered themselves particularly obnoxious by entering into a hostile league with the Amorites. (Joshua 13. 21.) The Moabltes were at this time spared in consideration of Lot (Deuteronomy 2. 9), and because the measure of their iniquities was not yet
it appears the ebullition of a fierce and sanguinary temper, arose in reality from a pious and enlightened regard to the best interests of Israel. No order had been given for the slaughter of the women, and in ancient wai they were commonly reserved for slaves. By their antecedent conduct, however, the Midianitish women had
full. God spoke of avenging "the children of Israel;" Moses spoke of avenging the Lord, as dishonour had been done to God, and an injury inflicted on His people. The interests were identical. God and His people have the same cause, the same friends and assailants. This, in
forfeited all claims to mild or merciful treatment; and the sacred character, the avowed object of the war (v. ,2, 3), made their slaughter necessary without any special order. But why "kill every male among the little ones?" It was designed to be a war of extermination, such as God himself had ordered against the people of Canaan, whom the Midianites equalled In the enormity of their wickedness. 19-34-. Abide without the camp seven days whosoever hath killed any person . . . purify both yourselves and your captives—Though the Israelites had taken the field in obedience to the command of God, they had become defiled by contact with the dead. A process of purification was to be undergone, as the law required (Leviticus 15. 13; ch. 19. 9-12), and this purifying ceremony was extended to dress, houses, tents, to every thing on which a dead body had lain, which had been touched by the blood-stained hands of the Israelitlsh warriors, or which had been the property of Idolaters. This became a standing ordinance in all time coming. (Leviticus 6. 28;
fact, was a religious war, undertaken by the express command of God against idolaters, who had seduced the Israelites to practise their abominations, arm yourselves—This order was issued but a short time before the death of Moses. The announcement to him of that approaching event seems to have accelerated, rather tlian retarded, his warlike preparations. 5. There were delivered—!. e., -draughted, chosen, an equal amount from each tribe, to prevent the outbreak of mutual jealousy or
strife. Considering the numerical force of the enemy,
tliis was a small quota to furnish. But the design was to exercise their faith, and animate thom to the approaching invasion of Can.aan. G. Moses sent . . . Eleaznr the priest to the -war—Although it is not expressly mentioned, it is highly proljable tliat Joshua was the general who conducted this war. The presence of the priest, who was alw.ays with the army (Deuteronoiny 20. 2), was necessary to preside over tlie Levltes, who accompanied the expedition, and to inflame the courage of the combatants by his sacred services and counsels, holy instruments As neither tlie ark nor the Urim and Thummim were carried to the battle-flold till a later jicriod in the history of Israel, the "holy instruments" must mean the "trumpets" (ch. 10. 9). And this view is agreeable to the text, by simply changing "and" Into " even," as the /fcftreir particle is frequently rendered. 7. they slew all the males —This was in accordance with a Divine order in all such cases. (Deuteronomy 20. 18.) But the destruction appears to have been only partial—limited to tliose who wore in the neighbourhood of the Hebrew camp, and who had been accomplices In the villirfnous plot of Baal-peor, while a large portion of the Midianites were absent on their pastoral wanderings, or had saved themselves by
11. ai; 15. 12.) 35-30. Take tlic sum of the prey that was taken—i.e., of thfe captives and cattle, which, having been first slumped together according to ancient usage (Exodus 15.9; Judges 5. 30), were divided into two equal parts: the one to the people at large, who had sustained a common Injury from the Midianites, and who were all
liable to serve: and the other portion to the combatants, who, having encountered the labours and perils of war, justly received the largest share. From both parts, however, a certain deduction was taken for the sanctuary, as a thanlc oflSsring to God for preservation and for victory. The soldiers had greatly the advantage in the distribution ; for a five-hundredth part only of their half went to the priest, while a fiftieth part of the congregation's half was given to the Levltes. 33. tl»e booty being the rest of the prey wliich the men of war had caught—Some of the captives having been killed (v. 17), and part of the
flight. (Cf. Judges 6.1.) 8. The ktn^s of MIdinn—so called, because each was possessed of absolute power within Ills own city or district—called also dukes or princes of Slhon (Joshua 13.21), having been probably subject to that Amorlte ruler, as it is not uncoinmon in the Kast to find a number of governors or pachas tributary to one great king. Zur—father of Cozl 1. (Ch. 2'). lo.) Balaam also they sletv with the Bwoi-d- - I Ills unprincipled man, on his dismissal from Balak, s(>t out for his home In Mesopotamia. (Ch. 24.2'>.) But, either <ilverglng ft'om his way to tamper with the Midianites, he remahKul among them, without proceeding further, to Incite them against Israel, and to watch the otr<!ct8 of his wicked 116
cattle taken for the support of the army, the total amount of the booty remaining was in the following proportions:—.^heep, 675,000—half to soldiers, 337,500; deducted to God, 075; half to congregation, a'17,500; deducted to the Levltes, 6,760. Beeves, 72,000—half to soldiers, ,36,000; deducted to God, 72; half to congregation, 36,0(X); deducted to the Levltes, 720. Asses, 01,000—half to soldiers, SO,rm; deducted to God, 61 ; half tc congregation, .30,500; deducted
to the Levltes, 610. Persons, 32,000—half to soldiers, 16,000. deducted to God, 32; half to congregation, 18,000; dodu.'tetl
The Reubenites and Gaditea NUMBERS XXXII. Sue /or an Inheritance.
many as may be deemed necessary, while the rest of onr number shall remain at home to provide for the sustenance and secure the protection of our families and flocks (see on Joshua 4. 12, 13). 20-33. Moses said unto them. If ye will do this thing—with sincerity and zeal, go before the Liord to war—The phrase was used in allusion to the order of march in which the tribes of Reuben and Gad Immediately preceded the ark (see on ch. 12. 10-77), or to the passage over the Jordan, in which the ark stood in mid-channel, while all the tribes marched by in succession (Joshua 3. 4), of course including those of Reuben and Gad, so that, literally, they passed over be/ore the Lord and before the rest of Israel (Joshua 4. 13). Perhaps, howevei', the phrase Is used merely In a general sense to denote their marching on an expedition, the purpose of which was blessed with the presence and destined to promote the glory of God. The displeasure which Moses liad felt on the first mention of their proposal had disappeared on the strength of their solemn assurances. But a lurking suspicion of their motives seems still to have been lingering in his mind—he continued to speak to them in an admonitory strain; and concluded by warning them that in case of their failing to redeem their i)ledge, the judgments of an offended God would assuredly fall upon them. This emphatic caution against such an eventuality throwj a strong doubt on the honesty of their first Intentions; and yet, whether through the opposing attitude or the strong invectives of Moses they had been brought to a better state of mind, tlieir final reply showed that now all was right. 26-32. concerning tlkem Moses commanded —The arrangement itself, as well as the express terms on which he assented to it, was announced l^y the leader to the public authorities—i. e., the pastoral country the two tribes had desired was to be granted them on condition of their lending their aid to their brethren in the approaching Invasion of Canaan. If they refused, or faikd to perform their promise, those possessions should be forfeited, and themselves compelled to go across the Jordan, and fight for a settlement like the rest of their brethren. 33. half tlie tribe of Manasseh—It is nowhere explained in the record how they were incorporated with the two tribes, or what broke this great tribe Into two parts, of which one was left to follow the fortunes of its brethren in the settled life of the western hills, while the other was allowed to wander as a' nomadic tribe over the pasture lands of Gilead and Bashan. They are not mentioned as accompanying Reuben and Gad in their application to Moses, neither were they Included in his first directions
to the Levites, 320. 4:8-54. Officers said, There lacketh not one of us—A victory so signal, and the glory of which was untarnished by the loss of a single Israelitish
soldier, was an astonishing miracle, and so clearly betokening the direct interposition of Heaven, might well awaken tlie liveliest feelings of grateful acknowledgment
to God (Psalm 44. 2, 3). The oblation they brought for the Lord "was partly an atonement" or reparation for their error (v. 14-16), for it could not possess any expiatory virtue, and partly a tribute of gratitude for the stupendous service rendered them. It consisted of the "spoil," which, being the acquisition of individual valour, was not divided like the "prey," or live stock, each soldier retaining it in lieu of pay; it was offered by the "captains" alone, whose pious feelings were evinced by the dedication of the spoil which fell to their share. There were jewels to the amount of 16,750 shekels, equal to
£87,869 16s. 5d. sterling.